Carry On Luggage...
what do I take for my air travel baby?
Packing the right carry-on for your air travel baby is paramount to a stress-free flight. It's great to be prepared for every outcome, but doing this with a tiny carry on baby bag - weighing less than approx 7kg (there goes the kitchen sink!) - is quite tough. We've put together a checklist of what to take with you on board the aircraft, to help ensure your journey with baby goes to plan. We recommend you pack your carry on luggage before your main luggage. Its a great reminder that you may need to survive on the carry-on alone if your luggage is lost (god-forbid!). Remember to pack everything in separate resealable plastic bags, to protect from little leaking bottles or burst milk cartons!
Carry On Luggage Checklist (print list)
- Nappies enough for 24 hours (pack nappies in separate nappy bags with a packet of wet wipes handy. Stuff one of these in the seat pocket for easy access as soon as you get to your seat, before take off. Your baby bag will likely have to go overhead for take off. It's easier to take this small bag to the airplane toilet than your whole baby bag - which in my embarrassing experience tends to hit passengers heads on the way down the aisle!
- Wet Wipes - put them in every pocket.
- Snacks - Depending on the age of your little one, packets of organic corn snacks are brilliant. Try to get the colourless flavour, as the carrot or tomato flavours end up staining everything baby touches.
- Dummy - even if your baby doesn't use one, buy one just for the take off and decent. Your little one can play with it and suck it and hopefully avoid ear problems.
- Water/ juice
- Formula Airlines have had the 100ml clear bottle rule for some time now. If your made up formula is 200ml (like most), in our experience they simply make you taste it. The ready-made cartons are brilliant for flying - no need to mix up milk or hunt for some sterilised water. Simple - open, pour, (heat if needs), baby drinks - fabulous.
- Meals
- Nappy rash cream
- Hand sterilisation spray (a must).
- Nappy bags, scented if possible. Take plenty as these make great emergency rubbish bags
- Books excellent silent distraction for any age.
- Toys small silent or quiet toys are the best air travel baby companions.
- Clean shirt - for you.
- Change of clothes - for baby, 2 vests
- Baby Blanket if it doesn't fit in your baby bag, try draping it over the shoulder strap using a small safety pin to hold it. The air blankets are horribly static, so take cotton. It can get surprisingly cold in the plane.
- Limited 1st Aid kit, Baby paracetamol such as calpol and some plasters. Any essentials for your little air travel baby.
In our experience the air staff are generally amazingly helpful and will heat and clean bottles with boiling water and even prepare the toilet for you before changing baby. Just ask for help.
TOP TIPS
Bag up separate nappy changes in nappy bags to save you lugging your changing bag each trip to the loo. Just makes life easier.Have wet wipes handy in every conceivable pocket and bag – its amazing how often you will need them! Take toddler reins to keep excitable toddlers within reach. There is nothing worse than reaching into your handbag for your passports then looking up to discover your 15month old air travel baby running through the ‘nothing to declare’, beyond passport control. |
Carry on Buggy
If you are taking your buggy as carry on, consider reducing your number of carry on bags. You theorhetically could take one per adult plus a baby bag. But its easier if you and your partner share one bag and the baby has its own plus the buggy. Less is better. For more advice on taking your buggy, check out the checking in with children page.
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION
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