Here’s everything I wish someone had told me about flying with a baby – the practical stuff, the things that actually matter, and the truths nobody mentions in those annoyingly perfect travel posts.
Before You Book
1. Go for morning flights if you can
Babies are generally less feral early in the day, and delays are less common on the first flights out.
2. Book direct flights even if they’re pricier
The extra hundred quid is absolutely worth avoiding a connection with a baby, all your luggage and a stroller. Factor in a delay and you’ve got an absolute nightmare!
3. Don’t pay for a seat for under 2s unless you fancy it
They can fly as a lap infant. Whether you want to buy them a seat is entirely up to you.
4. Call the airline before to request a bassinet
They’re allocated on a first-come basis and can be a god send on long flights.
5. Check your airline’s policy on strollers and car seats
Most let you gate-check free, but some budget airlines charge. Most let you take two items on free.
6. Pick seats strategically
I personally swear by window seats – you get more privacy for feeding, you can lean against the wall if baby falls asleep on you, and there are fewer distractions for curious little ones who want to grab at everyone walking past.
7. You can often skip both boarding queues and passport control queues when travelling with a baby.
Sometimes airports have dedicated family lanes, but annoyingly they don’t always advertise them particularly well. Don’t be afraid to ask! The worst they can say is no, and you’d be surprised how often they’ll wave you through.
Packing Smart
8. Carry-on essentials only
If you genuinely wouldn’t survive the flight without it, it goes in the carry-on. Everything else – and I mean everything – can go in the hold. Your hold luggage might go missing (touch wood it doesn’t), but too much hand luggage just becomes an absolute faff when you’re trying to manage a baby at the same time.
9. Pack one nappy per 2 hours of travel.
And then – this is crucial – add at least three more on top of that. Delays happen constantly, you might get stuck on the tarmac, or your baby might decide today’s the day for five explosive poos in a row. Overpack the nappies.
10. Pre-portion formula or snacks
I like to take a proper snack box with everything already divided up, and those ready-to-drink formula bottles when we’re travelling. Yes, they’re more expensive than powder, but the convenience is absolutely priceless. Just open and go.
11. Layer, layer, layer
Planes can be absolutely arctic but then you land in Spain and it’s gorgeous and sunny. You need layers for both you and baby. Vest, sleepsuit, cardigan, blanket – you can always remove things, but you can’t magic up warmth out of nowhere.
12. Extra clothes for YOU too
Baby blow-outs and sick will absolutely get all over you at the most inconvenient moment possible. You’ll both need fresh clothes, possibly more than one set. There’s nothing quite like sitting in baby vomit for three hours because you didn’t pack yourself a spare top. Trust me on this one.
13. Huge ziplock bags are essential
Dirty clothes, leaky bottles, wet wipes, soiled nappies when there’s no bin – they literally solve everything. Pack at least five or six large ones. They weigh nothing and take up barely any space, but they’re worth their weight in gold.
14. Download entertainment in advance
Pre-load shows, white noise apps, songs, whatever normally works for your baby. Download them all before you leave the house.
15. Bring a small blanket
Planes are absolutely freezing, and airline blankets (if they exist at all anymore) are scratchy, thin, and frankly a bit grim. A familiar blanket from home serves double duty – keeps baby warm and provides comfort. Plus if they fall asleep on you, you can drape it over both of you and create a little cosy bubble.
16. Pack medications in your carry-on
Calpol, teething gel, saline drops, anything you might possibly need – have them easily accessible in your carry-on, not buried at the bottom of a checked bag. Teething pain or a temperature doesn’t wait for convenient moments.
17. One new toy
Save it for the flight. The novelty factor will buy you at least 15-20 precious minutes of entertainment. It doesn’t need to be expensive – something from the pound shop works just as well.
At the Airport
18. Arrive earlier than you think
Whatever time you think you need, add an extra 30-45 minutes minimum. Everything takes longer with a baby – security is slower, you’ll need to stop for nappy changes, feeding might take ages. Give yourself plenty of buffer time.
19. Wear baby through security
It’s faster than disassembling the entire stroller setup.
20. You don’t need to remove baby from the carrier
Most airports these days will let you wear them straight through the body scanner without removing them. Obviously ask the security agent first, but nine times out of ten they’ll wave you through.
21. Liquids over 100ml are allowed for babies
Baby milk, formula, water, and food are all exempt from the normal liquid restrictions. You can take as much as you need for the journey. Security might test it, but it’s absolutely allowed.
22. Find the baby care room
Most airports have them. Quiet space to feed, change, and breathe before boarding.
23. Let baby crawl/walk around the gate area
Seriously, let them burn off as much energy as possible before you’re confined to a tiny seat for hours. The gate area carpet might be a bit grim, but who cares – tire them out.
24. Feed baby before boarding
A hungry baby combined with the chaos of boarding is an absolute recipe for disaster. Even if it’s not quite their usual feeding time, give them something before you get on that plane.
25. Ask for help if you need it
Gate agents can assist with stroller folding, boarding with luggage, etc. Don’t be shy.
During the Flight
26. Feed during takeoff and landing
Sucking helps with ear pressure. Bottle, breast, or dummy—whatever works.
27. If they cry, they cry
You’re doing your best. Most passengers are more understanding than you think.
28. Walk the aisles when allowed
Change of scenery helps. Chat with flight attendants—they’re usually lovely.
29. Don’t stress about the “perfect” schedule
Throw routines out the window. Survival mode is the goal.
30. Accept help from flight attendants
They can warm bottles, hold baby while you eat, bring extra water.
31. Change nappies before they’re critical
Airplane loos are TINY.
32. Bring baby wipes for everything
Hands, faces, tray tables, armrests—airplane grime is real.
33. Snacks > Meals
Pack lots of small snacks. Easier for little hands and keeps them busy longer.
34. Screen time guilt doesn’t exist
Cocomelon for 3 hours? No judgment here.
35. Dim lights for naps
Bring a muslin to drape over them (and you) to create a sleep-friendly vibe.
36. Stay hydrated
Planes are dehydrating. Drink water. Offer baby water frequently.
37. Don’t compare yourself to other parents
That baby sleeping peacefully three rows up? Different baby. You’re doing great.
Landing & Arrival
38. Gate-check items are usually returned at the gate
Stroller, car seat—wait for them before rushing off the plane.
39. Let everyone else deplane first
Less chaos, more space to gather your 80 bags.
40. Have essentials easily accessible for customs
Passports, boarding passes — don’t dig through your entire bag.
41. Expect baby to be out of sorts for 24-48 hours
Travel is exhausting for them too. Lower expectations.
Real Talk
42. You might cry
Pre-flight anxiety about how it’ll go, mid-flight overwhelm when baby’s been crying for ages, post-flight relief that you’ve actually made it – it’s all completely valid. Flying with a baby is genuinely stressful, and it’s okay to feel emotional about it.
43. Your baby might be perfect
Or they might scream solidly for four hours. Both scenarios are entirely possible, and neither one reflects on you as a parent. Sometimes babies just have bad flights – they’re uncomfortable, or overtired, or their ears hurt, or they just don’t fancy it. It’s not your fault.
44. Other passengers’ opinions don’t matter
Seriously. You’ll never see these people again in your entire life. If someone tuts or rolls their eyes, that says everything about them and absolutely nothing about you. You have just as much right to be on that plane as everyone else. Ignore the miserable sods and focus on your baby.
45. It gets easier every time
Your first flight is by far the hardest because you don’t know what to expect, what you’ll actually need, or how your baby will react. But each flight after that, you learn something. You figure out what works specifically for YOUR baby. By your third or fourth flight, you’ll feel like an absolute pro.
46. Don’t let fear keep you home
Flying with a baby is undeniably challenging, but it’s absolutely, categorically doable. Thousands of people do it every single day. Yes, it might be tricky, but you’re capable of handling tricky. Don’t miss out on adventures, visiting family, or making memories just because you’re worried about one flight.
47. The memories are worth it
Every challenging moment fades remarkably quickly – trust me, you’ll barely remember the stressful bits within a few weeks. But the adventures you’re giving your child, the experiences, the memories you’re creating together – those last forever. Roman won’t remember these early flights, but one day he’ll grow up knowing that exploring the world is normal, that travel is possible, that we make it work.
My Honest Take
After dragging Roman to 12 different countries (and counting), here’s what I’ve learned: there’s genuinely no perfect way to fly with a baby. No magic formula, no foolproof method that works for everyone.
Some flights he’s slept the entire time and I’ve sat there thinking “this is brilliant, what was I worried about?” Others, he’s properly cried for what felt like hours and I’ve wanted the ground to swallow me up.
What matters most isn’t having every single possible item packed, or following every hack perfectly, or having some Pinterest-perfect travel setup. It’s staying flexible, keeping your sense of humor (even when you feel like crying yourself), and remembering that this too shall pass. Every flight ends eventually.
You’re literally defying gravity whilst keeping a tiny human alive and relatively content. Give yourself some credit for that.
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