How To Fly With A Baby
I often get asked my top tips on how to fly with a baby. Whereas other posts of mine cover all the tips from booking to arrival, and information on particular stages you may be at, these tips are for those of you that have arrived on this page, not had a chance to look around the site but have booked your flight with an infant and then gone ok now what?

First of all, please let me reassure you, this is the easiest time! If you are flying with a toddler, then it gets a bit trickier as they are lot more mobile, and require a lot more entertainment.
How to Fly With A Baby – Step by Step
- Research your airline: Find out what your airline provides so you know what is available on board your flight. This information is usually tucked away on an airline website. However to make things a bit easier for you, I list all of the airline bassinet sizes, the entertainment and provisions on board, as well as individual airline reviews and how to request baby meals if available.
- Decide whether you need your travel system, a travel stroller or car seat with you when flying with an infant. If you have purchased a seat for your baby and/or intend to use your car seat abroad, check the country’s regulations as not all car seats are legal in other places – you may have packed an extra bulky item which can’t be used. Car seats and strollers can usually both be brought for free in addition to your normal luggage allowance.
- Always bring a baby carrier, it is invaluable at airports, on board and for transit stops.
- Bring your own food and drink for your baby. Some airlines on some flights allow pre requesting (at least 24 hours in advance) for a baby meal which is pureed baby food only. It is allowed to be over the 3-1-1 or 100ml liquid rule.
- Bring your own diapers/nappies, and spare ones for delays too. Some airlines may have a couple of emergency items, but the majority don’t.
- Use a packing checklist to help keep you organised and to remember al the essentials.
- Dress yourself in layers as well as your baby. Cabin temperatures can vary, and if you have a sleeping baby on top of you, you will want to make things as easier as possible by wearing layers which are easy to add or remove.
- Wear a backpack when traveling with baby. It is much easier when you can keep your hands free.
- Flying with a lap baby? The crew may hand you a lap belt or an extension seat belt depending on where your airline is based. US and Canadian airlines won’t provide you with one, but UK, Australian and most other airlines will. Read more about airline child restraint devices here. If it is provided, it is a legal requirement to use it.
- Use the restrooms on the plane to change your baby. Most have changing tables, although they are small. Use anti-bac wipes to wipe down any surfaces.
- All airlines should support a mum breastfeeding. If you are a bit self-conscious, here are my tips in detail.
- If you need milk heated up – do ask in plenty of time.
- Babies on planes usually likely to drink more than they usually do as the cabin air is quite dehydrating. If you need to sterilise bottles on board, this post provides more information.
- The bassinet should be set up for you after take-off, once the seatbelt sign is off. Most airlines will ask you to remove your baby if it is turbulent.
- Relax, you’ve got this! Remember, all other passengers were kids once, and the majority would have been through this stage with their own families too. If you do have any tricky experiences, this problem solving info will help you get through flying with baby.
- For more travelling with a baby tips this post will help too!
Flying With A Baby Tips from 0 - 12 months old
Traveling with a baby can provide different challenges depending how old they are. This helpful list guides you through flying with a baby - whether your infant is a newborn or a 12 month old.
Each stage considers what items you may prefer to bring with you, and what travel gear is most useful to help you and baby get comfortable, eat and of course sleep!
- Other items covered are:
- ID and other documents
- Airline rules for flying with a baby
- Liquid and food allowance and what airlines provide.
- Sleep tips and gear
- Travel toys for younger and older babies
- Car seat and bassinet information
- Packing tips
- Sterilizing information
- Breastfeeding on board
- More travel tips for flying with baby.
Flying With A Newborn Baby Tips
Firstly, rest assured, flying with a newborn is so much easier than when they are crawling or walking! But if this is your first baby, then just driving the car with a newborn baby inside can be daunting (at least it was for me), let alone flying in a plane.
Here are some flying with a newborn tips and information to help you on your travel adventure. (A newborn is generally considered to be under 8 weeks old)
TIPS FOR FLYING WITH A 2 MONTH OLD BABY
If you need to travel urgently or perhaps you have a holiday or vacation booked before baby arrived, then you need to know the rules on how soon can you travel with a baby. As a very general rule, most airlines specify a baby must be over 14 days old to travel.
Tips For Flying With A 3 Month Old Baby
This was the age our eldest had her first flight. She was 11 weeks old when we embarked on a long haul flight from the UK to Cape Town, proceeded by a short haul from London Heathrow to Glasgow. This is definitely one of the easiest stages to fly with a baby: When you are flying with a newborn or a little older, they stay in one place, are purely on a milk diet and sleep a fair bit!
The following tips are specific for flying with a 12 week old baby/ or 3 month old.
Tips for Flying With a 4 Month Old Baby
Learn all you need to know about flying with a four month old baby; including hacks, rules, sleep, car seats & more traveling with a 4 month old tips.
Tips for Flying With a 5 Month Old Baby
Flying with a 5 month old baby is easier than with older infants, as most babies haven’t started to crawl and the majority of babies are still on a liquid only diet until six months. But, there are still things which can make help you feel more prepared and relaxed about your next flight. If you have lots of questions, then you have come to the right place. Learn all you need to know about flying with a five month old baby; including hacks, rules, sleep, car seats & more traveling with a 5 month old tips.
Tips For Flying With a 6 Month Old Baby
Are you flying with a 6 month old baby soon? Worry not, whether you are flying domestic with an infant or on an international short or long haul flight, you will find plenty of tips and information here to help you feel more prepared and relaxed about your next flight. Just click on the highlighted link for specific tips fro flying with a six year month old.
Tips For Flying With A 7 Month Old Baby
These tips for your weaning and more wriggly baby will help get you through you next flight with a 7 month old.
Tips for Flying With an 8 Month Old Baby
Are you flying with a 8 month old baby soon? Worry not, whether you are flying domestic with an infant or on an international short or long haul flight, you will find plenty of tips and information here to help you feel more prepared and relaxed about your next flight.
Flying with a 1 Year Old Tips & Essential Information
Are you flying with a 1 year old baby soon? Worry not, whether you are flying domestic with an infant or on an international short or long haul flight, you will find plenty of tips and information here to help you feel more prepared and relaxed about your next flight.
Best Baby Travel Toys
Having a few baby travel toys for the airplane is always a good idea. Lightweight, non bulky and sound free are the best!
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