Top Tips for Flying with Babies and Toddlers

Few things make new parents more anxious than the thought of a first flight with a baby or toddler. Will they cry the whole way? Will the other passengers glare? In reality, most flights with little ones go far better than parents fear, and good preparation does most of the work. These tips cover everything from booking to landing.

1. Stay as relaxed as you can

Children pick up on stress. Trying too hard to force a nap or keep a toddler perfectly still often backfires. Go with the flow, accept that there may be some noise and remember that most fellow passengers have travelled with children themselves, or will one day. A calm parent usually means a calmer child.

2. Choose seats carefully

• Lap or own seat? Most airlines let children under two travel on a parent's lap, usually with a special infant seatbelt for take-off and landing. It is fine for short flights, but on longer journeys you may decide a seat of their own is worth paying for. Policies and fares vary, so check with your airline.
• Bassinets on long-haul. Some long-haul airlines offer bassinets or baby cots attached to the bulkhead for young babies. They are limited and often subject to size and weight limits, so request one when you book.
• Sit together. Check whether you need to select seats in advance to guarantee sitting together as a family.
• Buckle up early. If your child has their own seat, fasten their seatbelt before they fall asleep, so you don't wake them when the seatbelt sign comes on.

3. Car seats and buggies

Some airlines allow approved child car seats to be used on board for children with their own seat, which can help toddlers sit still and settle to sleep in a familiar seat. Only certain seats are accepted, so check your airline's rules and look for the relevant approval label before you travel. Most airlines let you take a buggy to the aircraft door, although size limits and rules on what counts as a "cabin" buggy differ. A compact, lightweight travel buggy that folds quickly makes the airport much easier. See our guide to travel buggies for features to look for.

4. Help with ear pressure

Changes in cabin pressure during take-off and especially descent can make little ears uncomfortable. Feeding a baby, or giving a toddler a drink, dummy or something to chew during these times encourages swallowing, which helps ears adjust. Remember that descent starts well before landing, so be ready early. If your child has a cold or ear infection, speak to your GP or pharmacist before flying.

5. Keep to the routine where you can

Familiar routines help children settle, especially on night flights. Change them into pyjamas at their usual bedtime, follow the same steps as at home (a feed or drink, a story, a favourite blanket or comforter) and dim the screen. It won't always work, but when it does it makes a long flight much easier. Don't worry if they are still wide awake hours later; it is part of the adventure.

6. Pack entertainment in stages

• Bring a few new, small toys or books; novelty holds attention far longer than old favourites.
• Hand them out one at a time rather than all at once, and keep one or two in reserve for the final hour.
• Mess-free colouring, sticker books, magnetic drawing boards and small puzzles are all good choices for toddlers.
• A tablet loaded with new films and games, used in flight mode, is invaluable on longer flights. Download content in advance, and bring headphones designed for children, which typically limit the volume.

Letting toddlers choose a small treat in the airport shops passes time before the flight too. For more ideas, see how to entertain children at the airport.

7. Bring more food than you think

Hunger is the root of many mid-air meltdowns, so pack more snacks than you could possibly need, especially if there are delays. Baby milk, formula and baby food are usually allowed through security in larger quantities than the standard liquids limit, but you may be asked to open or taste them, and rules vary between airports. Check the GOV.UK hand luggage guidance and your airport's own rules before you pack. Remember that squeezy fruit pouches and yoghurts can count as liquids. Drinks and extra snacks can also be bought after security.

8. Smooth the airport

• Check in online and allow extra time; everything takes longer with small children.
• Ask whether your airport has a family security lane.
• A baby carrier keeps hands free through security and boarding.
• Change a nappy just before boarding, as aircraft toilets are cramped.

Plan your seats, pack plenty of food and entertainment, help with ear pressure and keep your expectations realistic, and most flights with babies and toddlers pass with far less drama than you feared. If you're crossing time zones, read our guide to beating jet lag with a young family.