Gatwick Airport - 1st time travelling with baby

[Bunny2021]

Hi - I’m flying next week from Gatwick with my 10mo. This is going to be his first flight and I’m doing it solo. Any tips?

also, what happens at security with pushchair etc? We have a cabin approved bag so can take it all the way through but does it need to be collapsed for security to scan?

is it worth going in the family lanes or stay in normal?

thanks in advance x

Firstly,If you can I would buy the cheapest description of a buggy as they are not well treated by some baggage handlers.

Secondly, I collected my son from LGW on Monday the queues for security were huge and I am not given to exaggeration, they had moved the gate where the ROI and internal UK flights were coming in and I asked a lovely staff member where it was, and laughingly said God we are flying from LHR very early in the middle of June, I had better sleep in the car the night before, she laughed and said, I would definitely give it three hours.

Just read the bit about the family lanes, take all the help you can get.

Hi OP. I’ve flown from Stansted and Heathrow in recent months. Would defo use family lanes but also leave plenty of time to get through check in and security, as these lanes are often busy. On the pram - IME you have to take baby out at security and they roll it through the scanner, you don’t collapse it. You then take it right up to the gate and then collapse it and staff take it to the plane.

general tips - take a dummy/bottle/something for baby to suck during take off/landing so their ears pop (or stick your finger in their mouth if they will suck that!). Download some kids cartoons onto your phone so they can watch if they get bored - my DS struggles to sleep on flights as they don’t turn lights down, so cartoons are helpful.

Good luck and have a great trip!

I flew with my DS alone when he was 10 months.

Use the family lane. I found security (at Heathrow) we're very helpful and helped me with folding the pushchair / holding the baby.

He was asleep for a lot of it as well.

On the plane the woman sat next to me was happy to watch him while I went to the loo. He was in a skycot asleep. The cabin crew will help you as well.

It was actually ok travelling alone. I took my sling with me as well which helped

Go through the family lanes, because you get help folding up your pushchair (which you have at do at security).
Gatwick has a few designated baby rooms with changing tables, chairs for nursing and small playpens. These are sign-posted by a baby bottle symbol. You can warm baby bottles in Pret a Manger in both South and North Terminals.
Make sure you don’t forget Calpol sachets, nappy sacks, bib, muslins, teething rings, soother, a spare outfit for your 10mo and a spare top for yourself.
You can take baby food on planes. If it is in your hand luggage and it is for your baby on the flight, then it is NOT subject to the 100ml rule. But you’ll need to get them out from your carry-on bag to be screened, so put them all in a clear zip lock bag. Don’t forget plastic spoons!

Best toys:
A balloon for playing with while waiting at the airport

A soft book like this
Toomies hide and squeak eggs
Lamaze Freddie Firefly

Take an umbrella buggy, so much easier especially on larger planes as they store them in the cabin. They will scan it - mine used to be put through the x ray (I'm going back many years). Time to get through security varies - Heathrow was a breeze compared to the pictures coming from other airports. You can order supplies from boots to be collected airside too

Thanks everyone for replying. Feeling a bit nervous given the news of queues at Gatwick. Has anyone been through recently? We have 0700 flight and I’m wondering if it’s worth paying for the fast track security?