Is it safe to fly with a baby on my lap?

The safest option is for your baby to be in their own seat in an FAA-approved restraint, not on your lap. Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries to children, and you cannot reliably hold a baby during sudden turbulence.

How do I help my baby's ears on a plane?

Have your baby drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, during takeoff and landing. The sucking helps relieve the ear pressure that comes with changes in cabin altitude.

Should I give my baby water during summer travel?

For infants under 6 months, do not add water. Offer extra breast milk or formula instead, fed on the usual schedule. Keep formula or pumped milk cold in a cooler or insulated bag while you travel.

How do I protect my baby from heat in the car?

Never leave your baby alone in the car, since it can heat up 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. Use a window shade against direct sun, dress your baby lightly, and check that the car-seat buckle and straps are not hot before buckling them in.

Can a car seat get too hot to use?

Yes. Metal buckles and dark plastic on a car seat left in the sun can get hot enough to burn a baby's skin. Before buckling your child in, touch the buckle and straps to check the temperature, and use window shades to keep the seat cooler.

Summer safety · All ages

Summer Travel With Your Baby

Summer travel with a baby works best with a plan for heat, hydration, and rest. Whether you are driving for hours or flying across the country, the same principles apply: keep your baby cool, fed, and properly restrained. This guide covers managing the car, hydration on the road, sun protection, and the safest way for a baby to fly.

2 min read Seasonal Safety Updated June 2026

Manage heat and breaks on a road trip

Heat is the biggest road-trip risk. Never leave a child alone in the car for any length of time, since a car can heat up 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes and a child's body heats 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's. Always check the back seat before you lock the car, and keep your phone or bag back there as a reminder.

Plan rest stops around your baby. Take a break every 2 to 3 hours on a daytime drive and every 4 to 6 hours at night to change and feed your baby. Car seats are not meant for very long stretches when a sleeping baby is not being watched closely, so breaks are about safety as well as comfort.

Check the back seat every time before locking the car.
Day trips: stop every 2 to 3 hours. Overnight drives: every 4 to 6 hours.
Never breastfeed in a moving car; stop to feed.
Watch the buckle and metal car-seat parts, which can get hot enough to burn in a sun-heated car.

Hydration and sun on the road

Keep your baby hydrated by feeding on the usual schedule. For infants under 6 months, do not add water; offer extra breast milk or formula instead. Keep formula or pumped milk cold in a cooler or insulated bag, and bottle feed at the times your baby normally eats.

Protect your baby from sun coming through the windows. Use a window shade on the side where the sun hits, and dress your baby in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs plus a brimmed hat for stops. Before buckling your baby in, check that the car-seat straps and buckle are not hot from sitting in the sun.

Flying: use a car seat, not your lap

On a plane, the safest place for a baby is in their own seat in an FAA-approved restraint, not on a caregiver's lap. Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries to children, and an adult cannot reliably hold onto a child during sudden turbulence.

Use a hard-backed car seat labeled for air travel. Look for the exact wording: This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. Follow the same rear-facing or forward-facing rules as in the car. An FAA-approved harness device is an option only for children between 22 and 44 pounds and is not for infants.

Feeding for takeoff and managing the schedule

Air pressure changes during takeoff and landing can be uncomfortable for a baby's ears. Having your baby drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, during takeoff and landing helps relieve the pressure.

Plan travel around your baby's rhythm where you can. Many families drive during nap times or overnight, and time flights so feeding lines up with takeoff and landing. Build in more buffer than you think you need, and keep diapers, a change of clothes, and feeding supplies within reach rather than in checked or overhead bags.

Common questions

How often should I stop on a road trip with a baby?: Take a break every 2 to 3 hours on a daytime drive and every 4 to 6 hours at night to change and feed your baby. Car seats are not meant for very long uninterrupted stretches, especially when a sleeping baby is not closely watched.
Is it safe to fly with a baby on my lap?: The safest option is for your baby to be in their own seat in an FAA-approved restraint, not on your lap. Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries to children, and you cannot reliably hold a baby during sudden turbulence.
What car seat can I use on an airplane?: Use a hard-backed car seat labeled with the exact wording: This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. Follow the same rear-facing or forward-facing rules as in a car. An FAA-approved harness is only for children 22 to 44 pounds, not infants.
How do I help my baby's ears on a plane?: Have your baby drink from the breast or a bottle, or suck on a pacifier, during takeoff and landing. The sucking helps relieve the ear pressure that comes with changes in cabin altitude.
Should I give my baby water during summer travel?: For infants under 6 months, do not add water. Offer extra breast milk or formula instead, fed on the usual schedule. Keep formula or pumped milk cold in a cooler or insulated bag while you travel.
How do I protect my baby from heat in the car?: Never leave your baby alone in the car, since it can heat up 20 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes. Use a window shade against direct sun, dress your baby lightly, and check that the car-seat buckle and straps are not hot before buckling them in.
Can a car seat get too hot to use?: Yes. Metal buckles and dark plastic on a car seat left in the sun can get hot enough to burn a baby's skin. Before buckling your child in, touch the buckle and straps to check the temperature, and use window shades to keep the seat cooler.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.