Wondering what to expect when you get to the airport with your baby?  Our little ones have flown a lot, and these are the lessons we’ve learned.  Hopefully they’ll help you survive the airport and come off the flight looking like old pros.

If flying with a lap infant, you won’t be able to check-in online or at a self-service kiosk, so plan time to wait in that long line to check in with an actual person.  Even when you think all is well, arrive early.  I’ve had a few times where there was confusion (I’m not really sure why) and things needed to be discussed with supervisors, which takes time.  There can be separate rules and additional documentation required for flying with a baby.

TSA is usually where best laid plans fall apart.  There’s nearly always a line of impatient people waiting, and a million tasks to accomplish quickly, all while juggling baby.  The keys are ORGANIZATION and PLANNING.

1. Don’t waste time with a stroller.  Baby will have to be taken out and carried through security, and the stroller will have to be broken down and put on the belt for screening.  Just use a baby sling or front pack. The TSA website says that you may carry a baby through security in a sling, but there are no guarantees – I’ve had to take mine out before.  
2. Have all of your liquids (sorted and bagged separately), computers and iPads at the top of your carry-on.  Wear shoes that slip on and off, and no accessories that will need to be removed.
3. If you bring liquids over the limits, or carry a baby through security, there will be additional screenings including hand wipe test strips.

Official TSA Info on Flying with Children 

We always try to get to the airport with enough time to relax before our flight.  If you need to feed baby (which I don’t recommend until take-off), many airports have mothers’ rooms with space to nurse, pump, or change diapers. If you can’t find one, a quiet or deserted gate can usually be located for some privacy.  

Play areas are becoming quite common at airports – look up the ones you’ll be traveling through and note the playground location on your itinerary.  If there aren’t any playgrounds, simply grabbing a snack and watching planes is usually enough to keep my guys entertained.

There are only a couple of bassinets available on each flight.  Some airlines will let you pre-book a seat with one, but typically they are given out on a first-come-first-served basis at the gate.  They aren’t a necessity, but can give you a nice reprieve from holding baby on a long flight.

Yes, families can board first, but it’s not always the best choice.  If you have carry-on luggage and need overhead space, or if baby is sleepy, go ahead and jump on early.  However, if baby is antsy and wanting to cry and crawl around, just wait it out. Walking the baby is impossible during the boarding process.  Also, fussy babies this early in the flight will get some dagger looks shot your way. Avoid that by boarding at the end.

You will never see these people again, so try to remain calm.  It’s not the end of the world if your baby cries.  However, do everything in your power to calm him.  Most other passengers will be very understanding, as long as a parent is attempting to remedy the situation.  Be prepared with toys, games, an iPad, pacifiers (bring more than one), drinks, or a snack.  Usually the flight attendants are your best ally.  They’ll often let you stand at the back of the plane, near their station, to keep from being in the midst of the other passengers with a wailing baby.  

Take-off and landing are typcially the most difficult for babies because of air pressure changes.  Make sure baby has something to drink or suck on during both.

My go-to take-off game plan:

1. Have your headphones, snacks, drinks, iPad, and anything you will want to use within reach if (*fingers crossed*) baby falls asleep.
2. Ready a bottle WITHOUT LETTING BABY SEE.  Taxiing can take a while, and I’ve made the mistake of giving him his bottle as we pulled back from the gate, only for him to be finished before take-off.  
3. As soon as the plane starts to speed down the runway, get baby in a comfy position with blankie, and it’s bottle/ breastfeeding time.  
4. With any luck, baby will eat, clear his ears, and fall asleep for a nice long nap.  

Now, if you’re not lucky enough to have a sleeping baby, have a few little board books handy, and small toys that don’t make loud noise, and don’t roll easily.  We use these straps to attach toys to almost everything.

IPads can be a lifesaver for older children, but don’t expect babies (or even toddlers) to be entertained by them for long.  However, they can give you a few minutes of distraction.  Our guys enjoyed looking at pictures of family and themselves, so make sure to have some loaded up.

If baby is getting restless, I’ve found that the Baby Bjorn is great for keeping him strapped in tight and calm and comforted.  The good old stand-by of walking the aisles seems to work the best.  Luckily, most flight attendants are very accommodating and don’t mind if you hang out near their stations for a bit of extra space.  

Sometimes flying with a baby is difficult, and sometimes it’s a breeze.  It all depends on the baby and the day, but being prepared always helps to limit the stress.