Are you ready to take your baby for the first trip by plane? No problem! Flying with an infant is easy when you know what to expect and you have the right gear.
Airlines have different safety regulations for flying with infants and children, and you should check them before flying. Most airlines offer an inexpensive or free infant and toddler tickets without a separate seat for the child; the seat tickets are also discounted, but never free.
It is always the safest to get the child her/his own seat and have the child sitting in a FAA approved car seat. Your car seat might be FAA approved, but please check before you fly by checking if it has the “FAA Approved” sticker or by calling the manufacturer. Some airlines prohibit using your non-approved car seat on the flight, so remember to check this ahead. Other thing to remember when booking your seats: car seats are not allowed in exit rows and some airlines also offer their own safety seats or bassinets for babies—call ahead to make sure that you are allowed to take your car seat or to know that they are providing a safety seat or a bassinet. It alwasy has to be reserved ahead, and they only have one or two bassinets per flight.
Bassinets work great for newborns, but I personally don’t feel they are as safe as the car seat. There is only one seat belt, and not very good one, and in a case of sudden turbulence, the car seat is much safer. I have been on a flight where a flight attendant suggested laying a baby to sleep on the plane floor and some blankets around the baby. I never would do anything like that—the risks are just too high for the baby to get injured even in moderate turbulence.
I recommend buying the the extra ticket for the extra seat, especially for longer flights. You will have your hands free, and you won’t worry about your child’s safety.
Gear to Take with You
A baby sling is a must for carrying your baby at the airport. You have to take your baby out of your baby carrier, stroller or baby sling for the security checks and the sling is by far the easiest to use. There is also a neat ”wheelie” type of product for car seats—it is called a Travelmate, and it provides wheels under the car seat and a telescopic handle to push the car seat—basicly turning a car seat into a stroller. There are also car seats with this ability already designed in them. Very handy!
