The beginner’s guide to travel with a baby

So many things are new when you’re a new parent, let alone the thought of jumping on a plane with your baby. And with so many people ready to say you can’t/shouldn’t/must be mad to even think about it, it’s not surprising a lot are put off travel with a baby entirely.

But I firmly believe the first flight is the hardest – not actually because it’s particularly difficult (in hindsight, travelling with a young toddler was tougher than a three-month-old) but because it’s a leap into the unknown.

So don’t be put off – there’s a whole world to discover with your baby.And if you’re wondering just how to do it, what to pack and how to carry it all,here’s my beginner’s guide, a ‘travel with a baby checklist’.

Flying with a baby: Know before you go

Airlines will all have their own rules on luggage allowances, but infants are usually allowed to take at least two items (including travel cot, buggy, car seat) free of charge. They also have a small hold allowance, although not usually a hand luggage allowance.

What else do you need to consider?Here’s my top 10 things to know before you fly.

Packing for travel with a baby

If you’re going for a long trip, it’s not usually practical to take all the nappies and wipes you’ll need – but there are babies everywhere, so unless there’s a particular reason to stick to a certain brand, it’s often easier to stock up on arrival.

If you’ve got access to a washing machine, or even basic handwashing, take half as many clothes as you think you’ll need… plus some Vanish. And a few extra bodysuits.

Here’s my essential baby packing list. Don’t forget to keep spare clothes for the baby and yourself in hand luggage as often their sense of timing is less than impeccable when it comes to leaky nappies or sudden sickness.

Do save room for a first aid kit as well and make sure you keep Calpol sachets in hand luggage (when they’re above the minimum age to be able to take it).

If you’re travelling with younger babies, you can keep toys to a minimum – even just watching faces at the airport will be an experience. Fabric books, finger puppets and cuddly animals are great to have on hand, but avoid anything which makes too much noise.

For older babies and toddlers, here are my suggestions for travel toys to pack.

Running out of room? Here’s what not to pack…

Travel with a baby: Food, drink and sleep tips

Babies and children aren’t subject to the normal 100ml rules, so you’re only restricted to what’s ‘reasonable’ for the journey – it’s worth packing slightly more in case of delays.

New technology at UK airports means you’re unlikely to be asked to taste food and drink any more, althoughit may still happen both here and overseas.

If you’re bottle-feeding, airports and planes have more facilities for warming milk so cooled boiled water and pre-measured formulais fine, or order premixed cartons in advance from Bootsairside. If you can get your baby used to room temperature milk, that’s even better. Here are some of my other tips for flights if you’re formula feeding.

For older babies who are weaned, food pouches like Ella’s Kitchenare much easier to spoonfeed or suck out, weigh less and won’t break. Again, you can order in advance to pick up at the airport.

And sleep? On the plus side, the white noise of planes can often send babies right off to sleep once you’re on board. If you’re travelling long-haul, try these tips for combatting jetlag in babies.

Baby travel essentials

Always check with your accommodation before you travel to see what baby kit they have – travel cots are very common, albeit normally basic models and you’ll need your own bedding. Some hotels have a much more extensive range from baby monitors to black-out blinds.

If you are taking a travel cot, my favourite was the lightweight Baby Bjorn Travel Cot, but here are a few things to bear in mind when you buy.

Consider a lightweight umbrella stroller as a travel buggy once they’re over six months and don’t need to lie flat. My Maclaren Volohas travelled the world with us, complete with Buggysnuggle universal footmuffto make it a bit cosier.

You’ll be able to leave it at the gate or plane door, but often won’t be able to pick it up until baggage reclaim at the other side (often on the outsize belt), so a baby carrier or sling is hugely helpful.

This way, you’ll have your arms free as you’re boarding and when you’re trekking through immigration at the other side. Myfavourite, again, was the Baby Bjorn range including the Baby Bjorn One.

Baggage handlers are not known for being kind to luggage, and that includes checked buggies and car seats. Although you can’t do too much to protect them, a buggy bag is worth the investment.

The Koo-di buggy bagpacks down very small and is impressively hard-wearing, or for something a big more structured (although not as long-lasting), I alsoused a Kiddicare Buggy Bag

One of my most useful multitasking essentials was a huge muslin.This doubled as a sheet, a blanket, a scarf, a sunshade, a towel, a breastfeeding cover – and a muslin, as well. Cuski muslinsare incredibly soft and I’ve lost count of how often they were used over the first couple of years.

This black one with stars on also worked well as a snoozeshade for the buggy, and let air in to keep her cool – the colourful designs were also lovely though.

Lastly, a few tips for eating – if you have a microwave, steriliser bags are light, take up hardly any room and can be used more than once to sterilise bottles, dummies and teethers. Otherwise, sterilising tablets such as Milton are often simplest.

And once your baby is weaned and old enough to support themselves, a Totseatis an incredibly useful buy. Small enough to squash into a change bag, it works on any chair, so it’s also great if you’re eating somewhere which doesn’t have a high chair.

So those are my top tips for when you first travel with your baby. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to know and I’ll do my best to answer.