When is it safe to take my baby on a plane?
The thought of facing an airport and a flight soon after giving birth may fill you with horror. But there’s actually no standard minimum age restriction for babies to take to the skies.

Each airline sets its own minimum age and this can range from two days old to 14 days old. For a premature baby, this is usually counted from the due date, not the day they were born.

Some airlines may insist a newborn baby, and mum, have a GP’s note to say they are fit to fly before they will allow them on board. So do check with the airline before booking your tickets.

If you’re travelling abroad, your baby will need her own passport. This can take a few weeks, so it’s best not to book that exotic trip away before the paperwork is organised.

The main worry for you is your baby sharing the plane with other passengers and their coughs, colds and germs. Keep any bugs at bay by being extra scrupulous with hygiene, perhaps adding a travel size antibacterial hand gel to your hand luggage.
Will my baby need a separate ticket?
Your baby may not have her own seat, but she will still need a ticket. Different airlines do have different rules, but they like to know if you’ll be turning up with a baby in tow.

Very often, particularly if you’re booking your trip before your baby is born, you may not be able to arrange your baby’s ticket and seat online. You’ll need to do this on the phone to the airline, and confirm nearer to the date, too.

Sometimes children younger than two do fly for free, but not always. Most airlines charge a percentage of the adult fare if your baby is sitting on an adult’s lap for the flight. It’s usually more if your baby is having her own seat.

You may not be able to travel alone if you have two or more babies younger than six months. Most airlines insist there is one adult with each baby.

Double check too if your baby gets a baggage allowance. Most airlines realise a baby doesn’t travel light, but some don’t so you may have to pack your baby’s things in your suitcase. Unless you’re happy to bring another suitcase and pay for extra luggage allowance!
What facilities do airlines have for babies?
Feeding and changing your baby can be a challenge when you’re away from home, even if you’re just out shopping. But many airlines do try to make life as easy as possible for mums and dads.

Most will have changing tables in the toilets. It may be rather cramped in there, but other passengers may not appreciate you changing your baby’s bottom on the seat next to them.

You may get a bulkhead seat, which is a row without seats in front. But obviously there aren’t many of these and most parents with a baby will want one.

Some airlines will have special carrycots so your baby can sleep on board, perfect for long haul flights. And there are often on-board baby seats that attach to the carrycot spots. However, these are usually given on a first come first served basis. Request a spot when you book your seats and try to confirm your seats before flying. Confirm the reservation again at check-in.

If you have booked your baby her own seat, most airlines will be happy for her to use her car seat on the plane. It has to face forwards, and not overlap the seat. Some airlines offer a specially designed baby seat. Check with your airline when you are booking your baby’s seat to find out what your options are.
What supplies should I take on the plane?
Lots of nappies and lots of spare clothes! Also bring clothes for you in case you spill her drink in a spot of turbulence, or in case air travel increases the amount she dribbles.

Baby food and meals for young children are usually available on the flight. Also take along something you know your baby likes, and remember baby spoons too. If you are formula feeding, take your usual brand of milk.

Cabin crew are usually happy to warm food and bottles, or boil water for formula milk.

Passengers are not usually allowed in the galley, so don’t expect to treat the plane kitchen like your own. Cruising at 30,000 feet is not the place to start trying to boil and puree carrots!

Airlines sometimes say they offer nappies and wipes but it would be risky to rely on that. Even if they do have nappies, there’s no guarantee they’ll have the right size. Much better to take your own.

While there are restrictions on the liquids you can take on a plane, they don’t apply to food or milk for your baby. That means you can take what you need for the journey in your hand baggage. This includes:

-expressed breastmilk, formula, or cow’s milk
-boiled water to make a feed (must be in a baby bottle)
-baby food, including finger foods

Do take extra for delays too. You may be asked to taste any milk or food you want to bring on board in the security checks at the airport. So you may prefer to breastfeed on board rather than taking expressed breastmilk in a bottle.

Some airports now have a reserve-and-collect service for formula milk. This means you can book your chosen brand of formula with your airline and collect it in the departure lounge.

The hand baggage restrictions do apply to nappy creams, so only take a small container, under 100ml, on board.

Pushchairs are not usually counted as part of your luggage. Make sure a luggage tag is put on the pushchair at check in, and you’ve attached your contact details. You should be able to let your baby ride in her pushchair right to the plane door. Then hand it to the cabin crew and collect it when you land.

The pushchair will have to be security screened, and that means your baby has to be taken out of it when you go through security.

Do ensure your carry-on bag also includes:

individual nappy packs that include wipes so you don’t have to haul your entire hand luggage to the loo
your baby’s sheet and blanket as the smell will be comforting
a couple of favourite toys, and a new one too
enough formula milk and food for the journey
a book for you, as your baby may fall asleep

How can I keep my baby calm during the flight?
You may find the hum of the engine makes baby drop off as soon as you take off and she’s happy to snooze the whole way.

You may be worried about your baby creating noise and havoc for hours. As you know, if you’re calm, baby is more likely to be calm. So try to make it as easy as possible for yourself.

When you book, tell the airline you’ll be travelling with a baby, and opt for all the extras available. Note down any reference numbers given and double check with a phone call, and email, at least 24 hours before you leave.

If your baby is mobile, encourage her to wear herself out before you get on the plane. The airport may have a play area, but if this is busy find a quiet corner of the departure lounge where she can crawl about.

Once on board, get yourself settled with everything within reach.

Also try these tips to keep your baby calm and settled during the flight:

Breast or bottle feed your baby on take off and landing. The swallowing will help prevent that uncomfortable ear popping.

Remember your baby’s dummy, if she uses one.

If your baby is awake, take her for a walk up and down the plane so she get’s a chance to look about and relax. If later she becomes distressed, a walk about may completely change her mood.

Night flights are good for long-haul journeys. Look for flights that won’t upset your baby’s routine.

If baby is wide awake, try to see the journey as a chance for playtime uninterrupted by chores. You may feel daft playing pat a cake, peek-a-boo and singing in front of other people, but she’ll love it. A happy giggling baby is a far more pleasant passenger than an embarrassed mum with a bored and soon to be grizzling baby.

Your baby’s routine may be turned upside down, so she may be hungry when you’d expect her to nap.

Ask for help from your partner, cabin crew or other passengers when you need it.

Walking up and down the aisle with your baby may help if she is unsettled. But it may disturb other passengers if she is inconsolable!

Let your baby look out of the window.

If you have to change planes, ask for a courtesy cart between gates.

If the flight isn’t full, see if you can move to a spare row of seats.