Flying with an Infant

Booking Your Flight

First things first: how do you book a flight for an infant? You have two options:

Purchase a separate seat and bring a car seat. This is the safest option, as the FAA recommends that infants ride in an approved car seat.

Add your child as a lap infant (free on domestic flights until they turn two). Policies vary by airline, so check with your travel agent or the airline directly. If you’re flying Southwest, you can add a lap child when booking or at check-in. Be sure to bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate—you may be asked for proof of age.

Seat Selection Tip: If you’re flying with a lap infant, consider booking a window seat for more privacy while nursing or soothing your baby. Some airlines also allow you to request a bassinet for long-haul flights.

Packing for the Flight

Before you start cramming your suitcase, decide what to pack versus what to buy at your destination. I like to place a grocery pickup order for essentials like diapers and baby food when I arrive to avoid overpacking.

For your carry-on, most airlines allow you to bring these free of charge: 

✅ Diaper bag
✅ Car seat (can be checked at the gate or ticketing)
✅ Stroller (can be checked at the gate or ticketing)

Pro tip: Get a Car Seat Travel Bag to keep your seat in. This has handles so you can carry, or put on like a backpack, while also keeping your seat clean. 

TSA Rules for Baby Items:
Per TSA regulations, you can bring breastmilk, formula, and baby food in reasonable quantities, and they do not have to follow the 3.4 oz liquid rule. These items must be removed from your bag for separate screening.

Airport & In-Flight Tips

• Going through TSA will be slower with infants. Prepare extra time for it. If you are using a stroller you will need to take everything out of the stroller, take your baby out (carry them with you through the x-ray). You can ask the TSA agents what to do with your stroller, I often am told that if it folds up and fits through the machine that is the best option, and if it doesn’t fold/fit it will require an agent to check it and walk it through. But all airports are different for this process. 
• Gate-checking strollers and car seats: When arriving at your gate, speak to the agent to get them tagged for gate check. This allows you to use them throughout the airport and check them right before boarding.
• Babywearing in the Airport: A baby carrier can be a game-changer for navigating security, boarding, and deplaning while keeping your hands free. Some airlines allow you to wear your baby during the flight (though not during takeoff and landing).
• Managing Time at the Airport: Arrive early to allow extra time for security and diaper changes before boarding. Some airports have designated family security lines and nursing pods.
• Easing ear pressure: Give your child milk, a pacifier, or snacks during takeoff and landing to help with ear discomfort. If you feel your ears popping, help your baby with theirs!
• Dealing with messes: Accidents happen more frequently when traveling. Bring Ziploc bags or dog poop bags (my favorite travel hack!) for dirty clothes and a couple of extra outfits.
• Changing diapers on a plane: Most aircraft have changing tables in at least one restroom. Flight attendants usually announce their locations, or you can ask. Some kind flight attendants even provide trash bags to dispose of diapers more easily. Of course since plane bathrooms are already small, it’s pretty cramped changing diapers there, but it works.

Flying While Pumping: Traveling with Breastmilk

I’ve taken multiple trips without my baby while still breastfeeding, and I’ve learned some key tricks along the way. Here’s what you need to know:

TSA Rules for Breastmilk

Breastmilk is considered a medically necessary liquid, even if you’re not traveling with your baby. TSA allows you to bring a “reasonable amount” through security. While frozen milk is preferred, any form is acceptable. If your milk is not frozen, it will require additional screening.

🔹 TSA’s Recommendation: If possible, store milk in clear, translucent bottles instead of plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in bags may require additional screening, including Explosive Trace Detection or Vapor Analysis.

My favorite travel accessory? The Ceres Chill Breastmilk Cooler. It keeps milk cold for hours! However, I learned the hard way that if the cooler has just ice (no milk yet), TSA may make you dump the ice. Once milk is inside, I’ve never had issues traveling with it.

Packing Your Pumping Supplies

Good news: Breast pumps and milk coolers are considered medically necessary and do not count toward your carry-on allowance. This means you can bring: 

✅ Your purse or small backpack
✅ A separate pumping bag
✅ A milk cooler

I’ve only ever been questioned once about my extra bags. When I showed a small milk storage bag, the agent thanked me and let me through.

Here’s what I pack when pumping while traveling: 

✔ Wearable collection cups (discreet for pumping on the go). I used Freemie, but there are a lot of other options out there these days (like these).
✔ Portable pump (I used the Motif Duo). Just make sure it’s compatible with your cups

✔OR Wearable Pump (like the popular options Elvie or Willow, or more cost effective options like the Momcozy). Just make sure if traveling with a wearable pump, you also pack another pump to use while in your hotel. Wearable pumps are not meant to be used as your only option, and will not collect your milk as well as a regular electric pump.
✔ Milk storage bags
✔ Ziploc bags (for organizing milk storage bags)
✔ Wet/dry bags (for used pump parts). I liked these ones!
✔ Small bottle of dish soap (for easy cleaning)

Storing Breastmilk While Traveling

Check ahead to see if your accommodations have a mini-fridge—some hotels only have beverage coolers, which do not maintain safe temperatures for breastmilk.

If you need to freeze your milk: Many hotel concierges will store it for you upon request. On cruises, where beverage coolers are the norm, I brought a small cooler and asked my steward for fresh ice multiple times a day.

Shipping Breastmilk Home: For longer trips, you can ship breastmilk home using a specialized milk shipping service (like Milk Stork) or dry ice via FedEx.

Flying with an infant—or traveling while pumping—can seem daunting, but with a little preparation, it’s completely doable! Plan ahead, know your rights, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you’re embarking on your first trip with a baby or heading out on a work trip while pumping, you’ve got this! 💪✈️