Traveling by plane with my baby

Babies can travel by plane since they are newborns, although it is advisable to wait until they are a month old if the trip is very long. It is preferable that before a baby travels by plane, the pediatrician is consulted in the event that he or she has any disease of the respiratory tract, or diseases that affect the heart and / or lungs.

Documentation to travel by plane

In the event that the trip you are going to make is outside the country, the baby will need a passport. Parents or guardians must apply for the passport in person with their baby and fill out the DS-11 application. The baby’s birth certificate and a photograph taken in the last 6 months will be required.

If it is a domestic flight, a valid passport will be required to travel.

Baby seat

If possible, it is preferable that the baby does not travel on our legs. Although the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) does not require a ticket for children under 2 years of age, this does not imply that they are traveling on top of us. Therefore, if you have not bought a ticket for him, ask the airline to allow you to use an empty seat.

The safest way to travel is a car seat, one used in an FAA approved automobile or one that has an airplane harness designed for the age and size of the child, installed with the airplane seat belt. Booster seats should not be used on airplanes.

If possible, it is better for the baby to have a seat near the window, since the corridors are dangerous for the little ones because the carts with the drinks pass by. A hot spilled drink could fall on you and therefore it is not advisable for them to be in the hallway.

Some airlines have a crib or bassinet so that the smallest baby can lie down. They would be for babies under 6 months and weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg). In some international airlines, for a higher cost they allow you to block three seats in a row so that the baby can sleep. In all the options, what should not be forgotten is that the baby must always be fastened to a safety seat, whether it is on the lap of an adult, or if it is going alone.

Diapers, food and drink for air travel

Many planes have changing tables in their bathrooms, but if this is not the case, ask the flight attendants where you can change the baby. As for the food, there will be no problem that you take it with you as well as the drink, but they should be reasonable amounts to travel. If a baby is traveling, they are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule that does not allow carrying liquids of more than 3.4 oz. in a quart (1 liter) bag I get.

Recommendations for traveling by plane

Dressing him in layers is advisable, since the temperature of the plane is changeable. Bringing one or two changes will be necessary, as well as wearing comfortable clothes that facilitate diaper changes.

Try to make the flight coincide with the baby’s sleep hours, so that the trip can be done while sleeping. In case it does not coincide, do not forget to always bring distractions for the baby, so that it is more enjoyable and more when the flight could be delayed.