Flying with a baby, step by step
From six months to about a year and a half, babies are easier to fly with than people think. They sleep, they feed, and almost anything new is fascinating for a few minutes. The trick is timing.
Before you book
- Lap or own seat. Most airlines let babies under 2 fly on your lap with a special seatbelt loop. A paid seat lets you use an approved car seat, which many babies sleep better in.
- Bassinet rows. On longer flights, ask for a bulkhead seat with a bassinet. They are usually for babies up to about 10 kg and go quickly, so request one when you book.
- Flight time. A morning flight or one that starts just before a nap tends to go better than a late evening one, when everyone is tired.
- Pushchair and car seat. Most airlines take a pushchair at the gate for free. Check the rules for car seats and how many baby items you can bring on top of your bag.
Take-off and landing: feed
Swallowing helps with the pressure change in the ears. Breastfeed, give a bottle or a dummy as the plane starts to speed down the runway, and again when the descent begins, about 30 minutes before landing. If your baby is asleep at that moment, there's no need to wake them.
In the EU, milk, formula, water for formula and baby food can go through security in amounts over 100 ml, as long as they're needed for the journey. Keep them in one bag and take them out at the scanner.
What keeps a baby busy on board
At this age, the best toy is something they haven't seen before. Bring a few small things and hand them over one at a time, putting the last one away before the next appears. Each new thing buys you a few minutes, and the same thing comes back as new an hour later.
Works on a plane
- Soft crinkle books and cloth books
- A teether or two, on a clip
- Suction toys that stick to the tray table
- Stacking cups, which double as bath toys at the hotel
- A small mirror, safe and unbreakable
- Sensory ribbons or a taggy blanket
Leave at home
- Toys that play music or beep
- Anything with small loose parts
- Big plastic toys that take up the whole tray
- Everything at once: one thing at a time lasts longer
Sleep on the plane
- Keep your usual sleep cues: the same sleeping bag, muslin or soft toy as at home.
- A light cover over a carrier or car seat can help, as long as air flows freely. Never cover their face.
- A carrier is useful for walking up and down the aisle until they drift off.
- White noise on your phone, quietly, helps some babies settle with the engine hum.
Your hand luggage, in one go
- Nappies: one per hour of travel, plus three
- Wipes, a changing mat and nappy bags
- A full change of clothes for the baby, and a T-shirt for you
- Milk, formula or food for the trip, plus an extra feed in case of delays
- Dummy, a spare one, and the comfort toy
- Baby paracetamol or ibuprofen, dosed for weight (ask your pharmacist)
The full list to tick off is in our packing list for a flight, below.
Quick answers
What is the best age to fly with a baby?
Many parents find 6 to 12 months the easiest: babies sleep a lot, aren't crawling everywhere yet and are happy on a lap. Before that, check with your doctor and airline about the minimum age.
Do babies' ears hurt on planes?
Pressure changes can be uncomfortable, mostly when descending. Feeding, a dummy or a drink helps them swallow and equalise. If your baby has a cold or an ear infection, ask your doctor before you fly.
What if my baby cries the whole flight?
It is very rarely the whole flight, even if it feels that way. Stand up and walk if the seatbelt sign is off, change the scenery, feed, and try a new toy. Most passengers have been there themselves.
Want it ready-made?
Our 6–18 months box is packed with soft, quiet toys to hand out one by one, with your baby's name on the box. From €59, packed by hand for your child's age and delivered before you go.
Build their box