Flying with a baby

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Parents often picture the first flight with a baby as a bit of an ordeal: crowds, security checks, cramped seats and strangers’ stares. The truth is that thousands of babies fly every day – most of them so calmly that nobody even notices.

The secret isn’t luck, it’s preparation. And that’s simpler than it looks.

The short answer: There’s no single rule on age, so check your airline first and ask your paediatrician if your baby is very young or was premature. Your baby needs their own identity document and usually travels on your lap until age 2. Offer the breast, a bottle or a dummy to help little ears on take-off and landing.

How young can a baby fly?

There’s no single rule for all airlines. Some accept babies just a few days old, others only from day 14, and some ask for a doctor’s note for newborns up to 7 days old. So the first step is to check your airline’s conditions – and to talk to your paediatrician if your baby is very tiny or was born prematurely.

What usually applies to tickets?

• Airlines usually count a child under 2 years old as an “infant”. They travel on an adult’s lap, with a special loop belt that attaches to yours.
• As a rule, one adult can only hold one infant on their lap.
• If your child turns 2 during the trip, some airlines require them to have their own seat for the return flight.
• Baby baggage allowances differ everywhere. With Wizz Air, for example, an extra personal bag for the baby, food for the flight and a foldable pushchair or car seat are allowed free of charge, while electric pushchairs aren’t accepted. Other airlines have their own rules – check them before you book.

What documents does a baby need?

Yes, even the smallest passenger needs their own identity document – a baby doesn’t travel on a parent’s document. Within the EU an ID card is usually enough; outside the EU you’ll most often need a passport. The requirements of your destination country and your airline may be stricter, so check them in good time – getting a document issued takes a while.

If you’re travelling with just one parent, also check whether you need a signed consent letter from the other.

What to do about little ears on take-off and landing

When the pressure changes, ears can feel “blocked” – we’ve all felt it. Adults swallow and it passes. Babies don’t know that trick, but you can help:

• Offer the breast, a bottle or a dummy – sucking and swallowing help the pressure even out.
• Don’t start feeding too early. If take-off is delayed, your baby may be full just when it matters. Wait until the plane starts speeding down the runway.
• For landing, be ready early – the descent is often harder on the ears than take-off.
• If your baby is sleeping peacefully, there’s no need to wake them specially.

If your baby has a cold or an ear infection, talk to your paediatrician before the flight.

What to pack in your hand luggage

• Nappies for the whole journey + a few spares (delays happen).
• Wipes, a small changing mat, bags for dirty clothes.
• Two changes of clothes for the baby and a T-shirt for you.
• Food and milk for the whole flight, plus extra.
• Their favourite toy or muslin – the smell of home helps.

For the dads

Split your roles before you get to the airport: one of you is “on baby duty”, the other “on bags and documents”. If you’re the one folding the pushchair at the aircraft door, practise a few times at home. A queue in the jet bridge is a great motivator.

📖 Read next: Holidays with a baby: checklist and practical ideas · Baby carrier or sling: how to choose

In short

There might be a bit of crying, there might be spilt milk. None of that is failure – that’s travelling with a baby. Your documents are in order, your bag is well thought out, and you know what to do about little ears. Board that plane with your head held high. ✈️

Sources: Aegean Airlines – Infant & child FAQs; Delta Air Lines – Infant Air Travel; Wizz Air – Children’s baggage; Familienportal NRW – Travel documents for children.