Here are a few other handy tips:

Make sure you pre-book the seat of your choice for the best comfort, while ensuring that the family can sit together. Make sure your child is sitting comfortably; one can use a Child Restraint System (CRS) that is permitted by some airlines or make him or her sit on your lap using an infant seat belt.

Tips for Lap Toddler Success

1. Pick the right flight and time.
2. Maximize your chances of getting an extra seat.
3. Electronics are a must.
4. Bring non-electronic entertainment to keep little fingers busy.
5. Bring a wide variety of snacks.
6. Walk the aisle.
7. Pack a baby carrier.
8. Don’t stress the nap.

1. When you check-in, tell the attendant that you are traveling with a baby.
2. Check-in as many pieces of luggage as you can.
3. Change your baby’s diaper immediately before boarding the airplane.
4. Avoid breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby just before boarding.

Ears pop when planes take off and land. Because the change in pressure is immense, the smaller Eustachian tubes in babies can’t handle the pressure and they pop. Pain usually accompanies this in children.

Gate check is exactly what you witnessed, giving it to the flight attendant at the gate. When you check in, they will usually give you a gate check tag for your stroller just in case the stroller gets left behind, the tag will let them know which airport it is going to.

A stroller with a collapsed diameter not exceeding 25.5 cm (10 in) and a length not exceeding 92 cm (36 in) is allowed, in addition to your carry-on allowance, regardless of destination. It can be checked at the gate to be delivered to you at the aircraft door at the end of your flight.

Strollers can be checked at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the ticket counter. On American, each ticketed adult is permitted one stroller to be checked free of charge. Large strollers (20 pounds or more) must be checked at the ticket counter. All other, smaller strollers can be checked at the gate.

Place all carry-on baggage such as children’s toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening. Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.

No, you don’t need a bag to gate check or protect your stroller or buggy (and many prams and pushchairs are transported from A to B quite safely), however, you may want one. As mentioned above some baggage handlers can be quite rough, even with items that have a ‘fragile’ or ‘handle with care’.

Like car seats, strollers can be checked for free, but it might not always make sense. The advantage of gate checking at the plane is that you can use it at your departure and arrival airports. However, you may then have to carry (or wear) your child through a large airport.

There is no limit. Strollers of any kind can be gate checked. You’ll want to make sure you get it tagged, then just leave it in the jet bridge when you board the plane. It will be there for you when you arrive on the other side.

With TSA PreCheck™, you can breeze through airport security. Best part, children 12 and under can accompany a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck™ on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA PreCheck™ boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply for TSA PreCheck™.

Remember, small children should not need to go through the full-body scan. Unless you have TSA PreCheck, you will be required to remove your shoes. Make sure everyone is wearing shoes that are easy to take off and put on by themselves. You don’t want your kids walking around barefoot on the dirty airport floor.