Taking a baby on a plane is something that most parents approach with caution. Infants and air travel can both be unpredictable, and they don’t always mix well.

But some advanced planning and preparation can help make for a better experience for your baby, for you, and for everyone else on the plane.

When is my baby old enough to fly on an airplane ?

Generally, you should avoid flying with your newborn until they are at least 7 days old. Ideally, wait until your baby is two or three months old to fly. Air travel (and being in crowded airports) can increase a newborn’s risk of catching an infectious disease.

Should my baby sit on my lap during the flight?

Ideally, no. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn’t require a ticket for children under the age of 2 years. But that means your baby will be on your lap. If there is turbulence, or worse, it may not be physically possible to protect your baby in your arms. Turbulence is the number one cause of children’s injuries on an airplane.

If you do not buy a ticket for your child, you may want to ask if your airline will let you use an empty seat where you can install a car seat for your baby. If your airline’s “lap baby” policy allows this, avoid the busiest travel days and times to increase your odds of finding an empty seat next to you.

How Do You Make Flight Reservations and Other Preparations?

1. Choose an evening flight. Flying is much easier with a sleeping baby, so consider flying in the evening to increase the chance of your little one nodding off. If a daytime flight is your only option, you might consider delaying your baby’s usual nap until after takeoff.

2. Allow plenty of time between connecting flights. When you’re travelling with your baby, whether abroad or domestically, try to give yourself as much extra time as you can. A little wiggle room can be a life saver when walking from one terminal or concourse to the next to catch your connecting flight!

3. Select seats in advance. For airline travel with your infant, it helps to choose your seats early so you have the most options. The bulkhead area (the seats behind the wall that typically separates the cabins) has the most room. For safety reasons you won’t be able to choose an exit row, but if available, pick a seat close to the window, as an aisle seat won’t be as safe for your baby, especially during meal service.

4. If you can, purchase a seat for your baby. Many company doesn’t require you to purchase a seat for your child if your baby younger than 2 years old and you plan to keep him on your lap. This may be easier on your wallet, but purchasing a separate seat is recommended, as having your baby with you on your lap while flying in turbulence can be dangerous. Many babies may even be more content and relaxed if they’re in their own seats. (If you do purchase a seat for your child, add your own TC-approved infant car seat to your list of what to take when travelling with your baby.)

5. Have your baby’s passport ready for international travel. If travelling abroad with your baby, your baby need a valid passport. You’ll need to apply for your baby’s passport online or in person, so check with your countries government immigration website to find out what types of documentation you’ll need, such as a birth certificate. You’ll also need a photo of your baby (alone and with a white background) from the past six months. You can take the photo on your own by laying your baby on a white blanket or sitting your baby in a car seat covered by a white sheet, or you can hire a professional photographer who specializes in passport photos.

6. Get any prescriptions filled beforehand. If your baby needs certain medications, it’s a good idea to get them filled in advance just in case they’re not available at your destination. Medications and a first-aid kit are essentials for flying with your baby.

How Do You Travel on a Plane With Your Baby?

Bring a Collapsible Baby Stroller

Choquet swears by the popular Babyzen Yoyo2 stroller, which folds neatly and can be slung over the shoulder like a tote bag. It also meets most airlines’ carry-on luggage requirements, making it easy to navigate airports and train stations before throwing it in the overhead bin once on board. The only downsides are the price (this stroller is over $400), and the fact that it’s not recommended for travelers under 6 months old.

Choquet also likes the Ergobaby, a wearable, space-saving baby carrier. “A lot of times baby falls asleep on your chest,” and if your baby’s a lap child, or under the age of two, this carrier can alleviate the stress of toting a stroller around.

7. Bring your TC-approved infant car seat.

If you’ve purchased an airplane seat for your baby, the TC requires that you use an approved child restraint system (CRS). Luckily, many infant car seats are approved for use in aircrafts, which means you may be able to use what you already have in your vehicle. Make sure the infant car seat you bring has a clearly visible statement of compliance label. This label should have the date the CRS was manufactured and confirmation that it meets the design standard. Here are some tips when using a CRS on an aircraft.

• Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions to know exactly how to position the CRS on the airplane seat. Remember that your baby’s weight may require a specific positioning.
• Tighten the airline seatbelt through the correct path on the CRS
• Secure straps (tether straps can’t be used on an airline)
• Opt to use an AmSafe CARES (an approved child harness device) if the airline allows. This device caters to children between 10 and 20 kilograms and under 100 centimeters tall.

8. Pack thoughtfully. Consider what you might need at all stages of flying with your baby: at the airport, during the flight, and once you land. You’ll need enough of everything, but try not to pack too much, as it can get heavy! Make sure you have all the diapering supplies you’ll need, including extra diapers. Other essentials for flying with an infant or baby can include baby wipes,a changing pad, a blanket, a favourite soft toy, baby food, pacifiers, a change of clothes, and plastic bags for dirty diapers or soiled clothing. You may decide to pack all of this in your own carry-on bag or take it in a separate diaper bag. Keep in mind that some airlines charge a fee to go over the carry-on limit.

9. Bring expressed breast milk (if needed) or formula. Although the CATSA’s rules generally don’t allow liquids over 100 milliliters in carry-ons, parents with babies are exempt from this. Simply pack your expressed breast milk, liquid formula, or powdered formula with the water separate for mixing later. Notify the CATSA agents at the security check that you have these items. They will most likely ask you to remove them from your bag for screening separately.

Which seat on the plane is best for a baby?

• Look for rows on the plane with more space, like the bulkhead. Exit rows are out, for safety reasons.
• Choose a seat closer to the window, if possible. Aisle seats can be risky for babies during beverage service. Hot drinks being passed to passengers can spill and cause burns, and their little arms and legs can be caught by passing carts. Aisle seats are also closer to falling overhead bin items. If you use a car seat, most airlines require that they be installed in a window seat.

Any tips for keeping my baby comfortable and content on the plane ?

• Ask for a Bassinet. Check if the airline offers a bassinet on board. These specially-made bassinets are designed to fit in the extra space of bulkhead seating sections. These are typically complimentary on international flights, though they’re subject to availability. Especially for domestic flights, while many airlines provides a limited number of bassinets on international flights only, which also need to be reserved prior to boarding. No matter what carrier you travel with, bassinets may not be used during taxi, takeoff, or landing, or when the seatbelt sign is illuminated.
• Dress your baby in layers. The temperature in a plane can vary widely, especially if you are stuck waiting on a runway. So, dress your baby in layers of clothing. As you pick out clothing, choose outfits that make diaper changing in a small space easier. Also, pack a change of clothes or two, in case turbulence hits during a diaper change or when you are feeding. Bring plastic bags for soiled clothing.
• Be ready for ear pain during take-off and landing. During takeoff and landing, changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort. If your baby has had ear surgery or an ear infection in the past two weeks, ask their doctor if it’s OK to fly. Having babies drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, can help. If your child has a cold or ear infection, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help, check with your doctor for the right amount to give your child.
• Reduce jet engine noise exposure. Airplane cabin noise hovers around 100 decibels, and is even louder during takeoff. Using cotton balls, small earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones may help to decrease the decibel level your baby is exposed to, and also make it easier for them to sleep or relax.
• Keep in mind that sleeping babies are easier for everyone. If possible, travel at a time when your baby naturally sleeps. Or, onsider trying to put off a nap until it’s time to fly. Flight delays can cause this to backfire if your exhausted baby decides to scream instead of sleep. But it may be worth a try.
• Consider a diaper change right before boarding the plane. A dry baby is a happy baby. Fortunately, when you do need to change a diaper in-flight, many planes have restroom changing table. If yours doesn’t, ask a flight attendant if there is a spot where you can spread out your changing pad. Some parents resort to diaper-changing on the closed toilet seat. If you try this, be sure to have a hand on your baby at all times and pack a disposable changing pad. Plan for delays; pack plenty of supplies.
• Bring distractions. Pack some toys and books and be ready to play with your baby the entire time. A tablet with videos can be a good backup if the toys and books aren’t helping anymore (we don’t encourage entertainment media for children under the age of 2, but desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures).
• Don’t let the glares get to you. Despite the best advanced planning and efforts, babies cry sometimes. Know that you did, and are doing, all you can. At that point, one of the best ways you can calm your baby may be to stay calm yourself. And remember that for every person who is glaring at you, there are plenty of people who have been through it themselves and have lots of sympathy.

Ask for help. Arrange for your airline to help you if you need help making a connecting flight. Carrying a child safety restraint, your baby and luggage through a busy airport can be challenging.

Keep your baby Entertained.

Keeping your little one busy with snacks, puzzles, coloring books,nor anything you can stuff in your bag that’s not bulky. Load the iPad with games and kid-friendly movies, and stock up on favorite snacks, so you’re not at the mercy of the food cart. Backpack too heavy? Old-school hand-clapping games like Patty Cake are always a hit and don’t require toting around extra toys.

Deal With Changes in Air Pressure.

Most children are usually okay with changes in air pressure during takeoffs and landings, explains Fagan, but since infants can’t swallow, pop their ears, or yawn, their only alternative for clearing their ears is sucking. Breastfeeding, or sucking on a bottle or a pacifier works well, especially during the initial descent, when the biggest change in pressure occurs. Ask a flight attendant to let you know when the descent is about to begin.