Navigating airlines and airports with a baby
1. Check your baggage allowance. This may sound obvious but with no standard rules in place, what you can and can’t take for an infant varies from airline to airline. Scheduled airlines are more likely to offer an additional weight allowance for an infant, either as an extra checked bag or, to be spread across the bags of other adults flying. Low cost and charter airlines tend to be less generous and may only give you a weight allowance if you upgrade and purchase a seat. Then there are the additional permitted items. It is common for airlines to allow you to check-in up to two additional items to be carried in the hold. This could be a pushchair, car-seat or even a cot. But beware, there are likely to be a weight and size limits which differ from carrier to carrier so don’t assume because you have taken it on one plane, it will be permitted on another.
2. The restrictions on carrying liquids onboard, doesn’t apply to milk, food, and boiled water. Which means that you can carry in your hand luggage, an amount deemed to be ‘reasonable’ for the length of your journey. In my experience, ready made bottles make taking milk onboard a whole lot easier. Food can be a challenge if you’ve reached the weaning stage with no option to sit as you would at home. I’d recommend suck pouches where possible and loads of snacks.
3. You can pre order ready made bottles of infant milk at many UK airports and collect airside, but you do need to do this at least 7 days before you fly. This means you’ll have less to carry through security and can replace any you may have already used for the journey home. Not all makes are available so if your little one is planning on being a frequent flyer, it’s worth doing your research and starting off on a readily available brand.
4. Take a sling/baby carrier. These are great for navigating your way through security. They are usually designed not to include any metal so you can walk through the scanners without an issue. If you are not taking a buggy on the plane (more on this later) then although you can usually keep your buggy with you until you board, you’ll have to wait for it on the luggage belt at your destination and the walk to get there can be a long one.
5. Surprise surprise, there is no aviation standard for taking your baby wheels onboard so in reality, only a very small number of pushchairs are permitted, despite many brands advertising they are cabin friendly! Whilst being able to use a buggy straight off the plane is a bonus, this is really the only time you will benefit. Instead, I would recommend thinking about your destination, the terrain and how much you’ll use the buggy as you may be better off just to take your everyday option and check it into the hold.
