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10 Tips for Flying with a Baby
Facing your first flight with your baby and no idea how to prepare? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
As a pilot wife and mom, I’ve experienced the best, worst, most difficult, and most straightforward flights. In this article, I’ll be giving you my 10 best tips for flying with a baby to make your time in the air (as well as your time in the airport!) feel like a dream. Well, as close to a dream as you can get when budget air travel is involved!
If you’re interested in the best baby gadgets for flying, have a look at my must-have travel items here.
Keep reading for my 10 best tips for flying with a baby.
1. Give yourself plenty of time There’s nothing worse than arriving at the airport last-minute and having to rush through security, full of anxiety, to get to your gate on time. But do you know what might be even worse? Going through that ordeal with a baby in tow.
Aim to get to the airport at least two hours ahead of your scheduled flight time and check yourselves in straight away. That way you’ll have plenty of time to find food, deal with blowouts, feed your little one, and find a seat at the gate.
2. Pack smart Rooting through your diaper bag to find the spare pacifier is frustrating enough at the best of times! But when cramped on a plane with minimal elbow room, you’re going to wish you’d left the five spare outfits filling your diaper bag behind…
Designate one carry-on bag for everything that your baby will need during the flight. Diapers, wipes, bottles, breast pads, pacifiers, and toys should all go in the one bag. You’ll also thank yourself for bringing a small waterproof bag that can be used for wet/dirty clothes and diapers!
3. Wear your baby Maneuvering through an airport with one hand is no easy feat.
If you don’t already use a baby carrier, I highly suggest buying a basic fabric wrap that you can use to free up your hands during your time in the airport and boarding the plane. Fabric wraps are ideal for travel as they can be folded and tucked inside your bag or suitcase on arrival.
If babywearing is new for you and your baby, you might want to think about using your new wrap around the house a few times before you travel to give your baby plenty of time to get comfortable with it!
4. Don’t pack too many diapers Although it can be tempting to pack a lifetime supply of diapers, you’ll only need enough for the journey and a few hours after you arrive. Once you’re settled in your new destination, head to a local shop and purchase the diapers that you’ll need for the rest of your trip.
If you use reusable diapers at home, consider using disposable to make things easier if you’re only going away for a short time!
5. Breastfeed if possible If you are breastfeeding, you’ll probably find it easier to continue doing this during your flight as opposed to using bottles. Bottles and formula will take up precious space in your carry-on, whilst breastfeeding is quick, portable, and will help to soothe your baby if their ears start to hurt during take-off and landing.
If you are bottle-feeding your baby, consider packing your tins of formula into your suitcase and taking a smaller tub or jar filled with enough formula for the flight in your carry-on.
6. Pre-book wherever possible Pre-booking things like airport transfers and hotels before you leave will give you peace of mind and help you to navigate once you arrive at your destination. As well as ensuring a smoother journey, you’ll also be able to pre-book things like a car seat in your taxi if you’d rather not take your own.
7. Bring snacks If your baby is eating solids, take a selection of foods that he/she loves to eat. Pre-prepare your food in separate pouches that can be plucked out of your carry-on the moment your little one gets hungry.
Here are a few simple snack ideas for your flight:
8. Pack a new toy There’s never a better time to whip out a brand new and exciting toy than mid-flight when your baby decides that they’re bored. Consider a toy that rattles, can be chewed, or has interesting colors and textures to keep your baby interested and excited!
Avoid particularly noisy toys unless you want to be on the receiving end of angry glares…
9. Use a pacifier Pacifiers make it easy for your baby to equalize during the flight, they’ll also help to soothe your baby to sleep - especially if this is what they’re used to at home! Bring your baby’s favorite pacifier as well as a couple of spares - that way you won’t be caught without one.
10. Consider purchasing a seat for your baby If purchasing a seat for your baby is within your budget, then I recommend doing just that! Not only will this give you extra space to put your bags, change your baby’s diaper, and place them (safely) for a nap, but you’ll have a little more space for your legs and elbows.
The takeaway Traveling with a baby for the first time can be an anxiety-inducing ordeal. However, I promise you that it’s much more straightforward than you’re imagining!
The most important things to remember are to pack smart, bring toys and snacks for your baby, and take every step necessary to make your journey as straightforward as possible.
Having spent lots of time traveling with kids and babies, I’ve created a list of travel must-haves to make your experience simple - and maybe even enjoyable! Click here to see my must-have travel item list.
What are your best tips for traveling and flying with a baby?!