How to have an easy flight with your baby (under 1 year old)

Flying with a baby does not need to be a nightmare. In fact, it is perfectly possible to have a nice and successful flight with a baby, without resorting to pulling your hair out mid flight. Here are my 10 top tips on how to make flying with a baby easy (or at least easier). 

By the time my baby was one year old, she had had over a dozen flights. Mainly short ones, from 30 minutes to three hours, with several layovers. We have flown with my husband, and I've also flown "single", with just my baby. Her first flight was when she was but three months old, and beforehand I was extremely nervous and was prepared for pretty much anything. As a disclaimer I do have to say my little one was a pretty chilled little flyer and got lots of compliments from people for her relaxed demeanor, from the flight attendants to fellow passengers. Despite that, there are some things that do help in making the flight a (as much as possible) stress-free experience for yourself and your baby.

(And if you have a toddler, check my tips for an in-flight activity pack for toddlers!)

1. Pack just one bag

I always found packing light helped when travelling with my baby. You already have your baby to carry, and then a bag, and it all just gets too much if you have multiple things to worry about. So invest in a good nappy bag, preferably one that looks nice, has multiple pockets so you can separate all the baby items for easy access. Mine is a Storksak, and I have been loving it. Alternatively, a backpack might work as well, and Pacapod do some great looking ones.


2. You should pack these items in your (one piece of) hand luggage

• Nappies (1 nappy per 1-2 hours of travel, depending on the age of your baby) 
• Baby wipes (1 full pack) 
• 1 change of clothes for your baby 
• Dummies (pacifiers) if your little one likes them
• A dummy steriliser (I loved Milton Mini steriliser)
• Baby foods, finger foods, and formula if your baby is weaned / is bottle fed, 
• Bibs/muslin
• Your baby's favourite toy / sleep blanket
• In-flight entertainment pack (see next sections for ideas!)
• Whatever you personally need.

I have never needed a change of clothes for myself, but some people do swear by taking an extra shirt for the parents too. I used to pack a tank top and thin leggings for the just in case emergencies.

3. Prepare toys, finger foods and a tablet/smartphone for in-flight entertainment

An in-flight entertainment pack is a great idea to prepare - ideally this should include something for yourself and for your baby. Their favourite toy, or the toy they can't sleep with should be there. My personal favourite toy to bring is a hand puppet, as that provides lots of entertainment (moving and talking toy - pretty exciting for any baby). In an emergency the safety cards will do - they are colourful and laminated so won't break.

Finger foods, like little biscuits, are also great for preoccupying your baby.

A tablet with an hour of Peppa Pig (or any baby friendly TV programme) will also do. As a plus point, once your baby has (hopefully) fallen asleep, you can watch your own film or read a book on it.

4. Consider what to pack for food for your baby

For weaned babies food, and for bottle fed babies formula. You can take as much food and (commercially packaged) formula as you want and need for your baby. You can buy these really handy disposable formula bottles and teats too, which will save you some room in your luggage as you can just chuck them away after feeding your baby.

That said, you can be requested to open the packages if they are over 100ml, and the food may be tested or you asked to taste it. You can just scrape a little bit of the pureed foods off the lid, or spill some formula on your hand, if you are requested to do this.

Now, I have NEVER been asked to open or test or taste any of the food or formula I have brought to the airport, no matter the size of the container. But it could happen (it is in the rules). The problem is, IF you were asked to open the formula bottles / food jars the sterilisation process breaks.

If you are very worried about this you could either try to buy the food / formula at the airport. Most large airports have stores that stock nappies, food and formula. You should be able to order in advance (at Heathrow you can call Boots 24 hours earlier and request they stock a particular brand of formula if you need it). Or alternatively, you could pack the formula powder, lots of empty bottles, and mix the milk after the security control. Just request boiling water from any cafe inside the airport.


5. Take a baby carrier or a collapsible pram to carry your baby

By far the easiest option, especially if you are travelling solo with your baby, is to invest in a good quality baby carrier. You may have to go up and down stairs, or go on an airport bus, all the while dealing with your hand luggage. If you have a tight layover, packing your little one in the baby carrier on the plane and then legging is much easier than trying to speed walk your way through to another terminal with a babe in (literally) arms.

My favourite is Stokke MyCarrier. It is very comfortable and when used with the frontal bag (baby on your tummy side) it goes through metal detectors without a beep. 

If you aren't a baby carrier type of a person, then consider a collapsible pram. No personal experience of these, but Quinny Zapp and Stokke Scoot are models that should collapse in small size enough to take as hand luggage. I would still prefer a baby carrier if you are travelling solo, but a collapsible pram might be a good option if you are travelling as a family unit. Then at least you would have another pair of hands to negotiate stairs and carrying the rest of the hand luggage.

 

6. While waiting at the airport, try find a secluded area

If you have time to kill at an airport, try to find a secluded area. This will help in calming your baby before the flight. A luxurious way to do this is to go to any of the business lounges - check your tickets if you have access to them, and some credit cards have lounges too.

Many large airports have family lounges and play areas now as well, which aren't luxurious, but might have a soft play, some toys and comfortable seating. If you are flying from Heathrow be sure to check their family lounge out (located near Ted Baker).

7. Give your baby a dummy (or a bottle) during take-off and landing

Baby is supposed to be facing away from you, sitting on your lap, in his/her baby seat belt. You often get told that breastfeeding is good to do during take-off and landing as that helps to keep the baby ears from popping and hurting. Can't really do that though can you if your baby is facing away from you?

So give your baby a dummy (pacifier) or a bottle. Problem sorted.
 

8. Change your baby's nappy right before boarding

Because it is really awkward to change a nappy in the tiny toilets in a the plane. And you can guarantee there will be some turbulence just as you've taken it off. Always.

9. Ask for a pillow and a blanket (and if long haul, bassinet)

Most airlines (except perhaps not the budget ones) stock pillows and blankets, which both can be lifesavers during a flight. Prop your baby with some pillows, and cover yourself with a blanket when breasfeeding, makes for a much more comfortable flight.

For long hauls, you can request a bassinet (do this well in advance the flight) so you won't have to have your baby in your arms the whole flight.

And again, relax. If you relax, your baby is more relaxed, and your flight will be much easier. People generally are very friendly and helpful when you travel with a baby, and especially when you are flying solo, you will get lots of offers for help. Take them and thank them.

10. Try and relax 

The most important thing is... to relax. Take a chill pill, breathe deep, and think zen, all will pass.

It really doesn't matter what the other passengers think of your crying baby. Everyone has been a baby once, everyone has been a crying baby once, and everyone has been a royal pain in the butt once so now is payback time. And anyway, the cries of your own baby always sound the loudest to you - we parents are hard-wired that way. With the loud engines and all, other passengers will hardly even register the meek little cries a little baby does.

Most importantly however, babies feed off their parents, so if you are stressed and harried, so will your baby be. So relax. 

Good luck on your flight, hope you will have a nice and easy one!

(And when your baby becomes a toddler, check these tips for an airplane activity pack for toddlers!)

Do you have any top tips on how to fly with a baby?

 

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