Baby on board

Travelling with a baby can actually be easier than travelling with a toddler, but there are some steps you can take to make the trip even smoother...

• Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Rushing to make the flight will only increase your stress levels.
• Only check your pram or pushchair in at the gate so that if the flight is delayed your baby has somewhere to sleep while you wait.
• Book the bulkhead seat with a bassinet.
• It is often very cold on planes, especially in the bulkhead seat where the air conditioning is often strongest. Bring a blanket and pyjamas for baby to snuggle up in.
• For once, sitting near the bathroom on the plane is not a bad thing. It provides a constant stream of people who are often just standing around waiting, and who will likely coo and fuss over your baby and help keep her entertained.
• Breast- or bottle-feed during take-off and landing to prevent baby’s ears from hurting. However, understand that not all babies experience ear pain. There are no standard medical guidelines on the topic, so just use your judgement. If baby is sleeping soundly, leave him be and he might get through the take-off or landing without any trouble. If he’s in pain, he’ll wake up and let you know.
• If your baby is bottle-fed, carry disposable bottle liners, which insert into the bottle, relieving you of the burden of carrying multiple bottles or trying to wash your bottle on the plane.
• Bring a change of clothes for baby in case of an accident. Consider bringing clothes for yourself for the same reason. A damp cloth in a ziplock bag may also prove useful.
• Consider the weather at your destination and make sure that you have appropriate clothes for baby easily accessible upon arrival.
• If you’ve purchased a seat for your baby on the plane, bring a car seat for her to sit in – it’s the safest way for babies to fly. If you haven’t bought a ticket for your baby, you’ll only be able to use the car seat if there happen to be empty seats on board. Having the car seat during your trip will also help keep baby safe in cars, buses and trains, providing some protection even when there are no seat belts to strap it in.
• Pack a first aid kit for travel. For details about what you should include, please see the guide on page 19.
• Carry an emergency sheet with contact names and numbers and your baby’s health information, including the names of any medications she takes.
• If you are worried about bothering fellow passengers, bring sweets and earplugs for your neighbours on the plane.
• Relax and ask for help when you need it – you’ll definitely get it.