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In this article we share 25 top tips for flying with a baby. We are a full-time travel family who have done long and short flights with a baby. Flying with a baby is probably one of the most challenging aspects of family travel.
We have made a load of mistakes and also had some amazing experiences flying with a baby. We are super excited to share our advice and secrets with you to help you have an epic flight. Oh yeah our tips are from our own experience (AND sadly some of our mistakes). We have tried to share some tips for flying with a baby that you wont find anywhere else.
This article should help you prepare for your flight, pack well, get through the airport and have a smooth flight… well as smooth as possible!
Don’t miss our TOP TIPS for flying with a toddler
Your baby’s age is important – Tips for flying with a baby
The age of your baby will make a big difference to your experience. In general, it is much easier flying with a newborn or a very young baby. A young baby is smaller and therefore easier to carry and they also sleep more. With older babies you will need to consider more toys and activities. You will also need to consider a range of snacks and drinks for an older baby. Older babies may also be more aware of their environment and therefore can be harder to settle. Many of our tips for flying with a baby will help whatever the age of your baby.
BEFORE YOU READ ON…
Make sure you book somewhere for you and your family to rest well. Consider somewhere clean and in a quiet location. Watch out for good black out blinds…
TOP TIPS for flying with a baby – summary
- Get a seat with a bassinet
- Pack more than you need
- Bring some ziplock bags
- Bring some sensory toys
- Get things organized early
- Pre-prep milk bottles
- Bring a baby milk bottle through security
- Bring snacks
- Get some baby ear muffs
- Talk to people sitting near you on the airplane
- Bring something for your baby to suck at take off and Landing
- Get a travel changing mat
- Bring a pram through the airport
- Use your full baggage allowance
- Consider flight times
- Pad out your bags with nappies
- Use the space under the seats
- Bring a change of clothes
- Bring a small blanket
- Don’t forget creams and meds
- Don’t forget to bring a treat
- Stick to your routines
- Baby seats
- Use a special assistance lanes
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Tips for flying with a baby – full guide
1 Get a seat with a bassinet
This is one of our most important tips for flying with a baby. Especially if you’re on a long haul flight your airline may have special bassinet seats. A bassinet is a special airplane cot for a baby. The airline staff should help you set the bassinet up, and this is a great place for your baby to sit, play, rest and sleep during the flight. When you buy a ticket for your baby the airline should automatically assign a seat to you that has a bassinet. If there are a lot of babies on the flight there is no guarantee that you will be given a bassinet seat. Contact the airline directly to make sure you are given a bassinet seat.
NOTE: Your airline may have specific restrictions on bassinets for a baby. In general the weight limit is around 10 – 15kg and the baby should fit comfortably in the bassinet when lying down. Babies under 1 year old should generally be allowed to use bassinets.
2 Pack more than you need
When you are packing things like nappies, wet wipes, snacks and milk, pack lots more than you will need for the flight. Remember you also need to consider journey time to and from the airport AND potential delays. If you are stuck in the airport it may be tricky to find extra nappies and milk in the airport. So remember to pack plenty!
Don’t miss our full packing list for flying with a baby
3 Remember to pack plenty of ziplock bags
Here is one of those handy little tips for flying with a baby. Pack some ziplock bags. Bring a range of different sized ziplock bags for different things. For example if your baby drops their dummy on the ground you can stick it in a ziplock bag. Or if you have soiled clothing (which will inevitably happen on a flight with a baby) you can put dirty clothing into the ziplock bags.
4 Bring some sensory toys
Bring along some small compact toys for your baby. Look for things that are sensory and stimulating. It may be worth having a few familiar toys and books. Taking a flight with a baby is also a great time to consider some new toys and books to make the experience feel special. Consider toys that can be used for simple games like blocks, stacking cups and toys with moving parts.
5 Get things organized early
This may be one of the most important tips for flying with a baby. The key to successful travel with a baby is getting organized nice and early. This is especially true if you are flying with a baby. We recommend getting things booked up as early as possible. In general, flights are cheaper if you book them early. Book your hotel early too – on Agoda and Booking.com you can generally get great FREE cancellation policies. Other things may also require a lot of time to organize. For example, if you need to get a passport for your infant this can take several months. Also things like vaccination and medication can take a while to organize. These things often rely on appointments and can be very time-consuming. If possible try to get the balls rolling early.
6 Pre-prep your milk bottles
Before the flight, pre-prepare some milk bottles. If the milk bottle is clean, dry and sterilized you can add the correct amount of formula powder to the bottle. Later all you need to do is add some warm water and give it a shake. Alternatively, portion up some formula in small plastic bags. You can then make up the bottle on the flight. Almost all airlines will be willing to provide water for formula bottles. If they only have boiling water available, just add a little clean cold water first (e.g. from a water bottle).
7 Bring a baby milk through security
In addition to having some pre-prepared milk bottles you can also take a milk bottle for a baby through security. Security checks usually have 100ml restriction on fluids. However, parents traveling with an infant should be allowed to take a baby drink through security.
8 Get some snacks
If you are flying with a baby, snacks are an essential part of your survival kit (assuming your baby has weaned). Airplanes normally offer snacks. However, we would recommend just seeing these as an additional bonus. Don’t rely on airplane snacks, make sure you bring some snacks along especially for your baby. Snacks with complex carbs will help fill your baby’s tum tum and hopefully make them more sleepy.
TOP TIP: When you book a flight with an infant ticket the airline may automatically assign an infant meal. However, we recommend checking prior to the flight. If your infant has special dietary requirements we recommend contacting the airline in advance to check availability. You may also want to bring along some extra food unless there are any problems on the day.
9 Get some baby ear muffs
OK, baby ear muffs are a thing! You can buy baby airplane ear muffs online. These are recommended for flight to protect your baby’s ears from the loud noise of the airplane. DO make sure you get special baby ones – designed not to put too much pressure on your baby’s soft head. If your baby is comfortable wearing ear muffs they should help protect their ears AND they may also help your baby sleep better on the airplane. Surely that is worth more than gold.
TOP TIP: Get your baby used to the earmuffs before the flight. Start using them at home. Initially wait till your baby is asleep before you put them on your baby so they get used to them. Eventually you may be able to put them on before your baby is asleep because they will be used to wearing them.
10 Talk to people sitting near you on the airplane
When you get on the airplane take a moment to chat to people sitting near you. Many parents feel anxious about other passengers near them on the flight. A short conversation is a great way to break the ice and this also humanizes you to the people around you. Showing that you are aware of other people’s experience and peace will encourage them to be more sympathetic and understanding.
11 Bring something for your baby to suck at take off and Landing
Babies often cry at take off and landing because the change in cabin pressure can cause ear pain. The best way to reduce ear pain is for your baby to suck something. SO have something ready for your baby to suck at take off and landing. This could be a dummy/pacifier. It could be feeding from a milk bottle. Or even breastfeeding. At take off and landing your infant will need to sit on your lap in an infant belt. This is an additional seat belt that attaches to your belt. It then clips round your infant as they sit on your lap. If the belts are loose it is possible to breastfeed your baby at take off and landing.
12 Get a travel changing mat
Get hold of a good travel changing mat. Baby travel changing mats for compact, small and provide a hygienic surface for carrying out nappy changes anyway. A good travel changing mat may also have additional pockets and pouches for things like hand sanitizer, baby wipes and nappies. You can put your own baby travel changing mat on top of baby changing tables in toilets for comfort and hygiene. Most airplanes have small baby changing tables in some of the toilets.
13 Bring a pram through the airport with you
If you were planning to travel with a pram or stroller consider getting a compact travel friendly model. Also you can take your prime or stroll through the airport with you all of the way to the gate. This is really helpful when you need your hands-free, for example at immigration or at security. When you get to the gate the airport staff should take your pram and store it on the aircraft so that it is available to you when you arrive at your destination.
TOP TIP If you are not planning to travel with a pram, there are some other great options for you. Consider a sling. Many airlines will also let you switch out for a baby carrier. This is a backpack with a baby seat built in. You should be allowed to check this in and take it in addition to your normal check in bags. You can also stuff the baby carrier with some extra things like nappies, clothes or toys. The baby carrier can also be used as a baby chair in cafes if they don’t have baby chairs.
14 Use your full baggage allowance
Make sure you check the baggage allowance carefully before you book your tickets. A good free allowance should be at least 20kg check in. With an infant you should be given some free additional allowance. Many good airlines will let you bring a pram. You should also be allowed an additional carry on bag for your baby. We recommend something small and flexible (handbag or rucksack) with plenty of pockets.
15 Consider flight times
There is never an ideal time to fly with a baby. We recommend finding a flight that works well with your baby’s routines. Of course you may not be able to choose the time of your flight, however it is worth considering this when you are booking tickets. If you can find a flight that departs a few hours before your baby is due to nap, then their nap can be a nice way to break up the flight. Another good time to fly is a few hours before your baby’s normal bedtime. This way, your baby will have some time to settle into the flight before their bed time.
16 Pad out your bags with nappies
If you are flying with a baby you’re going to want to bring plenty of nappies along with you. Not just for the flight but also for your destination. In many countries you can buy nappies. BUT they may be expensive, hard to find and not your preferred brand. Nappies are a great way to pad out your bags. Filling your bag with lots of nappies will not add much weight but will provide protection to your belongings. As you use up the nappies throughout the trip the extra space in your bags can be filled with gifts and goodies.
17 Use the space under the seats
Airlines normally allow you to put small carry-on bags underneath the seat in front of you or underneath your own seat. It is almost essential to be able to access things quickly if you are flying with a baby. Pack your special baby carry on in a small flexible bag that can fit under an airplane seat. Then anything you need to grab will always be at arms reach – no need to sift through the overhead storage every time you need something.
18 Bring a change of clothes
One of our pro tips for flying with a baby is to bring a change of clothes for your baby and for yourself. When you are flying with a baby it is only a matter of time before you will be covered in crumbs, spillages and bodily fluids. Having a comfortable, clean change of clothes will be an absolute godsend after a few hours on the flight.
19 Bring a small blanket
Some airlines offer blankets and comfort packs – especially for long haul flights. However this is not guaranteed. We recommend bringing along a small comfortable blanket for you and or your baby. Also, if you have your own blanket this can be a familiar comfort to your baby and you can also use it in the airport during layovers or waiting time. A small blanket is not likely to have much weight or size to your carry-on luggage.
20 Don’t forget creams and meds
Don’t forget to bring along any creams or medications that you might need. We recommend bringing these in your carry-on luggage (as long as they don’t exceed 100ml). Make sure they are in labeled containers and wrapped in plastic bags for security. We definitely recommend bringing along some nappy rash cream. Even if your baby is not prone to nappy rash, being on a flight can lead to nappy rash.
21 Don’t forget to bring a treat
If you’re flying with a baby, huge respect to you. Taking a long haul flight without a baby is challenging enough. Flying with a baby adds a whole new dimension of challenge. Make sure you bring along a treat or two as a reward and to make the experience as enjoyable or at least as bearable as possible. You deserve it!
22 Stick to your routines
It may be challenging to get your little tinker to sleep on a plane. Your baby is likely to be aware of the new environment and this can cause them to either be over-stimulated or unsettled. Stay as close as possible to your baby’s normal routines. Baby bedtime routines are unique to each parent. So staying as close as possible to the normal routine will help your little one feel settled and will increase their chances of getting some sleep. Consider small familiarities such as their normal night time clothing, giving them a bottle of warm milk at bedtime or bedtime stories that you may read to your baby at bedtime.
23 Baby seats
Before your trip have a baby seat plan. Consider how you are getting to the airport before your flight and how you are traveling from the airport after your flight. Most taxis do not have baby seats and therefore your baby may need to travel on your lap. If you want a baby seat, you will need to pre-book a taxi in advance and make sure that a baby seat is available to you. This may be more expensive. If you book a separate seat for your infant on the airplane you are allowed to take an approved baby seat on the airplane with you. Although this can be awkward to carry it does give you the option of using it in cars and taxis. Another way to get a baby seat is to rent a car and ask your rental company to provide a baby seat. Again this may have an additional charge.
24 Use a special assistance lanes
Many airports have special assistance lanes. These are normally open to families with young children. Watch out for special assistance lanes at immigration checkpoints, security checkpoints and also when you are boarding the aircraft. Make yourself known to staff and ask for help if you need it. The one place where you will not normally find assistance lanes is at the check-in and baggage drop for your airline. If you have paid for an economy class seat, it is likely that you will need to queue with the other passengers.
25 Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. In the airport staff are often able to assist families. If you are struggling with a baby on the flight it can feel hard to ask for help. Many people are very willing to help a parent with a baby.
Tips for flying with a baby – SUMMARY
We hope out tips for flying with a baby have helped remove some anxiety and will give you a few wins. If you are flying with a baby, preparation and planning is everything. Whether it is organizing jabs, buying clothes and kit, packing or sorting flights and accommodation It’s going to be busy. SO keep your eyes on the prize. It will be worth it. Hopefully our articles will help you think through and plan all of the essentials.
You may be interested in our TOP TIPS and secrets for Booking cheap flights with kids
ALSO don’t miss our FULL baby travel checklist – EVERYTHING you need to plan and prepare for a smooth trip.
