Okay, so you’re about to get on a plane with a baby.

Maybe you’re still in the planning phase, innocently browsing flights, thinking “how bad could it be?”

Or – more likely – you’ve already hit “book now” and are now three hours deep into a panic-scroll through parenting forums, which is how you ended up reading this.

Either way: hi. Grab a coffee. Sit down. Let me tell you all the things I wish someone had told me about flying with a baby.

Everyone acts like it’s either going to be a complete disaster OR this blissful scene where your baby conks out for four hours straight while you finally finish that book and order a gin and tonic.

Neither of these things is the whole story.

I mean, could your baby sleep the entire time? Technically yes. Will you get to feel smug and relaxed for portions of the journey? Maybe! But here’s what I really wish someone had sat me down and explained – the bits that happen in between. The tiny, bizarre, uncomfortable truths that no one puts in the baby travel guides.

So let’s talk about those, shall we?

What They Actually Don’t Tell You About Flying With a Baby

The judgy looks start before you even board. The second people see you in the gate area with a baby, you can literally watch them pray you’re not sitting near them. And honestly? I get it. I used to be that person. But now I’m the mum silently apologising with my eyes while also thinking, “My baby is a human being who deserves to exist in public spaces, Karen.“

You will pack like you’re moving countries. I thought I was being smart, packing light. LOL. You need backup outfits for the baby. Backup outfits for YOU because you will get puked on, peed on, or covered in something unidentifiable. Nappies for days because what if the flight gets delayed? Snacks you hope will buy you 5 minutes of peace. Toys they’ll play with for exactly 30 seconds. Use my baby packing checklist to help you.

Feeding on a plane is a whole thing. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, doing it on a plane means there’s no space. Your seatmate is definitely in your personal bubble. And your baby will somehow find a way to kick everything within a 3-foot radius while eating.

The pressure changes hurt. They tell you to nurse or give a bottle during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure. What they don’t tell you is that your baby might refuse, or they might be sleeping (miracle!), and you’ll spend the whole time torn between waking a sleeping baby or risking a meltdown from ear pain. I say let baby sleep!

Other parents will be your cheerleaders. It’s the mum across the aisle who gives you that knowing nod. The dad behind who says, “You’re doing great.” Those moments of solidarity matter!

You will become a master of public nappy changes. Airplane bathrooms are DESIGNED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER CHANGED A NAPPY. There’s no changing table that makes sense.

Here’s What I Want You to Know About Flying With a Baby

Flying with a baby can be hard. It’s one of those things where the anticipation is often worse than the reality, but the reality can still be pretty rough. You’re going to feel overwhelmed. You might feel embarrassed if your baby cries the whole flight. You’ll definitely question why you ever thought leaving your house was a good idea.

But you’re going to survive it. Your baby will be fine. The people around you will survive too, even if they’re shooting you looks.

You’re not a bad mum because your baby is crying on a plane. You’re not unprepared because you forgot something (I always forget something). You’re not failing because it’s hard.

You’re just a mum!

My Advice For Your First Flight With Baby

Book the first flight of the day if you can. Flights are more likely to be on time, and your baby is (hopefully) in a better mood. Plus if everything goes to hell, you have the whole day to recover instead of arriving at midnight as a broken human.

Gate check your stroller, but bring a baby carrier. You’ll need that stroller in the airport, but once you’re on the plane, a carrier is a lifesaver. Your baby might actually sleep strapped to you, and it frees up your hands to stress-eat pretzels.

Board last, not first. I know they call families with small children first, but unless you need extra time to get settled, waiting means less time trapped in a confined space with an increasingly agitated baby. Let everyone else board while you walk around the gate area.

Pack a complete change of clothes in a ziplock bag AND KEEP THEM BY YOUR SEAT. Not buried in the overhead locker. Because when the blowout happens (and it will), you need immediate access. Include a spare shirt for YOU too. Trust me on this.

Bring new toys they’ve never seen. Pop to the £ store before your trip. New means interesting for at least 15 minutes, which is basically forever on a plane. Wrap them if you’re feeling fancy. Unwrapping buys you an extra 3 minutes.

Download everything. Shows, white noise, music, whatever your baby likes. Survival mode is real.

Snacks in stages. Don’t blow through all your snacks in the first 20 minutes (I’ve done this). Ration them. Each new snack is a reset button that might buy you peace. Pouches take longer to eat than puffs.

Lower your expectations to the floor. Then lower them more. If you get through the flight without a complete meltdown (yours or theirs), that’s a win.

Ask for help if you need it. Most people are kinder than you think, even if they don’t look thrilled to sit near a baby.

And remember – every flight ends. Even the worst one. You will get off that plane, and this will just be a story you tell later.

Head to 47 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Flying with a Baby and How to Travel When You’re Scared of Everything: An Anxious Mum’s Brutally Honest Guide (2025) for more on this topic.

You’ve got this, mama. Even when it feels like you absolutely don’t.

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What’s your biggest fear about flying with your baby? Or if you’ve done it – what’s the one thing you wish someone had told you? Share in the comments!