Last updated: May 2026
Flying with a baby or toddler can feel especially daunting. But with the right plan, a few smart pieces of baby travel gear and realistic expectations, air travel with little ones can be much smoother.
Here are our best tips for flying with a baby or toddler, from getting through security to landing with everyone intact.
Important safety note: The FAA strongly recommends that children under 40 pounds fly in an FAA-approved Child Restraint System (CRS). The American Academy of Pediatrics echoes this guidance, urging families to purchase a seat and use an approved car seat for any child under 2. Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries, and a parent's arms cannot reliably hold a child during sudden movement.
In this article
- 1. Get there early
- 2. Book a nonstop flight (or a long layover)
- 3. Book them a seat and use a car seat
- 4. Hit the bathroom last minute
- 5. Bring a few activity options
- 6. Bring comfort toys or blankets
- 7. Strategically book your flights
- 8. Check in curbside
- 9. Gate-check your stroller
- 10. Split up during boarding
- 11. Plan ahead with snacks and liquids
- 12. Feed your baby during takeoff and landing
- 13. Pack extra essentials
- 14. Practice makes perfect
- 15. Try to sit up front
- 16. Get the proper gear
- 17. Don't panic
- What to pack for the plane
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Get There Early
Babies and toddlers create scheduling hiccups for even the most organized people. Between checking in, checking bags, clearing security and making your way to the gate, you need extra runway when you're flying with a little one.
The TSA recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. When traveling with a baby or toddler, add 30 to 60 minutes on top of that:
- Domestic flights: 2 to 2.5 hours early
- International flights: 3 to 3.5 hours early
2. Book a Nonstop Flight (or a Long Layover)
Taking off and landing can be stressful for young ones. When booking, try to keep connections to a minimum. If a connecting flight is unavoidable, give yourself a few hours in the connecting airport so your child can have a break from flying and you can avoid running through the terminal with all of your gear.
3. Book Them a Seat (and Use a Car Seat)
Children under 2 can fly free as a "lap baby," but the FAA strongly recommends buying a seat and using an FAA-approved Child Restraint System (CRS). It is the safest way for your child to travel.
Most rear-facing infant seats and most convertible car seats are already approved for use on aircraft. Look for a label on the seat that reads "This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft." If you'd rather not bring a car seat on board, the CARES harness is the only FAA-approved alternative, designed for children 22 to 44 pounds. Booster seats are not allowed during taxi, takeoff or landing because they require a shoulder belt.
Beyond safety, booking a seat gives the whole family more room to spread out, and it gives wiggly toddlers a place to sit when they need a break from your lap.
4. Hit the Bathroom Last Minute
Take yourself (and your child) to the bathroom just before boarding. Not only will this lower the chance you'll have to wrestle with the airplane lavatory, but it will also keep your kid more comfortable. Aim to board the plane with a clean, dry diaper.
5. Bring a Few Activity Options
Just like adults, babies and toddlers get bored. But unlike adults, they sometimes scream about it. Activities help keep kids entertained (and quiet) on long flights, so bring a few options and rotate when the first one loses its magic. If you run out, you can cycle through them again.
A few activity options for kids on flights include:
- A tablet loaded with downloaded shows and games (download in advance because in-flight Wi-Fi is inconsistent)
- Wired kid-safe headphones, since many airline screens and tablets don't pair easily with Bluetooth
- Interactive books
- Coloring pages
- Reusable sticker books
- Interactive toys
6. Bring Comfort Toys or Blankets
Many kids have a specific toy, blanket, pillow or stuffed animal that brings them comfort. Bringing it on the flight can help ease any anxiety your child is feeling while flying. Familiar smells and reminders of home go a long way without taking up much room in the carry-on.
7. Strategically Book Your Flights
Ideally, your child will sleep on the flight. That reduces the risk of a tantrum and keeps them in good spirits at your destination. For long flights, consider a nighttime departure they'll sleep through. For shorter flights, try to book close to naptime.
8. Check In Curbside
Lugging a car seat and luggage through the airport isn't ideal, even if it's only to the check-in counter. Curbside check-in lets you skip the long lines and get to (and through) security faster. Curbside lines are usually shorter than the ones inside the terminal, so you'll likely spend less time waiting.
9. Gate-Check Your Stroller
Why carry your baby when you can push them? Airport terminals can be long, and carrying your child wears you out fast. You can take your stroller through security and right up to the gate, then gate-check it just before boarding. That way, your stroller will still make it to your destination, but you can use it right up to takeoff. Most U.S. airlines gate-check strollers free of charge.
10. Split Up During Boarding
Most airlines allow families with young children to board early. While this is a generous gesture, it might not be the best move for kids. Boarding sooner means more time on the plane, which can increase the chance your child gets bored and restless before you've even taken off.
If both parents are on the flight, have one pre-board with the travel gear, while the other stays off the plane with the baby. The parent who boards can stow the gear, install the car seat and get the seats prepared, while the other can spend that time taking the baby to the bathroom, walking around or completing any other last-minute tasks.
11. Plan Ahead With Snacks and Liquids
Prepping snacks and drinks ahead of time makes it easier to feed your child on the plane. The TSA's Liquids Rule exemption allows you to bring "reasonable quantities" of formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) in your carry-on, even if your child isn't traveling with you. These items don't need to fit in a quart-sized bag, but they must be removed from your bag and screened separately at the checkpoint. Tell the TSA officer at the start of screening so they can set them aside, and pack them somewhere easy to reach to keep things moving.
12. Feed Your Baby During Takeoff and Landing
One reason babies and toddlers cry on flights is that the change in cabin pressure can hurt their ears. Swallowing helps relieve that pressure. Nursing, bottle-feeding, snacking or sipping water during takeoff and landing keeps your child swallowing through those pressure changes. If they don't want to eat or drink, a pacifier works too.
13. Pack Extra Essentials
Picture this: your child has finally calmed down and started to eat their favorite snack, but they drop it and it spills across the cabin floor. Hello, tantrum. Packing extras of snacks, pacifiers and other small essentials helps you stay prepared if something gets lost, dropped or destroyed. If your child is a picky eater, extra snacks make sure they actually eat something.
14. Practice Makes Perfect
Planning a trip overseas that requires a long-haul flight? Practice with something smaller first. If you can swing it, take your child on a short domestic flight to see how they react to flying and to learn what works (and doesn't) before you commit to ten hours in the air.
15. Try to Sit Up Front
There are advantages to sitting closer to the front of the plane with a baby. For one, you'll deplane faster. More importantly, the back of the plane is generally louder and shakier, which can amplify any discomfort your child is already feeling. If you can pick your seat, try to choose one in the front half of the cabin.
16. Get the Proper Gear
Being prepared is the key to traveling with a toddler successfully. Investing in the right baby travel gear is one of the best ways to prepare. Invest in bags with multiple pockets to stay organized, get reusable snack containers for in-flight meal prep and choose lightweight strollers and bags. A baby carrier is a game changer in the airport, since it keeps your hands free for boarding passes, luggage and ID checks.
17. Don't Panic
Many parents feel nervous about flying with babies. But at the end of the day, most fellow passengers will understand and empathize with your experience. As long as you're respectful and doing your best to keep your baby calm, you're being a good plane parent. Stay calm, stay prepared and do your best to make the flight go as smoothly as possible.
What to Pack for the Plane
Flying with a toddler isn't the insurmountable obstacle some people make it out to be. Like most things in parenting, it just requires preparation. Packing smart, light and right can help make the flight a breeze.
Here are a few must-haves for your carry-on when flying with a baby or toddler:
- FAA-approved car seat or CARES harness (for children 22 to 44 pounds)
- Non-noisy infant and toddler toys
- A change of clothes for both you and your child
- Formula, snacks and other feeding accessories
- Wipes
- A familiar toy or stuffed animal
- Baby blankets
- Pacifiers
- Hand sanitizer
- Extra diapers and diaper cream
- A gallon-sized zip bag for diaper blowouts or wet clothes
- Wired kid-safe headphones
Frequently Asked Questions
When Can Newborns Fly?
Most pediatricians recommend waiting until a baby is at least 2 to 3 months old before flying, because their immune systems are still developing. In a pinch, healthy full-term babies as young as 2 to 4 weeks can typically fly. Premature babies, babies with respiratory issues or babies who are sick should wait longer; ask your pediatrician first.
Do I Need to Buy My Baby a Seat on a Plane?
Children under 2 are allowed to fly free as a lap infant, but the FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics both strongly recommend purchasing a seat and using an FAA-approved Child Restraint System (CRS) for any child under 40 pounds. Turbulence is the most common cause of in-flight injuries, and an adult's arms can't safely hold a child during sudden movement.
What Car Seats Are FAA-Approved for Flights?
Most rear-facing infant seats and most convertible car seats are FAA-approved for use on aircraft. Look for a label on the seat that reads "This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft." Booster seats are not allowed during taxi, takeoff or landing because they require a shoulder belt. The only FAA-approved harness alternative is the CARES harness, made for children 22 to 44 pounds.
Can I Bring Breast Milk and Formula Through TSA?
Yes. The TSA allows "reasonable quantities" of formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) in carry-on bags. These items are exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule, and your child doesn't have to be with you. Tell the TSA officer at the start of screening so they can screen the items separately, and pack them somewhere easy to reach.
How Can I Protect My Baby's Ears When Flying?
You can help relieve ear pressure by feeding your baby or offering a pacifier during takeoff and landing. Older toddlers can sip from a water bottle or chew a snack. Swallowing equalizes the pressure in the middle ear, which is what causes the popping or pain. Try to keep your baby awake during ascent and descent, since sleeping babies swallow less often.
How Can I Keep My Baby Healthy on a Plane?
Most commercial airplane cabins recirculate air through HEPA filters, which catch the majority of airborne particles, but high-touch surfaces like tray tables, armrests and seatbelt buckles can still harbor germs. Wipe down your area with sanitizing wipes when you board, wash hands or use hand sanitizer often and keep your baby's hands and pacifier off shared surfaces when you can. The CDC recommends keeping infants up to date on routine vaccinations before any travel.
Flying with a baby or toddler might feel intimidating, but like many things in parenting, it's entirely doable with the right planning and preparation.