Flying with a baby: 23 sanity saving buys inc toys & snacks

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Inc. the £19 Amazon buy that Millie Mackintosh loves

'You’re brave' is often the reaction when friends and family hear that you’re flying with a baby. Make it multiple small humans and those naysayers break out in nervous laughter. But don’t let their fears ground your plans. As a mum of two wild toddlers, I've learned a few lessons about flying with babies - namely, spinning toys are lyfe.

Keep scrolling for my learnings, clever packing tips and advice from experts. Together, we take the fear out of flying with children. No large G&T necessary. Although, no judgement here if you browse the drinks menu before the plane has even left Gatwick.

Let’s get cracking.

Half any stress of travel by thinking about takeoff times. “Try to avoid waking your baby in the middle of the night or keeping them up past their bedtime on the day of the flight,” suggests Lucy Wolfe, Sleep Consultant and mum of four. “Night flights are generally dark and quiet so this can be positive. But overall try not to worry too much, as you will get through it either way.”

At the time of booking many airlines offer free seat selection for yourself and everyone in your booking, free of charge and way ahead of online check-in being open. Often this isn’t advertised so call your airline and ask what’s possible and available. You can also ask about the coveted bassinet seats too. “How these in-demand seats are allocated can vary,” explains Becky Pennison-Bates, mum to Maggie, 2 and co-founder of Tiny Travelship a parent-approved website. “Virgin Atlantic prioritizes according to age, with the youngest passenger awarded the luxury first, however, British Airways operates on a first come first served basis so if this is who you plan to fly with, book your trip as far in advance as possible to secure a spot.”

Skip the queues by whizzing through the dedicated family lane and do try to tire out toddlers before boarding. “Some airports, such as Gatwick and Heathrow have soft play areas which really help burn off excess energy,” shares Francesca Collinson, co-conspirator at Tiny Travelship and mum to Oscar, 2. “At the gate do hang back. Although families are offered priority boarding, if you're travelling with a tearaway toddler it’s worth giving them maximum time to run around before they're restricted to their seats.”

UK rules state that you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey - during checks simply make security staff aware of what’s baby’s. But it pays to be mindful of what you pack. “Breadsticks, oatcakes, flapjacks, oatie bars, bananas or mini sandwiches are good on-the-go ‘meals’,” says Charlotte Sterling-Reid, mum of two and child nutritionist. “Do try and offer an oatcake with fruit to limit the impact on teeth or carry a thermo flash of porridge or pesto pasta for a warm meal.” It’s also good to note that while breastmilk, formula milk and plant-based options for children are all allowed in hand luggage frozen breast milk is not.

Most airlines will stow pushchairs at the gate free of charge, plus allow you to check a travel cot, car seat, booster seat or a baby back carrier (again, no charge). When it comes to travel pushchairs things get a little murky. Easyjet charge a ‘large cabin bag’ for pushchairs in the overhead lockers whereas other airlines count prams like a Babyzen Yoyo as your free-of-charge overhead item. Do check with your airline in advance to avoid unnecessary baggage charges.

Generally, your baby’s changing bag can be carried in addition to your own cabin bag. Flying Jet2 this summer? Sadly, you can’t carry extra for a baby or toddler (sigh). But from age 2 luggage allowances are generally the same for adults and children so things become a bit simpler. But, just because you can carry more for a baby try to hold back on overpacking. Consider what you can live without in the air but what could make or break your mood at altitude. Personally, I can’t be without our sling or white noise - two nap time essentials - while, Lydia House, Editor of The Mum Club and mum of two boys packs for chaos. “Everyone packs spare clothes for the baby but I never fly without spare clothes for me - if they get wet/dirty/covered in food then there’s a good chance that I will too.”

It also pays to make your in-flight essentials super accessible. Millie Mackintosh, a mum of two, shared that she packs her girls’ essentials in a hanging travel bag. Genius. Keep scrolling for sanity-saving buys. All ages are covered.

If you find that screen time and big emotions go hand-in-hand then navigate the drama with the new(ish) breed of toddler tech. The Yoto Mini plays stories, podcasts or sleep sounds for up to 20 hours on one charge. For your bookworm there are 1,000+ audiobooks incl. Julia Donaldson, Roald Dahl, Disney Pixar and Marvel or for your little Gywneth there's in-air meditations.

Tip: The Yoto Mini can also double up as a white noise machine - brilliant for loud pushchair naps.

Lightweight prams are common these days but many are a tad too light. They'll do a holiday but there's no chance you'll take tipping on corners, small shopping baskets or flimsy footmuffs on the school run. But not the YOYO. First launched 10 years ago, this is the OG of travel prams. It's sturdy for a small stroller, has a removable and washable seat pad (good for sicky babies) and is recognized as cabin luggage size by most airlines (folded dimensions 52 x 44 x 18 cm). It's a smart investment for holidays and after as an everyday around-town stroller.

Tip: Order in Stone AKA the colour of 2023.

These reusable 'painting' books are genius. Simply fill up the water canister and watch your little one get creative but with no mess.

Tip: These are designed for 3+ but my 18m toddler loves to get involved too.

Airlines will give you boiling water for bottles but then you have the issue of waiting for it to cool down. Chill any milk hanger with this invention. In only 2 minutes baby formula milk is cooled from boiling to the perfect temperature. No power supply needed.

Tip: order from Boots for next day "I'm panic packing" delivery

The best £8 I've ever spent? I reckon so. Suction onto the window of the plane/taxi/car hire and then in the bath for hours of abroad fun. I haven't yet met a mum who doesn't love these. Even ex-MIC star Louise Thompson took them on her flight with son Leo.

Tip: They also work well on glossy kitchen cupboards to help encourage standing.

You never know when the next virus might hit so prep ahead. Sachets adhere to hand luggage liquid rules so pop a few in your baby bag.

Tip: don't forget your syringe

The forecast is er, messy? Pack for turbulence (milk, water, vomit, blowouts) but make it something that can be worn on holiday too. These Baby Mori summer suits are on the pricier end of 'sleepwear' but they last. My littlest is wearing the same suits that my eldest wore on repeat.

Tip: Shop now to get one in the summer sale (up to 60% off).

Any well-travelled toddler parent will tell you that snacks are essential in-flight entertainment. So up the ante with this viral travel hack. Mums across the globe are turning pill boxes into Bento boxes by using the sections for a carnival of snacks.

Tip: Check out Kids Eat in Colour helpful IG post for inspo on what to pop in each section.

Rompers, not just for babies. Make sure you pack yourself a spare change of clothes as it's never fun wearing their vomit for 3hrs or more.

Tip: This spare outfit works in-flight, on the beach, in the gym and more.

Linkie toys are a fab choice for little hands who are still trying to master grab and hold. Use the ring to attach the toy to your seatbelt on the plane and then to your stroller straps when on the go.

Tip: Teething babies will love chomping on the rubber ring and leaf.

During takeoff and landing the pressure changes are huge. There are a few ways that you can help your little one: breastfeed, bottlefeed, offer a food pouch or a dummy to suck on. If the latter is your MO then a UV steriliser could be a handy travel companion. Blitzing 99.9% bacteria, mould & viruses in only 49 seconds it will save your bacon when the dummy ends up on the floor.

Tip: charge before leaving for the airport.

Let’s face it, you’ll give in to the tablet as soon as big emotions hit or you've rescued Duplo from under the seat for the 17th time. This tablet is both childen and adult safe: they can only access curated content designed for ages 3-8, while your bank account is safe from in-app purchases.

My little one loved the exclusive Disney games and eBooks (the tablet is also available in Disney Cars edition) while I was keen on the price.

Tip: Keep the tablet hidden during takeoff to avoid any toddler meltdowns. "But I want it nooooow".

Rather than fill this with mini beauty essentials (those were the days) use the compartments for snacks, a tablet, toys etc.

Tip: Make like avid holidayer Millie Mackintosh and during the flight hang the bag from the seat - a tip she shared from her family holiday to Greece.

Sure, there's more to a good flight than activities alone but entertainment that lasts longer than 6mins really does help. Chase fans (age 5+) will enjoy scratching (destroying?) the pages to reveal the rainbow colours underneath.

Tip: You can buy a Paw Partol bundle for £9.

This baby carrier does it all: ages 0-3, four carrying positions and can manage up to 15kg. But it's true USP is the breathable fabric. You'll be so thankful for this in this summer's stifling heatwave or when you need to spot-clean any sicky stains (btw, it dries super quickly after washing).

Tip: Wear getting on and off the plane when your hands are full of phones and passports and the travel buggy is packed down. Also good for encouraging in-air naps.

Smoothie or yoghurt pouches are brilliant to help with easing in-ear pressure on takeoff and landing. Now my boys are no-longer milk-obsessed I offer these instead.

Tip: pack your snack pack for the return leg in your hold luggage. This means that on the way home you have everything you had on the way out.

Useful for little heads that aren't quite big enough to rest against the window. With a clever magnetic design the headrest stays put to offer a safe place to rest on long flights or journies.

Tip: attach to the outside of your backpack to save on hand luggage space

Don't faff around with powder in the air use these Aptamil pre-measured tabs instead. Each tablet is one scoop. So easy.

There are sticker books and then there are sticker books. Your little explorer will love that the games and activities are personal to them. You'll love having at least 10 mins to browse the inflight mag.

Tip: This is a good one to pack for the flight home. Even more exciting if you can be bothered to wrap it up before packing.

Both of my boys have had hours of fun with Smartmax toys. Match the dinosaurs. Match colours. Create new species... these toys are worth being part of your toy allowance.

Tip: Use on the beach for a 'dino dig'.

Jessie J's semi-nude photo calls for mum self-love

'Type 1 diabetes made me drink 8L of water a day'

Jessie J shows off baby bump in naked bath pic

How Olivia Bowen rediscovered her love of exercise

Celebs who are pregnant in 2023

11 celebs who used a surrogate to have a baby

'I've been body-shamed for my boobs since age 13'

Rebel Wilson shares emotional fertility discussion

Stacey opens up about "crazy quick" home birth

Rihanna confirms she's expecting baby #2

Meghan Trainor makes adorable baby announcement

Ashley Tisdale gets candid about her hair loss