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Does flying with baby sound like a daunting task? Here are tried and true strategies - plus some empowering advice - to make it breezy.

The excitement, chaos, fatigue, fear and joy that arrive with each new child make parents understandably reluctant about planning their first flight with Baby-On-Board. But your grandparents and in-laws, who grew up in an era when Moms clutched swaddled infants in the car's front seat, won't accept the "Baby's too young to fly!" excuse for long. Soon enough (even before the umbilical chord falls off for some), you and that teeny thing will be airborne!

Tips to Make It Affordable:

1) Buy An Infant Seat.  For domestic US travel, one infant under 2 years may travel free with each fare-paying adult as a "lap child." To encourage seat purchases for infants, the major US airlines now charge only 50% of the lowest ticketed adult fare for children under 2. On international flights, most airlines charge 10% for a lap child, and from 50%-65% of the adult fare for a reserved seat for children 2-12 years.

2) Use A Professional.  Inform your travel agent of all children flying with you and their ages, and let him/her get you the best fares and seats.

3) Think Global.  Always investigate the children's fare (typically ages 2-11) on foreign airlines serving your destination. Many savvy families choose "international" destinations such as Mexico or the Caribbean for a vacation, then use the national carrier rather than a US airline, to save on children's airfares.

4) Look for Good Value.  Frequent flyer awards are not discounted for children, so if you're flying with free miles, you may be better off paying cash for their seats. If you're nervous about booking a low-cost airline, check with your travel agent or www.faa.gov for the airline's safety record.