Can Newborns Travel by Plane? Everything You Should Know

Flying with your newborn? Let’s know about lap infant policies while traveling by plane. Airlines usually let kids under 2 years old fly as lap infants—sometimes for free, sometimes with a small fee. Would you prefer a separate seat for your little one? Get ready to shell out for a full-priced ticket.

Good news: most airlines let you check a car seat and stroller for free, even if your munchkin’s a lap baby. But policy quirks exist, especially with budget and international airlines.

Consider booking bulkhead seats that can fit a baby bassinet. Trust me, having a bassinet can be a lifesaver compared to holding a squirmy baby for the entire flight.

Traveling with a Newborn by Plane: Safety First, Always

Keep it accurate: safety is everything when flying with a newborn. The safest way? Use an FAA-approved car seat or harness device. Ensure it fits your baby’s size and age, and always secure it with the airplane’s seat belt.

A little tip from caring parents: Offer a bottle, nurse, or pacifier during takeoff and landing to ease ear pressure. Kick off the feeding just as the plane takes off so your baby swallows continuously.

Heading Abroad? Read This

Most airlines let babies under 2 travel as lap infants, but watch out for extra fees like taxes or a chunk of the fare. Do some homework to find the best deal for you.

Get all your paperwork sorted ahead of time to avoid last-minute scrambles.

And while you’re at it, consider travel insurance to cover any unexpected hiccups, especially with a baby in tow.

There you have it—some straightforward, practical advice to help you survive flying with a newborn.

Safety and Logistics Advice

How Old is Enough?

So you want to fly with your tiny human? Here’s the scoop: Airlines and doctors both have opinions on this. Most airlines say your baby has to be at least a week old. United Airlines won’t let little ones under seven days on board, but JetBlue will roll out the red carpet for three-day-old babies.

But hold up—Doctors usually recommend waiting until your baby’s about a month old before taking to the skies. Full-term infants are better off at 3-6 months when their immune systems are flexed and ready. If your baby is premature or has health issues, call your pediatrician first.

Seat or No Seat?

Got a baby under two? You’ve got options. You could hold your baby on your lap for a free or low-cost flight. But you can add your mini-me to your reservation, following the airline’s rules.

Now, should you splurge on a seat for your baby and use an FAA-approved car seat? It’s safer, especially with turbulence—notorious for causing kiddo injuries on flights. Consider your wallet, comfort, and the safety of the little one before making the call.

Getting Through Security

Handling airport security with a newborn can be trickier than changing a diaper in a tiny airplane bathroom, but a little heads-up can help.

The TSA is cool with baby food, formula, and meds in reasonable amounts, even if they exceed the 3-1-1 rule. Just declare this stuff when you’re at the checkpoint.

When passing through the metal detector, expect to remove your baby from any stroller or carrier. Some airports have family lines to speed things up for parents with infants. A pro tip for take-off and landing: nursing, bottle-feeding, or a trusty pacifier can help balance the little one’s ear pressure.

I hope this guide concerns whether you can travel by plane with your newborns and what safety precautions you should take while traveling. Everything I have shared will help you a lot.