Traveling on a plane with your new baby can be daunting. Here are some tips to help make your trip organized and safe.

I am worried about how she will be on the trip. This is a common concern of parents of young babies. These days grandparents and other relatives may be spread out all over the country (or even in other countries), and ,of course, you are eager to have them meet your new baby. Taking a new baby (that you are only just starting to get to know yourself) on a plane trip can be daunting. However, as long as you're organized and prepared, this can be an ideal age for a baby to travel because they usually sleep a lot and anywhere.

Here are some facts and tips for flying with newborn babies

• Flying with children under 2 years of age domestically is generally free if they stay on your lap (one per paying adult), but the safest way to travel with a  baby or toddler is using a FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved car seat (rear facing for newborns). This means paying for a seat. Check with your airline about the discounts they have for children under two. Buying a ticket is the only way to guarantee a seat. International airlines have discounts for infants and you will usually have to pay even if you have your baby on your lap. International airlines also have discounts for infants if you are buying a seat.
• If you have a car seat/stroller combination, you may be able to take the whole thing up to the aircraft door, use the car seat and have the stroller section as a gate check-in or carry on. Check with your airline to see if this is possible.
• Call the airline ahead of time and try to get a seat in the bulk head as this gives you extra room to maneuver - getting past your baby in a car seat can be a challenge in a normal row. Some airlines have a pull out bassinet for young babies. If they do and you would like to use one, BOOK EARLY. This can be a great asset if you have not bought a seat for your baby. If your baby falls asleep, you can secure her in the bassinet if you need to.

Other questions to ask include

• Is there a minimum age? Some airlines have age restrictions on how old a baby needs to be when they travel.
• What services are provided for babies eg spare diapers, bottle warming facilities?
• Can I take a stroller right up to the gate?
• Do they announce pre-boarding for families with young children?
• Can I take my car seat as carry on luggage if I haven't booked a seat for my baby?
• Do you require proof of age - I know this seems ridiculous - anyone looking at your baby can see they are under two, but some airlines ask to see a birth certificate or passport. Babies have been refused travel. All babies need a passport to travel internationally.
• Can we be seated where there are extra drop down oxygen masks if your baby is not buying a seat.

What to take on board

• Ensure you have a good-sized tote with lots of compartments that will easily hold everything you need. I quite like the backpack style for travel
• For diaper changes, bring plenty of diapers, disposable wipes, your regular creams or lotions, and a folding change mat. How many diapers you need will depend on the length of the flight - think of how many you normally use then throw in 4 or 5 more. If you have space at the end - throw in more - they are light and you will use them at your destination anyway. I have been in the situation of my flight being delayed for 3 hours after I had checked in my other luggage.
• Check the Transport Security Administration website for details about restrictions concerning liquids - www.tass.gov. (This will include lotions, creams, formula etc.) At the moment, it is okay to bring on board baby's formula.
• If you breastfeed, wear a nursing bra (with nursing pads if you use them) and a top that allows for discrete breast feeding - take a nursing shawl or blanket to cover your feeding baby if you feel uncomfortable breast feeding in public. When I traveled with my baby, I would try to get a window seat  with my husband sitting next to me - this gave me a bit of privacy.
• If you bottle feed make sure you take enough bottles, formula and nipples for regular feeds then take extra just in case. I know some friends who take a 2 day supply of feeds in case their luggage gets lost. There are a range of travel bottles and accessories that keep the powdered formula (if you use it) separate from the water until you are ready to feed.Take your own bottled water if you use a powdered formula. You will need to check with your airline to ask if they have facilities for heating bottles.
• Take plenty of spare clothes for your baby and also take spare clothes for any other adult who will be traveling with you. Trust me on this one - Sitting for 6 hours in clothes covered in spit up (or worse, and you know what I am talking about!) can be unpleasant for you and for those in the surrounding rows.
• Take 2 or three bibs or spit up cloths.
• Put liquids and lotions in a resealable plastic bag -  take a couple of extra plastic bags just in case.
• During take off and landing let your baby suck on a pacifier, bottle or breast to avoid ears blocking.

Safety tips

If your baby is on your lap, do not drink any hot drinks that could spill on the baby during turbulence. Avoid sitting in an aisle seat. If this is unavoidable, position your baby's head away from the aisle to avoid getting bumped.

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