Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.
This is how to survive hours in the air with your little one.
Credit:Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja
That doesnt mean you shouldnt do it.
Travel is one of the greatest gifts you could give your children.
With family in both countries, its a journey weve done multiple times since.
Credit: Amazon
is planning and preparation.
Packing Checklist for Flying With a Baby
This is by no means an exhaustive list.
You also wont need everything on this list.
Credit: FlyAway
Tailor your choices to align with your particular routine, destination, flight length, andairline rulesand regulations.
If I have just one tip, its to enquire well in advance about booking a baby bassinet.
When it comes to entertainment, opt for noise-free, mess-free toys without too many pieces to potentially lose.
Credit: Tomy
For this reason, purchasing an extra seat just so you might use an inflatable bed may seem excessive.
Traveling with a teething baby is a whole different ball game.
Youll want to pack teething gel and possibly (if recommended by your doctor), some infant Tylenol.
Credit: Amazon
When I took my daughter on a 11-hour flight at 18 months, she was cutting several teeth simultaneously.
The Mortimer the Moose Clip & Go from Lamaze was her go-to comforter.
When she finally drifted off, multi-use Mortimer also doubled as a plushy for cuddling.
Credit: Amazon
My kids loved Roger Priddys First 100 Words long before they were able to talk.
Its also travel-sized with sturdy board pages.
If theyre interactive and simple enough for the baby to use with minimal assistance, all the better.
Credit: Amazon
Stacking cups punch way above their weight in this category.
My kids loved this simple set from The First Years.
The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet is the smallest and most portable of Amazons tablets made especially for kids.
Credit: Amazon
It comes in a virtually indestructible kid-proof case with a built-in stand for your airplane tray table.
A Parent Dashboard allows you to filter age-appropriate content and purchases.
It also includes a subscription to Amazon Kids+.
Credit: Amazon
Remember that breast milk, formula, and baby food areexempt from standard liquid limitations.
Consider investing in a portable warmer for full independence.
Finally, snacks are great for both sustenance and entertainment.
Credit: Walmart
This is where the beautifully simple Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Portable Bottle Warmer comes in.
The warmer fits compactly into your bag and can be refilled as needed by the cabin crew.
The key to minimizing stress for everyone is advance preparation.
Credit: Amazon
Each one holds about two ounces of milk powder that can be tipped into baby’s bottle in seconds.
On shorter flights, you could even use some of the layers for storing snacks.
This is especially important on a flight, where low humidity levels can cause dehydration even in adults.
Credit: Amazon
First, its truly leak-free, with a soft plastic valve that fits all the way over the top.
The handles fit little hands perfectly and its easy to clean on the go.
Bento boxes help with this by providing spaces for lots of different foods for maximum interest.
Credit: Amazon
When you get to your destination, its dishwasher and microwave safe.
Before you travel, its important to decide how youll be transporting baby through the airport.
A baby carrier is a great option for navigating crowds with minimal fuss while keeping your hands free.
Credit: Amazon
you’ve got the option to also take your stroller all the way to the airplane door.
Alternatively, she says, theDoona X strollerdoubles as a car seat that can be used on board.
When forward facing, the babys hips are held in the M position to protect against hip dysplasia.
Credit: Amazon
It also tips the scales at just 14.5 pounds.
When folded away, it measures just 7.5 x 11.5 inches and resembles a regular clutch bag.
Enter the Remobia Hicol Organizer Set, a collection of five packing cubes designed especially for parents.
Credit: Amazon
Theyre TSA-approved for convenience through security and nest inside each other neatly when not in use.
However, many airports in hot countries lack covered walkways from the plane to the terminal.
I recommend packing a travel-sized mineral sunscreen like this one from Aveeno for on-the-go protection.
Credit: Amazon
Remember that you dont need all of them.
When booking your flight, bear in mind departure and arrival times.
Minimize stress, wherever possible.
Credit: Amazon
Meanwhile, Sharpe says that she often sees parents struggle due to not packing enough snacks and activities.
Premature babies or those with known conditions may require medical clearance to fly.
Babies under two years old are allowed to fly on your lap or in an approved infant car seat.
Credit: Aveeno
A bassinet is an absolute godsend, especially on an extended or overnight flight.
My daughter spent most of her first 11-hour flight sleeping peacefully in hers.
However, the availability of these bassinets is limited because they can only be fixed to the bulkhead.
Attempt to book a baby bassinet.
If thats not possible, turn up to the airport early in the hope of being assigned one.
If there is, you may be allowed to use it without having to pay extra.
There are pros and cons to both approaches.
Here, Sharpe says, it will be loaded into the planes cargo hold by the ground handling agents.
Alternatively, investing in a stroller that fits into the overhead compartment eliminates these issues completely.
This applies to juice, too.
You just need to remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately at security.
However, be aware that TSA rules only apply in the United States.
Check airport and airline rules carefully before flying to avoid any confusion.
Swallowing is the easiest way to help them equalize.
Therefore, its important to breast or bottle feed during take-off and landing.
