Tips for baby’s first flight
I panicked before my first flight with my baby—here’s what I learned | 7 min read
I love to travel. Pre-baby, I visited 33 countries — from hiking in Chilean Patagonia to attending global conferences throughout Africa.
Yet, the thought of getting on a plane with a baby for the first time made me panic.
She took four flights before her 1st birthday. I’m not an expert, but I learn something new every time we fly.
Here’s what actually helped:
✈️ Booking travel
Flights: Babies under 2 fly free domestically. They don’t need a passport or government photo ID but may need to be added to your ticket in advance (e.g., Delta). Do this before your trip to save time and unnecessary stress at the airport. Book flights that overlap with nap time so you can spend less time as an in-flight entertainer.
Lodging: AirBnBs usually have baby gear (high chair, pack ‘n play, books, toys), kitchens (for storing formula and milk), and most importantly—separate rooms so you’re not whispering in the dark at 7pm. If you’re booking a hotel, request a crib, mini fridge, and microwave.
🚗 The car seat
Bring your own or rent? We’ve done both.
Option 1: Bring your own. It’s free to check as ‘special luggage’. Don’t bring the base—it’s heavy and you can use seat belts (but practice strapping it in before your trip; trust me, this isn’t a skill you want to learn when everyone’s wiped out from the flight). Pro tip: Fire stations have staff members certified in car seat safety, so you can always visit one at your destination for a quality check.
Pros: You’re familiar with your own and can stuff lighter items in the car seat bag without checking an extra bag (we fill it with diapers).
Cons: Risk of damage.
Option 2: Rent from Car rental agency. Typically costs $10-15/day.
Pros: No extra luggage (your partner’s back will thank you, too).
Cons: You get a mystery car seat and have to install it yourself (thank you, YouTube). Rental quality, safety, and cleanliness aren’t gauranteed, so bring extra antibacterial wipes to wipe it down.
Option 3: Rent from Babyquip. Babyquip is like AirBnB for baby gear. Renters meet you at the airport or car rental agency with the seat and may also offer other items rent. Haven’t tried it yet, but seems promising.
🎒Packing
Bags: One smaller carry-on (essentials for the first night and emergency supplies like medications), and one oversized suitcase (for everything else).
Nursing gear: Triple-check pump parts like black flow protectors and the charger (I forgot a key piece once and let’s just say that was painful, physically and mentally). Also pack a manual pump or a haakaa as backup.
Laundry: If your AirBnB has a washer, pack a few detergent pods from home, especially if you use a sensitive brand.
🛫 Before the flight
Baby carrier: This is a hands free power move, and makes it much easier to get through the airport. Also great for rocking the baby to sleep on flights while getting steps in.
Check as much luggage as possible: This lets you focus on baby and not your belongings.
Count your bags: Before leaving the airport (also learned this the hard way).
👶 On the plane
Boarding strategy: We skip early boarding. Instead, my husband goes first to wipe down our seats and get our stuff settled while I let baby burn off energy at the gate. We board last; again to minimize the need to serve as in-flight entertainment and sitting in a cramped space (if we don’t like it, babies definitely don’t like it).
Diapers: Use overnight diapers for the flight! We also bring extra diapers and outfits for baby—and mom and dad (yes, blowouts happen).
Feeding strategy: Nurse or bottle-feed during takeoff/landing to help with ear pressure. For privacy during nursing, I wrap a muslin cloth around my neck and pin one of the corners on the hook above the tray table to create a tent. I prefer the window seat for extra privacy.
Pack snacks, then double it: Flights aren’t the time for strict meal and snack schedules. A happier baby = happier flight. Pack extra and embrace the snack fest.
Entertainment: Babies love new toys or the thrill of unwrapping old toys. We like flight-friendly toys (spinner, Fidget Pops), books (My First Library, Pat the Bunny, Dr. Seuss Baby Board Books), anything sticky (stickers, blue tape, post-its, reusable stickers), or empty water bottle filled with pipe cleaners and pom poms. Packing mesh zipper bags keep toys organized. If all else fails, let them watch videos of themselves on your phone.
Extra ziploc bags: Comes in handy for dirty diapers, soiled baby clothes, and food waste.
Survival mindset: A three-hour flight sounds intimidating, because it is. Think in 15-minute chunks. That’s just 12 rounds of entertainment.
🌎 Once you arrive (yay!)
Grocery run hack: The night before our trip, I place a Target order pick up so we can grab the essentials on our way to the hotel (milk, snacks, diapers, wipes). It helps free up extra room in your luggage too.
Sleep setup: No blackout curtains? Pack large garbage bags and tape to cover the windows. Adjust baby’s schedule 1-2 days pre-trip if you’re crossing time zones. We also pack the baby monitor, sleep sack, and white noise machine to recreate our home sleep environment.
Flying with a baby will be stressful. That’s the reality. But don’t let it stop you from taking a family trip!
A little planning—and a lot of flexibility and deep breathing—will go a long way.
Focus on your baby, not what others think. Stay calm when things go sideways. And when you land, take a breath to appreciate that you did it.
It’ll be hard, but I promise you’ll learn something new every time.
