Traveling with Newborn: Essential Tips for Smooth Journeys

08/17/2024 Jennifer

Traveling with a newborn can seem scary, but it can be easy with the right tips. I’ll share advice to make your trip smooth and fun. You’ll learn how to handle flying with a baby and make great memories¹.

First, think about when to start flying with your baby. Most airlines let newborns fly after a few days or weeks¹. Experts say wait until your baby is about 2 months old. This is when babies are less likely to get serious infections and have had their shots¹.

Before your trip, learn about airline rules, security, and what you need to bring. This makes flying with your baby easier and less stressful².

Pre-Flight Preparations

When booking airline tickets for a trip with your newborn, there are key things to remember. Make sure to call the airline to learn about their policies on lap infants or seats for your baby³. Lap infants can be cheaper or even free on long flights, but the FAA suggests using a car seat for safety⁴.

Ticket Purchase

Have your documents ready for a smooth check-in³. You might need to show a birth certificate for kids under 2, especially if you’re not going to a passport-required place³. Keep these documents handy at the airport.

Lap Infants vs. Purchased Seats

Choosing between a lap seat or a separate seat for your infant is a big decision⁴. Babies should be at least two to three months old to fly safely to avoid getting sick in crowded places⁴. Though a lap seat saves money, the FAA says using a car seat is safer⁴.

Age Verification

³ Many airlines let you check in car seats and strollers for free, even for lap infants³. Check the airline’s rules on baggage to be ready for your trip.

Baggage Allowance

³ U.S. airlines make boarding easier for families, helping you settle in without stress³. Some airlines give more baggage space for families with young kids, so ask about this when booking³⁴.

Deciding Between Lap Infant and Seat Purchase

Traveling with a newborn means making tough choices, like whether to sit on a parent’s lap or get a separate seat. Safety is key, and the FAA suggests using a car seat for infants for extra protection⁵.

Some parents prefer holding their newborn on a short flight. This choice is also about saving money, as lap infants fly for free on domestic trips and at a small cost on international flights⁵. Airlines might offer a discount if you buy a separate seat for the baby, but usually, it costs as much as an adult ticket⁵.

Thinking about the baby’s age, size, and if you’ll get help on the flight helps make up your mind. For example, Southwest Airlines makes finding an empty seat easy for families⁵. Intra-Europe business class often has a free middle seat, perfect for parents and babies⁵.

Choosing between a lap seat and a purchased seat is about safety, comfort, and cost. While lap seats save money, they don’t offer the same safety as a purchased seat, especially for bigger or fussy babies⁵. Some airlines have bassinets, but they’re not always available and come with safety rules⁵.

Recent studies show 65% of parents pick a separate seat for their baby over sitting on a lap⁶. Over the past year, more families are choosing safety and comfort for their newborns on flights⁶. Parents who chose a lap seat often found it hard to manage their baby, unlike those with a separate seat⁶. Also, 85% of parents who bought a seat felt more relaxed and less stressed flying with their baby⁶.

Strollers and Car Seats

Traveling with a newborn can be tough, but having the right gear makes it easier. Many parents choose to gate check their stroller and car seat. This lets them use these items in the airport before giving them up at the gate⁷.

Checking at the Gate

Checking your stroller and car seat at the gate is easier than at the counter. You can use the stroller to get your baby around the airport, then hand it over before getting on the plane⁷. It’s key to check with your airline about their gate checking rules before you go⁷.

Stroller and Car Seat Options

For travel, pick lightweight and compact strollers and car seats that are easy to fold. The Baby Trend Snap N Go Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier is a top pick. It fits many car seats and has a stroller-like frame⁷. A wearable baby carrier is also great for moving around the airport. It keeps your hands free and makes getting around easier⁷.

Feature	Importance	Percentage of Parents
Stroller Considered Essential	High	85%⁸
Prefer Lightweight, Compact Stroller	High	60%⁸
Choose Car Seat Based on Safety Ratings	Very High	45%⁸
Experienced Smoother Journeys with Travel System	Very High	80%⁸

Choosing the right stroller and car seat can improve your travel experience. It ensures your newborn stays comfortable and safe on your trip⁸.

Security and Boarding

Traveling to the airport with a newborn can feel overwhelming, but using family security lanes can ease the stress⁹. Many airports have special lanes just for families, which can cut down the wait time at checkpoints⁹. Always use these lanes if you can to make your trip easier.

It’s okay to ask airline staff for help when you need it⁹. They can show you how to board or help carry your stuff, making things less stressful⁹. Also, think about using a light stroller or a top baby carrier for travel. These can keep your hands free and help you move around the airport with your baby and gear more easily.

Family Lanes and Assistance

When going through security, use the special screening for kids 12 and under⁹. The TSA has made these procedures to help families go through faster and with less stress⁹. If you need extra help, like for passengers with disabilities or medical issues, the TSA Cares program can offer support⁹.

Carrying Baby and Gear

Wearing your baby in a carrier is a great idea when moving through the airport⁹. It lets you keep your hands free for your other things, making it easier to get around⁹. You’ll need to take off the carrier at security, and a light stroller is good for carrying your other stuff⁹.

Remember, you can bring formula, breast milk, and baby food over 3.4 ounces in your carry-on if it’s for medical reasons⁹. You can also bring ice packs and freezer packs to keep these items cool⁹.

When to Start traveling with newborn

There’s no strict rule for when to start traveling with a newborn. But, there are key things to think about¹⁰. Most doctors say wait until after the baby’s first shots before traveling¹⁰. You can fly with a baby as young as a week old¹⁰. But, it’s best to wait until the baby is a few months old for longer trips.

Your recovery after having a baby is important¹¹. New moms might still be dealing with issues like C-section scars, tears, bleeding, and tiredness¹¹. Babies under 6 months are also more likely to get sick because their immune systems are still growing¹¹.

For beach trips, keep babies under 6 months out of the sun and skip the sunscreen¹⁰. Airlines might ask for a doctor’s note if the baby is under a month old¹⁰. Always plan ahead and talk to your doctor and airline before booking a trip with your newborn.

Deciding when to travel with your newborn is up to you and your doctor¹⁰. Think about your baby’s age, your health, and the trip details¹⁰. With some planning, many parents start traveling with their newborn after a few weeks¹⁰.

Airline Policies for Newborn Travel	Minimum Age Requirement
Delta and American	Under 1 week with doctor’s note
United	At least 1 week old
JetBlue and Southwest	At least 2 weeks old

When planning your trip, check your airline’s rules for newborns as they change¹¹. Also, pack important baby items like strollers and car seats to make the trip easier¹⁰.

Think about the best age for your newborn to start traveling, considering all the factors. This way, you can go on family trips with confidence and peace of mind¹⁰.

Booking Airline Tickets for Lap Infant or Seat

Car Seat Rules on Planes

When flying with a newborn, parents can choose between a lap infant ticket or a separate seat for the baby. If opting for a separate seat, make sure the car seat is FAA-approved for planes¹². It must be installed in a window seat, not blocking the aisle. Flight attendants might ask you to remove your baby from the car seat during takeoff and landing, even though it’s allowed by the FAA¹³.

Most airlines see an infant under 24 months as a lap child, not needing their own seat¹². They charge 10% of the adult fare, plus taxes and fees for international flights with an infant on an award ticket¹². Air Canada has a fixed rate of 25 Canadian dollars or 2,500 points for a lap infant on international flights with an adult on an award ticket¹².

Infant fares for international travel vary among airlines, from 10% to 25% of the adult fare, plus taxes and fees¹². Some airlines let you use lap infant tickets as an award ticket, with the baby in the same cabin as the adult¹². Air Canada’s Aeroplan program offers a low cost of CA$25 or 2,500 points for a lap infant on international flights, making it a budget-friendly choice¹².

Airlines have different rules for baggage for families with kids, including diaper bags, breast pumps, cooler bags for milk, car seats, and strollers¹³. It’s advised to buy a seat for your child for safety, comfort, and ease during the flight¹³.

Airline	Lap Infant Fare	FAA Car Seat Requirements
American Airlines	10% of adult fare + taxes/fees	FAA-approved car seat required in a window seat
Delta Air Lines	10% of adult fare + taxes/fees	FAA-approved car seat required in a window seat
United Airlines	10% of adult fare + taxes/fees	FAA-approved car seat required in a window seat
Southwest Airlines	10% of adult fare + taxes/fees	FAA-approved car seat required in a window seat
Air Canada	CA$25 or 2,500 Aeroplan points	FAA-approved car seat required in a window seat

Air Canada Aeroplan stands out for its low infant flight fees and its partnership with major rewards programs for easy point transfers¹².

Bassinets on Flights

Traveling with a newborn is both exciting and challenging. Airlines offer bassinets for a safe and comfy sleep spot for your infant¹⁴. These bassinets are few, so book one early¹⁴. They fit babies up to 25 lbs or 11 kg¹⁴, perfect for in-flight naps.

The bassinet is fixed to the bulkhead wall¹⁴. Some airlines charge extra for these seats for more legroom¹⁴. Booking a bulkhead seat means you can ask for a bassinet, making the flight better for you and your baby¹⁴. Bassinet numbers vary by airline¹⁴, and their styles, sizes, and age limits differ too¹⁴.

Reserving a bassinet varies by airline¹⁵. Most airlines offer bassinets on long flights¹⁵. They’re limited and given out first-come, first-served, with babies getting priority¹⁵. Check airline rules for bassinet use during the flight¹⁵.

Bassinets make flying comfy, but they must be stowed in turbulence, takeoff, or landing¹⁵. Qantas and Virgin let babies stay in bassinets during turbulence, but it’s not standard¹⁵. Bassinet availability varies by airline and isn’t guaranteed, even if you ask¹⁵.

For a smooth trip, look into your airline’s bassinet policies and book wisely¹⁶. Some airlines, like Aer Lingus and Air Canada, give bassinets without extra seats¹⁶. Others, like British Airways, offer bassinets or cots for kids up to 2 years¹⁶. Bassinets are for infants up to 8 months on international flights, but rules differ¹⁶.

In conclusion, airline bassinets are great for families with newborns. Plan ahead and talk to your airline for a comfy, hassle-free trip¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶.

Airport Security with Baby

Going through airport security with a baby might seem tough, but you can make it easier with some planning¹⁷. First, be ready to take your baby out of any carriers or strollers. Also, have all your baby’s liquids, medicines, and other items easy to grab¹⁷. Some airports, like Philadelphia International, have special lanes for families to make things quicker¹⁷.

At security, kids 12 and under don’t have to take off their shoes, light jackets, or hats¹⁷. You can also bring more than 3.4 ounces of breast milk, infant formula, and baby food in your carry-on¹⁷. The airport has special suites for nursing and pumping, and lots of family restrooms with outlets¹⁷.

If you need extra help, call the TSA Cares helpline at (855) 787-2227¹⁷. And if you’re in TSA PreCheck®, you can bring your kids through the fast lane¹⁷.

Getting through airport security with a baby might look tough, but with some prep and knowing what’s available, it gets easier¹⁷¹⁸. Knowing what to expect and using the family-friendly options helps you enjoy your trip with your baby¹⁸.

Boarding the Plane with Baby

Going through the airport and getting on the plane with a newborn might seem tough. But, with some planning, it can go smoothly. It’s important to keep your hands free for your baby and other important items¹⁹.

Stroller and Car Seat Gate Check

If you’re checking your stroller and car seat at the gate, do it before you get to the jetway. This makes it easier to bring your baby and gear onto the plane¹⁹. About 85% of parents use a child carrier to move around the airport without using their hands²⁰.

When it’s time to board, use the family boarding options offered by most airlines. This lets you get your baby settled before everyone else starts boarding²⁰. In fact, around 75% of parents take advantage of these early boarding times²⁰.

Make sure to dress your baby in layers because the plane’s temperature can change. About 60% of parents dress their babies this way to keep them comfortable²⁰.

By following these tips, you can make boarding easy and enjoy your flight with your newborn.

Traveling with Newborn on the Plane

Starting your journey with your little one means learning about airline rules for car seats and lap infants. Most airlines let infants stay in their car seats during the flight²¹. But, you might need to hold your baby on your lap during takeoff and landing²¹. Make sure to check the airline’s rules before you go to make flying smooth.

Car Seat and Lap Rules

The FAA suggests using a car seat for infants during flights²¹. It keeps your child safe and comfortable²¹. But, airlines have their own car seat policies, so check with them first²².

If you choose to use a lap seat for your infant, know that most airlines let kids under 2 sit there²². Yet, some cheap airlines might ask for extra money for this²². Remember to plan for this to avoid surprise costs.