Traveling With a Baby: 40+ Mom Tips for Flights, TSA, Strollers, Car Seats, and Sanity

TL;DR

Babies are often easier flyers than toddlers. Wear them through TSA, feed or offer a pacifier on takeoff and landing, gate check the stroller and car seat in protective bags, bring extra outfits for both of you, and keep your liquids separate so TSA can screen them fast. Also, the FAA says the safest place for a baby is in their own seat with an approved car seat. Consider it if your budget allows. (Federal Aviation Administration)

The big picture (aka what actually matters)

After talking to a bunch of moms who’ve done it, here’s the consensus:

Less stuff = less stress. If you can rent a pack-and-play or other bulky gear at your destination (think BabyQuip-style services), do it.
Baby wear through security. It frees your hands and most TSA officers will let you keep baby strapped to you while they swab your hands and test liquids. (TSA)
Gate check gear and bag it. Strollers and car seats are typically free to check at the gate on major US airlines, but protect them with a travel bag so nothing breaks or goes missing. (United Airlines, AA)
Feed, paci, or suck on takeoff and landing. It helps with ear pressure. Multiple moms swore by this.
TSA liquid rules are different for babies. Formula, breast milk, and baby food can exceed 3.4 oz because they’re considered medically necessary liquids. Expect extra screening time. (TSA, TSA)
Proof of age may be required for lap infants. Southwest is known for asking. Bring a birth certificate or shot record. (Help Center | Southwest Airlines, Help Center | Southwest Airlines)
If you can swing it, buy the seat. The FAA and NTSB both say a proper child restraint on its own seat is safest. (Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB)
Get there early. The importance of being able to say to yourself “I’ve got time” was mentioned again and again. Get to the airport early so you’re not sprinting with a baby and a stroller.

Tips from seasoned moms

1) TSA, screening, and liquids

Wear the baby. They’ll usually let you walk through the metal detector with baby strapped on, then swab your hands and test your bottles or water. Build in a few extra minutes to re-pack after screening. (TSA)
Put all “special” baby liquids and gear in one easy-to-pull-out bag so if TSA wants to test it, the rest of your stuff isn’t exploding everywhere. Moms said this made security much smoother.
Good news: Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks, purée pouches, and cold packs are allowed in quantities over 3.4 oz. Just declare them. (TSA, TSA)
Ask screeners to change gloves before handling baby items. One mom specifically flagged this.

2) Gear strategy: stroller, car seat, pack-and-play

Gate check strollers and car seats for free on airlines like United and American (one of each per child). Protect them with travel bags to avoid damage or missing parts. (United Airlines, AA)
If you’re not bringing your car seat base, learn how to install your infant seat without it using the seat belt. YouTube is your friend.
If you do check a car seat, many moms recommend using the bag as a sneaky spot for extra diapers and wipes. No one seemed to care.
Consider buying a super-light, travel-only car seat to save your back.
Renting big stuff (pack-and-play, high chair, toys) can be cheaper and way easier than hauling it.
Several moms warned: don’t check the car seat at the main counter if you can avoid it. Gate check or use it on board to minimize rough handling.

3) To seat or not to seat (aka lap infant vs buying a seat)

Safety first: The FAA and NTSB recommend buying your baby their own seat and using an approved car seat on board. It’s simply safer in turbulence and emergencies. (Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB)
If you’re going lap infant, still consider bringing the car seat to the gate. If the flight isn’t full, you might score an empty seat for the car seat.
Airlines differ on extras for infants. For example, United lets you bring a diaper bag and breast pump in addition to your carry-on and personal item, and you can check one car seat and one stroller per child for free. (United Airlines, United Airlines)
Southwest routinely requires proof of age for lap infants. Bring it. (Help Center | Southwest Airlines, Help Center | Southwest Airlines)

4) Packing the diaper bag

What moms actually used on the plane:

Diapers, wipes, disposable changing pads
2 changes of clothes for baby, 1 clean shirt for you (blowouts happen at 35,000 feet)
RTF (ready-to-feed) formula bottles or pre-measured powder + water, plus pacifiers
Burp cloths, swaddle or muslin blanket
A couple of tiny new toys or crinkly books for novelty
Downloaded white noise or baby’s sleep music on your phone
Baby headphones
Baby carrier, even if you don’t end up using it, as a just-in-case
Footed pajamas for baby for easy changes and coziness

5) During boarding, takeoff, and landing

Feed or offer a paci during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. Multiple moms said this was key.
One mom swore by going on last so baby isn’t stuck sitting forever. Another liked going on first for the overhead bin space and extra time. Do what keeps you the calmest.
Tag team with your partner if you’re traveling together. Solo moms said it’s totally doable, but make your system as hands-free as possible.

6) In-flight diaper changes and sleep

Change baby right before boarding if you can. On a 4-hour flight, some moms didn’t need to change at all. Your mileage may vary, obviously.
Planes are basically giant white noise machines. Many moms said their babies slept most of the flight.
If baby gets restless, hold your phone to their ear with their sleepy-time music. The plane hum usually drowns it out for everyone else.

7) Proof of age and documents

If you’re flying with a lap infant, bring a birth certificate or vaccination record. Airlines can and do ask. Southwest, in particular, is known for it. (Help Center | Southwest Airlines, Help Center | Southwest Airlines)

8) Mindset

“Pack early, plan as well as you can and brace for impact - no pun intended! It might be chaos or it might be easy. Hopefully you’re headed somewhere fun and its worth it!” — A mom who has already taken her 6-month-old on 10 flights

Babies at 6–12 weeks can be dream fliers. They eat, sleep, and don’t need many toys. If you’re reading this, you’re already prepared.

Quick airline facts

United Airlines: You can check one car seat and one stroller per child for free, at the gate or ticket counter. You can also bring a diaper bag and breast pump in addition to your carry-on and personal item. (United Airlines, United Airlines)
American Airlines: Each ticketed customer can check 1 stroller and 1 car seat free. Strollers over 20 lbs must be checked at the ticket counter. (AA)
Southwest Airlines: Lap infants need proof of age. They offer free check of strollers and car seats. (Help Center | Southwest Airlines, Help Center | Southwest Airlines)
TSA: Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks, purée pouches, and cooling packs are allowed over 3.4 oz. Separate them for screening. (TSA, TSA)
FAA & NTSB: Strongly recommend purchasing a seat and using an approved child restraint on board for babies and toddlers. (Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB)

Final pep talk

Get there early, wear the baby, keep liquids handy for TSA, and gate check what you can in bags. Feed on takeoff and landing, and give yourself permission to ignore anyone with opinions. You’ve got this.

References

TSA — Breast Milk, Formula, Toddler Drinks & Baby Food. (TSA)
TSA — Travel Tips 2025 (Infant items exempt from 3-1-1). (TSA)
FAA — Child Safety Seat Tips (The safest place for children under 2 is in an approved child car seat/device). (Federal Aviation Administration)
NTSB — Child Passenger Safety on Aircraft (recommend purchasing a seat and using a CRS). (NTSB)
United Airlines — Traveling With Children; Carry-on Bags (free stroller/car seat check, diaper bag and breast pump allowances). (United Airlines, United Airlines)
American Airlines — Traveling With Children (1 stroller + 1 car seat checked free, stroller weight rule). (AA)
Southwest Airlines — Flying With Infants / Lap Child Documentation. (Help Center | Southwest Airlines, Help Center | Southwest Airlines)