When can I travel after giving birth?

Last reviewed July 23, 2026 by Dr. Sapna Jadhav, General Physician. Sources from ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NICE, NIH, Cochrane, and peer-reviewed journals.

Bottom lineShort local trips are fine within days of birth once you're comfortable, using frequent stops and a properly fitted car seat. For flying, many airlines accept newborns from about 1-2 weeks, but mothers are often advised to wait longer - especially after a C-section - because of healing and a raised blood clot (DVT) risk, so move around and stay hydrated on flights. Check with your doctor before longer trips if you had a C-section, complicated birth, significant bleeding, anemia, or blood pressure problems.

Short local trips are fine within days when you feel up to it, but for longer journeys and flying, timing depends on your birth and your baby. Many airlines accept healthy newborns from about 1-2 weeks old, and mothers are often advised to wait a bit longer, especially after a C-section, because of healing and a raised blood clot risk in the weeks after birth.

Car and short trips

• Fine within days once you're comfortable, with frequent stops to move and feed.
• Use a properly fitted rear-facing car seat, and limit time a newborn spends in it in one go.

Flying

• Airlines commonly allow babies from 1-2 weeks (some sooner with a doctor's letter); check the specific airline.
• After a C-section, discuss flying with your doctor - many suggest waiting a few weeks due to healing and clot risk.
• Move around and stay hydrated on flights: pregnancy and the postpartum weeks raise the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Longer trips and abroad

• Consider your postpartum check, vaccinations, and healthcare access at your destination.
• Newborns have limited immunity - many parents avoid crowded long-haul travel very early.

Check with your doctor if you had

• A C-section or complicated birth
• Significant bleeding, anemia, or blood pressure problems
• Any concern about clot risk - you may be given specific advice

Short trips are fine early; save long journeys and flights for when you've healed, watch clot risk, and check airline rules for the baby.

Femora helps you track your recovery so you know when you're ready to resume normal activities.