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Original poster

Airport security with a newborn

28 replies

ForgeinMother · 15/03/2023 04:59

First time mum here.

I'm due in mid summer and will (hopefully) be travelling back to the UK for a family wedding around 6weeks after the baby has arrived. I'll be travelling on my own as my partner has work commitments that he simply cannot get out of.

I'm quietly getting nervous and anxious about dealing with security, carrying baby (baby Bjorn), milk bottles etc,. And have no idea the protocol to navigate the whole thing. Do I carry baby through security with me? Can I take bottled breast milk?

I've checked airline websites and sadly haven't come up with many, if any, answers.

Please help!

OP posts:
fruitandfibreg · 15/03/2023 05:16

Yes you can take as much breast or formula milk as you like. But the breast milk can't be frozen.

I've just travelled with my 16 month old so completely different but our first time travelling. Because your hands will be completely full- one thing that never changes 😂 I found having a small cross body bag (I brought eh tiny little bag) super handy for easy access to my passport etc. I also brought a phone lanyard- it makes me look ridiculous but another thing to not have to look for.

A sling 100% and I'd look at a baby zen yoyo. I say a yo-yo because it has a newborn insert. It means you can take it onto the plane as well and it's really lightweight. I'm in the SW and you can hire them so it's worth looking at that or seeing if a friend has one to borrow?

Good luck itl go better than you think xx

fruitandfibreg · 15/03/2023 05:17

And yes you carry the baby through security. I had to take mine out of her pram

heldinadream · 15/03/2023 05:31

I am fully aware that this wasn't what you asked, but do you really want to make this trip alone with a newborn or do you feel you should?
Because it would be perfectly fine to not want to, to want to be at home with your partner not undergoing this stress at a time when you may not want extra stress in your life.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 15/03/2023 05:47

You can carry the baby through security, you can take bottled milk, you can take all your usuals in the baby bag.

I travelled alone with a newborn at 6 weeks too, honestly it was fine! All the times you travel before this, no one helps and you worry how it will be with a baby, but EVERYONE is so helpful. The staff are looking out for you. Also other passengers are usually amazing too.

Please don’t worry, you’ll be absolutely fine.

PP is also right re the prams you can take directly on the plane, they are a godsend

Tabitha888 · 15/03/2023 05:55

As long as everything's ok then yeah. I wouldn't of been able to travel with mine at that age. It all depends what happens

Caspianberg · 15/03/2023 06:09

Also suggest getting babyzen yo-yo for travel. We also live overseas so it’s a 2-3 trips min back a year, plus own other holidays and it’s handy to use at home if going somewhere with less space.

Means you can use sling still, but then have somewhere to put baby down if you need to. And can use to put baby stuff in to save carrying at airport.

Re milk - baby milk is fine. It goes on security tray separately so best to put in separate bag, within your bag. So you can just lift out all milk at once.

Caspianberg · 15/03/2023 06:11

Although you can take larger carrycot type pram also with you if you plan to use for baby overnight sleeping whilst away. If in two parts you usually just would pack it into pram travel bag and it would go into hold when you check in suitcase. Then baby in sling through airport.

AviMav · 15/03/2023 06:12

heldinadream · 15/03/2023 05:31

I am fully aware that this wasn't what you asked, but do you really want to make this trip alone with a newborn or do you feel you should?
Because it would be perfectly fine to not want to, to want to be at home with your partner not undergoing this stress at a time when you may not want extra stress in your life.

Travelling with a newborn will be so much easier because on the whole they sleep and sit still. I remember my friend putting me off the idea. Fast forward and I did a family trip to the carribean and DS was 19 months old it was hell. He wanted to sleep but he wouldn't because he wasn't lied flat and he moved around as he was older.

OP will be fine. Good luck OP.

Teganandbarbs · 15/03/2023 06:27

Another thing worth noting is that many airports have 'family' security lanes or sections. So those with babies/children can go separately- this has always helped us not to feel awkward/rushed when dealing with all our extra paraphernalia and kids without feeling like you're holding up regular passengers. And staff there will be patient. Good luck- I am sure it will be fine!

OpposableThumbs2 · 15/03/2023 06:50

From what I remember, if there is no metal in the sling, the baby can remain in it. Annoyingly I had a ring sling so had to take her out.

Original poster
ForgeinMother · 15/03/2023 08:01

I've been looking at baby zen yo-yo, in fact MIL is getting us one for the baby as she's seen them used in airports and thought they looked so easy to use!
We will have a pram waiting for us at the other end as my mother will be meeting us at the airport. So trying not to carry a buggy with us and then have two in the UK, and carry one back - wondering if I'm being totally unrealistic by wanting to travel with just a sling/carrier?? It's a four hour flight, with 30mins to airport at this end (will have a car seat), and then 2hrs at the other end, also with car seat. So it'll only be in the sling from car to car.
Feel like I might be massively under complicating this!

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 15/03/2023 08:13

A sling is fine only at airport with 6 week old. They aren’t exactly heavy ( and mine was a 4kg (9lb) newborn).

Just take hand luggage as rucksack with baby stuff in so your hands free. Easier to have bag by your feet so you have access to anything baby related needed. If you need more hand luggage take smaller rucksack and small wheely case

Caspianberg · 15/03/2023 08:16

The other option you have btw. Is if you pay full price for second seat for baby, you can take car seat on the plane. So babyzen yo-yo, with car seat clipped on. You need to get approved seat, but maxi cosi usually easiest for this as they have list.
Yoyo goes as hand luggage above folded, and car seat on plane.

It’s more expensive option though

Hercisback · 15/03/2023 08:19

Honestly at 6 weeks PP after a section there's no way I'd have been able to travel. By all means plan to, but don't raise your expectations too high.
Sling it.
If you BF that would be easier for travel as no bottles etc.

MajorCarolDanvers · 15/03/2023 08:19

If you are breastfeeding then don't bother with bottles. Takes up so much luggage space and all the faff of warming the bottles up etc.

Just breastfeed. It's actually a great way to soothe baby on the flight.

You will get a bit help at the airport. You will get to board early etc.

A Sling is really useful to free up your hands.

LizziesTwin · 15/03/2023 08:19

I had a car seat & extra seat on one trip & it was a waste of money as the baby wanted to be with me, not strapped in next to me.

Newjumper2023 · 15/03/2023 08:31

With my second pregnancy this would have been fine but with my first I probably wouldn't even have got insurance. So it's a bit of an unknown till you have baby.
Also I've travelled lots when mine were small as a single parent and you may get pulled aside for drug testing/ checks as its common for single mothers to be used for trafficking, my pushchair was always swabbed and even had checks in babies nappy once. This was about 15 years ago so hopefully it's a lot less intrusive these days.

doradoo · 15/03/2023 08:37

Don't forget to factor in getting baby a passport.

Absolutely doable though and as PPs have said easier with a newborn than a toddler!

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 15/03/2023 08:37

I agree with PP that baby will be fine and you'll get lots of help... but me personally... there was absolutely no way I was physically ready for a flight and travel when baby was 6-weeks old. Bleeding... emergency c-section... infected scar... Hopefully none of this will be your story but please don't put pressure on yourself to do anything.

maddy68 · 15/03/2023 08:48

It's a tricky juggling act for 5 minutes then you are fine.

misssunshinenow · 15/03/2023 11:15

I used to travel with my son as a baby all the time by myself as my husband worked overseas. Transatlantic and all... It was no problem whatsoever. Looking back on it it was easier than the runaway toddler years. And people are always willing to help. I wouldn't bother with car seats etc and for such a short flight a sling will be enough! Don't worry and have fun!

LadyDanburysHat · 15/03/2023 11:23

You have had a lot of good advice already, but I would recommend a stretchy wrap sling rather than a more structured one. You then don't need to remove it and put it back on later which could be helpful.

Like this one

titchy · 15/03/2023 11:33

Will you be able to get baby a passport in time? They may be two weeks late which would only give you four weeks to get it. You may also end up with a CS and not be able to fly. So don't bank on definitely being able to go.

Bells3032 · 15/03/2023 11:34

I travelled with my daughter when 10 weeks corrected it was fine. Do remember it may take a while to get a birth certificate and then a passport. Reccomend booking the "urgent" passport appts as its up to 10 weeks for standard.

I would recommend getting a pram as its much much easier to travel with than a sling esp if you need to get a suitcase off a conveyer belt. You can prob get one second hand pretty easily or i am sure there are hire companies where you are.

I could travel with as much formula or breast milk as you need. if formula you can order it to a drug store inside the airport (EG boots in the UK).

Also order anything you can like nappies etc to where you're staying to minimise what you have to take with.

Check with the airlines what you can check as well. Most allow you to check a car seat for free.

Caspianberg · 15/03/2023 12:46

One advantage to checking in pram or car seat in hold, is that if you put them in car seat/ pram bags to protect them, you also gain some storage space. I always pack car seat back out with basics like spare blanket, muslin cloths, nappies, and it comes back full of books and clothes from family

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