10 things you need to know before flying with a baby

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been on a plane, the first time flying with a baby is always nerve-racking. And while I definitely don’t think you need to find space in hand luggage for a goody bag for your fellow passengers, there are a few tips which will make your plane journey with a baby easier.

Here are my top 10 things you need to know before your first flight with a baby.

1. It won’t be that bad!

Despite all the horror stories about screaming babies, it almost certainly won’t be as bad as you think – you might even find the white noise sends little ones off to sleep.

2. But plan for the worst

Unless you’re staggering under the weight, there is no such thing as too many back-ups. Between unexpected delays, babies who are hungrier and thirstier than usual, or dummies chucked around the aircraft, a few extras can save the day.

Babies also have a knack for knowing the perfect moment to time an explosive poo (security/seatbelt sign on) or feel sick, so a change of clothes for both of you is vital. And wipes. Plus some more wipes.

3. Pain on landing and take-off

Not all babies are badly affected, but the changing air pressure can make little ears painful especially on take-off and landing. If your flight coincides with feeding, sucking on a bottle or breastfeeding will help, or try water if not. Otherwise, if you’re using a dummy, this can solve it too.

Try to leave it as late as possible so you’re not faced with a full baby and an empty bottle when your plane’s still taxiing to the runway though.

4. Forget the 100ml rule

Babies get an exemption to the rules on liquids and you can pack as much food and drink as you reasonably need for travel – in reality, no-one’s likely to query the amount when you’re flying with a baby, unless you’ve gone way overboard on point 2.

At bigger airports, you shouldn’t even need to taste it any more. Make life easier by pre-ordering deliveries for Boots in Duty Free as long as the extra bag fits with hand luggage restrictions (Ryanair, I mean you).

In your own little clear plastic bags, make sure you’ve got Calpol/infant ibuprofen sachets.

5. Take a baby carrier

Most airlines and airports will let you take a buggy to the door of the plane – unfortunately, you won’t get it back until baggage reclaim at the other end, so a baby carrier or sling will save your arms.

If you’re travelling solo, it also means you can keep your hands free to put bags in the overhead compartments. Minnie always dozed off as soon as I strapped her in, which was a huge bonus in long immigration queues.

6. Babies get freebies

Most airlines allow babies their own small hold allowance and baby paraphernalia, such as buggy, car seat and travel cot (or several items from a list). All airlines vary so it’s worth checking, but that even applies to low-cost carriers.

Consider getting a cheap buggy bag to protect your pushchair though. And if you happen to use that to hide a few extra nappies/wipes/things you couldn’t fit in the case, you wouldn’t be the first… That small hold allowance doesn’t go as far as it needs to.

7. They might not have a seatbelt

If you’re flying on a European or UK airline, you’ll probably get an infant seatbelt with a loop to thread onto your own for take-off and landing.

On a US carrier, the rules are different and you won’t so don’t be surprised to find yourself left holding the baby.

8. You won’t get to watch any films

I’m sorry. You won’t. For years. Board the plane in the knowledge that this will be nothing like relaxed pre-baby flights. Then if you do manage to catch a movie, you’re ahead!

9. And don’t overdo the free drinks

I don’t just mean the wine (although getting plastered while carrying a baby is no-one’s top tip).

While you do want to stay hydrated on a plane, you don’t want to be unclipping the complex seatbelt arrangement and getting up every five minutes to queue for the toilets with a baby.

10. Flying with a baby will never be this scary again

Well, not in quite the same way. Because once you’ve survived the first flight – including losing any inhibitions about singing lullabies in public and discovering not every other passenger will be a child-hating monster – you’ll know you can do it again.

And even if it was a terrible flight, all journeys have to end. This too shall pass.

Images courtesy of Depositphotos