Traveling with an Infant: Essential Tips

Traveling with an infant may seem stressful. It can be hard enough just to get through the day at home. But don’t panic. With the right preparation, you can make the travel experience as peaceful as possible for the whole family. Let’s look at some ways to handle traveling with young babies and infants.

The best time to travel with an infant

Every baby has their own wants and needs, but plenty of general guidelines can apply to a trip with an infant. Parents and caregivers should be ready for plans to change, but these tips can be a starting point. 

Ideal age for travel 

It may not seem like it, but traveling with an infant may actually be easier than vacationing with an older baby. 

Children between 3–6 months are less mobile and sleep more often than when they get older. Once a child begins to stand or crawl independently, it’ll be much more challenging to wrangle them during stressful security lines or rest stops. However, travel can be more fun as your child’s brain develops and they become more cognizant of the world around them. 

Traveling with a newborn isn’t ideal, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. Family emergencies or long-distance adoption might require a trip for your youngest. Most experts recommend not traveling with an infant until they’re three months or older. Airports, trains and buses can be a whirlwind of germs and unhealthy air that might harm your child’s immune system. If you must travel with a newborn, ensure you have any documents required by local authorities to minimize your time spent in transit.

Time your trip around baby’s rhythms 

Getting your infant to sleep may be a struggle before adding travel into the mix. Try to plan your trip around your child’s usual sleep schedule. The early-morning hours when your infant is still asleep are a great time to hit the road.  

If you’re flying, the early morning is also a great option. Getting to your destination as soon as possible will help you both adjust and stick to your normal sleep schedule. You can try a red-eye flight if your child sleeps well overnight. Just be aware you might be exhausted the next morning.

Avoid peak travel periods

It’s easier said than done, but traveling outside peak seasons like holidays and school vacations helps make a smoother travel experience for everyone. Setting out in the middle of the week means fewer people on the road or at the airport and may help you avoid close contact with germs. Plus, traveling midweek may help you save some money on fares!

Also, consider your own comfort when picking travel dates. If you’ve recently given birth, allow yourself some time to recover and adjust to your new family member. 

Road trip tips with a baby 

Here are some tips to make your baby’s first long car ride successful. 

Take frequent breaks 

We all know how important it is to take a break, stretch your legs and grab a bite at a rest stop during a long car trip, but it’s essential when there’s an infant in the car. 

Take a break every two hours, which is the longest experts recommend keeping a baby in a car seat at a time. This will also help your child burn off some energy and give you a chance to feed them and change their diaper. Plan out your stops ahead of time for a smoother, stress-free ride. 

Prioritize car seat safety 

Your infant should snugly fit in a rear-facing car seat that meets current federal and state safety standards. Triple-check that it’s installed correctly before heading out on the road. If you need help with the installation, many children’s hospitals, fire stations and police departments offer assistance. Check your state and local resources for more information.

Always place your child’s car seat in the back seat of your car to avoid injuries during a crash, and make sure nothing is interfering with the straps. Consider sitting in the back with your infant during the ride. Not only can you help keep them entertained, but you’ll also be able to spot any issues with their car seat. Don’t try to fix anything while the car is moving. Wait until you’ve stopped and can safely remove your child from the seat.

Keep essentials within reach 

Getting your infant strapped in and ready to go may be chaotic, but don’t forget to organize the rest of the car for the trip. Keep diapers, bottles, wipes and a favorite toy or two in easy-to-access spots around the vehicle. Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit with infant medications, just in case. 

If you need to change a diaper between rest stops, the back seat or trunk may be the easiest place to clean up with minimal mess. If you can’t find a changing table on the road, you can also use a picnic table or other flat surface. Always keep one hand on your child — even if you think they aren’t rolling over yet, they could surprise you.

Air travel tips with a baby 

These tips will help you and your infant make it through a flight as smoothly as possible. 

Pack your carry-on strategically 

Check your luggage so you can dedicate your carry-on bag to anything your baby might need. Bring a change of clothes for you and your infant, extra diapers, feeding supplies and toys. Extra wipes can be helpful to wipe down heavily used surfaces in the airport or plane, such as the bathroom or tray tables. 

Baby formula and breast milk are exempt from the TSA’s 3-1-1 rules for liquids, meaning you can pack them in your carry-on without worrying about security confiscating them. Let the TSA officer know before sending your bag through the x-ray machine so they don’t mistakenly flag it. While x-ray machines are safe, you can always request a manual inspection if you don’t want to send your infant’s food through. 

Gather necessary documents 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows children under the age of 2 to fly on a parent’s lap. However, airlines may ask for proof of age to confirm that the child is young enough. Have a government-issued ID, like a birth certificate, in case of any issues, even if your child has their own seat. For international travel, all travelers, including infants, are usually required to have a passport.

Don’t forget to pack any medical documents you might need, including proof of insurance or prescriptions.

Understand airline rules  

While children under 2 are permitted to fly as lap babies, the FAA strongly suggests they have their own seats on flights. This allows them to travel safely in a car seat. Before the day of your flight arrives, check your car seat’s manual to confirm it can be installed on a plane’s seat. If not, you might look into a travel car seat.

Let the airline know you’re bringing an infant when booking your ticket. You’ll be able to board the plane early to ensure everyone is safe and secure before the rest of the passengers arrive. You may have to pay for seats if you want to guarantee the whole family can sit together.

Typically, airlines will let you check your stroller at the gate free of charge. Some will return it to you when you step off the plane, while others require you to pick it up at baggage claim. Consider a lightweight stroller and car seat, which may be easier to carry through the terminal. 

Before traveling, triple-check all rules and regulations for your specific airline. International airlines may have different requirements than U.S.-based ones.

Soothe a fussy baby  

Flying may be an uncomfortable experience, even for adults. Changes in ear pressure, temperature fluctuations and noise can confuse your infant and lead to crying. To ease discomfort, consider feeding your child or giving them a pacifier during take-off and landing. Consider child-sized noise-cancelling earphones or earplugs to help with noise. Dress your baby in layers to keep them warm throughout the flight.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to a crying baby on a flight. Walk them up and down the aisle or try distracting them with a toy. Your fellow passengers will understand you’re doing your best!

Plan their first trip 

Your child’s first trip is an exciting milestone. Make the planning process just as smooth as the actual trip by using Citi Travel® to find the best deals on airfare, hotels and more. Eligible Citi® cardmembers can search for family-friendly stays with suites or airlines with free checked bags to make trips a little easier. Plus, earn Thank You® Points you can use toward more trips as your baby gets older. Points you can use toward more trips as your baby gets older.

Enjoy the journey 

Traveling with your infant requires a bit more planning, but using these simple strategies will make the trip calm and comfortable for everyone. Choose less popular travel times, keep your essentials on hand and remember the best ways to keep your baby safe on the road or in the air. Once you reach your destination, you can start making memories that will last a lifetime.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.

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