Aim to choose an aisle seat near the front of the plane or if the aircraft has a bulkhead seat (usually long haul) try and book one if possible. A bulkhead(B)seat is a row without any seats in front. This will allow you to have plenty of space and will give you the mobility to get up and walk around if you need to, plus you can board and leave the plane much easier. You won’t be able to book the seats next to the emergency exit when you travel with an infant.
Some parents do prefer to sit near the bathrooms at the back, but noise levels can be higher. However this might be useful depending on how your baby responds to noise, take this into consideration.
Hopefully you'll be able to get a bassinet. They're usually on a first come first served basis.
Most airlines will allow you to take the pushchair right up to the plane door and then staff will pop it under with the luggage. Ask at check-in whether you get it back on the Tarmac once you've landed or whether it will turn up on the carousel. You should get priority boarding.
You should try and give baby a drink whilst taking off and landing to relieve any pressure in his/her ears. Either that or encourage them to suck their thumb (that works for longer!). Take satchets of Calpol and ibuprofen with your hand luggage just in case. Make sure you have at least one change of clothes for LO on the flight and bring a spare top for yourself. Just in case! Layer LO up so you can keep them comfy through the flight.
Order all baby food and nappies that you want/need for the flight and when you're waiting for your flight online to be picked up from Boots at the airport after security. This will hopefully save you some time in the security queue as you will have less liquids to be checked and perhaps save a little room in your suitcase too. Win, win! You are allowed ONE standard airport shopping bag on to your flight in addition to your hand luggage. e.g You can have hand luggage + 1 Boots bag or hand luggage + a standard bag from another airport store.
You can get Calpol and Ibuprofen sachets. Perfect for travel and in handy 5ml sizes. Several airlines now have baby food available as a pre order option for your flight, so check this out first.
Take several dummies for the plane if your baby uses them - then if they get flung on the mucky floor you can get another one out. Or buy a dummy clip.
Take a hat to pull over LO's eyes and ears to help with sleep and to keep head warm if the air con is too strong.
Even though you'll probably get given blankets by the airline on the flight, still take LO's own blanket as it will have a familiar smell and texture.
Put hand luggage in a back pack so you have your hands free.
I've used this baby sleep balm and it works a treat www.babipur.co.uk/lgr-organic-baby-sleep-balm.html There are loads of other baby sleep balms on the market that are a bit cheaper. I think Boots sells some.
Good toys to take:
A set of nesting eggs or stacking cups- can be used for playing hide and seek with snacks!
The humble balloon! I always pack a few, and there you have entertainment at the airport!
Finger Puppets
ELC star links
Fisher Price snap lock caterpillar
John Lewis discovery cube
Sticklebricks
Edushape curiosity cube
Try to take toys with a clip or attachment that you'll be able to fasten to the seat or tray table to stop them falling on the floor. We found a really good Lamaze toy with a suction pad that we could stick on the tray table. We also took a mirror that we could fasten to the back of the seat in front which DS loved!