The bottom line: Flying with a baby is manageable with the right preparation. After two successful trips – one to Florida at 3 months and another to Puerto Rico at 6 months – I learned that strategic seat selection, smart packing, and flexible sleep routines make all the difference. Here are my takeaway tips.
Booking the Right Seats
Pro tip from experience: Book a window and aisle seat toward the back of the plane, leaving the middle empty.
Here's why this works: Middle seats – especially near the back – are always the last to fill. On half of my eight flights, I asked at the gate (not just at check-in) if the flight was full, and the gate agents moved seats around to give us the empty middle.
What I did:
- At check-in: Asked if the flight was full
- At the gate: Asked again – this is where the magic happens
- On full flights: Offered the middle-seat passenger our window seat
That extra space lets your baby sit, play, and even lie down to sleep. On three flights, my daughter actually slept lying across the middle seat with blankets tucked around her.
Important Safety Note
The FAA strongly recommends a separate seat with an approved car seat or harness for children under 40 pounds. While not required for lap infants, your arms won't protect your baby during turbulence or emergencies.
What qualifies:
- Car seats marked "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft"
- Safety harnesses for children over 22 pounds
Yes, this means buying an extra ticket. I understand that's a significant cost – especially since families often need to fly for weddings, funerals, or relocations. Research your options and make the choice that works for your family. More FAA guidelines here.
Boarding Strategy
Always board during early/family boarding. This isn't just about convenience – you need overhead bin space near your seats.
I learned this the hard way on our first flight when we boarded normally and ended up with our diaper bag stored six rows behind us. Not ideal when you need a bottle or a fresh diaper.
Airlines that offer family pre-boarding:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue
- Spirit
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- WestJet
Ask at the gate if it's not announced
Sleep on the Plane
Getting your baby to sleep at 30,000 feet is challenging, so I focused on maximizing sleep before boarding.
In the airport:
- Walk continuously with baby in stroller or carrier until they fall asleep
- Let them nap during connections, gate waits, and delays
- Forget your home nap schedule—just maximize sleep whenever possible
On the plane - what actually worked:
Option 1: The empty middle seat method
When we had extra space, I'd lay my daughter down with blankets tucked around her, give her a bottle, and sing softly. Stay alert because babies can roll.
Option 2: The carrier bounce
The carrier got uncomfortable after 20 minutes of sitting. Instead, I'd stand at the back near the bathrooms (where flight attendants hang out – they were always friendly) and bounce gently. Once she dozed off, I'd carefully sit back down.
Option 3: Holding position
Hold baby facing in or out (whichever they prefer), walk the aisle briefly, then settle back into your seat once drowsy.
Takeoff and Landing
Airlines gave me conflicting advice about baby carriers during takeoff. One flight attendant said remove it, another said it's perfect, another said nothing.
What I learned: Hold your baby upright (like burping position) on your lap. The carrier works great for this – I only had to remove it once, and even then just loosened the straps while keeping the waist belt on.
Distraction techniques that worked:
- Singing quietly in baby's ear
- Pacifier (helps with ear pressure)
- Bottle at the ready
- Breastfeeding (flight attendants are seated and won't see you)
Do whatever calms your baby. The key is holding them securely during potential turbulence.
What to Pack
I kept our diaper bag simple and functional. Here's exactly what came with us:
In the diaper bag (under seat):
- 6-8 diapers
- Travel wipe pack
- Portable changing pad
- 2-3 plastic bags for dirty diapers
- Large muslin blanket
- 2 complete outfit changes (layered pieces)
- 2-3 favorite small toys
- Pacifier
- Bottles for entire travel day
- Birth certificate (some airlines require age proof)
In the overhead carry-on:
- Third outfit change
- Breast pump equipment
- Extra formula/baby food
- Extra diapers
Time-saving tip: Change your baby's diaper right before boarding each flight. Those airplane bathrooms are tight. You can change a diaper in there, but it's not fun.
Bottle Feeding Through Security
I was worried about this, but it turned out to be simple.
TSA allows:
- Pre-filled bottles with water (any amount)
- Liquid formula
- Breast milk
- Baby food pouches and jars
- Toddler drinks
None of this needs to fit in a quart-size bag. Formula, breast milk, and baby food are exempt from the 3.4-ounce liquid rule.
My system:
- Pre-measured water in sealed bottles
- Powdered formula in individual containers
- Room temperature water (my baby's preference)
At security, just place bottles and food in a separate bin. The TSA agent will test them (takes 30 seconds) and you're good to go.
If you need warm bottles: Ask flight attendants for warm water to heat the bottle. I never needed to, but they're prepared for this request.
The Biggest Lesson I Learned
Check at the gate for seat changes – not just at check-in. Gate agents have more flexibility and actually got us empty middle seats 50% of the time.
Also, forget perfection. Your baby might cry. Other passengers might look annoyed. Flight attendants might give conflicting instructions. That's all normal.
I flew eight times with my infant and every single flight went better than I feared. You've got this.
Quick Checklist Before You Fly
✓ Book window + aisle seats near the back
✓ Pack diaper bag with essentials only
✓ Bring birth certificate or passport
✓ Pre-measure bottles and formula
✓ Request family pre-boarding
✓ Ask at gate about empty seats
✓ Change diaper right before boarding
✓ Have bottle/pacifier ready for takeoff
Have questions about flying with your baby?
Drop them in the comments below!
Related: A Guide To Flying With Breastmilk
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