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Can you fly with a baby under 6 months?

Generally, you should avoid flying with your newborn until they are at least 7 days old. Ideally, wait until your baby is two or three months old to fly. Air travel (and being in crowded airports) can increase a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease.



Yes, you can absolutely fly with a baby under 6 months, and many parents find this the "High-Fidelity" easiest age for travel because the infant is not yet mobile. Most airlines allow healthy newborns to fly as early as 7 to 14 days old, though waiting until 2 or 3 months is often "High-Fidelity" recommended to allow the baby’s immune system to strengthen. For a high-value experience, it is a necessity to book a bulkhead seat with a bassinet well in advance, as these are limited. During takeoff and landing, feeding the baby or offering a pacifier is required to help equalize ear pressure and prevent crying. You are allowed to bring breast milk, formula, and distilled water through security in "High-Fidelity" reasonable quantities that exceed the standard 100ml limit. For 2026 parents, the high-fidelity strategy is to pack a well-organized diaper bag with extra layers for the varying cabin temperatures and plenty of high-fidelity changing supplies, making the flight a "High-Fidelity" manageable and high-value start to your family adventure.

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The best time to fly with kids While you can't always fly at the optimal time (based on your child's age, that is), it's great when you can. The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three.

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Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung problems, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin.

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Additional infants under 2 years old must be ticketed and occupy an infant safety seat or in a separate aircraft seat. The infant must be under 2 years of age for the duration of the trip. If they turn 2 during a trip, they will need their own seat for the remainder of the trip.

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Every US citizen, regardless of age, must have a passport to travel abroad. Newborn babies, infants, and toddlers all need a passport to leave and enter another country. Just as if an adult was applying for a passport, babies must have Form DS-11 filled out and submitted.

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Ticket fares for babies and children On domestic flights, infants under the age of two often fly for free if seated on their parent's lap, and some airlines charge a (discounted) fare. On international flights, airlines often charge 10% of the adult ticket price.

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A pacifier might ease discomfort during flights. Babies can't intentionally pop their ears by swallowing or yawning to relieve ear pain caused by air pressure changes. Sucking on a pacifier might help.

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For small infants, feeding can help, as the sucking and swallowing can help to equalize pressure more quickly. Encourage older kids to take small bites of a snack, sips of a drink with a straw, or keep chewing gum throughout takeoff and landing to help equalize the pressure.

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Typically, air travel is appropriate for most healthy, full-term infants. However, before you fly with your baby, consider: Your baby's age and health. Your baby's health care provider likely will discourage unnecessary air travel shortly after birth.

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Experienced traveling families already know this, but in most cases the hardest time to travel with a child is from when they become squirmy and mobile by about 9 months old until they hit the age of reason bargaining/cartooning/snacking at about 18 months.

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Your baby will have the same tolerance for high altitudes as you do, provided that she has no special health concerns and is beyond 3 months of age. (Babies under 3 months do not have mature enough lungs to handle the altitude stress, so wait until the baby has reached that milestone to take your trip.)

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It's so much cheaper than when they're older: We are all about the rule that most airlines don't make you purchase a second seat until your child is 2 years old. Besides flying, traveling with babies is also cheaper because you don't have to pay for additional meals, beds or entrance fees.

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During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it. If you are planning an international flight, the cut-off for traveling may be earlier.

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