Everything You Need to Know Before Flying with Your Baby

After a fun week away, Quinn and I are home and getting back into our normal routine. We had the best time! I can’t say enough good things about the American Airlines flight crew and passengers on all four of our flights. It truly takes a village and I’m so thankful for the people who stepped into our “village” during our travels. It wasn’t my ideal postpartum vaca, but it will be fun for Quinn and I to look back on the memories we made together.

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Here’s a few tips I’ll share if you’re planning to fly on an airplane with a baby. (If you have someone flying with you to help with baby, you may not find some of these useful.)

1. Size up one diaper size for flights. Gravity does some crazy things to those tiny bodies!

2. Try to fly EARLY in the morning or at night so the plane will be dark. Quinn usually wakes at 7:30-8:00 am and we left the house at 5:00 am. She practically slept through security. On the way back we landed at midnight and she slept great. 

3. Pack extra clothes for both of you in your carry-on or diaper bag. Just in case!

4. Bring your travel system (car seat that attaches to your stroller). It’s so much easier to have baby in the stroller while you push and have rolling carry-on luggage. 

5. If you don’t check a bag, invest in a good rolling, hard shell carry on with four wheels to roll right next to the stroller.

6. Nurse during takeoff and landing. Babies don’t know how to pop their ears, so the sucking helps release the pressure. Quinn doesn’t take a pacifier, but if your baby does, then a pacifier can replace nursing. 

7. Pack a nursing cover in the diaper bag in an easily accessible pocket if you use one.

8. Screenshot your boarding pass. I always find it easier to access photos on my phone than on the actual app. 

9. Pack snacks. Nursing mommas are always hungry, so I pack almonds and grapes. 

10. I try to drink a lot of water before flying to stay hydrated. 

11. If you notice any open seats on the app before boarding (or you can ask at the gate desk) ask if you can take your car seat on for baby to sit in so you can take a break from holding. 

12. Baby-wearing is so helpful. Your hands can be free, baby is held, and everyone is happy.