I have been flying since I was a newborn and also as an unaccompanied minor since I was 5. I am very comfortable with airports and flying. However there is always a little apprehension connected with flying with children, especially newborns.

I’ve flown with all three of my girls when they were babies and I have a few tips for new moms.

1. Arrive with plenty of time. You never know if you will run into this:

2. Travel as light as possible, especially if you are by yourself. Bring your baby carrier (Bjorn, Ergo, etc.) so that when you are boarding and deplaning you can put the baby in it. It also works when you are sitting on the plane and want to have some free hands. You can bring your stroller right to the gate and check it before boarding the plane.

3. I flew with Chloe, my first baby, when she was 4 weeks and had colic. I wasn’t comfortable nursing on the plane back then. I pumped bottles and put gripe water in them. Nurse or bottle feed on the way up and the way down to help with their little ears.

4. Fly Southwest. They have open seating and family boarding. If it’s not a full flight they will let you bring your carseat on for the baby to sit in next to you.

5. Attach the pacifier.

6. Stay calm. Nervous mom = stressed out baby

7. Be nice to people from check in till the time you get off. (even and especially the TSA) This will get you a lot of assistance when and if you need it. (like someone holding the baby for you when you need to go to the bathroom on the plane!)

8. It may seem silly, but wear an outfit that is comfortable, good for nursing or handling the baby, but also cute. A cute outfit always elevates my mood and that makes everything better. Wear shoes that are easy to get on and off for security.

9. The plane has at least one bathroom with a changing table. Pray that you don’t have any full on explosions.

10. If your baby cries, screams or has a complete meltdown just know that the flight will be over eventually and it’s only a few hours. In the big picture does that really matter?