St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) with Kids: Every Family Facility, Mapped

STL lists one: the Children's Play Port in Terminal 1, near gate C3. The airport's directory gives the location and says the hours vary, but publishes no description of what's inside, no age range and no confirmation of which side of security it's on. There is no play area listed in Terminal 2, which is where Southwest flies, and you can't walk between the terminals after security. If your child needs to burn off energy before a Terminal 2 flight, plan on walking the concourse instead.

STL has three lactation suites, one in each concourse, all past security: near gate A10 in Terminal 1's A Gates, near C9 in Terminal 1's C Gates, and near E33 in Terminal 2. Each one is ADA-compliant with a sink, power outlets, a large counter, a full-back club chair with a movable arm table, and extra seating so you can bring your other children in with you. STL publishes no opening hours or access method for them.

Yes. STL says companion care family restrooms are located throughout the airport, alongside accessible restrooms marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility. What it doesn't publish is a list of where they are or confirmation that each has a changing table, so look for the signage or ask at the information booth. If you need a private, clean space to feed a baby, the three lactation suites near A10, C9 and E33 are better documented.

No. STL says there is no walking route between the terminals, which are just over a mile apart. The free Terminal Shuttle runs 24 hours a day between Exit 12 at Terminal 1 and Door 10 at Terminal 2, every 8 to 15 minutes, and the ride takes about 10 minutes. Because the terminals aren't connected airside, a connection between them means leaving security, taking the shuttle and clearing TSA again. Shuttles have wheelchair lifts but no child seats.

STL's website doesn't mention one. Instead, the airport invites travellers with anxiety, autism or a fear of flying to visit ahead of their trip and explore the public areas of the terminals, watching check-in, baggage claim and the security line. Visitors can't go past security without a ticket. At the checkpoint itself, you can ask for a TSA Passenger Support Specialist, or call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly.

STL doesn't publish one. It notes that TSA runs lanes designed for passengers with disabilities and directs families to TSA Cares and on-site Passenger Support Specialists. Standard TSA rules for children apply: kids 12 and under keep their shoes on, strollers go through the X-ray, and formula and breast milk are allowed over 3.4 oz. Checkpoints open at 3:30am. The A Gates checkpoint closes at 7pm and the C and E Gates checkpoints at 10pm.

STL doesn't say. Stroller rental doesn't appear in its services directory or FAQs, and the airport never states that none exists, so plan to bring your own and gate-check it under your airline's rules. STL's FAQs do confirm that the parking and terminal shuttles have no infant or child seats, which is worth knowing if you're parking off-site or switching terminals with a baby.

Southwest flies from Terminal 2, the E Gates, along with Lufthansa and other inbound international flights. American, Alaska, Frontier and Southern Airways Express use the C Gates in Terminal 1, while Air Canada, Delta, United and charters use the A Gates. Southwest families should know that the only play area STL lists, the Children's Play Port, is in Terminal 1, but Terminal 2 does have its own lactation suite near E33.

TSA's national rules apply at every STL checkpoint. Formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed in your carry-on above the 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit and don't need to fit in the quart bag. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of your bag. Children 12 and under can keep their shoes, light jackets and headwear on, and you can carry your child through the walk-through metal detector.