7 things to pack when flying with a baby or toddler

By Lauren Burvill

One of my son’s first flights was from London to Australia when he was just one. As an anxious packer at the best of times, I may have spent an entire month researching and preparing for the epic journey ahead. I asked fellow Traveller editors and writers for their tips, trawled the depths of Amazon trying to find that magical toy that would make the hours fly by, and purchased an assortment of accessories that I hoped would make the journey go smoothly. Some were winners; others were a waste of money and carry-on luggage space.

Sadly there is no one magical purchase that will ensure your child’s first flight goes smoothly. There will inevitably be tears at some point, but to help make the journey comfortable and less stressful for you, the Traveller team recommends packing these items.

For more, see our tips for flying with a baby and what to take on holiday with a baby.

The changing tables onboard are teeny tiny, so this is not the time to be lugging your usual everything-but-the-kitchen-sink nappy bag. Instead, pack a very simple foldable pouch that is compact enough to fit in your handbag but big enough to store a couple of nappies, wipes, nappy bags and a spare outfit.

Top tip: Pop a small toy in there, like a rattle or toy car, so baby has something to keep them entertained while you get the job done.

Instead of taking a carry-on bag with multiple pockets and zips, I prefer an easy-to-access tote bag and fill it with a set of packing cubes. So instead of rummaging in various pockets, I can quickly grab a bag with what I need – the cubes with mesh tops make things even more accessible. I usually pack one with all our travel documents, one with snacks and clothes, one with toys and another with my carry-on essentials (don’t forget yourself!). Plus, don’t underestimate the entertaining power of simply pulling the toys out of the bag.

If you invest in one thing, make it a travel-friendly buggy. Our global content planning manager Jessica Rach has become a bit of a buggy fiend and has plenty of recommendations. “For 0-1 years, I would recommend the Doona as it’s super tiny and quickly converts from a stroller to a car seat, making it easy to carry between transport systems or use in taxis with no baby seat. If you have booked a separate seat for your baby, you can also install it in the plane seat on most airlines. I would recommend the Bugaboo Butterfly or Babyzen Yoyo for older toddlers as they’re cabin-sized and sturdy with a quick one-hand fold.”

If your little one is taking milk from a bottle, you’ll be glad to know there aren’t any restrictions on flying with liquids for babies, so you can take as much as you need. Just be sure to keep everything together in a plastic bag and allow extra time at security as they may scan everything individually. How to store the milk is slightly more tricky. If your child is on cow’s milk and it’s a long flight, you can bring your own bottles on the plane and the staff will run them under boiling water and fill them with milk for you. Or you can bring your own milk, and they will store it in the fridge for you. To bring milk with you on a shorter flight, our fashion and lifestyle editor Charlotte Davey recommends the Hipp Organic 1 milk as it can be stored at any temperature and these NUK disposable teats that come packed sterile and ready to use.

If your child is on solids, snacks are a great idea – not just for having something to eat but also as an activity or handy way to distract from tantrums. The best snacks to bring on a flight are the ones that take a while to eat or are small and can be stored in entertaining ways. Also, avoid anything that’s going to make a mess. For our flight to Australia, I stored tiny raises and cut up grapes in pill organisers, which proved to be a great time waster.

Top tip: save their favourite snack for when after the plane lands – I usually find waiting at baggage collection or the drive home from the airport can be the hardest part of the journey.

Don’t bother buying them one big shiny toy for the flight. Instead, look for small toys that punch above their weight for entertainment – fidget toys, stickers, push-pop toys, stackable cups and puzzles are all great options. And it goes without saying, but the ultimate MVP toy to distract from any upset moments is a tablet with their favourite shows downloaded. Don’t be afraid to lean on Peppa Pig to help you overcome any tricky moments.

Even if you bring your buggy on the flight, it’s worth packing a carrier or sling in your luggage, especially if you’re travelling alone or have another child in tow. Even if you don’t use it on the plane, it will undoubtedly come in handy at your destination. A baby cover is another item that doesn’t take up much space but could be the answer to getting your little one to breastfeed undisturbed and getting them to nap by blocking out the light.

Additional reporting by Jessica Rach and Charlotte Davey