5 essential tips for traveling with a baby
Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.
Family travel is a huge part of the miles & points world. Lots of MMS readers get into this hobby because they want to visit or to vacation with their family.
To help and inspire those with younger children, we’ve put together a list of tips for traveling with a baby.
How to fly with a baby
Do babies fly for free?
The short answer is “yes!” Babies two years old and under fly free on domestic flights within the U.S. with one paying passenger, as long as they’re flying as a lap infant. If you’d prefer your child to fly in a car seat, you’ll have to buy an additional ticket, regardless of the baby’s age.
Essential identification to fly with a baby
In most cases, you won’t be asked to provide identification for your baby when traveling domestically. That said, you’ll want to be prepared, just in case. And to avoid issues, we always recommend traveling with some sort of proof of your baby’s name and birthdate. You may be asked to prove your child is under two years old, for example. So it’s wise to carry documentation, be it a birth certificate or passport (if you have one).
If you’re flying internationally your baby will have to have a passport. Here’s a guide to getting a passport for a newborn.
Do parents with babies board first?
Yes. Airlines will give those traveling with babies (usually children under two years old) the opportunity to board before regular boarding begins. That way, parents and guardians can board the plane and get situated before the other passengers board. And it, hopefully, makes the boarding process quicker and less stressful for everyone.
Certain seats can’t be taken by parents with a baby
It’s important to note that exit row seats cannot be occupied by those traveling with a baby. This makes perfect sense, given that those in exit rows need to act quickly in the case of an emergency. It’d be hard to do that with a baby in hand!
Taking advantage of any available empty seat
If you’re traveling with a lap infant and have the opportunity to move to an open row, do it! An extra seat (or tow!) can make a world of difference when it comes to your and your baby’s comfort. While children two and under can, technically, fly as a lap infant, some almost two-year-olds are relatively large and wiggly, and finding an extra seat can be a blessing!
Do airlines allow for additional luggage for babies?
Unless you’ve bought an extra seat for your baby, they will not get their own luggage allowance. But, you should be allowed to check items like strollers and car seats for free. So you don’t have to worry about those extra, necessary items counting against your luggage allowance.
Lap infant fares on international flights
While children under two years old fly for free domestically, that’s not the case on international flights. If you’re flying with a lap infant on an international flight, you’ll likely have to pay the taxes and fees for your infant. And sometimes, you’ll have to pay 10% of the full ticket fare for the infant.
That may not sound like much, and it usually isn’t. That said, if you’re traveling in business or first, even 10% of that cost can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
5 tips when flying with an infant
Pack light
Even if you aren’t typically a person that travels light, I can guarantee that your life will be easier if you pack light when traveling with an infant. It’s easy to pack lots of baby clothes, but here’s a list of necessities when it comes to baby gear:
- Car seat
- A baby carrier like the ErgoBaby or the Líllé Baby
- Compact travel stroller (only if you are going to do a lot of walking and don’t want to carry the baby)
When it comes to clothes, try to keep it to a maximum of one outfit a day, with the option to mix and match various pieces. You can always spot clean if you need to. And unless you’re headed into the Amazon jungle, you’ll likely have access to anything you might need — including cute clothes!
I enjoy packing lightly because I feel better about buying things (including clothing) while on vacation. It’s sometimes fun to get a souvenir like a t-shirt or onesie for your babe.
Pre-pack baby food to bring in carry-on
Finding food for a baby in an airport can be challenging, to say the least. So it’s wise to plan ahead and pack what you need, be it formula, squeezy packet or puffs (those ridiculously popular baby snacks). That way, you don’t have to worry about your baby getting hangry and can avoid the stress of having to frantically search for a soft enough snack at the airport newsstand.
Feed baby through take-off and landing
Letting your baby feed through take-off and landing can help them relieve pressure in their ears. And that’s helpful because ear pain is often the cause of a baby’s discomfort when flying. Whether you’re nursing or bottle-feeding, that sucking motion can help them equalize their eardrums.
Pack earplugs and/or headphones
Headphones or earplugs can be a lifesaver when it comes to traveling with an infant. Blocking out noise or listening to a podcast can provide a respite from the craziness that can arise when traveling with a baby.
Bottom line
Flying with a baby may seem daunting. But by employing the tips above, you can relax knowing you’ve done what you can to ensure a smooth trip for both yourself and your child. Above all else, our best advice is to try and stay calm because your baby will feed off of your energy, be it good or bad.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Annual Fee
$695
Balance Transfer Fee
N/A
Rates & Fees
Other
MORE INFO
Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
Join the Discussion!