This post is part of the ‘Tales From The Other Side Of …’ series. There are so many stages, achievements, milestones and heartbreaks we go through as parents and whatever we are experiencing, whether good, bad, exciting or terrifying, it’s always nice to know someone else has already done it and come through the other side. To find out how you can get involved and share your story/tips and tricks click here. Today we have the lovely Leona from Wandermust Family with some top tips for flying with a baby.


Flying with a baby is one of those things that fills new parents with horror. Being an expat living in the Middle East we knew that flying with a baby would be part of our life. Our little one went on her first flight at just under twelve weeks old and in her first year of life has been on seventeen flights – the majority of them long haul!

Flying with a baby is one of those things that fills new parents with horror but don't worry, we've got you covered. Read these top tips ...

What parents need to know

  • It’s going to be ok.
  • Baby’s are actually pretty good fliers.  They aren’t mobile and, if you time it right, sleep for most of the flight. Being a parent to a newly mobile toddler I can tell you that the toddling years are harder (but still perfectly doable), so why not start travelling young.
  • When booking flights consider your baby’s sleep schedule. We always prefer overnight flights as the bambino sleeps most of the way.
  • Remember to have a dummy or bottle for take off and landing to help them with their ears popping.
  • Regarding feeding – make sure you have enough and extras to last for the flight and a bit more in case of delays.
  • You can travel with liquids but remember to have them security ready!
  • Remember to call the airline and book the bassinet row in advance. These book quickly so the earlier the better and they are a godsend for both parents and baby’s flight comfort.
  • Have some toys. Bored babies are crabbity babies!
  • Make sure you have spare clothes for you and the baby. Nothing is guaranteed to make a baby poop like the change in cabin pressure!
  • Carry medications with you in your hand luggage. By this I unser Unternehmen mean regular medications your baby may need but also calpol – in case your little ones ear hurt from the pressure and bonjela – you never know when teething may strike.

I know lots of people worry their baby is going to be the one that is crying for the entire flight. In reality, this is unlikely. Be prepared and stay calm and I am sure you will have a stress free flight.

To find out more about out family travel adventures and other top tips visit us at www.wandermustfamily.com and follow us on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WandermustFamily/
https://twitter.com/Wandermustfam/
https://www.instagram.com/Wandermustfamily/
https://www.pinterest.com/wandermustfam/

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43 thoughts on “Top Tips For Flying With A Baby

  1. My nieces fly to visit me and they’ve done well. Now that I’ve said that I’m sure the next trip will be mayhem. #DreamTeam
    Heather Keet recently posted…When pondering life, it’s best to have an audience…My Profile

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 6:26 am
    1. Ha ha, tempted fate there!

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 10:29 am
  2. I must say I do feel glad that mine are now a little older and easier to fly with. We never went on huge flights, our longest was about 4 hours, so we managed. Great tips lovely #dreamteam

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 7:05 am
    1. popping back from #SharingtheBlogLove

      Posted on 29 June, 2017 at 7:48 am
    2. Our longest was about 8 hours when L was around 6 months and it was so much easier than I expected. M has always been a great flyer but I’m dreading our next flight with L, she’s at an age now where she won’t sit still for 5 minutes. Thankfully we’ll have the grandparents with us so they can help entertain her x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 10:31 am
  3. I agree that it’s much easier to travel with a baby who can’t move on their own yet – flying with a toddler is a whole other story! Still totally manageable though, with the right snacks and toys. #DreamTeam
    The Squirmy Popple recently posted…Is it bad if your daughter likes pink?My Profile

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 12:08 pm
    1. Definitely. My son has always been great but I’m dreading taking my toddler in the summer.

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 11:58 am
  4. Great advice. We were so lucky when we travelled with my toddler, that there’s a soft play area in Heathrow, so he fell asleep before we took off for most of the flight! Result!! New toys and books kept him entertained and before we knew it we were the other side.

    Yvadney x #DreamTeam

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 2:43 pm
    1. Sounds perfect x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 11:59 am
  5. Great tips! Thanks for the links! It is SO stressful!!! #dreamteam
    Heather Burnett recently posted…I Love My Skin So Much I’m Doing A Giveaway!My Profile

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 3:57 pm
    1. I think the worry beforehand is often more stressful that the flight itself!

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:00 pm
  6. The last time I flew with a baby was when my oldest was 10 months old. He’s 15 now so it’s been a long time and I know a lot has changed since then. But I believe they do still let parents board first. At least they do at my airport. I love that the first thing you say to other parents who read this that it’s going to be okay. That’s something most parents don’t realize until later and it’s so important. Thank you for sharing!

    Posted on 27 June, 2017 at 4:06 pm
    1. It is, worrying about it just makes it harder x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:01 pm
  7. I love that tip one is that everything will be ok. I think people panic a lot about flying when it just needs to be got on with. Booking the bassinet in time is worth remembering #bestandworst

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 6:45 am
    1. So true, the worrying is often unfounded x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:02 pm
  8. I have written a blog post about traveling with older children, but as I have never had the privilege of flying with a baby i would recommend reading this to anyone who asks me for tips and advice #familyfub@_karendennis

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 10:18 am
    1. Thank you x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:02 pm
  9. These sound like great tips. Seventeen flights in the first year is quite something – especially with many of them being long haul. I’ve never flown with my children (my eldest can’t fly at the moment because of her heart condition) but having advice from someone whose had lots of experience of doing so is so useful if you are planning a trip abroad. #familyfunlinky

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 11:19 am
    1. I know, after 17 flights Leona certainly knows what’s she talking about. We’ve only done one long haul with a baby and it was so much easier than I expected x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:04 pm
  10. Ahh fab tips, we are still yet to fly with our 2 but perhaps we will at somepoint in the near future. Thanks for linking up to this weeks #bestandworst hope to see you again next week!
    Helen Gandy recently posted…Best and Worst Linky #100My Profile

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 2:23 pm
    1. Thank you x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:05 pm
  11. Tweeted this. Have our first journey this August with two! !

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 9:10 pm
    1. Ooh exciting, hope you have a great time x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:05 pm
  12. Some great tips. We have only flown with our daughter once but we made sure to have a dummy for the take off and landing. She was 18 months at the time so it wasn’t that comfy having her sleep on me. It’ll be interesting when we next fly as she’s over 2 now so will need her own seat! #FamilyFunLinky
    Angela Watling (Life, Motherhood and Everything) recently posted…The fear and worry of parenthoodMy Profile

    Posted on 28 June, 2017 at 9:33 pm
    1. The dummy is a great tip. Our next trip will be the first time my youngest has had her own seat too, whether she’ll stay in it is a different matter x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:07 pm
  13. Wow your baby has been on more flights than I have in my entire life! Haha. When my niece was a baby, we all had to do a long haul flight for a family wedding and, like you say, she slept most of the way there and it was pretty painless. I’m not sure my 2yo would be quite so easy though! Eek #sharingthebloglove
    Lucy At Home recently posted…Blogcrush Week 20 – 30 June 2017My Profile

    Posted on 29 June, 2017 at 9:46 pm
    1. Leona’s little one has done pretty well hasn’t she. I don’t think Ive ever been on that many either, in fact I was 18 before I ever set foot on a plane. My son has always been great on flights but I’m not sure what my whirlwind of a toddler is going to be like this year, she was a baby last time we flew.

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:10 pm
  14. I love the first point! Don’t worry 😂.
    Ive not flown with baby or toddler now and I probably won’t. Not because of worry but because we’re happy seeing the UK, there are so many places to explore that we’ve not seen here. We’d much rather do this and look forward to training the kids on bikes to head off to Europe and the like for cycle touring, probably got there by train!! He he, different worlds 🙃
    ‪Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky‬
    Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The SeasideMy Profile

    Posted on 30 June, 2017 at 10:40 am
    1. There are so many great places in the UK. If we had nicer weather I don’t think we’d ever leave either x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:12 pm
  15. It’s been a long time since mine were babies but I’ve taken them to Ireland twice a year since they were both born (usually by myself) and have to say people are so helpful and friendly when they see that you are travelling alone with little ones. Thankfully that flight is only 1 hour, I’m not sure I could have coped with long haul at the toddler stage, tiny babies are much better flyers!
    #TheList
    Mess and Merlot recently posted…SCHOOL HOLIDAY SURVIVAL PLANNERMy Profile

    Posted on 30 June, 2017 at 12:24 pm
    1. Totally agree, babies are a doddle compared with toddlers x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:17 pm
  16. Thanks for the tips! I think we are taking our first flight in March…with an 18 month old! That sounds much worse than a little baby. :-/ We will see how it goes! haha.
    Lexie recently posted…10 Things That Make Me HappyMy Profile

    Posted on 30 June, 2017 at 3:55 pm
    1. We travelled with my son when he was around 18 months and he was fantastic so you never know. We are travelling with an almost three year old soon and I’m not sure how well thats going to go x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:19 pm
  17. My kids were always great fliers as babies. I always think it’s funny when I hear a new parent say they’re going to wait a year or two to travel with their baby, so the baby will be “a little older.” Toddlers are WAY harder to control when traveling! They’re mobile! #thelistlinky

    Posted on 30 June, 2017 at 8:51 pm
    1. Ha ha, totally agree. My son has always been fantastic and my daughter was too when she was a baby. She’s almost three now though and I’m more than a little apprehensive about our upcoming holiday!

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:21 pm
  18. What is the bassinet row? I have never heard of that. I have flown with babies and toddlers though. I tried booking a flight at my middle son’s nap time when he was a baby; I had forgotten that he was a curious and stubborn bay though and he refused to nurse or nap. Kept looking all around and screamed most of the flight. The flight attendant offered to walk him up and down the aisles to try and get him to sleep for me. Thank goodness it was only a 3 hour flight!
    Mother of 3 recently posted…Weekly Wrap- Up: The Week We Finished our 100 Days of Art ChallengeMy Profile

    Posted on 30 June, 2017 at 10:55 pm
    1. I think they only have them on the bigger long haul flights. Id never heard of them either until we flew to Dubai when my youngest was 6 months. Its basically a small cot that attaches to the wall in front of you (so obviously you need to be in one of the seats facing a wall and not other seats and there are only a few). Unfortunately they can’t be used when the seatbelt sign is on and on our flight out there was bad turbulence so I think she was in there 30 minutes of the 8 hour flight. On the way back though she slept in there for half the journey and it was amazing x

      Posted on 1 July, 2017 at 12:26 pm
  19. I have only tried a flight with a little one once and it was actually easier than I thought, but as you say she was only 6 months old and fairly immobile which definitely helped. I would need all of these tips if we were to take them now that they are that bit older. I think that you’ve nailed it with the fact that calm grown ups = calm little ones. Great advice!

    Thanks for sharing this fab series with us at #DreamTeam Alana x

    Posted on 3 July, 2017 at 4:19 pm
  20. There are some great tips here, and flying with a baby is actually easier than the thought. It’s always best to be prepared, and to definitely have the bassinet seat. We had a wonderful flight back from St Lucia last year where our daughter slept the entire flight, so we managed to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine in peace. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
    The Pramshed recently posted…Preparing for holiday with Happy Nappy: Review and CompetitionMy Profile

    Posted on 3 July, 2017 at 10:14 pm
  21. Great advice. We first took Alice on a flight when she was 11 months old and it was a dream on the way out she fed and slept. On the way home we weren’t so lucky, she cried as she was overtired. I stood and rocked her for what felt like forever. I’m sure a lot of people were annoyed, but it didn’t bother me. I was doing everything I could. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

    Posted on 4 July, 2017 at 4:34 pm
  22. Spot in! Great advice. We flew long haul when our youngest was 5 months and the others were 2 and 3 …. airport security with baby food is hardcore but if you are prepared it makes it easier. we had a bassinet and I must say it was a life saver to give your arms a break while they had a nap! The next flight was when he was 18 months old and a feisty toddler …. phew that was harder! the anxiety around worrying what other people think can be immense but 95% of people around you have been in the same situation and are helpful, the others…. well they’re just miserable humans 😉 Thanks for linking up to #FabFridayPost

    Posted on 5 July, 2017 at 7:06 am
  23. Great tips!! We first flew when our daughter was 10 weeks old and then again at 6 months. She slept all the way there both times which was amazing, I personally think flying with a baby is easier than when they can move! As soon as mine started moving it was UK holidays all the way!! Although 10 hours in a car last summer with four kids wasn’t much fun either! Thank you for joining us at #sharingthebloglove
    five little doves recently posted…Why I support Kicks Count in the ban of home dopplersMy Profile

    Posted on 5 July, 2017 at 6:03 pm
  24. Fab tips – we are taking both our two on an international flight soon. Littlest is just out of the baby stage at 17 months, so I’m worried it will be a bit harder than with a smaller baby! But I’m hoping they will mostly sleep as it’s a night flight and they have their own seats – fingers crossed! x
    Rosie @ Little Fish recently posted…Living Arrows: 27/52 Soap and SmilesMy Profile

    Posted on 10 July, 2017 at 5:38 am