Yes, it's possible: How to have a successful flight with a baby

When you have a baby, you don't need to stuff your suitcases in the very back of the closet. Your travel life can continue.  In fact, newborns are often the best travel companions because they sleep often through flights.

My husband and I brought our first child to Paris when she was only four months old and at the end of the flight a woman sitting in the row in front of us said that she didn't even know we had a baby. Our little girl didn't make a single peep.

That said, before you jump on a plane with your bundle of joy, here are a few tips:

1) Fly at the right age. Airlines will allow babies to fly after 14 days, but your pediatrician will probably tell you to wait until two or three months when your baby's immune system is stronger. If you have a mellow baby, this can be a great time to jet off to see relatives, but if your newborn is fussy my advice is to wait until four months when most babies magically snap out of the colicky stage. This is a beautiful age because your baby will likely be nursing regularly and easily fall asleep at your breast. Once your baby is crawling (often around eight months), he won't want to sit in your lap for hours. Between four and about seven months is the sweet spot for long flights. It won't be easy again until she's about four years old and able to watch a long movie.

2) Fly at the right time. I've flown early in the morning and red eyes and everything in between with babies. The best time to leave is late morning-early afternoon, between 10 a.m. and noon. This allows your baby to get an early nap before you take off for the airport. If she doesn't sleep on the plane at least she has a few hours of rest.

3) Fly in the right seat. The safest place for a baby on a plane is in a car seat, but many parents opt to hold their babies in their laps because airlines allow babies under age 2 to fly without a seat. Some 85 percent of parents choose this option because it's convenient, affordable and generally safe, unless the plane hits sever turbulence. When I fly with a lap child, I always arrive at the airport early to ask the airplane to put me near an open seat if there are any. This way I can set up the car seat and use it when my baby's napping and during turbulence. Airlines always prefer to have babies in car seats so they'll try to accommodate you. Keep in mind that car seats need to be strapped into window seats, so I'll try to book myself a window seat in hopes that the middle remains open.

4) Fly with the right stuff. Start packing your diaper bag for your flight a few days ahead so you don't forget anything important (Read: Wipes!). Here's a list of what I like to include: Diapers, changes of clothes, wipes, disposable changing pads, and plastic bags for dirty diapers. Two- to six-month-olds need teethers; seven months and above need toys. I'll always bring one favorite toy and one new toy -- though keep in mind your baby will be most entertained by tearing apart in-flight magazines. Babies over six months will need solid food. I like the pouches and Happy Puffs. On a recent flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii I kept my baby entertained for a good hour with these rice puffs. Disposable bibs are great.