Traveling (both parents) with our 4 months old. First time flight (2.5 hours long), what are all the must-carry in an air travel with the baby?

Doubling down on the change of clothes for all of you

Agree with previous comments. My husband and I have flown with our daughter several times in the first year and a half of her life. Her first flight was probably at 4-6 months old. Singing and/or light up stuffed animals have been great (not too noisy or bright). We've also brought a blanket, burp rags may be good, and a carrier to carry your baby on you is essential. We've used the ergobaby 360, which has been quite reliable, withstanding many spills, spit ups, blow outs, and growth spurts. They will make you take your baby out of the carrier when the plane is in flight, but if you have one like the ergo 360, you can keep it hooked around your waste when you take out your baby, so you can easily put them back in and just hook the top at landing. Wishing you safe and smooth travels!

Be prepared to feed them on take off and landing to help with relieving ear pressure by forcing them to swallow. Also be prepared for airport delays - few things more nerve wracking than running low on formula (if applicable) or diapers or clean clothes without access to your main stash in a checked bag and without access to other alternative sources.

Consider booking their own seat. Our kids have always been high energy, not overly happy being held / sitting on laps for long periods and we’re always much more content in their car seat for flights. Added benefit of not giving the airline a chance to lose their car seat vs checking. A traveler stroller that folds up small enough to fit under seat / in overhead also makes getting through the airport that much easier, our yoyo has flown many many miles.

You’ll figure out what flight times work best for your kids. Many swear by flying at night being easy for your kids to sleep through, ours are lighter sleepers and are miserable nighttime flyers - will only take midday flights with them now.

Other stuff? At that age a couple new toys that are similar to whatever holds their attention longest is your best bet

Finding a way to cope with anxiety yourself in the moment. And knowing that no matter what it could go either way and its okay and you are doing all you can do. It may be a 2 hours nap and the best baby ever or a rough day and it feels like baby cries the whole time. It is stressful even when totally prepared anf I wish you well and dont let the fear of others judging you or looking make you feel badly. You are peparing and doing your best

A means of feeding them, change of clothes for all parties, more diapers than you think you’ll need. It’s the easiest age for flying imo.

Practice changing their diaper on your lap. I had a flight once with my 8 month old son and the plane did not have any type of changing table in the bathroom or the bulkhead.

Pacifier or something to snack on for take off and landing. Also a brand new toy they've never seen before to occupy them.

Easiest and BEST age to travel with them! Paci, feeding, baby wear and two changes of clothes for them, a shirt for you, diapers, wipes, a thin book or two for them and a fav toy

Baby carrier/wrap and a nursing cover. Right before the flight walk for 15 minutes with the cover over so they sleep for the first leg of the flight

Also a blanket for the floor of the airport

I flew at this time too. It was the best. I brought my boppy nursing pillow. He slept on that almost the entire flight and I had my hands free.

If you formula feed, bring enough supplies/bottles for 12 hours. I’ve heard too many horror stories now of people stuck on the tarmac for 4, 6, 8 hours when their flight was only supposed to be two hours, and I can’t imagine how parents on those flights made it through.