Flying with a Baby and Toddler: Tips for International Travel

Mom flying internationally with three young children through the airport.

Flying with a baby can feel intimidating before you’ve even booked your flight. Add a toddler—or, in my case, twins—and it’s easy to wonder if international travel is even possible. Whether you’re planning your first flight with a baby or toddler from Atlanta or heading overseas to visit family, it’s easy to convince yourself not to go. The “what ifs” can quickly take over.

You hear horror stories about crying babies, missed naps, delayed flights, and judgment from other passengers. Before you know it, the trip you’ve been dreaming about starts feeling impossible.

I understand that feeling because I’ve been there.

When I moved from Lithuania to the United States at 19, I left my family behind. Years later, after becoming a mom, I knew there was one thing I didn’t want my children to miss out on.

I wanted them to know where they came from.

I wanted them to spend summers with their grandparents, build relationships with cousins, hear another language, and experience the slower pace of life I grew up with. Picking berries straight from the garden, helping Grandma hang laundry on the clothesline, eating homemade meals, and spending every possible minute outside are some of my favorite childhood memories. Those are the experiences I wanted for my children, too.

When my oldest turned two, we boarded our first international flight together. A few years later, I found out I was expecting twins. My very first thought wasn’t excitement about future family trips. It was, “Well…I guess those days are over.” How was I supposed to fly halfway around the world with three young children by myself? But after I had twins, I realized something. The only thing standing between us and those family memories was my mindset.

When the twins turned 18 months old, I booked the tickets. Since then, I’ve flown internationally alone with my three children multiple times. We’ve had delayed flights, missed connections, overnight travel days, stroller mishaps, spilled milk, and plenty of moments where absolutely nothing went according to plan.

And yet, if you asked me whether I’d do it all again, my answer would be yes. Every single time.

Because at the end of one very long travel day are six weeks filled with grandparents, cousins, homemade food, late summer evenings outside, and memories my children will carry with them forever.

If you’re wondering whether you can fly with your baby or toddler, especially if you’ll have another adult traveling with you, let me reassure you.

You can.

If I’ve been able to do it alone with three young children, you can absolutely do it together.

Everything in this guide comes from years of trial and error, countless international flights, and learning what actually makes flying with babies and toddlers easier.

My hope is that it gives you the confidence to book the trip you’ve been putting off. Because one long travel day is a small price to pay for the memories waiting on the other side.

Children fishing with their grandpa after flying with a baby to visit family overseas.

Bring a Carrier, Even If You Think You Won’t Need It

Flying with a baby and toddlers? Always bring a stroller, and I also recommend packing a baby carrier. Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But if you do, you’ll be incredibly glad it’s in your bag. If you’re flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, having both makes security, long walks between terminals, and unexpected stroller issues much easier to manage.

One thing many parents don’t realize is that stroller policies vary widely between airlines. Some airlines have weight limits for gate-checked strollers, especially on international routes. If your stroller exceeds those limits, the airline may need you to check it with your luggage before you even make it through security.

That’s one of the reasons compact travel strollers, like the Babyzen YOYO, have become so popular in Europe. They fold small enough to fit in many overhead bins, allowing you to keep your stroller with you instead of relying on gate checking. If you’re planning several international trips, investing in an overhead-compatible stroller may be worth considering.

Even if your stroller is gate checked, don’t assume you’ll get it back as soon as you step off the plane. I learned that lesson the hard way.

When my twins were about 18 months old, we landed at one of our connecting airports after a long international flight. Like every other trip, I waited at the aircraft door for my stroller. Except it never came. An airport employee explained that this airport didn’t return gate-checked strollers at the gate. Instead, the airline sent them directly to my final destination. That wasn’t much help when I still had another flight to catch.

The airport offered complimentary strollers, which sounded promising at first. Until I found out they only had single strollers, not to mention terrible belts that didn’t constrain kids. I had twins. For a moment, I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do. Thankfully, I had packed my Naked Panda carrier. I put one twin on my back and the other on my front. Then I loaded every bag I could onto an airport luggage cart and somehow made our way to our next gate.

Was it easy?

Not even close.

But we made it.

Since then, I never travel without both a stroller and a carrier. The stroller handles most situations, but the carrier is my backup plan for the moments I can’t predict. It’s one of those items you hope you never have to use—but you’ll never regret bringing it when you do.

Why I always pack both:

The stroller is perfect for airports.
The carrier is your backup plan.
Not every airport returns gate-checked strollers.
Some airlines have stroller restrictions.

Most People Want to Help

One of the biggest fears parents have before flying with a baby is how everyone around them will react. Will your baby’s crying annoy other passengers? Will anyone offer to help if you’re clearly struggling? After years of traveling with my children, I can honestly tell you this.

Most people are incredibly kind.

Some of my favorite travel memories aren’t from the destinations themselves. They’re from complete strangers who stepped in exactly when I needed them. The best example happened on our flight home after the stroller incident. Knowing we would be connecting through the same airport, I was already worried about how I was going to manage if my stroller wasn’t returned at the gate again. Before we landed, I asked one of the flight attendants if there was any way my stroller could meet me at the aircraft door.

I didn’t expect much. Instead, the captain personally contacted the ground crew and asked them to bring it to the gate. When I stepped off the airplane, my stroller was waiting for me.

That simple act completely changed our travel day. It’s a reminder I’ve carried with me ever since. People can’t help if they don’t know you need it.

The airline that made a lasting impression on me was SAS. From the moment we boarded, they treated us with incredible kindness. he bassinets were already prepared, and the crew checked on us throughout the flight. Everyone went out of their way to make traveling with three young children feel manageable.

There were even moments when flight attendants carried one of my twins while I got everyone settled or helped lift my bags before I could even ask. Those are the moments I’ll never forget.

When you’re traveling with young children, don’t be afraid to ask a question or explain your situation. It might surprise you how many people genuinely want to help.

Why I Always Book Wheelchair Assistance

After years of flying with a baby, then toddlers, and eventually three young children on international flights, most of my travel experiences have been positive. But every now and then, you run into someone who isn’t particularly understanding. That’s exactly why I now book wheelchair assistance whenever I travel internationally alone with my children.

One trip, I arrived at the gate with my oldest, my twins, our carry-on bags, and two car seats.

Like every other travel day, I was doing my best to keep everyone together while getting ready to board. Instead of offering guidance, the gate agent simply told me I needed to carry everything onto the airplane myself.

The kids.

The bags.

The car seats.

Everything.

I remember looking around thinking, “How exactly am I supposed to do that?” Thankfully, I had already requested wheelchair assistance. I simply asked her to call them. Within minutes, someone arrived. While I carried my twins, they took the bags and car seats down the jet bridge and onto the airplane. Without them, boarding would have been incredibly stressful. That experience completely changed the way I travel.

Most of the time, I don’t end up needing much assistance at all. But on the days when flights are delayed, gates change, or you’re simply exhausted after traveling for hours, having that extra support can make all the difference.

One of my favorite experiences happened after landing in Lithuania. Airport staff met us after we landed, helped with our luggage, escorted us through the airport, and stayed with us until we reached the exit where my transportation was waiting.

After traveling halfway around the world with three young children, that level of kindness meant everything. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re simply making sure you and your children arrive safely with a little less stress.

For me, these trips aren’t luxury vacations. I’m not traveling to inconvenience anyone. I’m traveling so my children can spend time with their grandparents, build relationships with cousins, experience the country where I grew up, and create memories that simply can’t be replaced. Most people understand that. And in my experience, they’re more than happy to help.

Flying with Car Seats: Why I Always Bring Mine

One of the biggest questions parents ask is when flying with a baby is whether it’s worth bringing car seats on an international flight. For me, the answer is always yes. Of course, car seats are important once you reach your destination, but that’s not the main reason I bring them onto the airplane.

They help keep toddlers contained.

Anyone who has traveled with an energetic two-year-old knows how quickly they want to climb, wiggle, and explore everything around them. Having their own familiar car seat creates a space they already recognize. Kids are more likely to sit comfortably, relax, and even fall asleep.

If you’re flying with an infant, it’s also worth researching your airline’s bassinet policy before you book.

Many airlines offer bassinets on long-haul international flights, but every airline handles them differently. Some assign bassinets on a first-come, first-served basis at check-in. That often means parents arrive at the airport hours earlier than they normally would, hoping to be first in line. Traveling with young children is tiring enough without adding several extra hours at the airport.

One of the reasons I loved flying with SAS was that I could reserve our bassinet online when I booked our tickets. Once the airline confirmed, I didn’t have to worry about someone else getting there first. Knowing I already reserved it was one less thing to think about on travel day.

On one of our trips, one of my twins flew as a lap infant. It wasn’t my favorite experience, but it made sense for that particular flight. Whenever he fell asleep, I was able to move him into the bassinet, giving both of us a chance to rest. If your airline offers bassinets and your baby meets the size and weight requirements, I highly recommend requesting one.

For travel, I’ve always preferred lightweight car seats. I used the Cosco Scenera because it was lightweight, affordable, and easy to carry through the airport. It’s not the fanciest car seat on the market, but for travel, it checked every box.

I usually clipped the car seats onto my stroller instead of trying to balance them on rolling luggage. There are straps made specifically for attaching car seats to suitcases, but I personally found hanging them from the stroller much easier to manage.

Once my oldest was big enough, I switched to an inflatable travel booster. It took up very little space in my luggage while still giving me a safe option once we reached our destination.

One thing to keep in mind is that car seat regulations can vary from country to country. Many European countries have different requirements than the United States. For our family, most of our driving was between nearby towns or with grandparents. Using our familiar five-point harness travel seats worked well while the kids were younger. Before your trip, it’s always a good idea to look into the car seat regulations for the country you’ll be visiting so you know what to expect.

Every family travels differently, but for me, bringing car seats has always been worth the extra effort. Once we land, I know my children have familiar, safe seats waiting for them. I never have to worry about what the rental company or family members might have available, and that peace of mind is worth carrying them through the airport.

Children secured in car seats on a plane before takeoff during a family trip flying with a baby.

What to Pack When Flying with a Baby

Whether you’re leaving on a quick domestic flight or an international trip from Atlanta, packing smart makes the travel day easier. After years of flying internationally with babies and toddlers, I’ve learned that a successful travel day isn’t about packing more—it’s about packing smarter.

Everything in my carry-on has earned its place through trial and error. Some products have traveled with us for years, while others looked great on social media but ended up taking up valuable space.

Here’s what I actually pack and why.

My carry-on always includes:

Fresh fruit
Crackers
Granola bars
Applesauce pouches
Freeze-dried fruit
Puffs
Yogurt melts
Shelf-stable milk
Juice boxes

Best Snacks for Flying with a Baby

One thing I’ve learned after years of traveling with a baby and toddlers is never to underestimate how many snacks kids can eat on a travel day. Long flights, changing time zones, excitement, and boredom all seem to make little appetites grow.

I always pack far more snacks than I think we’ll need. Fresh fruit, crackers, granola bars, applesauce pouches, freeze-dried fruit, puffs, yogurt melts, and juice boxes are all staples in our carry-on.

One tip I’ve learned is not to show the kids everything you’ve packed. I keep everything tucked away and bring out one new snack at a time throughout the day. A simple granola bar somehow becomes exciting when they forgot it was even there.

When my twins were younger, they drank an unbelievable amount of milk while flying. I always packed individual Horizon shelf-stable milk boxes. They were easy to pack, didn’t need refrigeration until opened, and made long travel days much easier.

One thing many parents don’t realize is that TSA allows reasonable quantities of formula, breast milk, toddler milk, baby food, and pouches—even if they exceed the standard liquid limits. If your child needs it, bring it.

I also learned not to overcomplicate snacks. Like so many moms, I was influenced by social media and bought the GoBe Snack Spinner. It looked like the perfect travel solution—organized, mess-free, and convenient.

For our family, it was the opposite. It took up valuable space in my carry-on, added extra bulk, and honestly wasn’t necessary. My oldest usually finished all the snacks before we even boarded the plane.

Now I keep it simple. A handful of zip-top bags takes up almost no room, is easy to refill, and works just as well. Sometimes the simplest solution really is the best one.

Don’t worry about packing too many snacks. You’ll almost always be glad you did.

Best toys for flying with a baby or toddler

One mistake I made when I first started flying with a baby and toddlers was packing too many toys. I wanted to be prepared for every possible scenario, so I filled my bag with activities.

Instead of keeping my kids entertained, it did the opposite. They bounced from one toy to the next without really engaging with any of them. There were simply too many choices, and nothing held their attention for very long.

Over the years, I’ve learned that less really is more. Choose a handful of quiet activities that encourage your child to focus instead of packing the whole toy store.

One tip that worked really well for us was introducing one activity at a time. Don’t pull everything out as soon as you board the plane. Keep each toy tucked away and bring out a new one only when the excitement from the previous activity starts to wear off. Suddenly, a new toy—or one they haven’t played with in a while—feels brand new.

Our favorite airplane activities include:

As my twins got closer to three years old, they also loved the Chuckle & Roar Sensory Seek & Find Bear. They could spend a surprising amount of time searching for the tiny hidden objects inside.

And please, do your fellow passengers a favor—don’t pack noisy toys.

Traveling with babies and toddlers already comes with plenty of sounds, whether it’s chatting, laughing, crying, or the occasional meltdown. The last thing anyone needs is a toy that plays loud songs or repeats the same sound over and over for the whole flight.

We always travel with a Kindle loaded with books and a few games for longer flights, but one rule never changes: headphones are a must. It keeps my kids engaged while also being respectful of everyone else sharing the cabin.

One thing I avoid is toys with lots of small, loose pieces. If something rolls under an airplane seat, chances are you’re not getting it back until you land.

Every trip is different.

Sometimes my kids were completely fascinated by the entertainment screen built into the seat and barely touched the toys I packed. Other flights, those quiet activities were exactly what got us through long layovers and delayed flights.

That’s why I keep a small variety of quiet, screen-free activities in my bag and save the Kindle for when we really need it. They don’t take up much space, and when the travel day gets long, they’re worth every inch of my carry-on.

Don’t Forget Extra Clothes

Everyone remembers to pack a change of clothes for the baby. Don’t forget one for yourself.

I learned that lesson on one of our first international trips. One of my twins got sick during the flight and threw up—not just on himself, but all over me too. I was incredibly thankful I had packed a complete change of clothes for both of us. After a long overnight flight, the last thing you want is to spend the rest of your travel day wearing spit-up or spoiled milk. Now I always pack at least two full changes of clothes for every child and one for myself.

If you’re traveling with your spouse, it’s not a bad idea to pack an extra shirt for them too.

Accidents happen.

Having clean clothes waiting in your carry-on can completely change the rest of your travel day.

Wipes, Wet Bags & Other Essentials

If there’s one item I never leave home without, it’s wipes. Actually, multiple packs of wipes.

Early on, I made the mistake of carrying one large package. During a diaper change, I accidentally left it behind in the airport bathroom. I didn’t realize until much later and suddenly found myself asking other parents if I could borrow a few wipes. I never made that mistake again. Now I keep wipes everywhere—my diaper bag, stroller, carry-on, and even my kids’ backpacks once they’re old enough to carry one.

I also never travel without wet bags for dirty clothes. Whether it’s a diaper blowout, spilled milk, or a child who gets carsick, having somewhere to store messy clothes makes the rest of the trip much easier. One of my favorite travel essentials isn’t even marketed as a travel product. I always pack one of those large reusable shopping bags from TJ Maxx or HomeGoods. When everyone is tired and you’re juggling backpacks, jackets, snacks, and souvenirs, the last thing you want to do is organize everything. I simply toss everything into one large bag and keep moving. It’s one of the simplest—and most useful—travel hacks I’ve found over the years.

Travel essentials I never leave home without:

Multiple packs of wipes
Wet bags
Extra clothes
Large reusable shopping bag
Diapers
Snacks
Baby carrier
Stroller

Getting to Your Final Destination

By the time you land after a long international flight, you’re exhausted. The kids are exhausted. Everyone is running on very little sleep, and the last thing I want to do is figure out rental car paperwork while juggling luggage, three children, car seats, and a stroller. That’s why I don’t rent a car at the airport. Instead, I book door-to-door transportation before I even leave home.

For our trips to Lithuania, my parents live about two hours from the airport. I arrange for a driver with a minivan to meet us right outside the terminal. They help load our luggage, car seats, and stroller, and then drive us directly to my parents’ house. After traveling for what can sometimes be close to 24 hours, it’s one of the best decisions I make. Instead of navigating roads while tired, I can focus on my kids, knowing we’ll get there safely. Once we’ve had a chance to rest and settle in, I rent a car locally for the remainder of our trip.

The same goes for our flight home. Most of our return flights leave very early in the morning, so I arrange transportation from my parents’ house directly to the airport. The driver helps unload our luggage and car seats, making the beginning of our travel day much less stressful.

Of course, every destination is different, and this approach may not make sense for every family. But if you’re traveling with young children, it’s worth thinking beyond the flight itself. Ask yourself what will make the first few hours after landing as easy as possible. Sometimes spending a little more on transportation saves a lot of stress when everyone is already tired.

Remember Why You’re Going

After years of traveling internationally with my children, people still ask me the same question. “Is it really worth all that work?” Without hesitation, my answer is always yes. Are there hard travel days? Absolutely. We’ve had delayed flights, missed connections, overtired toddlers, stroller mishaps, spilled milk, and more than a few moments where I questioned my own sanity. But those moments are temporary. The memories waiting on the other side last much longer.

My children know their grandparents. They’ve built relationships with cousins they would otherwise only see through a screen. They’ve learned about the country where I grew up, heard another language, picked berries from the garden, helped hang laundry on the clothesline, eaten homemade meals, explored forests, and spent summers simply being kids.

Those experiences shape their childhood in ways I could never recreate at home. For me, these trips aren’t luxury vacations. They’re about family. They’re about giving my children roots as well as wings.

Every time I board another international flight from Atlanta, I’m reminded that flying with a baby isn’t about having a perfect trip—it’s about making memories together. We’re making memories that will last a lifetime.

So if you’ve been putting off that flight because you’re worried about traveling with a baby or toddler, I hope this guide gives you the confidence to book the trip. Whether you’re flying out of Atlanta for the first time or you’re preparing for another family adventure, you don’t need a perfect travel day—you just need to start.

Because one long day of travel is a small price to pay for weeks of laughter, hugs from grandparents, childhood adventures, and memories your children will carry with them forever. If you’re putting off flying with a baby because you’re worried it will be too difficult, I hope my experience gives you the confidence to book the trip.

My Top Tips for Flying with a Baby

Bring both a stroller and a baby carrier.
Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need.
Introduce one toy at a time.
Bring your child’s car seat if possible.
Pack extra clothes for everyone.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Think about transportation before you land.
Remember why you’re taking the trip.

Your Family’s Story

Watching my children build relationships with their grandparents and experience the country where I grew up has reminded me how quickly childhood passes.

Whether it’s a summer spent overseas, an afternoon at your favorite splash pad, or those quiet newborn days at home, these moments become part of your family’s story before you know it.

As an Atlanta newborn and family photographer, I know how quickly each season of family life passes—from welcoming a new baby to taking your first family vacation. Whether you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival or returning home from an unforgettable trip, these are the moments you’ll want to remember. If you’re expecting a baby or your family is growing, I’d love to help you tell that story.

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