How to Get through the Airport with a Baby

Packing for yourself and your family, going to the airport and getting to your flight can be STRESSFUL. But it doesn't have to be. From a Flight Attendant's perspective, here are some tips on how to get through the airport with an infant. ​

​Prior to the Airport

• ​Simplify- If there's anything I learned from being a flight attendant and backpacker, it's to pack as minimally as possible. It's harder to say with an infant but for me, it was quite possible to fit all 3 of our wardrobes in one big bag. My little secret is ROLLING and PACKING CUBES. Roll your shirts, roll baby's onesies. Heck, roll your underwear. 
• Lately, we've been hearing so many changes as to what documents you need for air travel and what you don't. Just to be safe, I always bring Marley's birth certificate. Yeah, they may not need it but wouldn't you rather have it then not?​
• Wanna skip the line? Get TSA Pre-Check. Fun Fact: Active Duty Military and their family can get Pre-Check added to their boarding pass as long as their name on their Military ID matches their booking. Thankfully, we use my husband's number. 

At the Airport

• Throughout the whole airport process, we used a wrap which was super helpful. It's a hands free, quick process. Hold the baby. Wear the baby. Be the baby.
• Get familiarized with your travel information such as flight number, gate info, airline and even the date and time of your flight. Trust me, I have seen it far too many times than I can remember. There's always someone who unfortunately comes at the wrong time and day. Also, I suggest you keep checking your gate as they can change without notice. 
• Nursing covers are essential! Picture this: You're in the middle of the food court, ready to eat that overpriced breakfast sandwich then all of a sudden, Baby starts crying cause baby wants to eat. No prob, throw a nursing cover over you and let 'em have at it. Now both of you get to have breakfast in peace. 
• Free boobing in the middle of public not your style? It's okay! I would say, be on the lookout for family rooms and breastfeeding pods. I love Seatac Airport because they have been progressively becoming more nursing-friendly. There are pods in almost every Terminal!
• How far do you live? Give yourself at least an hour. Need to get boarding passes and got bags to check? Add another hour. Boarding begins within the hour of departure time. Please listen to me when I say, leave 3 or 4 hours early just in case. We know as parents, things happen that we cannot control like traffic, the person in line before you has a complex issue, you forgot you had a bunch of liquids in your carry-on that you need to check, the inevitably long security line and so on. Waiting at the airport for however long is no comparison to when you have to rush with a baby. 
• Check your pack and play/ base/ carseat / stroller if you don't intend on using them. Checking them at the ticket counter means you will be getting them at baggage claim at your final destination. But if you'd like to take it with you to the gate that's also a possibility. In most cases, baby items that are checked at the gate such as strollers, carseats, etc will be picked up in the gate/jetway of your final destination. Always ask to make sure and keep your luggage ticket!

Security

• Paying attention to your surroundings goes a loooooong way. There's something about the airport that instantly turns on your inner panic button. I get it. But one fool proof easy way is to get familiar with signs. For example, maybe it's an airport you've never been to before but you see signs to your gate. Even for check-in, every airline is different and there may or may not be specific lines for your need. 
• I know that every traveler has a different story. We don't know their lives which is why as anyone who works directly with the greater public in the airline industry, we are compassionate in any case. We get globetrotters all the way to passengers who have never stepped foot on an aircraft before, so  it's completely okay to ask us questions if you need assistance.
• For security, make sure you have liquids packed and ready to go in plastic bags! Easy access and you can quickly pull out and put back into your suitcase. Remember, TSA asks us to pack liquids that are 3.5 oz or less. Breast Milk and Baby essentials are exempt. With that said, set aside some time for them to do extra screening.
• Try to stay away from tight clothing unless they're yoga pants! You are gonna be sweatin', girl. I'm telling ya. I got this very flowy and forgiving jumpsuit from Amazon and I literally wear it all the time. Super soft and I never have to worry about an accidental crack flash or showing strangers the Truffle Shuffle. 
• A great philosopher once said, "With great security comes slip on shoes." Ok, no one said that but I'm saying you better have some easily accessible shoes. I throw in a pair of socks in my bag for the flight in case my feet get cold but for manoeuvring through the airport, nuh uh. Bending down with baby, sitting down, getting back up. It's all too much work.

At the Gate

• Please, be nice to the airline personnel. Yeah, just like every work place there may be one bad apple but most of the time we are there to do our job, whether that means having to tell you your flight is cancelled due to a weather related problem or kindly asking you to put your seatbelt on for turbulence. Whatever we do, we do it for your safety first and foremost. 
• With that being said, kindly ask if there are any rows with an open seat. Now, 99.999% of the time, the flight is full or oversold and I'm not just saying that because it's rare to be on an open flight nowadays! If there isn't, no big deal. But if there is, thank your Gate Agent with chocolate and be on your way. You've got yourself a whole row to yourself!
• Depending on your baby's age, you can take the carseat onboard. Considering Marley's age, we do it specifically because we feel she's safer during flight and Mommy and Daddy can put her in their for a few minutes to rest our arms. One thing to be aware of is to make sure the carseat is FAA approved. Most carseats show a picture of a plane or a statement reading that it's FAA approved. For some airlines, it is required to have. 
• If there's anything you should do, do a diaper change. (hehe.. I said doo doo.) I suggest doing one right before boarding, if time allows! You don't want to be scrambling around in your baby bag, getting up during flight to walk all the way in the back only to see a line full of people who forgot to go in the terminal. Unless they have a sudden blowout then you gotta do what you gotta do. The baby, that is.
• Keep an ear out for the Pre-boarding group! Most airlines have a designated boarding group for families traveling with children under a specific age. Depending on your family, you may choose to wait it out till the last possible minute so you're not waiting on the plane but we love being able to get on early without having to worry if there's room in that overhead bin space or moving for other passengers!
• Before you board, keep in mind that organization is key. Having your boarding passes ready for the Customer Service Agent to scan. This can make all the difference! 
• Be sure to gather all of your necessary belongings at the forefront so you can have easy access to them during flight. This includes putting your Baby bag underneath the seat in front of you. 

On the Plane

• ​If you scored a whole row, place the carseat either next to the window or in the middle seat. This ensures the seat doesn't block the aisle and your baby is safe at all times.
• This is for courtesy of other passengers. Since I'm traveling with an infant, I make sure I bring plastic bags. No. Not for snacks but for those inevitable diaper changes. It's a way to dispose of diapers without the smell!
• Nurse for takeoff and landing. Or simply use a pacifier. One of the flight attendant mommies told me about this little hack to help with the pressure in baby's ears. It works like a charm!

When you've reached your arrival, you're officially on vacation! Congrats, Mama! You did it.

Airline travel can be difficult and having to do it with an infant is even more challenging. But with this guide, I hope you have a better idea of how to achieve a more relaxing travel process. ​What are some of your travel tips? ​