When Can a Newborn Fly Internationally? A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Bringing a new baby into your family is a joyous occasion, and it’s natural to want to share the world with them as soon as possible. If you’re an avid traveler, you might be wondering, “When Can A Newborn Fly Internationally?” The good news is that international travel with your newborn is indeed feasible, often as early as three to four months of age. This period is often ideal as newborns can sleep through flights, don’t require their own seats, and are easily portable.

However, embarking on international travel with a newborn requires careful planning and preparation. It’s not as simple as packing a bag and heading to the airport. New parents need to navigate a few essential steps to ensure a smooth and safe journey for their little one. Like many new parents, we dreamt of taking our first child on an international adventure to destinations like the South of France or Tuscany. While those plans were initially delayed, we gained invaluable experience when we traveled to Italy with our second daughter, Willow, when she was just two months old. Our experiences, both the challenges and the triumphs, have equipped us with the knowledge to help other parents confidently plan their international trips with newborns.

Having booked our flights even before Willow was born, we had to quickly learn the ropes of obtaining her passport and preparing for international travel. Now, our children are seasoned travelers, having explored various US destinations, Mexico, Italy, and with Portugal next on our list. We believe in the enriching experience of family travel, even with the youngest of members. This guide is designed to share the essential tips and tricks we’ve learned, making international travel with your newborn a less daunting and more enjoyable prospect.

1. Secure Flights and Bassinet Seats in Advance

Optimal Flight Booking Timeframe

Planning international travel with a newborn requires foresight, especially when it comes to booking flights. Avoid the stress of last-minute planning by securing your flights well in advance. Aim to finalize your travel dates based on your baby being at least 8 weeks old by the time of departure. A common question among new parents is, “how soon can a newborn travel?”. While it’s exciting to consider traveling early, most pediatricians advise waiting until your baby is 2 to 3 months old. This recommendation stems from the fact that a newborn’s immune system is still developing and strengthening during these early months. Consulting with your pediatrician is crucial to get personalized advice based on your baby’s health and your travel plans.

When booking, prioritize refundable tickets. While they may be slightly more expensive upfront, the flexibility and peace of mind they offer are invaluable. Should unforeseen circumstances arise, such as the baby or mother not being fit to travel, refundable tickets provide a financial safety net. Again, always consult your pediatrician for medical clearance before planning international travel with your newborn. Depending on your specific situation, travel insurance is also worth considering for added protection and coverage.

Choosing the Right Seats

Booking flights in advance not only secures your travel dates but also increases your chances of getting bulkhead seats. These seats are highly desirable when traveling with an infant for several reasons. The extra space they offer is a significant advantage, but more importantly, bulkhead seats are where airplane bassinets are typically installed. Using a bassinet during long-haul flights means your baby can sleep comfortably without you needing to hold them constantly, and you avoid the need to purchase an extra seat for your baby. It’s essential to confirm with your airline the specific seats that are equipped for bassinet attachments, as configurations can vary. For example, we once booked bulkhead seats by the window on United Airlines, only to discover that bassinets were only compatible with the center row bulkhead seats. We had to adjust our seating accordingly.

When considering flight upgrades, premium economy is a worthwhile step up from economy plus for added comfort. If you plan your trip well in advance, explore credit card bonus point deals that can potentially upgrade you to business class. This can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially on long international flights with a newborn.

Infant sleeping in an airplane bassinet during international flight

2. Expedite Obtaining Your Baby’s Birth Certificate and Social Security Number

To initiate the process of getting a U.S. passport for your newborn, you’ll first need their official birth certificate and Social Security number. Both of these documents can only be obtained after your baby is born. While the hospital may provide you with a birth certificate at the time of birth, for passport applications, you’ll specifically need the “certified birth certificate.” This is issued by the city, county, or state where your baby was born.

Upon receiving the official birth certificate, carefully verify that both parents’ names are accurately printed, as this document serves as proof of parental identity. Typically, the official birth certificate arrives within one to two weeks after birth. In situations where time is of the essence, and if the records office is conveniently located, you might be able to request to pick it up in person to expedite the process.

Pro Tip: As soon as your baby arrives, get in touch with the hospital administration or the relevant department handling birth certificate processing. Hospitals usually submit these documents to the City/County/State offices on a set schedule, often once or twice a week. To ensure timely processing, especially if you’re planning international travel soon, aim to get your request in early, ideally before the weekend. Expedited services may incur additional fees, but if you’re pressed for time, it’s worth inquiring with the hospital about any options to speed up the process.

3. Complete Form DS-11 but Do Not Sign Prematurely

Form DS-11 is the official U.S. Department of State application form for a passport. You’ll need your baby’s Social Security number to complete this form, along with other essential details such as your baby’s date and place of birth, gender, and both parents’ contact information. The Form DS-11 can be accessed directly here. It is crucial to remember not to sign the form at this stage. The signature must be applied in person during your passport application appointment at an authorized acceptance facility.

When you submit the application, you must include the original certified copy of your baby’s official birth certificate, and importantly, a photocopy of the same certificate. Rest assured, the original birth certificate will be mailed back to you securely. Additionally, both parents are required to submit their own valid photo IDs, such as passports or driver’s licenses. These IDs, along with the birth certificate, serve as verification of the parental relationship to the child. Ensure you bring both your original IDs and photocopies for each parent to the appointment.

Pro Tips:

Schedule your passport appointment proactively: If you’re planning international travel shortly after birth, consider scheduling your passport appointment even before your baby arrives. We scheduled ours in advance and were able to walk into the post office just seven days after Willow was born.
Identification copy specifications: Ensure that all identification copies are made on standard white 8.5” x 11″ paper. They should be black and white and single-sided.
Adoption documentation: If you have adopted your baby, you will need to bring the original adoption decree and a photocopy of it to the appointment.

4. Attend Your Passport Application Appointment as a Family

The Passport Appointment Procedure

A crucial step in obtaining a passport for your newborn is attending an in-person passport application appointment. This appointment necessitates the presence of both parents or legal guardians. If one parent is unable to attend, they must complete a “Statement of Consent” Form DS-3053. This form must be notarized, and you’ll also need to provide a clear copy (both front and back) of the non-appearing parent’s government-issued photo ID.

It is highly recommended to schedule this appointment as soon as you have your baby’s birth certificate and Social Security number, especially given potential waiting times. Local post offices, for instance, may only accept appointments up to four weeks in advance. While waiting for your scheduled appointment, utilize this time to meticulously prepare all necessary forms and documents.

During the appointment, several key steps will be undertaken. A passport photo of your baby will be taken. All your submitted forms and documents will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness. You will then be required to sign the DS-11 form in the presence of the acceptance agent. Your baby’s photo will be officially attached to the application, and you will need to pay the applicable fees to formally submit the application. As of the latest information, the fee for a child’s passport book is $100, along with a $35 processing fee. It’s important to note that the U.S. Department of State has specific payment requirements. Payments must be made via check (personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s) or money order, payable to the “U.S. Department of State.” Credit and debit cards are not accepted for passport application fees.

Before your appointment, it’s advisable to confirm if the application acceptance facility offers passport photo services on-site. Capturing a perfect passport photo of a newborn can be challenging, but there is some leniency for infants. It’s understood that getting a newborn to have their eyes fully open, looking directly at the camera, and sitting upright is often not possible. For guidance on taking a DIY passport photo, refer to tip #3 in this baby passport FAQ.

Tracking Your Baby’s Passport Progress

After your application is officially submitted at the appointment, you can monitor its progress using the government’s online passport application tracker. For current estimated processing times, refer to tip #7 on my baby passport FAQ.

Urgent Passport Needs

If you’ve realized you need your baby’s passport urgently and your international trip is fast approaching, don’t worry. Expedited passport services are available under specific qualifying criteria:

a) If you have not yet applied for a passport, you must be traveling internationally within 14 calendar days.

b) If you have already applied, you must be traveling internationally within 5 calendar days.

If either of these situations applies to you, immediately locate your nearest Passport Agency and call to schedule an appointment. A map of passport agency locations can be found here. Be aware that Passport Agencies are different from passport acceptance facilities (like USPS). Agencies offer urgent passport services, while acceptance facilities are for routine applications.

Pro Tip: Choosing to expedite passport processing involves an additional fee of $60. This expedited fee technically applies once the passport is being processed. To ensure secure and timely delivery, consider investing in certified tracking or paying extra for expedited mail service, which is an additional cost on top of the passport, processing, and expedited fees.

5. Choose Spacious, Home-Like Accommodations

When traveling internationally with a newborn, the type of accommodation you choose can significantly impact your comfort and convenience. Instead of opting for standard hotel rooms, consider the benefits of booking a vacation rental. Vacation rentals often provide more space and amenities that are particularly advantageous when traveling with a baby.

Having separate sleeping and living areas is invaluable. It allows you to put your baby down for naps or bedtime in a quiet room while you can still relax, catch up on work, or plan your next day without disturbing their sleep.

Look for accommodations that include a kitchen or kitchenette. This feature provides the ability to store and prepare baby food, formula, or breast milk, offering flexibility and ease during mealtimes. Additionally, having kitchen facilities can help save on dining costs as you can prepare some meals yourself. We personally enjoy shopping at local markets and cooking meals with fresh, local ingredients, which adds to the travel experience.

The location of your accommodation is also a key consideration. Choosing a centrally located place can reduce travel time to attractions and make it easier to return for the baby’s nap times or if you need to head back quickly for any reason.

Pro tip: Inquire if your chosen accommodation provides baby gear such as a crib or high chair. Many family-friendly rentals do, and utilizing these amenities can save you the trouble and luggage space of bringing your own.

Exterior of a family villa in Tuscany, Italy

6. Plan a Relaxed and Flexible Itinerary

Traveling with a newborn necessitates a shift in travel style. The days of jam-packed itineraries and rushing from one tourist hotspot to another are temporarily on hold. With a baby in tow, adopting a more relaxed and flexible schedule is key to a smoother and more enjoyable trip. We often use TripAdvisor to research local attractions and tours, but with a different approach now.

Newborns require frequent breaks for feeding, diaper changes, and simply to rest and engage. Instead of trying to cram in multiple activities each day, aim for just one primary outing. This could be something like a leisurely wine tasting at a scenic winery in Tuscany, a relaxing beach day in Spain, or a visit to a renowned museum like The Louvre followed by a picnic lunch.

Consider your baby’s nap schedule when planning your day. If your baby is comfortable napping in a stroller or baby carrier, you could plan longer walks or museum visits during nap time. If your baby prefers a quiet, dark room for sleep, factor in returning to your accommodation for naps.

Remember to also schedule downtime for yourself. Traveling with a newborn can be tiring, and you’ll appreciate your trip more if you’re not constantly exhausted. Whether it’s enjoying a leisurely lunch while the baby naps, having a quiet evening cooking with local ingredients in your vacation rental, or simply taking a relaxing bath after the baby is asleep, ensure you incorporate moments for yourself to unwind and recharge.

The primary goal of traveling with a newborn is to enjoy quality family time, not to tick off every tourist attraction. Embrace a slower pace, be adaptable, and cherish this special time with your baby.

Parents enjoying wine tasting while holding their baby during international travel

7. Add Your Lap Infant to Your Flight Reservation

An essential step after booking your flights is to add your newborn to your reservation as a lap infant. Even though your baby will be traveling on your lap, airlines require their details for the flight manifest. The process for adding a lap infant varies among airlines. Typically, you can do this during the initial booking process or by contacting customer service after you’ve booked your own ticket.

While your baby won’t occupy their own seat, international flights may have additional fees for lap infants. However, these fees are significantly less than the cost of an adult fare. It’s crucial to check with your specific airline regarding any extra charges for lap infants on international routes.

Pro tip: As soon as you board the airplane, if you’ve secured bulkhead seats with a bassinet, request the flight attendant to set up the baby bassinet after takeoff. Take advantage of family boarding when available, as it provides extra time to settle in and get comfortable with your baby before the flight gets crowded.

8. Enroll Your Baby in Global Entry

Consider enrolling your baby in the Global Entry program. Global Entry can significantly expedite the re-entry process into the U.S., saving you valuable time and reducing stress at customs and immigration, which is especially beneficial when traveling with a newborn.

To enroll your baby, you’ll need to apply for Global Entry on their behalf, just as you would for an adult. The application process involves completing an online application and scheduling an interview.

It’s important to note that unlike TSA PreCheck, Global Entry benefits are not automatically extended to family members, even young children. Each individual, regardless of age, must have their own Global Entry membership to use the expedited lanes.

Pro tip: You can often complete the Global Entry interview upon arrival back in the U.S. from an international trip. This is known as “Enrollment on Arrival” and is a convenient way to finalize the interview without needing a separate trip to an enrollment center.

9. Schedule Baby’s Vaccinations in Advance of Travel

Prior to international travel with your newborn, it’s essential to consult with your pediatrician to ensure it’s safe for your baby. Discuss your travel destination and inquire about any specific vaccinations recommended or required for that region. Ask about the appropriate age for your baby to receive these vaccinations, as some can be administered earlier than the standard schedule if needed for travel. Additionally, seek advice on using sunscreen and insect repellent on your baby, and any other necessary precautions to protect your baby from diseases prevalent in your destination.

If you plan to travel when your infant is around 8 weeks old, it’s often possible to safely administer most, if not all, of the routine 2-month vaccinations as early as 6 weeks of age. We opted for this approach with Willow to ensure she had maximum protection by the time we traveled when she was 8 weeks old. It is crucial to emphasize that I am not a medical professional, and you must always consult with your pediatrician to determine the best vaccination plan for your baby based on your travel plans and your baby’s health.

Close-up of 2-month baby vaccinations being administered by a doctor

10. Invest in the Right Baby Travel Gear

Essential Baby Travel Gear

Having the right baby gear is crucial for simplifying international travel with a newborn. Here are some must-have travel essentials, including brands that we personally recommend:

If your hotel or vacation rental does not provide a crib, bringing a lightweight portable travel crib is essential. We highly recommend the Guava Lotus for its portability and ease of setup. Depending on your baby’s age and sleep environment needs, you might also consider the Slumberpod to create a dark and private sleep space for your baby. However, to minimize luggage, we strongly advise booking accommodations that already provide a crib.

Collection of essential baby travel gear for international trips

Recommended Baby Travel Gear for Comfort and Convenience

Beyond the essentials, some additional baby gear items can significantly enhance comfort and convenience during international travel: We highly recommend packing the Baby Bjorn Bouncer if your baby is not yet sitting up independently. While it may seem bulky, it can be carried on in this convenient Travel Bag, and it’s invaluable for having a safe place to set your infant down while you’re getting ready, during meals, or at any point throughout the day. Another travel must-have for us was the SnuggleMe Feeding Pillow. It proved incredibly useful for hands-free feeding on the airplane and for comfortable, hands-free napping for the baby on the airplane or during meals out.

11. Create a Thoughtful Baby Packing List

Comprehensive Packing List for Your Infant

Packing for international travel with a newborn requires more meticulous planning than packing for yourself alone. You’re now packing for a tiny individual with very specific needs. Start crafting your packing list well in advance of your trip to ensure you don’t forget anything essential.

Begin by listing all the everyday necessities your baby will require. This includes diapers, wipes, clothing, feeding supplies (bottles, formula, breast milk storage bags, etc.), and comfort items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.

Next, think about what you’ll need specifically for the flights. Pack a generous supply of diapers in your carry-on bag – enough for at least 3 days, along with 3 changes of clothes for your baby (and perhaps one for yourself) in case of flight delays, diversions, or cancellations.

Consider what baby supplies you can purchase at your destination, such as diapers and formula. However, if you have strong preferences for specific brands or if your destination is more remote with limited availability, it’s wise to bring your preferred brands from home. A helpful tip is to utilize the extra space in your checked car seat bag to pack diapers for the entire trip.

Plan for potential medical needs. Pack an infant thermometer, infant acetaminophen and ibuprofen, infant antihistamine, a medicine dispenser, a nasal aspirator with extra filters, saline spray, a natural vapor rub, antibiotic ointment, bandages, and pain relievers and cold/flu medicine for adults. While you can usually find pharmacies at your destination, they might not be open 24/7, and having these essentials on hand provides peace of mind.

Lastly, pack items that will help maintain your baby’s sleep routine as much as possible while traveling. This includes a portable white noise machine, swaddles or sleep sacks. The new Hatch Rest Go sound machine is particularly compact and travel-friendly.

Your Personal Packing Considerations

For your own packing list, resist the urge to overpack for “just in case” scenarios. Instead, focus on creating a versatile capsule wardrobe to save luggage space. Minimize the number of shoes you pack – during our 3-week trip to Italy, both my husband and I primarily wore our Birkenstocks. Planning your capsule wardrobe can even be a productive activity during those middle-of-the-night newborn feeding sessions in the early weeks.

For luggage, we typically bring three roller bags: two large checked bags and one smaller carry-on. My favorite carry-on rollers are the Beis The Carry On Roller or the July Carry On Pro.

12. Plan for Breast Milk and Formula on Flights

Breastfeeding During Travel

If you are breastfeeding, consider your comfort and privacy needs while traveling. Many airports now offer dedicated nursing rooms. On the airplane, a window seat can provide a bit more privacy. A nursing cover is also a valuable accessory for discreet nursing (many of my friends recommend this one). Personally, with my first baby, I used a nursing cover, but with my second, I became more comfortable with public breastfeeding and prioritized convenience over modesty.

Mother nursing her baby on an airplane during international travel

Pumping Breast Milk While Traveling

If you rely on pumping, always pack your breast pump in your carry-on luggage. The last thing you want is for your checked luggage to be lost with your pump inside. It’s also wise to bring a manual breast pump as a backup in case your electric pump malfunctions or you misplace a part.

After testing various coolers and ice packs, these are our top recommendations for keeping breast milk cool on the plane: [insert specific cooler and ice pack recommendations here if available from original context, otherwise omit].

Formula Feeding During Travel

For formula-feeding parents, pack enough formula for the entire flight and bring an additional 3-day supply of formula in your carry-on luggage to account for unexpected delays or difficulties in finding your brand at your destination. Use a travel-sized formula container for convenience and ask the flight attendants for hot water to prepare bottles.

Pro Tips:

The TSA permits you to bring a reasonable quantity of breast milk, formula, and baby food for your infant, exceeding the standard 3-1-1 liquids rule. However, you must declare these items at security checkpoints.
Pack extra bottles, a portable bottle warmer, and travel-sized bottle cleaner and soap.
Consider packing breast pump cleaning wipes for on-the-go pump cleaning.
To help minimize ear discomfort for your baby during takeoff and landing, plan to feed them during these times. The swallowing motion can help equalize pressure in their ears.

13. Strategize Airport Security Navigation

Navigating airport security with a newborn and baby gear requires a bit of strategy. Before arriving at the airport, my husband and I always discuss our plan – who will carry the baby, who will manage folding the stroller, etc.

If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, check if your airport has a designated family lane. These lanes are designed to accommodate families and can streamline the security process, making it less stressful and quicker.

Baby gear such as strollers and car seats must be sent through the X-ray machine. Decide in advance who will be responsible for folding the stroller. If you are bringing your car seat through security, you’ll need to fasten the straps together and place it upside down on the conveyor belt for scanning.

If possible, wear your baby in a baby carrier. This keeps your hands free to manage IDs, boarding passes, and luggage. In most cases, you will not be asked to remove your baby from the carrier during the security screening.

Plan to change your baby’s diaper immediately after passing through security but before heading to your gate.

Pro tip: If you are traveling with a larger stroller like the UppaBaby Vista, it may not fit through the standard X-ray machine. You’ll need to request a TSA agent for a manual inspection. Bulkier and heavier strollers can be less convenient for travel, which is why I highly recommend the more compact and lightweight UppaBaby Minu V2 for travel.

14. Use AirTags for Checked Baggage Tracking

When traveling internationally with a newborn, keeping track of your luggage becomes even more critical. Airlines can unfortunately misplace luggage, and this risk can seem heightened with international travel. To mitigate this, consider using Apple AirTags on your checked bags, including gate-checked stroller bags. Use different colored keychain holders for each AirTag and assign the colors to specific bags in your Find My app. Keep a note of which color corresponds to which bag. On one trip to Italy, our gate-checked stroller was lost by the airline and it took eight days to recover it. Having an AirTag allowed us to pinpoint its location and assist the airline in coordinating its return.

Always ensure that your most valuable and essential items – such as passports, wallets, and necessary baby supplies – are in your carry-on luggage. For gate-checked items, ensure they are securely packed and clearly labeled with your contact information.

15. Embrace and Enjoy Family Exploration!

Upon reaching your international destination, anticipate that jet lag may take around three days to subside. Our international family trip to Italy during parental leave was one of the most wonderful experiences we’ve had. While our children won’t have conscious memories of it, we have photographs to prove they were there, and it made the trip all the more special.

Family portrait during international travel with a newborn baby

So, there you have it – a step-by-step guide filled with our top tips for international travel with a newborn. By following these guidelines, you can confidently embark on an incredible adventure with your little one. If international travel still feels too overwhelming at this stage, consider a domestic road trip as a starting point.

Considering an Extended International Stay with Your Baby?

If you’re interested in a longer international experience, we are excited to share that we’ve booked a two-month “Boundless Life” experience next summer. This program is designed for digital nomad families, offering co-working spaces for parents and daycare, preschool, and elementary school for children. If you’re intrigued and would like to join us, I’ll be sharing more details about Boundless Life and our decision to embark on this adventure soon. In the meantime, the 2024 cohorts are filling up quickly, so book an introductory call and use the code NEWMODERNMOM for €400 off your trip.

If You Love Family Travel, Explore This Guide!

We’ve traveled extensively with our children as babies and toddlers, and while some destinations are more baby-friendly than others, the experience is always worthwhile. Here is a guide to 20 places that are fantastic for traveling with babies!

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Author

Barbara Mighdoll

I live in San Francisco with my husband, Jason, toddler, Caden, one-year-old baby, Willow, and Bernese Mountain Dog, Bear. I transitioned from VP of Marketing roles at tech startups to build New Modern Mom full-time, seeking fulfillment and flexibility. With a background as a fitness instructor, I aim to create a space offering curated products and practical advice on pregnancy, motherhood, cooking, travel, and more, making it easier for ambitious moms to manage it all.

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