Flying with a baby

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Hello, I'm planning to travel with my 6month old by plane in a few months and I'm after some tips please ☺️

Hello! It depends how long the flights are. Have you already booked the flights? If not, I'd recommend day flights so that you get a good night's sleep before and after. Bring a baby carrier if you have one.

It's a 2 hour flight 😬 yes definitely a day flight. I haven't booked it yet, I'm not sure if it's enough to have him on my lap or in the car seat? I'm guessing I then need to purchase a seat at it's normal price? And I'm already nervous about how complicated will it all be with a baby 🙈

I’d go lap for 2 hours. Feed or give a dummy if they have one during take off and landing for ear pressure. Have a 1.5 days worth of nappies, wipes, formula (if not BF), several dummies (if applicable), a change of clothes for all and 2 for baby in case of delays, lost luggage, unexpected vom etc. You can order formula to collect at the airside Boots to avoid taking through security. If you’ve started weaning go with pouches for ease. If you’re lucky they’ll sleep most of it- the movement and engine noise always sent mine straight to sleep! For that reason I prefer a window seat so I won’t have to move for anyone if baby is sleeping. No bulkhead seats as I want my bag to be under the seat in front at all times and not up in the overhead. A sling is good for that age, unless you have a stroller that can go in the overhead like the YoYo.

Honestly at that age it’s easy. Take lots of spares, but before they’re on the move the novelty of a new place, a feed and a nap will take up most of the time. They sleep really well on planes in my experience as there’s so much white noise!

Toddlers are a different (quite internal) beast, so make the most of it when it’s easy!

Is your baby 6 months currently, or will they be 6 months at the point of flying? Either way, a 2 hour flight shouldn’t be that difficult. What sort of trip is it? Do you need a car seat when you are abroad? Do you FF or BF?

We're flying in June with tui, DD will be 8 months. We're putting the buggy in the hold at check in and taking the baby carrier, although you can use the buggy up to the gate. Tui don't give you an extra seat or a bassinet so we'll be having her on our lap. There's 4 of us including DD so we've got a full row to ourselves.

We're hoping she'll tolerate ready made formula by then as right now it makes her vomit. Otherwise we'll take a flask and make it up as we go. A friend recently flew with her baby and she said you can take any fluids for baby through security.
My main worry is her being unsettled on the flight as it's a 4 hour flight.

A few snacks.
Spare clothes for both.
Sling as you often don’t get buggy until after passport control.
If you can get extra leg room seats, not all of these are suitable for children.

Baby will be 6 months then and is breastfed, doesn't want the dummy at all.. We'll start solids then but will probably still breastfeed then. My worry as well is that he'll be unsettled/scream a lot..
Yes hoping white noise will help!
I still need to check my stroller dimensions and all that, i have uppababy vista cruz. I was thinking of using the car seat attached to the pram and put it in the hold at the gate? Or take it in addition to the stroller.I have ergobaby carrier.
I will need the carseat when abroad yes.
I am potentially flying out with BA and coming back with Ryanair

Just check what you're allowed to take.
Tui allow 2 pieces or baby equipment out of travel cot, car seat and stroller. Other airlines are different.
There is a chart online, I'll see if I can find it.

Found it.

www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/blog/travel-advice/travelling-with-kids-know-your-luggage-allowances/

A baby is much, much easier than a toddler when they want to walk around. I took snacks, downloaded Charlie and The Numbers and In The Night Garden, took some toys and he was fine. No crying at all.

Nappy change before getting on the flight!

@fairgame84 thank you for the link!

Thanks everyone for the tips, hoping he'll be settled! He doesn't want a dummy, hopefully I will be able to preoccupy him during takeoff/landing. Can I BF then?

I'll come back with more questions 😁

Currently on holiday with my little one (7m, exclusively breastfed too)
We did a 4 hr flight when she was 3m and 2.5hr flight last week (6.5m)
We checked the car seat in and took the pram to the plane with us (both flights Ryanair you get 2 bits of baby equipment free)
You can take any liquids for baby through security (they don't need to be under 100ml) we took some baby food pouches through this time.
Buy formula, nappies, wipes, baby food from boots once you get through to save room in your luggage

Pack your nappy bag well with more than you think you'll need!, we took some Ella's kitchen puff snacks too

I breastfed her on the way up and down (apparently this helps with their ears popping)

She was happy enough on my knee the whole time, and loved having a little walk up the aisle to have a nosy

Both times the flight was so stress free ! I think being prepared is the key!
Hope you have a good holiday

@Lydiajmw thank you, sounds good, glad all went well! ☺️ so car seat checked at the desk and pram taken to the gate? Do you have to wrap up the car seat?

I think I will do the same plus I will have a changing bag and a rucksack and hopefully everything I need to have to hand will fit in!

Just take the car seat as is and they put it on the oversized baggage conveyor! Have a fab time xx

@Lydiajmw great, thank you!