How to Fly with a Baby

If you’re sitting there wondering how on earth you’re going to manage your first flight with a tiny human, I totally get it. The good news? It’s going to be so much more manageable than you think, and honestly, it’s going to create some of the most special memories.

Here’s the thing that took me way too long to figure out: babies don’t need nearly as much as we think they do for flights. What they need most is a calm, go-with-the-flow mama who’s prepared for anything. That’s where my trusty packing list comes in – it has all the baseline items I NEED, and then I adjust depending on the destination (beach vs snow, you know the drill).

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Before we dive into the logistics, let’s talk about the most important thing: your attitude. Throw all schedules out the window and maintain a positive attitude! Our babies feed off our energy, so anxious energy doesn’t help anyone. I’ve learned to go with the flow and remember that whatever happens on the plane is only temporary.

This mindset shift has been game-changing for our standby travel life. When you can’t control which flight you’ll catch, you learn that flexibility with babies isn’t just helpful – it’s essential.

My Flight-Tested Packing Strategy

After all these flights, I’ve got my packing down to a science. I pack enough diapers for every hour of our plane ride plus any feeding, pumping, or nursing supplies. Here’s what goes in my “personal item” every single time. I use a backpack vs a bulky diaper bag because it fits under the seat well and holds everything I need immediate access to:

Diaper go-bag (4 diapers, wipes, changing pad, lotion, change of clothes)
Water bottle (one for each of you int he side pouch)
Amma nursing wrap (privacy and comfort anywhere)
Pacifiers and comfort items
Snacks for older babies
teething meds
Chargers and books
LMNT packets & meat sticks for mom (travel dehydration is real, especially when nursing)
my wallet including ID or Passsport

A few tips? You can bring a carry-on diaper bag in addition to your regular carry-on, I prefer a minimal approach so as not to be fumbling through too much extra stuff. Breast pumps and milk don’t count toward your liquid limits. You can bring water through security when traveling with kids under 2.

Don’t Forget About Yourself!

Make sure you pack food and water for YOURSELF. I know we focus on the baby, but sometimes you get nap-trapped or take longer at your connection and wind up hungry. You’ve got to stay on top of the protein and hydration, especially if you’re nursing!

The Carry-On Baggage Strategy

Here’s what goes in my Away roller bag every single time.
See the complete printable/editable packing list here.

The Non-Negotiables:

Sound machine (sleep and naps)
diapers and wipes
Formula/pumping supplies for the trip plus 24 hours extra
Sleep suit (maintains routine in any environment)
4-5 complete outfits for baby (always pack more than you think you need)
Pajamas and comfort items
Any medications and teething relief (my oldest started teething in Mexico at 3 months)
Nursing wrap (doubles as carseat cover and creates instant nap space)

Pro tip: Pack one complete outfit for baby in your personal item. Blowouts happen at the worst possible moments, and you don’t want to be digging through overhead bins during turbulence.

Feeding on the Flight

For young babies, nurse on demand! The feeding helps calm them and helps with the pressure, especially during takeoff and landing. Both of my babies seem to eat more often when traveling – they may be distracted i.e. not getting a full feed, or dehydrated. Either way, this is the first thing I try when baby is fussy.

Important note: Check with your specific airline, but US TSA screening will allow you to bring food and beverages for kids under 2! So yes, mama, bring the milk, bring your pump, bring the pouches & water bottles! You got this.

If your baby is eating solids, I recommend utilizing baby-led weaning if you’re an avid traveler. This way you can pretty much eat anywhere you find yourself because they eat what we eat! For our 6-month-old, we bring blackberries, cucumber, Serenity Kids packets, pork rinds, seaweed chips – easy finger foods that travel well. At a restaurant, we will order him scrambled eggs, shredded chicken, avocado, steamed veggies, etc.

Stroller vs Carrier

I prefer to use the Doona for trips because it makes everything so much easier. By myself, I wheel it all the way down the jet bridge and right into the travel bag, collapse it with baby in it, remove baby, then zip it up with bulky coats if we have them. Then I get it plane-side when we land, and baby goes right back in – this is called gate checking, and you can do it with any stroller.

Once my baby is old enough to walk (and too big for the Doona), we make him walk through the airport. Layovers and heading to the plane is a great way to get the wiggles out before a flight, and they’re little enough we can still carry them if we need to.

I do bring the carrier as well if we are planning on doing any sort or walking activities – so hiking, cruise boat, extended shopping I will use the carrier to bring baby without the bulky Doona on uncertain surfaces. Obviously, would need a car seat in addition to a baby carrier on trips where we anticipate driving. The Cosco Scenera Next is the most light-weight travel car seat. We put it in a padded travel bag and check it in at the ticket counter (where you normally check bags). This does not count against your baggage allowance and is free to check.

Airport Navigation with Babies

Security Checkpoint Success

TSA with babies is actually easier than most people think. You can bring:

Formula, breast milk, and baby food in any quantity
Water for yourself and/or the baby
Medications without the 3-1-1 restrictions

The process: Tell the agent you’re traveling with an infant, remove baby from carrier for separate screening, and everything else goes through normally. Know that the process for screening liquids will take long

Connections & Layovers

Keep an eye out for mothers’ rooms and nursing rooms at airports – they’re a great place to park it and nurse or change a diaper when I’m feeling overstimulated. These quiet spaces are lifesavers during long layovers or when you need to reset.

Yes, most planes have a changing table behind the toilet. It’s obviously very cramped, but totally doable. This is part of my strategy of bringing a carry-on suitcase only because I have all my clothes handy should an accident wind up on my shirt or pants (both have happened!). If you’re checking bags, just bring an extra shirt in your personal item along with the baby’s necessities.

In-Flight Entertainment

Babies don’t need any specific airplane entertainment, but know that your busy baby is going to be climbing all over you – make some fun out of it! Read the safety card together, point out things outside the window, turn the light on and off, wave at other passengers, or play with the empty beverage cup. It’s going to be such a special memory!

I’ve found that the simplest things keep babies entertained on flights. That crinkly airline magazine? Pure gold. The window shade going up and down? Better than any toy. Don’t overthink the entertainment – babies are naturally curious about everything around them. Plus that air sickness bag makes a great trash bag for older kid’s snack wrappers.

The Reality of How to Fly with a Baby

Here’s what I wish someone had told me before our first flight: most of the time, babies do great on planes. The white noise of the engines often helps them sleep, and the new environment keeps them interested and calm. Yes, there might be some fussing during takeoff and landing, but it’s temporary.

The horror stories you hear? They’re the exception, not the rule. Most flights with babies are actually pretty uneventful – they sleep, eat, look around, and charm fellow passengers.

Why I Keep Flying with My Boys

People often ask if it’s worth the “hassle” of flying with babies. The answer is absolutely yes! Some of my favorite travel memories are from those early flights – my second babie’s laugh at takeoff, my baby sleeping peacefully in my arms while we flew over the Pacific, the way other passengers would smile and wave at them.

Yes, you’ll pack more. Yes, you’ll need to be flexible. But you’ll also discover that babies are incredibly adaptable travelers who open up conversations with strangers. They do a great job of reminding us to find joy in the simple moments.

Don’t let having a baby stop your travel dreams. They’re portable, they adapt to new environments beautifully, and honestly? They have a better attitude than a lot of adult passengers I have seen!

The Bottom Line

Flying with babies isn’t about having the perfect plan – it’s about staying flexible, keeping a positive attitude, and remembering that this phase is temporary. Some flights will be easier than others, and that’s completely normal.

Pack what you need, expect the unexpected, and give yourself grace. You’ve got this, mama!

What’s your biggest concern about flying with your baby? I’d love to help you work through it in the comments!