What to Pack for Baby's First Airplane Ride

Flying with your baby for the first time? Take a deep breath, it’s totally doable with a little preparation and the right essentials in your bag. Whether you’re heading on vacation or visiting family, having a smartly packed carry-on can make all the difference between a stressful trip and a smooth experience.

After one too many panicked moments mid-flight, I’ve narrowed down the must-haves for traveling with an infant, especially when it comes to keeping them calm, clean, and content. And yes, that includes the one tiny baby item that saved me from a meltdown at 30,000 feet.

The Essentials You Actually Need in Your Carry-On

Here’s a list of what I consider non-negotiable when flying with a baby:

• Diapers (bring more than you think!)

• Wipes for everything—diaper changes, hands, tray tables

• A portable changing pad

• Two changes of clothes for baby, one for you

• A swaddle or lightweight blanket

• Burp cloths

• Baby-safe hand sanitizer

• Snacks or bottles, depending on age

• Infant pacifier to help with pressure during takeoff and landing

Now, let’s talk about the thing no one warned me about: what happens when the pacifier hits the airplane floor.

The Secret Weapon: A Pacifier Wristband

On our first flight, my baby dropped her pacifier about seven times before we even left the gate. I quickly learned that when an infant pacifier keeps falling out mid-flight, it becomes a problem. Between the tight space and trying not to wake the entire row, it’s nearly impossible to grab it without turning into a contortionist.

That’s when I discovered the Ingy Bingy Band. This simple little item is a pacifier wristband that gently wraps around your baby’s wrist and keeps the pacifier close. No hard clips, no dangling strings, and no worries about the pacifier falling on a dirty plane floor. It’s soft, safe, and fits most newborn pacifiers.

Think of it as a pacifier bracelet, only way more practical. It doesn’t interfere with car seat straps or baby carriers, and it takes up almost no room in your diaper bag. Way better than a traditional pacifier clip, which can get tangled or just be too bulky when traveling light.

Why It Belongs in Every Travel Bag

The Ingy Bingy Band was a game changer for us. It gave my baby easy access to her pacifier, and it gave me peace of mind knowing I didn’t have to dig through airplane bags or rinse off a pacifier in airplane water (hard pass). It’s especially helpful when your baby is fussy, overtired, or experiencing ear pressure, moments when you really need that pacifier to stay put.

Next time you pack for your baby’s flight, don’t forget your usual diaper bag items. but also add this clever little tool. The Ingy Bingy Band might just be the MVP of your travel day.

Because when you’re traveling with a baby, it’s the small wins, like not losing the paci, that make all the difference.