11 Tips for Flying with a baby

Air travel with a baby can be extremely challenging. I've done it a few times now (once immobilized in a leg brace) and wanted to share a some tips for flying with a baby to make it a little easier!
11 Tips for Flying with a Baby
Doona Car Seat Stroller
1) Birth Certificate
Bring the baby's birth certificate! Just in case.
2) Stroller
If you are not checking your stroller - always fold it down yourself. This will prevent the chances of it being broken when you get off the plane! (Yes, I learned this the hard way and so did Meagan. Meagan has had at least 3 strollers broken when checking at the gate.)
3) Free Checked Items
It is free to check a car seat and free to check a stroller. Take them with you to the gate and they will tag it for you or check them with your luggage. Your choice! 
We recommend the  Doona Car Seat/Stroller – It’s The Ideal Travel Stroller
4) Arrive early
Try to show up at your gate a little early. Sometimes a sympathetic employee can shuffle seats around so you can have a little extra room to yourself and even use the car seat.
5) Milk/Formula
If you have a baby you can bring breast milk or formula through security.  You will have to take it out and show it to the security workers, but once they see what it is you are good to go.
6) Keep their ears popped
Help soothe your baby's ears by nursing during take off and landing. If you are not nursing then bring a pacifier and make sure they are using it during take off and landing.
If you are worried about this there are a few products Meagan has tried with her kids over the years. She was unsure if they would work for an infant, but here are the two she recommended:

EarPlanes  –  EarPlanes Relieve Ear Discomfort, Clogging, And Popping By Naturally Filtering and Regulating Air Pressure. The label says these are for kids ages 1 – 10. So, she was unsure if they would work on a baby. 
Eustachi – This little device allows you to clear your ears, whether because you are on a flight or if you are sick.

7) Snacks
Pack plenty of snacks to keep your child happy in flight. The baby food that comes in pouches are excellent for flying.
8) Toys
Bring a couple of baby's favorite toys along to keep them entertained. Better yet buy a new toy or two that they've never seen before. 
9) Extra clothes
Pack an extra outfit or two in their diaper bag. The one time you don't your baby will have a diaper blow-out!
10) Stay warm
Bring an extra blanket in the diaper bag. Sometimes those flights get really cold!
11) Stay powered
Bring a phone charger. If your child is on the verge of having a melt down you can always resort to watching a little Baby Einstein on YouTube on your phone. You do not want to get stuck with a dead battery. I even carry an external battery charger. I hope this helps! Good luck flying with your baby.
Have you flown with a baby? How did it go? If you have any tips to share, please leave them in the comments below!
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