Flying with Babies and Toddlers
An 11 Point Plan for the Travelling Parent
Anne and I had a baby and a toddler while completing our fellowships in Toronto. During those three years, we flew several times to Ireland and Kuwait with our little ones, becoming seasoned travellers by necessity. I still recall pacing the aisle on a red-eye flight, bouncing our crying six-month-old in my arms while our two-year-old, finally asleep, sprawled across Anne’s lap. Flying with children under two can feel daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s entirely doable, and dare I say even enjoyable. In this guide, I’ll share an 11 point plan full of tips and practical strategies for flying with infants and toddlers to try and ease the understandable fear that comes with this decision (or necessity). Consider this a reassuring roadmap, because I’ve lived these moments at 35,000 feet, and so can you.
1. Plan Ahead but Stay Flexible
Check with your paediatrician. Healthy full-term babies over a few weeks old usually travel safely, but newborns under one month or preemies may need extra caution. If your baby has any health concerns, get clearance before you book.
Choose flight times that match sleep schedules. For infants, overnight flights can mean long stretches of sleep in a bassinet or your arms (but on the flip side you’ll be tired). With very small babies, flight timing is not at essential as we found that the white noise from the plane generally put them to sleep! For toddlers, morning flights sometimes work better, though some parents swear by post-nap departures. Have a backup plan, if your carefully timed flight gets delayed, you’ll need to improvise.
Arrive early and breathe. Everything takes longer when you have little ones. We always budget an extra hour beyond the airline’s suggestion (even now with teenagers!). That buffer transforms panic into patience when you face a nappy blowout or a last-minute feeding.
2. Master Airport Security and Check-In
Use family lanes and ask for help. Most airports offer priority or family lanes at security. If you don’t see one, politely request assistance. Agents are often happy to let parents with wriggly toddlers and strollers skip to the front (they have to come with some benefits!)
Know the liquid rules for baby gear. Formula, breast milk, and pureed foods in quantities over 100 mL are allowed in your carry-on. Just declare them. You can also bring water through security if it’s for your child (however security advice can vary from airport to airport so make you check ahead of time before you arrive at the airport – most airports have their security measures accessible on their website).
Divide and conquer. If you’re traveling with another adult, decide who handles tickets and who manages the kids. One of us would check bags while the other let our toddler stretch her legs.
3. Pack Like a Pro
You don’t need every gadget, but a few well-chosen items can make life dramatically easier.
Carry-on essentials.
• Nappies and wipes: estimate one per hour of travel, plus extras.
• Two changes of clothes for your child and one for you: expect spills, blowouts, and spit-up.
• Bottles or formula pre-measured, plus an empty sippy cup to fill after security. Ready made formula can be very handy for travel.
• Comfort items: pacifier, favourite blankie or teddy.
• Lightweight layers: planes swing between hot and chilly. A muslin blanket doubles as a nursing cover, sunshade, or extra layer.
• Snacks for toddlers: cereal puffs, raisins, or whatever your child loves.
• Baby-safe sanitizer and disinfectant wipes: for tray tables, hands, and dropped toys.
• Liberal use of screens is allowed while on a plane with a toddler!
Gear that pays for itself.
• Lightweight travel stroller. Ours gate-checked easily, giving our toddler a comfy ride through terminals.
• Baby carrier or wrap. Perfect for pacing the aisles when a bassinet or seat won’t calm your infant.
• Portable white noise machine or phone app. The hum of a plane can be soothing, but if cabin noise overwhelms your child, a gentle white noise helps them nap.
• Noise-cancelling infant earmuffs. Airplanes can reach 100 dB; protecting tiny ears and creating a quieter environment can make a big difference.
4. Boarding and Settling In