by Even for the most experienced traveller, a first trip as a new family can be daunting. I spent ten years as a travel journalist so I have a fair share of experience under my belt – but when it came to flying with my daughter for the first time, I was overwhelmed. There’s so much to think about before you even leave that some people, myself included, can wonder if it’s easier to stay at home (or at least holiday in the UK).
But don’t do that. With some careful planning, and a “whatever happens, you can get through it” attitude. Here’s what I’ve learned.
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Location, location, location
If it’s your first flight with a baby and you want to minimize transit time on both sides, choose destinations that don’t require a long onward journey upon arrival. For our first holiday abroad, we chose Sintra, Portugal, an hour’s drive from Lisbon, for simple, smart reasons: good weather, short flight, no time difference and easy distance from an airport with many flights from the UK .
You can also choose to break up trips for longer trips – we flew to Athens, where we stayed for a few nights, before a ferry to the Cyclades, breaking up what would be in full-on 24 hours of travel. (A note on ferries: once you’re on them, they’re great, because there are no rules about sitting down.)
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Airplane sailing
To reserve seats or not to reserve seats?
I have done both. If you’re traveling with a child on British Airways, you can choose a seat for yourself and everyone in your booking (up to nine people), for free, which is helpful. On Ryanair, children (aged two to 11) get reserved seats for free so they can sit next to a parent. EasyJet does not offer free bookings, so pay to be together or check in as soon as possible.
Note that all children under 12 must be seated with an adult (defined as over 16) on a flight, so if you have the chance and don’t book it, the airline will have to find seats for you together.
Although a friend of mine recently did this and had to go through the pain of cabin crew asking passengers to swap seats (on an already delayed flight) so she could sit next to her two year old ( and nobody was very happy). Please note that those traveling with children under the age of two are also required to sit in a window seat.
Children (under 2)
Children under the age of two usually fly “free” on your lap (you pay a tax or nominal fee). British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet allow two free pieces of equipment – a pushchair, car seat or travel cot – as well as extra hand luggage for the child, but other airlines vary, so check before booking. (This same rule also applies to people over two, but again, check with specific airlines.)
If you’re flying long-haul and need a car seat, you need to book these in advance (with British Airways, for example, you have to phone) and they’ve come on start. Some airlines also offer a car seat arrangement, if you’re willing to buy an extra seat. The child can only enter these when the seat belt indicator is off.
There are a few prams that fit into an overhead compartment (eg the Babyzen Yoyo or Bugaboo Butterfly), or you can usually roll it up to the tarmac before it goes in the womb. If this is the case, it’s worth bringing along a carrier in case you’re waiting and need to be hands-free.
Baby milk and sterilized water are not subject to the 100ml liquids rule. Bring dummies and/or feeding equipment, as sucking on baby’s ears helps during take-off and landing, and toys to attract attention – spinners that stick to window tables or trays are light and keep them entertained.
If the airport offers fast-track passage through security and passport control, it’s well worth the purchase – getting stuck in a long security queue with an unhappy child (or adventurous toddler) is torturous. (Although these queues can sometimes be longer than regular queues, so it’s always worth considering.) For example, the Stansted FastTrack pass is as little as £7 per person. However, some airports, such as Lisbon, have a separate check-in and security queue for those traveling with children, so it may not be necessary.
Airlines often call for families to board first, although this isn’t always a great idea – it just means more time on the plane.
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Mammals
The good news is that from the age of two, they have their own seat and, if you are flying long-haul, their own screen on the back of the chair. The bad news is that you are paying (almost) full rate for them.
You have to entertain them too. On a recent flight to the United States, I bought my two-year-old daughter a bag filled with new trinkets and toys – stickers, crayons, a fishing game, cars – all wrapped up in tissue paper (not taped, on fear trying to look through).
As any parent with a toddler knows, snacks are essential in any and all situations and a plane is no different. I used my child’s entire carry-on allowance for snacks (corn flakes, yogurt pouches, fruit). I also packed an “emergency” tray of cupcakes which I knew would work in the event of a tantrum – although I had hidden the security when the bag was checked, which she saw them and she demanded one before we were even on board. . A wise family member also slipped me a lollipop (which we usually prevent) and was a savior when we landed, after almost 18 hours of travel.
In terms of equipment, apart from over-ear headphones for any screen, which is essential (I also packed these), there isn’t too much you can bring on board.
Be wary of bargain seat extenders as they are not actually allowed on some carriers (British Airways, for example, does not allow them). Always call ahead to check, and even then, be prepared for it to be confiscated, as a colleague recently learned.
Finally, I wish I had a toddler sling for the long border control queue, when my daughter refused to get into her pram or be put down.
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Baby on board
Book a car well in advance, ideally with a company that has an arrivals kiosk, or – even better – with a car that delivers a car right outside the terminal. The faff of a shuttle bus between the terminal and the garage is not great.
If your child is under two years old, you may want to bring your own car seat: you can’t guarantee they’ll be in stock during busy periods so a seat may be unsuitable of the child’s age. Some airports have independent car seat hire agencies that you can collect from when you arrive, before you hire the car.
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pack light(er)
You don’t need nearly as much as you think, especially if you have a washing machine available and are traveling somewhere warm. I have also washed many baby items in a hotel sink.
Among the main items we brought were a home-scented supplier and a book to try to mimic a bedtime routine.
A night light and white noise machine is recommended (your phone can work for the latter), even if you don’t use these at home – you never know what the lamp situation will be or what you’ll need to drown out. A SnoozeShade for the pram was also essential for sun protection and outdoor sleeping.
And bring enough nappies for a good few days – I wrongly assumed in Portugal that I would be able to buy them in bulk at Aldi, and then spent an afternoon driving around pharmacies (another beast on the continent). The same thing happened in Greece. You can pack them into shoes and down the side of the suitcase. Other than that, I know people who have got Boots nappies to the terminal branches, so they don’t take up valuable suitcase space – but it depends on how much you want to carry.
Better to bring Calpol and ibuprofen (always have one too), rather than trying to find it in a stressful situation (and/or in another language). The same for eczema creams or similar.
And finally, use packing cubes for the whole family – essential for organizing everyone’s belongings, and you can push them straight into the wardrobe when you get there.
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Manage expectations
Perhaps the most important tip of all: it’s no longer fly-and-flop. It is a flight and … parent in different climates, exciting and (we hope) sunnier. And, if you stay at a hotel, less housework.
Do you have any tips for traveling with babies and toddlers? Please share in the comments section below
