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I originally wanted to call this post, “Six Flights in Four Days: How I Traveled Across the Country with My 10-month-old Baby,” but I thought that might be a little long. But I want this to be a sort of “how-to” article for other parents flying for the first time with their child/ren. Below is what I did - what worked for me and my baby - so take what you want and try for yourself.

Tips to flying with an infant

• Own seat or your lap: Because my daughter loves to be held (and because I didn’t want to pay $450 for her own seat), she sat on my lap. Decide if your baby will be able to sit still for the length of the flight, and if so, tell the airlines you want your child on your lap. It’s mostly free (only cost $30 for processing), so if you think it’ll work, I suggest holding the child on the flight. If you plan to get your child a seat, you have to bring the car seat. It straps into the chair on the plane much like it does in your car, and the flight attendants are more than willing to help.

• Gate check your stroller and car seat: While it’s not that easy to put your carry on bags, stroller, and car seat on the conveyor belt by yourself, it’s so nice to be able to put the baby down while you use the restroom, buy food/drinks, etc. I found that most everyone around me was willing to help, so that made it that much easier. If you’re flying multiple flights, you’ll need to get a tag at each gate so that the crew knows where your stuff should be going. When you walk down the jetway, put your stroller and car seat at the end near the plane; when you land, it’ll be there waiting for you. If there is room on the plane, you may be able to take the car seat and strap baby into his/her own seat (if baby is a lap child).

• Be prepared for everything: One of your carry-on items should be your diaper bag. Some items to take on the plane include three more diapers than you think you’ll need, diaper wipes, two changes of clothing, any needed medicines (no more than 3oz stored in a quart bag), bottles for water/juice, pacifiers (you will lose at least one), toys (keep noisy toys to a minimum so as not to disturb your neighbors), dry snacks, nursing cover (if still breastfeeding), front- or sling carrier (if you don’t have baby’s car seat), and a blanket for baby. For you, bring a book/magazine, a pen (to do crosswords in the magazines), headphones, cash in small bills (to buy food or headphones on the flight), and anything else you might want to keep you entertained in case your baby sleeps. There’s nothing worse than watching an in-flight movie and not getting to hear the dialogue.

• Board as early as possible: Every airline has a pre-board for parents with small children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Absolutely board the plane as early as you can. This will give you the time you need to strap in the car seat (if available) and to get everything ready before others start boarding the plane. Take this time to take items out of your carry on luggage that the baby will need during take off. I put her bottle, her pacifier, some snacks, and some small toys in the seat pocket so that I’d have them as soon as she needed them. I also gave her a small dose of Benadryl to help her allergies and allow her to sleep on the plane.

• Remember their ears pop too: When your ears start to pop during take offs and landings, remember that your child’s ears are going to need to pop too. Be sure to nurse, bottle feed, or give a pacifier during these times to help your baby’s ears. You can also tug on his/her earlobes to help open them up and can gently massage behind his/her ears. If you can, start nursing your baby just as the plane is getting ready to take off. That way, s/he is comfortable during the jarring motions of take off and is less likely to freak out. If you don’t have one, you should absolutely get a nursing cover / breastfeeding cape / hooter hider. In such close quarters, you don’t want to get exposed by a curious or wiggly baby.

• Accept help from flight attendants and other passengers: If someone offers to help you, by all means, please take it. It was so nice to use the restroom on the plane without having to hold my daughter because another passenger offered to hold her for me. People were quick to get my carry on bag that was stowed above my seat while we were getting off the plane, and when she dropped something, they always picked it up for us. If someone doesn’t offer, don’t hesitate to ask either. The worst that could happen is they say no. Because I couldn’t put our tray table down, my neighbors were more than glad to help when I asked if I could my put my drink, her bottle, etc. on their table.

• Use time on layovers wisely: If you have a layover, be sure to use that time to your advantage. Get to the nearest restroom and change diapers, clothes (if soiled), and freshen up. You can use the handicapped stall and take the entire stroller in along with baby. Buy snacks and drinks for yourself and for baby, and use the time waiting for your next flight to feed baby. It’s harder when you’re on the plane, so feed meals in between flights and save snacking for the plane. Also, let baby get as much exercise as possible during your layover. She and I both enjoyed the freedom from each other.

Before you go, talk to other parents who have flown with small children before. You’ll get a ton of advice and can use what you want. The key for me was that I was prepared for anything that could have happened, and I’m glad to get the chance to share my story here. Good luck, and happy traveling!