Remember my panicky post about flying with a baby and taking them on holiday at only a couple of months? Well, let me tell you, we’re back and we’ve survived it. In fact, there was not the slightest reason to panic. Amy was an absolute diamond and we had a fantastic time with my family.
We flew with Easyjet from Bristol to Berlin Schoenefeld and although I had done some research online, I didn’t know exactly what to expect? Do you check in your pram at check-in or do you keep it with you until you board the plane? What happens to the car seat? How does the baby seat belt look like? How does it work and how do you stop your baby from kicking off whilst on board the plane? I had absolutely no experience about flying with a baby and I think this is what scared me the most. Along with the stressed parents and screaming babies, I have seen on previous flights.
Amy really made me proud though and I really think now, that if you follow some simple steps, you too can have a relaxed flight and start into your well deserved holiday!
Here are my five top tips for flying with a baby:
Arrive at the airport in time
When traveling with babies or kids in general, make sure to arrive at the airport in time. If possible even arrive a little earlier than planned, so that you can check in your luggage plus buggy, car seat or travel cot without getting stressed. With Easyjet and plenty of other airlines, you can get your items tagged at check-in and then decide if you want to keep them until you board the airplane (a member of staff brings them into cargo for you when you board) or if you want to leave them at check-in before proceeding to security.
Consider babywearing
The queues at security, passport control, and baggage reclaim can be long and even the lightest baby can get heavy when holding them. Consider taking a sling or baby carrier so that your little one and you are comfy while waiting. Another advantage is that you’ll have your hands free for luggage, passports & and older siblings.
Pack wisely
When carrying a baby, pulling your suitcases or wearing a rucksack you don’t want to carry any unnecessary excess weight with you, so pack wisely. Nappies can be bought wherever you go and so can dummies, formula, and many other baby items. What you really want to focus on is your changing bag: Pack enough nappies for the time at the airport, the flight and possible delays. Take spare clothes for you and your little ones - think explosive nappies, sicky babies - and don’t forget a blanket and a couple of toys.
It’s all about suction
When flying with a baby, it’s important that your little one can suck on something during take-off and landing to help them to cope with ear pressure. Have a bottle ready, give your baby a dummy or breastfeed them when taking off. Breastfeeding with a seat belt around you and your baby isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world but Amy even managed to fall asleep during both our flights.
Don’t panic
I know that I did but most of the airport staff are really understanding and helpful. Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help or to accept it when offered. The less you have to do, the less you can feel stressed about and that can only be a good thing, don’t you think?
What are your top tips for flying with a baby? How was your first flight with a little one in tow?
Images Mike Haufe and David Veksler via FLickr.
I've flown a couple of times now with Joseph, actually its 6 times. I've found it so much harder now he is 2 and half than when he was small. I do agree a sling is must have, and that it will be no where near as bad as you think it will! I love flying with my little one!
Great tips, I'm glad the flight & holiday went well for you 🙂
I was so scared of flying with a baby that we didn't. First we took the car to France, Then when they were eighteen months and three we took a train to Italy,only when they were three and five did we brave Ryanair to Spain. We were more paranoid about them measuring our hand luggage than anything else but the general sense of panic meant we did not reclaim their bottles of milk from the liquid testing department after they were taken away- so we were on the plane with no milk and nothing babyproof for them to drink out off and we had no bottles or beaker for several days into the holiday. So watch out for this one. Staying calm is a good tip and don't forget you can take one pushchair/ car seat per child at no extra cost and without it affecting your hand luggage allowance!
i think you did very well!! i worried about taking Jenson (or Burton when he was a baby) on the bus lolsome really great tips there Carolin so thank you and what a gorgeous piccie of Amy xx
Good tips. I'm flying with Talitha in December to Trinidad. She'll be 6 months so I'm a bit nervous. The only thing I'd mention is that you do need to pack formula if youre unlikely to get the same brand at your destination as it's not good to switch brands. Thankfully, it's now fine to take whatever milk and food you need for your baby through security.
Ahh the sling is soo invaluable … love the way you can get them snug on the airplane seat too , cosy and able to have them suckling for landing and takeoff 🙂