Is it OK to fly with a 2 month old baby?

When is my baby old enough to fly on an airplane? 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.



Yes, it is generally considered safe and "OK" to fly with a two-month-old baby in 2026, provided they are healthy and born full-term. Most pediatricians recommend waiting until the two-to-three-month mark because this allows the infant's immune system to strengthen significantly before being exposed to the high-value germ environment of a crowded airport or cabin. For a premier, safe journey, experts suggest using an FAA-approved car seat rather than carrying the baby in your lap, which protects against unexpected turbulence. During takeoff and landing, feeding your baby (breast or bottle) or using a pacifier is a high-quality "pro-tip" to help equalize ear pressure and prevent pain. While a two-month-old is a "dream traveler" because they sleep frequently, you should always consult your specific pediatrician before booking, especially to confirm your baby's vaccination status and readiness for the high-altitude environment.

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In general, doctors recommend you wait to fly until your baby's immune system is better developed. This could be as soon as one month for full-term infants, though most doctors recommend anywhere between three months and six months.

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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.

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Young babies have not developed the ability to regularize their ear pressure by yawning or swallowing, so they don't know how to relieve the abrupt changes in pressure when the plane is taking off or landing. To prevent ear pain and discomfort, babies should wear ear protection whenever they're travelling on a plane.

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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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But the pain is only temporary — it won't cause any lasting problems for kids and usually will ease within a few minutes as the Eustachian tubes open to let the air pressure equalize on both sides of the eardrums.

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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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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against any unnecessary air travel for babies shortly after birth. Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease.

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The safest way for baby to fly Infants weighing less than 20 pounds should be bucked into a rear-facing car seat during airplane travel. Children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds should be restrained in a car seat. They should not be switched to using just the airplane's lap belt until they reach at least 40 pounds.

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Instead, you can use their birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or other documentation that identifies them. When crossing state lines, you may need to provide sufficient proof of your relationship with the infant.

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