Tips for flying with a baby

[Kazz2112]

We are due to take our 12 week old DD away for the first time next week for three nights to Spain. We are big travellers but this is a whole new world for us and would appreciate tips and advice on various things:

The pram - DD is still using a bassinet attached to the pram. She'll sleep in this (sleep certified) when there. I have purchased a travel bag for this - does this therefore class as one piece of luggage?

With the pram is it better to check it in at the desk and use the sling (and have to carry nappy bag, our rucksacks and baby) or take the pram through to the gate and collapse / bag it there?

We're taking our prep machine - can we use tap water or should it be bottled water?!

Any other hints or tips for making travelling with a 12 week old smooth sailing welcome!

For reference all of our flights are Ryanair or easyJet atm

I took my 5 month old to Brazil and now pls bing Portugal. She flew like a dream, I was so anxious but there was no need.
Different airlines and countries have different rules on prams so check, we couldn’t take ours unless it folded in one piece. If it folds separate then you might need to check it in as oversize. Definitely take a sling as it’s handy anyway

Ask at the bag drop desk. If they’ll let you gate check I’d do that. If not shove it into one bag at check it oversize before security. The reason being that oversize luggage, IME, has a much higher chance of going astray and not making the flight so if you can gate check then I would always do that. Take the sling so you’re covered for either option.

The flight should be easy at that age. Feed or dummy for take off/landing as the sucking helps ears then you’ll probably find they sleep the rest of the flight.

You can drink the tap water in mainland spain but if you’d rather do bottled it needs to baby friendly and not all are, due to the mineral and salt content. Some brands have a baby symbol on the bottle and evian is definitely ok plus usually pretty easy to find.

Most airlines allow two pieces of baggage to be stowed for free when travelling with a baby (usually travel cot or buggy etc). easyJet definitely do but not sure about RyanAir. We always checked our son's travel cot over at oversize luggage as they wouldn't take it at the desk. We had a travel buggy rather than a big pram so always took that with us to the plane in order to be a bit more hands free.

On a side note for the future, we found Vueling to be an excellent airline for travelling with kids if you're going to Spain as they do family tickets which include early boarding, seats and baggage, rather than having to pay for everything as an extra.

I hope you have a lovely time! :D

Check the airline rules. They will probably view a pram with a bassinet as two pieces (unless it's e.g. a Yoyo where it folds into one piece with the newborn attachment) and they do often ask at check in. If it's not one piece they might not let you take it to the gate.

Ryanair are among the more generous airlines for baby equipment and give you two pieces free. We've flown with many more expensive airlines that only give you one piece.

Otherwise though the younger they are the easier it is. Spain is such a short flight it will be fine. They will probably make you take the baby out of the carrier for take off and landing though, which if the baby is anything like mine will wake them up and cause lots of screaming.

Conversely the worst flights I have ever taken with kids were with Vueling.

Utter chaos. Had every parent queuing for ‘special assistance’ for 2-3 hours.

Compulsory window seat if travelling with an infant.

Never again.

With a 12 week old I would check your pram and use a sling in the airport.

You can take your pram and leave it at the gate most of the time though - we eventually bought a yoyo so we can take it on the plane as hand baggage.

Yes I would probably use bottled water for your prep machine. On the flights we found it easiest to take bottles of pre-prepared milk (the type you buy ready from the supermarket). Feed them on take off to help with pressure.

At 12 weeks there’s not really much you can take in terms of entertainment!

Take spare clothes (a spare top
for you not a bad idea in case of sick etc). We also usually take a big muslin as a blanket / create darkness etc.

And then I’d probably say just make sure you leave plenty of time at the airport. I’m usually a ‘arrive as late as possible’ person for airport travel, but with even one infant you’ll find far more points where you may be delayed IMO (physical check in, security checking liquids etc, nappy changes and so on).

@MidnightPatrol I'm sorry your experience with them was sucky 😔 I love the window seat so that was a bonus for me 😅We were also flying in September so there were fewer families on our flight which probably skewed my opinion.

Travelling with tiny babies is great easier than with toddlers. Will you need your own hand luggage on the plane or can you just take the change bag?
A sling is definitely the way to go and check your pram. Sometimes you get your pram back at the door of the plane, other times it'll be at baggage reclaim so you'll definitely need the sling.
Will you be getting a taxi at your destination? If so, does your bassinet work as a car seat?
I can't help with bottle advice I'm afraid but I'm sure feed on take off and landing will still apply.

I travelled from 8 weeks with my first and we flew every 4 weeks until the end of my maternity leave. The pressure in the air often encouraged new babies to have lots of poos and however quick I was at getting her to the toilet there were often outfit changes required (never did this normally). So I would recommend taking a couple of changes of clothes for baby.

Calpol!! Can get little sachets which might be easier than a bottle - though can take bottles through (have done on Ryanair). Sling.