20 Top Tips for Travelling with Babies on Airplanes

Unbelievably, we are 20 days to launching our new products at Little Jet Setter.  We'll be at the Autumn Fair in Birmingham from September 5-8th, so please come visit!  To honour the momentus occasion, we are going to post some special countdown lists in the lead up to our launch date.  Here's the first one:

20 TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH BABIES ON AIRPLANES!

20. Have lots of food on hand - milk for baby, extra raisins and rice cakes for toddlers.


19. Pack a sippy cup even if they usually use a regular cup. Nothing worse than spilled juice before takeoff.

18. Book a bassinette at the bulkhead if your airline offers it.

17. Bring an extra blanket - you won't want that flammable, thin, chemically cleaned airline blanket anywhere near baby's face...

16. Try out our Travel Friends as new toys to take on your travels - safe from birth, they are washable and super cute!

15. Bring a change of clothes for them...AND FOR YOU.

14. Make sure your carry-on bag is big enough to jam everything into and then have a bit of space.  Like a map, it is impossible to repack it in an orderly way!

13. Bring some Calpol and a thermometer- they make them in tiny travel sleeves and you will very rarely need it, but it puts your mind at rest that it is there if baby spikes a fever.

12. WIPES - bring more than you think you'll need. Then throw in a few more.

11. Travel Toy Clip - unless you are overjoyed with picking up the same item off the floor for the millionth time, attach toys to baby's clothes, seat or tray table using a travel toy clip. Parental sanity saver.

10. Triangular crayons. Think about it.

9. Steal the food they don't eat. Put it in your bag - I guarantee they will ask for it during the customs lineup. Prime examples are yogurts, cookies, fruit, crackers, buns/bread.

8. Some airlines will see if they can get your buggy into the cabin area. If this is a no-go, check if the buggy can meet you at the aircraft on arrival. Otherwise, you're off to the dreaded oversized baggage reclaim...

7. Mess-Free toys - you don't want to worry about markers on the seat back, permanent stickers on the tray table, favourite book pages getting glued together with spilled juice.

6. Crew will warm up your milk bottle for you if you ask - but be specific regarding temperature! You don't have time for an overheated bottle to cool down while your baby is screaming.

5. Make sure you put something down on the change table in the bathroom that won't slip - the baby change area is flat plastic that most change pads slip off.

4. Be aware - some airlines do not offer extension seatbelts for infants - check before you go if this is important to you.

3. Ask for help if you need it - the crew has flown with babies more times than you have!

2. Travelling alone? A sling or baby carrier like a Baby Bjorn can be your saviour!

1.. Have fun and relax - they know when you're stressed!

...come back tomorrow for number 19!

Jet Set Mum