Tips for a Smooth Journey

It’s quite possibly the most daunting task any parent can undertake - bringing your child on an airplane. Strapping your kids into what is likely a multi hour flight, where they’re forced to sit still and be quiet. There’s no escape and no place to hide.

Now, I’m sure by this point, you’ve already perused several blog posts from other parents with “hacks” that “every parent should know”. Spouting their feel-good ideas about how, with the right preparation, you’re not only going to tolerate flying with your kids, you’re going to downright love it! You’re going to want to fly with them more often. You’ll be begging to book more trips just for the mere pleasure of being buckled in next to them, ear popping, bad food, and lack of legroom be damned.

Let’s be honest - that’s all nonsense. This is a war zone. And I, for one, am going to be real with you. This is a candid, authentic guide with advice that’s going to get you to your destination in the least amount of pain possible. Not no pain, but less.

As I write this, I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. My 7 year old has flown with us 47 times, and my 3 year old has flown with us 28 times. I’ve seen it all. I’ve had a child throw up on me in Paris as we were quite literally stepping on to the plane. I’ve flown with a child that had, (unbeknownst to us at the time), an ear infection. She screamed at such decibel levels that birds began falling out of the sky. Entire bags full of M&Ms have been dropped on the airplane floor, to then travel Plinko style all the way to the opposite end of the airplane, all while watching the heads of confused passengers look down at their feet in bewilderment. Drinks have been spilled. Naps have been missed. Tears have been cried. (And those last three were all me.) Needless to say, if it can happen on an airplane with a kid, I’ve been through it. So I’ve got the experience and the know-how to get you where you’re going.

Most of this blog is applicable to children aged 8 and below. At the bottom, I’m also including a few tips specifically for flying with babies.

The fasten seatbelt sign is now on. Please ensure your seat back is the full upright position, your tray table is stowed, and your kids are set to airplane mode.

Prepare for Takeoff

When to Fly

Let us start at the very beginning (a very good place to start. Sorry, couldn’t resist). I will say this about booking flights: I would rather cover my face in honey and walk through the bear exhibit at the local zoo during feeding time than sit down and book flights with any airline. If you’re wondering which airline you should fly, don’t worry, they’re all the worst. (I promise this whole article won’t be this negative, just give me a sec here.) When it comes to booking flights, there are just so many factors to consider, and no matter how you slice it, your wallet is going to end up significantly lighter after the transaction is complete. Flying is a necessary evil, and airlines know that if we want to get where we’re going, we have no choice. So they cram more and more people in and charge higher and higher prices every year. Soon we’ll have to pay extra for the privilege of not actively receiving purple nurples as we fly. The one good piece about all of this - it doesn’t matter which airline you choose. I’ve flown them all. I’ve had amazing experiences on all of them (yes, even Spirit and Allegiant) and I’ve had less than great experiences on the major airlines. So that shouldn’t really be a factor in your decision unless you’re a points person and you want to earn your loyalty points, in which case you’re probably not reading this article. Alright, I’m off my soap box. Moving on.

There a lots of factors to consider when it comes to deciding what time of day fly with your kids. So let’s talk about a few things to think about as you are debating when to fly.

Booking early morning flights is typically what we try for, and there are a few reasons for this. First of all, booking earlier flights can help you avoid delays. Flights that leave in the morning are significantly less likely to be delayed because airlines reset overnight. Flights that are delayed in the early afternoon then delay flights later in the evening and it snowballs throughout the day. Bad weather, another significant cause of delays, also typically tends to be more severe in the afternoons and evenings. So by booking earlier flights, you’re increasing your chances of not waiting around needlessly in airports for extra hours with restless kids.

Further, if you have a child that still takes naps, by doing an early morning flight, you can take advantage of their natural sleep cycle. Depending, of course, on how long your flight is, how far the airport is from your house, etc, if you land in time, you can still try to lay them down for their regularly scheduled nap upon arrival. If you have a good sleeper, you can try to fly during nap time, but I would try to avoid flying at a time right after their regularly scheduled nap time. This is because you’ll have to factor in drive time & airport time. The last thing you want to do is board a plane with an already cranky kid that’s missed their nap time. Late night and overnight flights are also not a bad idea depending on where you’re going. We’ve had pretty good success getting our kids to sleep on long haul flights to Europe on several occasions (more on this later).

But, of course, time of day is only one factor you’ll be considering when you’re deciding when to fly. You’re also going to have to factor in whether or not you’re going to take a nonstop flight or if you’re willing to have a layover. Of course, a direct flight is always preferable, but it’s exponentially more important when flying with kids. The absolute last thing you want to do when you’ve just had a miserable flight with a crying child is board yet another airplane. Of course, nonstop flights are not always an option, but if they are, and all other things being equal, trust me when I say, you’re going to want that nonstop flight. For example, we’ve even flown into LAX rather than San Diego even though San Diego was closer to our final destination because LAX was a direct flight. We figured that once we were in our rental car, even though it was an hour longer drive, if the kids were crying, at least it would only us they were annoying rather than an entire airplane of people. That, however, brings me to my last point, and it’s likely going to be the biggest factor.

Price. As much as I would love to tell you to always book an 8:00AM non-stop flight direct to your destination, there are going to many times that simply is not an option. Or that option may cost twice as much as another, less ideal itinerary. When it comes to booking flights, it’s all a balancing act between 1) time of day, 2) number of stops, 3) price, 4) brand loyalty. You’re going to have to balance what’s important to you.

The good news is, while the time of day can be a in factor in the overall success of your flight, it’s not the only factor. You have lots of tools at your disposal.

Choosing Seats

Depending on the airline and the fare you choose, you may pick your seats at the time of booking. If this is the case, then you can choose your seats strategically. As with choosing a time to fly, there are many factors to consider, and it will vary depending on how many kids you have and their ages. If you have a little one that gets up often to go to the potty, opt for aisle seats for easy access to the bathroom. This is also a good option if your kid gets antsy and needs to get up and walk often. If you have a toddler in diapers, then bathroom breaks are not going to be as much of a factor for them, and so a window seat may be a better option to keep them entertained. You can also sandwich your kid in between two parents in the middle seat if you only have one kid.

Depending on the size of the plane, if there are three seats on each side, a family of three has it easy. But what about a family of four? Do you take two in front and two behind? My advice would be to take an entire row and then one across the aisle. Some of these will be factors you will need to decide for yourself and your family, but I do have one recommendation that is universal. I recommend getting seats as close to the front of the plane as possible as those will be the first to disembark the aircraft. At the end of the flight, when you’ve been trapped on the airplane for hours, those last 10 minutes while you’re taxiing to the gate and waiting for the door to open can sometimes seem like the longest of the whole flight. You’re going to want to get off that plane as soon as possible. These seats are also typically a little quieter (which, depending on how loudly your child cries may be a benefit or a drawback). Now, what I like to do is select seats for my wife and two daughters somewhere around the middle-front of the plane, typically between rows 8-13. Then, I like to get myself a seat in first class between rows 1-3. This, I have found, is the best option for me and my family, but you find what’s best for your family.

Dress for Success

Think like an onion and dress your child in layers. Airport and airplane temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day. Clothes should be comfortable and, as they say in running, “nothing new on race day.” Meaning that your travel day is probably not the best day to try out that cute new outfit you bought for your kid. There may be a tag that ends up bothering them, or it doesn’t fit exactly right (even though you know it darn well does!) So either take that new travel outfit out on a spin before you leave to test it out, or wait until you get to your destination. At least then if something doesn’t fit correctly, you’ve got a suitcase of clothes that they can change into. Comfortable shoes are also a must, and bonus points if you can easily remove them since you may need to slip them off them during security checks. That “nothing new on race day” mantra also goes for new food too. No new snacks on travel day, just in case things don’t sit well.

At the Airport

If you take one thing away from this article, make it this - get to the airport in plenty of time. Airports can already be stressful places, and the last thing you want to do is add in additional unnecessary stress. Account for time waiting in line to drop off your bags, getting through security, bathroom breaks, walking to your gate, not finding your gate, starting to panic because you can’t find your gate, yelling at your spouse because it’s their fault that you can’t find your gate, and then realizing you’re already standing right in front of your gate. Bathroom breaks are always a must, because it’s a scientific fact that kids always have to pee at the most inopportune time.

If you haven’t been to the airport in a while, here’s a very quick rundown of the steps you’ll take upon arrival.

24 hours prior to your flight you’ll check in online. You can do that on your airline’s app or website. If you don’t have any bags to check and you already have your mobile boarding passes, you can go straight to security. If you DO have bags to check, or you don’t have your mobile boarding pass on your phone/printed, then you can go to your airline’s check-in desk for this. For the most part these days, you’ll head to an automated touch screen kiosk first where you’ll print out your checked bag tags and boarding passes if you need them. If you need to pay for your checked bags, you’ll do that here at this kiosk. Attach the printed tags to your checked bags (be sure to keep the little piece on the end - this is your receipt for your bag should the airline lose your bag), gather your boarding passes, and head to the bag drop area.

If you take one thing away from this article, make it this:

get to the airport in plenty of time.

Nowadays, many (but not all) airlines are going fully automated at the airport. So not only do we get to print out and tag our own bags, we also get to then take a training course on how to drop our bags on to a conveyor belt, scan them in to the system, and check our own IDs. It’s all the nuisance of a part-time job without the benefit of a paycheck. If you’re lucky enough to fly on an airline that lets you talk to an actual human being (without being charged $50 for the privilege), then they will be there to help you through all of this.

All the while through this part of your journey, your kids, I’m sure, will be perfect little angels.

Going Through Security at the Airport

Once you’ve completed your airline employee training back at the baggage drop, it’s now time to head through security. Tell your kid what to expect beforehand so that they know what’s up. Navigating airport security with kids can be a little tricky, especially when they’re really young, but it’s easier if you’re prepared. Keep liquids and baby food easily accessible for screening. I swear, every time we flew with baby formula, our bag was pulled and they tested the contents. (You CAN bring formula / breast milk through, however, without adhering to the under 3.4 oz rule.) Dress your child in slip-on shoes to speed up the process. Let your kids know that they will have to go through the security screening on their own beforehand so they can mentally prepare. We usually create a “kid sandwich”. One of us goes through first, and then stands on the other side of the screening system (whether it’s a standard metal detector or a more advanced system), and waits while we have our kids walk through. If your kid can’t stand still in the security screening system, or gets freaked out by the big machinery, a TSA officer can do a pat down instead.

If you bring your stroller through to the gate (more on that below), you may be able to fold it up and put it on the belt through the bag check system. Depending on your stroller and how it folds down, they may make you remove the seats, possibly even the wheels, and put those through separately as well. If your stroller is too big to put through on the belt, a TSA officer will take it through and check it manually, and then you can grab it on the other side.

Don’t worry if this seems overwhelming. Honestly, once TSA sees that you have a stroller and/or a child, they will let you know what to do.

Stroller? I Hardly Know Her

When we travel with our stroller, we always “gate check” it. That means that, rather than checking it as soon as we get to the airport when we check our other suitcases, we bring it all the way to the gate. Some people don’t like to do it this way because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of bringing it through security, which is understandable. But airports are huge, and one of the reasons we bring a stroller when we travel is specifically to use it in the airport. Almost all airlines allow you to gate check your stroller, with few exceptions (think smaller carriers overseas, certain stroller wagons, etc). Check with your airline to make sure you know their policy.

If you have a smaller travel stroller (our fave is this one), you might be able to put it in the overhead bin on the plane, otherwise, your stroller will go under the plane in the cargo area. Here’s how the process works. Once you get to your gate, head to the desk with your stroller (and travel bag, if applicable). Let the gate agent know you’re gate checking a stroller. They will probably ask you for your name, and possibly your boarding pass. They will then print out a luggage tag with your information, and attach a tag that says something along the lines of “Claim at Gate”. Attach those either directly to your stroller or, if you’re using one, to your stroller bag, and then you can go sit down and wait for your boarding group to be called. As you’re boarding the plane, you’ll scan your boarding pass, and you’ll take that stroller all the way to the end of the gangway and drop it off right before you board the plane - you will probably see other strollers there as well. They will grab it and put it in the cargo hold for you during your flight. Then, once you land, it will be waiting for you as you disembark the plane. That way you’ll have it at your destination airport as well.

You can put your stroller under the plane without a cover, but it’s likely to get pretty banged up. We always buy the appropriately sized corresponding stroller bag so that our stroller stays in good condition while it’s under the plane. Some stroller brands sell their own custom made ones that specifically go with a certain stroller, but they’re usually quite expensive. We’ve had great luck with V Volkgo Stroller Bags. We’ve purchased 3 or 4 of them (for various stroller sizes) and they’ve always helped keep our strollers in good condition. They have straps which help make it easier to carry the strollers down the gangway, and they prevent scratches and breaks.

If you are in the market for a travel stroller, I do have a few recommendations.

Travel Stroller Bugaboo Butterfly

We’ve tried a few “travel strollers”, and this is far and away the best one we’ve tried. It’s by far the easiest to fold, the easiest to maneuver, and it’s the sturdiest one we’ve used. The sun shade extends further than others we’ve tried, the wheels are smoother, and it can even fold up small enough to fit in the overhead bin on most airlines (although we always gate-check our strollers). We had the GB Pockit before, and we liked it well enough. We traveled with it all over Europe and the US, but once we switched to the Bugaboo, we realized how hard the GB Pockit was to maneuver compared to the Bugaboo. It requires two hands at all times and two hands to fold, whereas the Bugaboo only requires one hand for both. That makes it easier when you have multiple kids and you’re holding one kid’s hand while pushing the stroller with the other. Now, that said, the GB Pockit is quite a bit less expensive and it did indeed treat us well for many years, and it would still be my second pick in the “travel stroller” category!

Doona Car Seat/Stroller

When our kids were infants, this was our go-to stroller/car seat until they were about one year old (and they could use the travel stroller above), regardless of whether we’re talking about traveling or at home. But since this is a travel website, I will say that this is a fantastic option for travel. It’s truly an all-in-one option for traveling with young babies. You can use it as a car seat with a base, you can use it as a car seat without a base. That makes it useful if you are going on a road trip and you can bring your base, or if you’re flying you can use it without a base. We would often gate check our Doona (in a Gate Check Bag), and then upon arrival in our destination, we could get an Uber or taxi and strap in the Doona to use it as a car seat. Then we would hop out, and have it as our stroller. They also sell specific accessories to make this more stroller-like (like a hanging bag for drinks/snacks, etc. It is amazing!

Finally, a note a car seats. For children two and under, on most airlines, there are essentially two options - you can either have them as a “Lap Infant” and then they will fly for free, or you can pay for a seat for them and bring along an approved car seat. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that all children under the age of two are in a car seat. You can read their official recommendation here.

See my full list of stroller and stroller accessory recommendations here.

On the AirPlane

What to Pack for the Plane

This is your lifeline. You sink or swim based on what’s in this bag. A well-packed carry-on can be a lifesaver for your sanity, so take time and think through what you’re bringing.

*Let older kids pack their own bag for the flight. Trust, but verify.*

Essentials include:

Snacks (non-messy and easy-to-eat options like crackers, suckers) We would often put these in a Bento box. Those fit well on a tray table and the snacks don’t intermingle.
Extra clothes for spills or accidents (for both the kid AND you, trust me on this one - at LEAST an extra shirt for you)
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
Small toys, stickers, or coloring books (see my top recommendations for this here)
Books
Tablet or phone with kid-friendly content downloaded for offline viewing (and please, for the love of God, bring headphones for your child. I don’t want to listen to Blippi anymore than I already have to.)

Be sure to download some things on multiple platforms. In the past we’ve had stuff downloaded on Netflix, only to have Netflix simply decide to sign out and not work. Since we were in the air, I couldn’t sign back in. Luckily we had movies downloaded on Disney+ as well.
Also make sure to have some games downloaded that are available offline

Comfort items like a blanket or favorite stuffed animal
Refillable water bottle
- Be sure to dump this before security and then refill it on the other side. And open it carefully…depending on the water bottle, with cabin pressure changes the water may blast out of there.
Surprises
- We always have a few tricks up our sleeves that the girls have never seen before. That way if they’re bored or starting to go a little stir crazy, we have something new that they’re excited about for a while. They’re usually small things like a new coloring book, a little toy, etc.
No M&Ms!!!!!! (See aforementioned Plinko anecdote for details).

See all my recommendations for kid’s air travel, including toys, phone holders, and other essentials here.

The name of the game here, really, is various forms of entertainment. You’re grasping for 20 minute intervals of peace and calm.

To Pre or Not to Pre (Board)

That is the question. Whether tis nobler to board as early as possible, giving you time to settle in and claim that precious overheard bin space, or should one wait and board at the last minute, and therefore be on the cramped airplane the least amount of time possible?

My recommendation on this has actually changed recently. For a long time I recommended getting onboard as early as possible when flying with kids, for exactly the reasons I stated above. It allows you to settle in to and organize your space and it gives you a better chance of snagging that overhead bin space. Some airlines will even do a separate “family boarding” for those traveling with young kids early on in the boarding process. This was especially important when flying on Southwest. However, with the dissolution of Southwest’s open seating policy in January 2026, you’re now going to have assigned seats like all other airlines. This caused us to rethink our strategy, and now, we wait. Because we have assigned seats, we are now usually some of the last people to get on the plane. That means we’re not on the airplane any longer than we have to be. We each travel with a small carry on that fits under the seat in front of us, so we’re not usually too concerned about getting any overhead bin space. I’ll throw my backpack up there if there’s space, but if not, it’s no big deal. We would rather be on the plane the least amount of time possible.

So, the choice is yours. If you or someone in your family is a nervous flyer, or if you’re in desperate need of that overhead bin space, and your airline offers pre-boarding, take advantage of it. Use that time to settle in and organize your space. However, if your child gets restless waiting on the plane, consider boarding later to minimize their time confined in their seat. OR…you could have one adult board early with any bags that need to be stored in the overhead bin, and the other adult bring the kids on board a bit later.

I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen for Screen Time

*All normal rules for “screen time” go out the window when it comes to flying. This is about survival.*

Screen time - yes, we all know about the dangers of screen time. I read The Anxious Generation too. But make no mistake, all of that flies out of the window when you’re on an airplane, ok? This is about survival. In real estate, the name of the game is “location, location, location”. Here, the name of the game is “download, download, download”. You’re gonna want terabytes of videos to watch. Keep it high quality (think educational videos, good family movies, etc), but have a few bits of garbage in your back pocket for desperate times. Slime videos on YouTube? You bet. Baby shark? Absolutely. Videos of people melting crayons. 100%. Whatever weird nonsense captures their attention, this is the time. Stick to Miss Rachel, Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger for as long as you can; but keep that *not as high quality* garbage on standby in case of emergency.

Now, this is the most important piece of advice in regard to the tablets, so pay attention - You’re going to want to exhaust all your other options before you break out that iPad. Wait as long as you can to start showing them videos on your phone, on their iPad, etc. You want to hold on to that holy grail until you absolutely need it. You don’t want to be caught 2 hours into a 5 hour flight and they’re already tired of watching videos.

Ear Pressure

This is not as big of a deal as they get older, but pacifiers, suckers, gum, etc, are still a good idea to bring with you for your flight. Takeoff and landing can be tough on little ears, and if they have especially sensitive ears, they might be a bit uncomfortable through the whole flight with pressure changes and the constant humming white noice of the engines. Offer a pacifier or bottle/nursing for babies, and suckers or gum for older kids to help with ear pressure. Swallowing or sucking on something can make a big difference in reducing discomfort.

Overnight Flights & Sleeping Medicine

If you’re doing a long haul overnight international flight and you’re worried about your kids not sleeping, you may consider bringing along some sleeping medicine for children. Children’s melatonin (depending on the kid’s age, read the label), at a low dose, is a common option. Some people will also recommend Benadryl to help kids sleep. While Benadryl can make some kids sleepy, for other kids, it can actually make them hyperactive and wired. That was the case with our older daughter, but luckily we found that out before we ever tried to use it on an airplane. It’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician before you decide on anything, and if you do decide to bring some, I suggest you test it out at home before you go.

Preparing your Kids for Turbulence

Turbulence can be scary for people of any age, but it can be especially terrifying for children. It’s a good idea to talk to them about turbulence before you ever board the plane so that they have time to mentally prepare. You can let them know that sometimes, the plane will hit some wind and shake a little in the sky, but there’s nothing to be worried about. This way, when it does happen, they are prepared. Don’t forget that you need to remain cool, calm and collected during turbulence too. If they see you’re relaxed, they will mirror that behavior.

Eat to the Beat

Did you know that on long-haul flights when full meals are served, often times you can request a kid’s meal? Not all airlines do this, but several do! Simply log in to your account, and in the same place you would request a special meal (like a vegan option), you can select a kid’s meal. Check with your airline to see if they offer this option.

On shorter flights, you can, of course, bring your own snacks, and they will typically come around with the usual airline snacks of pretzels, soft drinks, etc.

Get Up and Walk

Every 60-90 minutes, stand up and have your kids stretch their legs. It’s important for you and for them to take breaks and to walk the aisle. Use the restroom, stretch, crop dust the people in first class. Whatever gets your blood pumping.

Flight Attendants Are Your Friends

I can’t stress this enough - flight attendants are amazing, and they are on your side. They want you, and everyone around you, to have a safe, enjoyable flight. Most flight attendants are used to flying with kids and they’ve usually got some tricks up their sleeves. Be kind and gracious to them, and they are certain to help make your flight more enjoyable.

Be Like Danny Tanner

Cue the sappy music, and sit down and talk to your child about what to expect on the upcoming flight. When my kids were younger (ages 2 to 4 or so), starting about 2 weeks before our trip, I would walk the through the entire flying process each night before bed. I would tell them about how we’re going to go to the airport, we’re going to drop off our bags, go through security, get on the airplane, how they will eat snacks, play with toys, color, eventually get their iPads, then we’ll get off the plane, get a rental car, drive to the hotel, etc. I would tell them about how the pilot would talk over the loud speaker, about how the flight attendants would come by and help us, if we had a layover, what to expect with turbulence, that we would have to sit with our seatbelts on through the entire flight, about how it’s going to be a very long day, yada yada yada. Anything I could think of, I would walk them step by step through the entire process. Then, when it came time to fly, they knew what was coming and they became great flyers.

I highly recommend taking time to talk your kids (especially younger ones), step by step, through your travel day in terms they can understand. It can reduce their anxiety and make them feel more confident on the day of travel. You might not think they’re comprehending everything, but you’d be amazed at what a difference it makes.

Oh, and another way to be like Danny Tanner - clean up your area, before, during and after your flight. Planes are gross, so get out those sanitizing wipes and wipe down that tray table, arm rest, and seat belt. I can’t help you from inhaling the cough of the person in front of you, but at the very least your kid’s tray table will be clean.

Stay Calm and Fly On

Know this now - your flight will not go as planned, and kids will be kids. Stay calm, roll with the punches, and don’t worry too much about what other passengers think. Most people have been in your shoes or understand that traveling with children isn’t always easy. And if they don’t? Well, that’s their problem.

You need to stay calm. That makes a huge difference. If you stay calm, your child will stay calm. Well, actually, probably not. But if you stay calm, then at least there’s only one person losing their mind. Better if it’s your toddler and not you.

Flying with Babies

Call of Duty

I suppose it’s theoretically possible that you could get through an entire flight without your baby crying once, just as, theoretically, it’s possible that Ron Howard has been dying to cast me as the lead in his upcoming movie, but he just can’t get in touch with me no matter how hard he tries. But in practice, it’s not likely. So best to be prepared with a strategy for what to do when it inevitably happens.

Some of our best practices include (when it’s safe and appropriate), getting up and walking around the plane with our baby. You’ll need to keep the aisles clear and you can’t crowd around the galley, but get up and take them to the bathroom. Give them a change of scenery. It may sound silly, but even something as simple as washing their hands can help get their minds off of whatever it was that was making them upset. If you’re traveling with multiple adults, plan to take turns trading off walking around. The simple act of walking to the back of the plane and back may be all that it takes to get your baby out of their funk. Have a few new toys they haven’t seen before ready to go. Have a bottle ready to go on standby or be prepared to nurse. A sparkly new pacifier? The kind with a little stuffy on the end of it? Break that sucker out! Sometimes nothing will work, and that’s alright, but having a plan in place and steps you can take will help keep you calm, and in the end, that’s all you can control.

And I want you to hear me here - if someone dares to give you the stink eye because your baby is crying on the airplane, it means that A) they never had kids themselves, and therefore their opinion matters not, or B) nope, it’s just option A. Just look at your travel partner and be glad that you have someone to go through this with. If you’re flying alone, or if your partner is “sleeping” (or more likely pretending to sleep to get out of child rearing duties), just imagine that I am there next to you, nodding along at how that person doesn’t have any idea about what we’re currently going through. Then we’ll do a Jets vs Sharks snapping style dance off while we sneer right back at that judgy person.

Also, most people on the plane are wearing noise-cancelling headphones nowadays. They can’t hear your baby anyway!

Under (Ear) Pressure

Takeoff and landing can be tough on little ears. Offer a pacifier, bottle or plan to nurse to help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Swallowing or sucking on something can make a big difference in reducing discomfort.

Hit Me Baby One Bjorn Time

As I said above, for children two years old and under, on most airlines, there are essentially two options - you can either have them as a “Lap Infant” and then they will typically fly for free, or you can pay for a seat for them and bring along an approved car seat. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that all children under the age of two are in a car seat. You can read their official recommendation here.

However, if you do opt for a baby Bjorn, wrap, or something along those lines, just know that for takeoff and landing you’ll need to take that off. Those are great for carrying your baby through the airport, but they will usually make you take them off once onboard. Technically you’re not supposed to wear them at all once on the airplane, but I see people wearing them all the time. It depends on your flight crew, your comfort level with it, and how strict they are. Comply with whatever your crew tells you to do, but at the very least, be prepared to hold on your baby during takeoff and landing if you decide that you’re going to fly with them as a lap infant.

Breast Milk & Baby Food

Breast milk, baby formula and other baby foods like puree pouches are considered medically necessary liquids and therefore do NOT need to conform to the TSA’s 3.4 fluid ounce rule. You can bring as much as needed to get you through the flight. Simply let the TSA officer know at the beginning of the screening process that you’re traveling with these and they will let you know what to do. They may require you to remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately, so having all of them in a separate bag is a good idea. You can read the TSA’s full policy here.

Final Thoughts

If all else fails, just know, you will get through this. This too, shall pass. No matter how bad things are, no matter how much screaming, crying, flailing, spilling, or barfing happens on that airplane…at some point, this will end. And when your kids are in high school, you can always look back at this time and laugh and torture them relentlessly in your retelling of the story.

Back in the dark ages of the 1990s, flying was a very different ball game. Nowadays, everyone has noise canceling headphones, so kids crying and talking and throwing tantrums simply isn’t as big of a deal as it once was. If those other passengers don’t have noise canceling headphones, and they’re annoyed, well that’s on them. You’re never going to see these jokers ever again. Later, while you’re knee deep in dirty diapers, listening to Miss Rachel throw down Wheels on the Bus, and they’re off at their boring country club golf course in their gold encrusted Mercedes, cold martini in hand; they’ll have forgotten all about you. And you’ll show them who’s the one truly living the good life.

Happy travels!

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If you’re specifically traveling to Walt Disney World with your children, check out my article, “The Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World with Toddlers, Preschoolers & Babies” on DisneyvillePodcast.com.

Flying with Young Kids Stress-Free

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