Baby's First Flight: When Can Babies Fly & How to Handle Ear Pain

Planning your baby's first flight? "When can babies fly?", "What if their ears hurt during takeoff?" We've compiled everything you need for a comfortable flight with your baby.

When Can Babies Fly?

Airline Regulations

Most airlines allow:

Domestic flights: After 7 days old
International flights: After 14 days old

However, just because it's allowed doesn't mean it's recommended.

Recommended Age

Pediatrician recommendations:

2-3 months+: Basic immunity developed
6 months+: Better suited for long flights
6-15 months: Most challenging period (can't express discomfort)

💡 Tip: Start with flights under 2 hours. Both baby and parents need adjustment time.

Pre-Flight Check

Visit pediatrician before departure:

Check for recent colds or ear infections
Verify vaccination schedule
Get fever reducer/pain reliever prescription if needed

Why Do Babies Get Ear Pain on Planes?

The Cause

Air pressure changes rapidly during takeoff and landing. Adults adjust by swallowing or yawning, but babies:

Have immature Eustachian tubes (connects ear to throat)
Can't regulate pressure themselves
Can't verbally express discomfort

Result: Ear pain → Crying → More crying cycle

The Hardest Moments

Landing hurts more than takeoff
Start preparing 30 minutes before landing

How to Handle Baby Ear Pain on Planes

Feeding/Bottle

Most effective method:

Sucking motion opens the Eustachian tube
Time feeding with takeoff/landing
Prepare 30 minutes before landing

Breastfeeding moms:

Bring nursing cover
Window seat offers more privacy

Formula-feeding moms:

Pack powder in single-feed portions and mix it right before feeding
Use water at 70°C (158°F) or hotter (from a thermos or the cabin crew), then cool the bottle to body temperature

Pacifier/Snacks

Under 6 months: Pacifier 6 months+: Puffs, crackers, chewable snacks

Chewing and swallowing helps regulate pressure

If Baby Keeps Crying?

Soothing methods:

Hold and rock
Play white noise app
Let them look out the window
Bring out a new toy

⚠️ Warning: A cold or ear infection can make ear pain much worse. If your baby had an ear infection or ear surgery in the past 2 weeks, ask your pediatrician before flying.

Choosing Baby-Friendly Seats

Bassinet Seats

What is a bassinet?

Wall-mounted baby bed
Usually at bulkhead (front row)
Weight and age limits vary by airline (usually only for babies who can't sit up on their own yet)

How to reserve:

Call airline after booking
Popular routes fill fast → request early
Reconfirm 72 hours before departure

Benefits:

Baby can lie flat when sleeping
Extra legroom
Easier diaper changes

Seat Selection Tips

Recommended:

Bulkhead (front row): More space, bassinet available
Window: Nursing privacy, baby can look outside
Aisle: Easy bathroom access (but seat your baby on the window side, since hot drinks, carts and bags falling from overhead bins can injure a baby in the aisle seat)

Avoid:

Emergency exit rows (no infants allowed)
Last row (seats don't recline, engine noise)

Baby Flight Packing Checklist

Carry-On Essentials

Feeding supplies:

Bottles + formula (twice what you need)
Thermos filled with just-boiled water (it must be 70°C/158°F or hotter for mixing formula)
Nursing cover
Pacifiers

Diapering:

Diapers (2 per flight hour + extra)
Travel wipes
Changing pad
Plastic bags

Clothing:

2+ spare outfits
Light blanket
Socks (cabins are cold)

Soothing items:

2-3 new toys (still wrapped)
Familiar stuffed animal/blanket
Downloaded videos on phone

Checked Baggage

Stroller (gate check available)
Car seat (if renting a car): using it on board is safest; if you don't, gate-check it to avoid damage
Extra pack of diapers
Multiple spare outfits

Flight Day Tips

At the Airport

Check-in:

Use family/infant priority counters
Use stroller to gate, then check
Reconfirm bassinet reservation

Security:

Declare liquids (formula, baby food) separately
Baby food exempt from 100ml limit
Stroller, carrier screened separately

Boarding

Priority boarding:

Use family priority boarding
Note: Early boarding = longer wait on plane
Decide based on baby's condition

Getting settled:

Request bassinet setup
Raise armrests for more space
Place diaper bag at feet

During Flight

Takeoff:

Feed or give pacifier
Fasten your seatbelt and hold a lap baby securely (safest of all is their own ticketed seat with an FAA-approved car seat)

Cruising:

Place in bassinet (on their back, with no blankets, pillows or stuffed animals; take them out when the seatbelt sign comes on)
Check diapers regularly
Keep hydrated

30 minutes before landing:

Prepare feeding/snacks again
Landing hurts ears more than takeoff!

FAQ

Q: How much are baby tickets?
A: Infants under 2 usually fly free on domestic flights and pay 10% of the adult fare internationally. In this case your baby sits on your lap without a separate seat. If you prefer a dedicated seat, you can often buy one and use an approved car seat, so check with your airline in advance.

Q: Can I bring a stroller?
A: Yes. You can use it all the way to the gate and gate-check it, so you can keep your baby in the stroller until just before boarding. Some compact, foldable travel strollers also fit in overhead bins. At security, the stroller and baby carrier are usually screened separately.

Q: What if baby won't stop crying?
A: Get up and walk the aisle slowly to soothe them, or offer a feed or pacifier. Crying during takeoff and landing is usually caused by ear pain from pressure changes, so timing a feed to those moments really helps. Most passengers understand, so handle it naturally rather than apologizing in advance.

Q: Is there baby food on planes?
A: Most airlines offer infant meals. You'll need to request them when booking or at least 24 hours before departure, so arrange this ahead of time. To be safe, also pack plenty of your baby's familiar snacks or formula in case the meal isn't available.

Track Records While Traveling with BebeSnap

Don't miss feeding, sleep, and diaper records while traveling.

Jet lag tracking: Record in local time
One-hand recording: Tap while holding baby
Family sharing: Family at home sees real-time updates
Download on App Store
Download on Google Play

References

AAP HealthyChildren - Flying with Baby