5 Tips on How to Make Flying with a Baby Easier by Mim Jenkinson is sponsored by Britax.
Your first family holiday is such a special time for you all. Discovering new places, going on adventures together and even revisiting favourite destinations is all the more fulfilling when you can see it through the eyes of a little one.
That said planning for your first family holiday can, for some, be far from fun. I remember the build up to our first plane journey with my baby – I was terrified! For years I’d seen stressed out parents with crying babies on flights and lugging what looked like a million bags on and off the plane. It just looked hard.
Since my baby was three months old we’ve traveled short and long haul countless times, mainly between Australia and the UK where I’m from. I won’t pretend the journey is something I look forward to because it isn’t! However over the past four years, since our very first family flight, we have picked up some tips and tricks that have made flying with a baby easier for us.
Here are some of our best top tips and I hope they make your next family flight a little easier to manage. That could mean less time stressing about the journey and more time building up excitement for the destination!
Top Tips on How to Make Flying with a Baby Easier
1. Travel as light as possible
Once you add a baby to your travel plans, your days of travelling with just a carry-on bag are probably over. That might not necessarily mean you need to be weighed down like a packhorse though.
Try to pack everything that you won’t need at the airport, or on the flight, in your checked-in baggage. Also consider taking “lighter” versions of the things you do need on board the plane. For example, go through your changing bag and hand bag and remove everything that isn’t completely necessary. Also take a smaller “changing bag” on the plane with you for quicker and easier nappy changes. For example, for quick nappy changes on board, I like to take a plastic bag with one nappy, a packet of wipes and a disposable nappy sack. Those plane toilets are tiny and a cumbersome changing bag can be difficult to negotiate inside!
When our kids were babies and toddlers, we found it really useful to take a stroller with us to the airport. It made getting to and from the gates much quicker and it was somewhere to hang our changing bag. One less thing to carry!
Britax has just launched its first ultra-lightweight stroller – the Holiday™. This innovative stroller is comfortable for your little one to travel in, it folds and unfolds with one swift motion and it weighs less than 5kgs. As well as that, when folded down, it is compact enough to fit into the overhead compartment of a plane. Genius!
The Britax Holiday Stroller!
Taking the Holiday on your trip means that your baby has a comfortable ride at the airport, you have storage while you’re there and you can easily take it on board with you too.
Watch the Britax Holiday Stroller in action here:
The stroller is suitable for babies from six months to 18kg approx.
2. Check out what your airline provides for your child
Before you fly, contact your airline or check their website to see what extras they will provide for your little one on board. This might also mean you can take less than you think.
It’s worth checking if they provide food and drinks for toddlers or sterilised water for your baby’s bottles. If you like to warm your baby’s drinks, check to see if they will do this too.
From my experience, each airline differs so don’t make any assumptions and be prepared. One airline we flew with did not provide much at all so we took enough bottles filled with sterilised water in our changing bag and then added the formula to them when needed when our baby was bigger.
3. Don’t forget the fun!
I’m not going to pretend that your plane journey will be a fun experience for you or them! Do remember to bring along something to entertain your baby or toddler on board.
I like to bring along a new toy or book that they haven’t seen yet. It gives them something new and special to focus on.
Older toddlers might be interested in watching their favourite shows on an iPod and you can also check out what entertainment the airline provides for little ones too. One airline that we flew with provided a lovely goody bag for babies and toddlers. It contained some healthy snacks, colouring books, a soft toy and other little games to keep them busy. If your airline doesn’t provide this, think about putting one together yourself!
4. Plan for your time at the airport
Whilst your attention will be mainly focussing on the plane journey itself, don’t forget that you’ll be spending hours at the airport too.
Having a stroller like the Holiday™ means your baby can stay relaxed and comfortable while you negotiate checking in, finding your gate and boarding the plane. They can stay seated until the very last minute before you fold up your compact stroller, pop it in the overhead locker and take your seats.
We tried one plane journey without a stroller – never again! I had the grand idea of only taking a sling with me to carry my baby, which was great for on board the plane, but wreaked havoc on my back at the airport. I just forgot how big some airports are and how much time you spend walking or standing in queues. Plus, after a trip or two around duty free, the bags I was carrying suddenly doubled in size and weight!
5. Keep your eyes on the prize
Keep in mind that your journey, however long, will be over soon.
When you arrive at your final destination and put down those bags, your journey will quickly become a thing of the past and you can settle in to enjoying your holiday!
Download your free checklist to make for a smooth flight every time!
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