Travelling with an infant can be a daunting experience, but with thoughtful preparation, it can become a memorable adventure. This guide offers essential tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable flight with your baby, covering packing necessities, airline provisions, optimal seating choices, and the importance of travel insurance for your little one.
What to Pack for Your Baby on a Plane
Packing the right items can make all the difference. Ensure you have:
• Nappies and Wipes: Pack sufficient nappies for the duration of the flight, plus a few extras in case of delays. Having extra wipes is always useful too in case of feeding messes.
• Feeding Supplies: Bring enough formula, expressed milk, or baby food for the journey. Airlines typically allow these items through security in quantities exceeding standard liquid limits. Just tell them at security that you have baby items in your bag. They will usually take them out and check them but it shouldn’t be an issue taking them on board with you.
• Change of Clothes: Include spare outfits for your baby and an extra top for yourself to handle any spills or accidents. If you can fit it into your carry on, a spit cloth or face cloth can also come in handy. Pack at least two bibs for feeding as you will likely need to feed them more than once, or again in the airport once you land before you leave for your destination.
• Comfort Items: A familiar blanket or favourite toy can provide reassurance and help soothe your baby during the flight. You could also bring their dummy if you use one.
• Baby Carry Wrap/Front Pack: Useful for navigating the airport and keeping your hands free. It’s much easier and comfortable for your baby to be carried on you or your partner. There are lots of options of baby carriers to choose from. You can then carry your suitcase or carry on luggage in your arms rather than lugging around a heavy car seat with you. The car seat can be checked in (usually at no additional cost) with your luggage. A stroller can also be brought all the way to the gate and checked in at the gate if easier. You will need to get a tag at baggage check in for your stroller before taking it to the gate. They will then have it ready for you when you land, usually in the hallway to the terminal as you disembark the plane. Having a stroller or front pack makes things a lot easier.
• Medications and Essentials: Carry any necessary medications, including infant pain relief and teething gel. It can also be helpful to have a nasal aspirator (snot sucker) in your luggage.
Airline Provisions for Infants
Many airlines offer amenities to assist parents travelling with infants:
• Bassinet Seats: On long-haul flights, many major airlines provide bassinets for infants meeting specific size and weight criteria. These are typically available in bulkhead rows and should be requested in advance. You can usually book these online when you choose your seats. Otherwise talk to your travel agent or send a message through to the airline beforehand.
• Infant Seat Belts: All airlines supply special seat belts or harnesses for lap-held infants. This threads through your seatbelt so they have a seatbelt around them while sitting on you. You are also allowed to bring certain car seats if you prefer to sit them in that, but do check with your airline what requirements they have for car seats on board as there are specific things a car seat needs to have to be considered safe for use on a plane and not all brands meet these.
• Priority Boarding: Families with young children are often granted early boarding to allow extra time to settle in. Generally after first and business class is boarded there will be a call for families with young children to board earlier. You may also be shown into a family or fast track line at security and passport control in some airports while travelling with young children.
• Bottle Warming and Baby Meals: While some airlines offer facilities to warm bottles and provide baby-specific meals, it’s advisable to confirm these services ahead of time.
• Infant Life Jackets: These will be provided to any young children on a plane. An air hostess will usually bring them to you, show you how they work and store them under your seat around the same time that the safety announcements are happening for the whole flight.
Optimal Seating Choices When Flying with a Baby
Selecting the right seat can enhance comfort for both you and your infant:
• Bulkhead Seats: Located at the front of each section, these seats offer extra space and are where bassinets are typically found. However, armrests are usually fixed, which limits seat width.
• Aisle Seats: Provide easy access to the aisle, facilitating trips to the lavatory or walks to soothe your baby.
• Window Seats: Offer a private space, which can be beneficial for breastfeeding or minimising distractions.
If travelling with a partner, consider booking a window and aisle seat; if the flight isn’t fully booked, the middle seat may remain vacant, offering extra space.
If travelling with two ‘lap babies’ such as if you have twins. It’s important to note you will likely have to sit in a different row to your partner. This is for safety reasons, due to there only being one baby air mask per set of seats that can drop down in an emergency. It is strongly advised to pre-book your seats to ensure you end up close together during the flight.
Additional Baggage Allowances for Infants
Airlines often accommodate additional baggage for infants, which may include:
• Strollers and Prams: Many airlines allow a collapsible stroller or pram to be checked in at no extra cost. Many airlines permit gate-checking, enabling you to use the stroller within the airport all the way up to the gate when you board.
• Car Seats: If you’ve purchased a separate seat for your infant, you can bring an approved car seat on board. Alternatively, car seats can often be checked in free of charge.
• Portable Cots: Some airlines allow portable cots as part of the infant’s baggage allowance, but it’s essential to verify specific policies with your carrier.
Infants who are not in a paid seat ‘lap babies’, don’t usually get an allowance for a suitcase. But are usually allowed a carry on allowance for a nappy bag or small backpack. Always check your airline’s specific policies regarding infant baggage allowances, as they can vary.
Why Travel Insurance for Babies is Essential
Travelling with a baby comes with unexpected challenges, from flight disruptions to medical emergencies. Having comprehensive travel insurance ensures peace of mind. Make sure you look for a travel insurance policy that covers:
• Medical Expenses: Babies can get sick suddenly, and overseas medical costs can be high.
• Trip Cancellations: If illness forces you to cancel or reschedule your trip, insurance can cover losses.
• Lost or Damaged Baby Gear: Prams, car seats, and luggage are costly to replace.
For relevant and reliable coverage, consider Go Insurance, which offers policies tailored to families travelling with young children.
By planning ahead and understanding the resources available, you can make your flight with your baby as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.