Activities

Everything You Need To Know For A Smooth Journey

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2024

Contributing Together

Activities & Days Out / 18 July, 2024 / My Baba

Hooray, it’s holiday time! Travelling and flying with a baby is a whole new experience, and it can be daunting, but we caught up with Ergobaby who has plenty of experience making traveling with a baby as easy as possible.

With the right preparation, you can limit the ‘turbulence’ of your first flight with your baby. Here are some of the questions they’ve been asked most, and their top tips for flying with a baby.

When can I fly with my baby for the first time?

It’s probably sooner than you think. The NHS advice is that it is safe to travel once the baby is over two weeks old but depending on where you live and where you are flying to there are no standard regulations, so it’s best to check with your airline before you book. Some airlines may ask you to provide a fit-to-fly letter from your doctor if your baby is less than two weeks old.

If you gave birth by caesarean section, you may need to wait until after your six-week postnatal check-up before you take to the skies. Even then, you should only fly when your midwife or GP gives you the all-clear.

It’s usually easier to wait a few weeks before flying, to give you time to settle into life together. Also, your baby is more vulnerable to germs during their first month so you may not want to coop them up with dozens of strangers on an aeroplane. Waiting until after your child’s first vaccinations can also help you board the plane with greater peace of mind.

In addition to age, the stage of development and health of your baby are also important factors that determine whether your little one is ready to fly so check in with your pediatrician or GP if you have any specific concerns. This can also be useful for older children if they have a respiratory infection, suffer from earache etc.

Do I need a seat on the aeroplane for flying with a baby?

If your child is under two years old, you aren’t legally required to purchase a seat for them. Instead, you have the option of holding your baby or toddler in your lap or in a baby carrier. You can purchase a seat for them under this age but you will need a flight-approved car seat or appropriate restraint system for them to sit in. Check your airline’s policy on this as they vary. On longer flights, when making your booking it is often possible to reserve a seat with a bassinet in front for young babies. The extra floor space in front can also be useful for containing a baby on the move. Speak to your airline as early as possible to reserve this.

What to pack for the journey?

From birth, your baby will need a passport for any trip where you leave the UK. A child’s passport is valid for five years, which is worth bearing in mind if they have any older siblings that might need a renewal soon too.

For a relaxed trip, your hand luggage should include the following:

Enough nappies, wipes, nappy bags etc. for the duration of your journey – plus spate! Carry a small wash bag with these items so you don’t have to haul your entire bag to the loo as there’s normally not much room in there.

Spare clothes for you and baby. Until you’ve had to deal with a poonami with a baby strapped to you and the seatbelt sign on you won’t understand just how necessary this is! We also recommend bringing a bag for any dirty clothes to keep them separate from the rest of your hand luggage.

In a similar vein, a few muslin cloths to wipe up accidents or spills never go amiss.

Several sterilized dummies, if your baby uses them, sucking can help them stabilize the pressure in their ears during take-off and landing. Otherwise feeding them on take-off and landing can have the same effect.

Your baby’s blanket or favorite soft toy if they are older, the smell can be comforting.

Enough formula milk if your baby is bottle fed and food (plus spoons and bibs) if baby has started solids for the journey. More on this below! Snacks can be one of the best ways to keep little ones occupied on a plane if they have complementary foods.

Toys and books to keep them occupied if they are old enough to need them. Some tried and tested options include mess-free coloring, reusable stickers, and suction cup fidget spinners.

Bonus tip: if you’re checking a bag, we also recommend packing a spare outfit in your hand luggage for everyone who’s traveling, just in case your bags go awry.

And don’t forget to keep your baby carrier to hand, you’ll be glad to have your hands free to carry bags and navigate the airport while keeping your baby close.

The Ergobaby Omni Breeze is a favorite for traveling, it’s easy and comfortable to use, and will last you from newborn through toddlerhood with all four carry positions. Its breathable mesh fabric keeps you cool in warmer climates and it packs away easily when you’re not using it. If compactness and convenience are your priority, then a lightweight, portable carrier that can fit in your handbag, like the Ergobaby Away, is a great choice.

Extra luggage

Most airlines allow you to check in up to two items such as a collapsible stroller, car seat, or travel cot free of charge in addition to your basic allowance. You can often keep your stroller with you through the airport and then leave it at the plane steps when you board, then pick it up from oversized baggage after your flight.

Or, if your stroller is ‘cabin friendly’ (like the Ergobaby Metro+ or Metro+ Deluxe), then you can take it on board with you as a piece of hand luggage, meaning you’ll always have it with you, particularly handy if you might have to queue for passport control or have a wait for your bags.

Some airport chemists also allow you to do click-and-collect orders and many airlines allow a bag of duty-free shopping alongside your usual allowance. So, if there is anything you need that won’t fit in your luggage you could try this travel hack.

How do I travel through the airport with my baby?

There are various options here. For small babies in particular, the easiest way can be to carry your little one in their baby carrier. It’s a great option to help you keep your baby close and settle them if they are uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Traveling can be tiring so a baby carrier also gives the baby a safe place to sleep away from the hustle and bustle of an airport. It also gives you two hands-free to manage luggage, browse duty-free or look after other children. You can even breast-/chestfeed babies in your carrier if that’s how you feed them. The integrated hood found on many Ergobaby carriers can offer extra protection and privacy.

A compact stroller like the Ergobaby Metro+ range is also a great choice, it is cabin-friendly so can stay with you throughout your journey and its near-flat recline is the perfect safe space for babies to take a nap when they need it. Alternatively, you can pop it in a carry bag (available to purchase separately) and carry it on your back through the airport if you’ll be using your carrier instead.

If you’re taking your baby’s car seat on the plane, the Metro+ also has car seat adapters available separately so it can be used to transport the baby through the airport in their car seat too to save you having to carry it.

What you need to know when going through security with a baby.

To avoid queuing for a long time with little ones, some UK airports have special assistance and family lanes in security for departing families. When you’re traveling with young children, these dedicated lanes will give your family extra time and help to get through security. Keep an eye out for signs and ask the staff at check-in if there is any special provision for families.

Some airports will even let you keep your baby in your baby carrier as you walk through the scanners, perfect if they’re sleeping or feeling overstimulated by everything around them, but this is at the airport’s discretion.

If you’re using a stroller through security, it likely won’t go through the scanners so a member of the staff will take it past the scanners to be checked separately. All items will need to come out of it for these checks.

Can you take baby food on a plane?

When flying with a baby you are allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk, and sterilized water for the journey with you in your hand luggage. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however we always recommend checking with your airport before you travel as some have their own restrictions. These containers usually need to be screened separately so speak to staff when you get to security. Sometimes airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids. You can usually also carry (unfrozen) breast/chest milk in hand luggage even if you’re not traveling with your baby.

Does pressure on the aeroplane affect the baby?

Take-off and landing are not always pleasant, even for us grown-ups. But unlike us, babies can’t equalize the pressure in their ears themselves yet. The best way to help your little one is by feeding them their usual milk during take-off and landing. A pacifier or dummy can help too if your little one uses one. For older children, chewing and swallowing a snack can help equalize the pressure.

Can I change a nappy on board?

Changing nappies on a plane is never going to be easy. Between tiny (or non-existent) changing tables and the potential for nappy explosions during the worst turbulence, the challenges are real. But it’s totally possible to hack even the most challenging of airplane nappy-changing situations.

To minimize the number of changes you need to make on any given flight, make sure to schedule a nappy change as close to boarding as possible in the airport before you board your flight. Airport lavatories have much larger changing stations and more room for you to operate. Some airports even have dedicated family facilities. Airplane lavatories can be small and there is simply no room for you, your baby, and a large change bag. We recommend bringing a small removable change bag with you, including a few nappies, travel-size wipes, plus some nappy cream and bags if you need them.

Flying with a baby – you’ve got this!

Hopefully, you’re now feeling fully confident about flying with a baby and this knowledge means you can start your holiday well equipped and relaxed. And whether it’s a baby carrier helping keep your hands free through the airport, or a compact stroller offering baby the perfect nap spot while you queue for passport control, Ergobaby is by your side to make flying with baby significantly easier.