Flying with Baby for the First Time? Your Survival Guide + Essential Tips
This past weekend was a whirlwind as we celebrated my brother graduating from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). It was also a monumental occasion for our little Addy: her very first plane ride! And let me tell you, it was an experience. We navigated flight delays, weathered missed bedtimes, and yes, even contended with a few forgotten items. It was nerve-wracking at times, but we survived, and I’m here to share the helpful tips and must-have products that made this potentially "nerve-ending" experience not so scary after all.
For Addy's first flight, we tried to stack the odds in our favor by prioritizing a direct flight that was less than three hours in the air. Luckily, sunny Florida was just a quick one-hour hop for us. We flew Allegiant, which, like any budget airline, has its pros and cons – but that’s a story for another day! Today, it’s all about sharing what actually helped.
Just so you know, I'm sharing some personal favorites! Some links are affiliate/referral, meaning if you buy through them, I might get a small commission or we both benefit – at no extra cost to you.
Here are my essential tips for tackling baby's first flight:
Tip #1: That Little Piece of Paper – Bring the Birth Certificate!
This might seem like a no-brainer, but don't leave home without it! Each airline has different policies on if or when they’ll ask for proof of age for a lap infant. On our Allegiant flight to Florida, they made us confirm Addy's birth certificate while checking our bags AND again at the gate before boarding. However, on our Delta flight home, no one asked for it once. The lesson: always be prepared and have it easily accessible. You don’t want this to be a point of stress.
Tip #2: Your Best Friend on Wheels – The Car Seat Travel Bag!
This was a lifesaver. We ended up using the Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag (link to Chicco bag on Amazon), and it was amazing! Not only did it protect our car seat, but the wheels made navigating the airport so much easier. Plus, it became our secret weapon for extra packing space. We were able to fit the car seat, the base, a whole pack of diapers, our beloved SlumberPod, AND Addy’s Toddlekind portable playmat (link to Toddlekind Mat on Amazon) all inside! Bonus Airline Perk: Most major airlines allow you to check or gate-check your stroller bag and car seat bag for free. Always pull up the specific airline’s policy to confirm before you fly, but this is a huge help! We checked both our car seat and stroller bags on both legs of our journey without issue.
Tip #3: The "Medical" Loophole – Your Liquid Gold Pass!
If you're traveling with breastmilk or formula, good news! You are generally allowed a separate medical bag for these items, which doesn't count towards your carry-on allowance. Depending on the airport, they may require additional screening for the liquids – sometimes they'll have you open them or test them. Confirm the latest TSA policies on their website before you pack so you know what to expect.
Tip #4: TSA Tango – To Wear or To Stroll?
This was a big one for us. If your child is cool, calm, and collected in a baby carrier, I’d highly recommend wearing them through TSA security. Why? Because you’ll need to completely empty out your stroller, fold it down, and send it through the X-ray machine anyway, all while still holding your child as you walk through the metal detector. Wearing Addy in her carrier saved us precious time and a lot of anxiety from having to break down the stroller while juggling a baby and our belongings in a busy security line.
Tip #5: The Three B's – Your In-Flight Sleep Elixir!
Getting a baby to sleep on a plane can feel like a Herculean task, but we found success with what I now call the "Three B's":
Boob/Bottle: Offer a feed during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure and to soothe them. We fed Addy about 2-3 ounces at takeoff.
Burp cloth/Blanket: Use a lightweight muslin burp cloth or blanket to gently drape over baby (and your shoulder if nursing) to minimize distractions and block out some of the cabin light. This helped Addy settle significantly.
Butt Taps (or Gentle Bouncing): That rhythmic motion is magic! Once Addy was fed and partially covered, we gently bounced her or tapped her butt, and she drifted off for a much-needed nap.
Tip #6: Miniatures are Mighty! Don't Forget Travel Sizes.
When you’re trying to pack light (or just not overpack too much), travel-sized versions of your daily essentials are key. Think about:
A mini version of Tubby Todd All Over Ointment (link to Travel AOO on Tubby Todd) for any skin dryness.
Travel-size dish soap (like this one from Amazon) to wash bottles in your hotel room. We actually forgot ours, and my husband, Walker, had to make a late-night run to a gas station at 9 pm after we checked in – learn from our mistake!
Any other go-to oils, creams, or baby toiletries in mini form.
Tip #7: The Hotel Crib Conundrum – To Use or Not to Use?
This is a personal choice, but weigh the pros and cons. We’ve stayed at two different hotels with Addy now, and the cribs provided were different sizes and had different material bars. Addy is a very active sleeper and moves around a lot. At the Florida hotel, the crib was made of metal, and she definitely woke herself up a few times bumping into it.
Pro of bringing your own pack 'n play: You know it, baby knows it, and the siding is usually a soft mesh.
Con: It’s just one more (often bulky) thing to pack and lug around.
If you use the hotel crib: Make sure to reserve it when you make your hotel reservation and confirm it again closer to your stay. For peace of mind (and hygiene), bring your own crib sheet.
Tip #8: The Sound of Sanity – Your Portable White Noise Machine!
Don't leave home without your portable sound machine! We adore our Hatch Rest Go (link to Hatch Go on Amazon). It’s compact but powerful and can be used for white noise in the hotel, on the plane (discreetly, of course!), in the car, and even clipped to the stroller while you’re out and about. On this trip, we ended up not following Addy's typical napping schedule perfectly, so the Hatch Rest Go was instrumental in helping her fall asleep more seamlessly in new environments.
Tip #9: The Golden Rule – Expect the Unexpected & Give Yourself Grace!
This is probably the most important tip of all. Things will go differently than planned. Expect delayed flights, long lines for rental cars, unexpected blowouts at inconvenient times, and a baby who might just decide that their usual nap schedule is merely a suggestion when on vacation. Give yourselves SO much grace. Allow plenty of extra time when arriving at the airport, getting to your gate, landing, and for any activities in between. Build in buffer time that allows for your baby to simply be a baby, to have their fussy moments, or to need an extra feed or cuddle. The more you can roll with the punches, the less stressful it will be for everyone.
Baby's first plane ride is a big milestone, and while it comes with its challenges, it also opens up a world of new adventures and memories. With a bit of preparation, the right gear, and a flexible attitude, you can absolutely make it a positive experience. We're already looking forward to Addy’s next stamp in her (future) passport!
What are your best tips for flying with a baby? Share your hard-earned wisdom in the comments below – we all learn from each other!
