Traveling with an Infant 101

So honestly, traveling with an infant isn't all that bad! They tend to sleep and eat a lot and are easily amused by people and items on the plane. (We once spent an entire flight playing with the tray table!) The hardest part is once they get to the point of walking because then they don't want to sit! Luckily, most flight attendants and people on the plane are very understanding of this as you do laps up and down the aisle.

Where to start:

*An infant is classified as under 2 years old. At this point you can carry them in your lap and do not need to purchase a separate seat for them. Most airlines will let you travel with an infant older than 1-2 weeks, however, if traveling with an infant younger than that you will need a doctor's note stating you are cleared to travel.

*You are only allowed one infant per adult only. So if traveling with more than one infant solo (such as twins), you would have to purchase another seat and bring a car seat. If you have older children (12+) they may likely count but verify with your airline.

*Generally you are going to add an "infant in arms" at the time of booking. But this can always be added to your reservation later. For example, if you fly Delta and have the app, you can locate your trips and then click on accessible services. Then from here you will find infant in arms and can add your child.

*Bring a form of ID such as birth certificate or passport in order to verify their age. This can be a photocopy or original (I always bring a photocopy of BC if traveling domestically) but cannot be a screen shot on your phone.

In the airport:

*A stroller and/or infant carrier is strongly recommended to navigate around the airport. If you have a stroller this can be gate checked with the attendants once you get to your gate. You will then wait for it upon exiting the plane before proceeding to either your next flight or exiting the airport.

*Most airports have designated family restrooms or lactation rooms for breastfeeding moms. Find your airport map online before you travel to figure out where these might be or bring a nursing cover for privacy.

On the plane:

*Your infant must stay in your lap the entire time even if there is an open seat next to you. (Unless your flight attendant kindly overlooks this!!)

*Highly recommend breast or bottle feeding an infant during takeoff and landing - this helps with the changes in pressure and prevents pain in their ears.

*Your airplane may have a changing table. If not, you can put down the toilet seat and use that. It's cramped but possible! I recommend carrying doggie pickup bags in your diaper bag and placing any stinky diapers in them prior to disposing them in the trash. (Your fellow travelers will appreciate this too!!)

Please leave any comments or questions! And happy travels!