Here is my honest, real‑life guide to surviving a flight with your little one, complete with the lessons, laughs and occasional disasters along the way.

1. Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy

I am not an anti‑screen‑time mum. I wish I was, but it turns out I am far from it! Having some digital entertainment ready can be a lifesaver – a digital dummy, if you will.

My top tip: download the BBC iPlayer app and save your little one’s favourite shows before you travel. That way, you can still watch them when your phone is in flight mode. Do this on both your and your partner’s phones, just in case one of your batteries gives up mid‑flight.

My daughter loved Teletubbies and Mr Tumble, so I made sure I had plenty of episodes ready to go. Honestly, anything that keeps them entertained for ten minutes feels like a win!

2. Pack Extra Clothes - For You Too!

Yes, we have all heard “bring extra clothes for the baby”, but let me add this: bring a full change of clothes for yourself too. Trust me, a mid‑flight blowout is no laughing matter.

I would even recommend packing an extra changing mat, because those tiny plane toilets are not built for this kind of chaos, and as a first‑time mum, neither was I. Make sure you also have somewhere to stash the dirty clothes, like a few nappy bags. Or, if that babygrow is beyond redemption, the bin will do!

3. Food, Bottles & Snacks: Your Secret Weapons

If you are breastfeeding, feeding during take‑off, landing, or any particularly noisy moment can work wonders. When our daughter was five months old, it kept her calm and content throughout her first flight.

For bottle‑feeding mums, do not stress about security. Most airlines allow extra liquids for your baby: just check the specific rules beforehand to save yourself the worry at the airport.

As your little one grows, food becomes your secret weapon: snacks, snacks and more snacks. Plane food is notoriously overpriced, so bring as much as you can in your hand luggage. That family‑sized bag of Quavers and a pack of biscuits saved the day for us more than once, because let’s face it, a banana that has been in your bag for five hours or more is suddenly a lot less appealing.

4. Luggage, Pushchairs & Holiday Gear

Many airlines allow extra hand luggage for babies, which is a game‑changer. We did not realise this on our first flight, so my “hand luggage” was essentially a changing bag plus a bag of toys.

Top tip for toys: use mesh laundry bags. They are flexible, lightweight and keep everything together, which makes life much easier during the flight and once you are away.

Most airlines will also let you check in up to two extra baby items, such as a pushchair, car seat or travel cot, but always double‑check before you travel.

Speaking of pushchairs, here is my personal recommendation: buy a cheaper one specifically for holidays. We bought a Joie pushchair for around £50 – a fraction of the price of our main pram – and we still use it now for every trip. Baggage handlers often treat prams like they are indestructible, so they inevitably pick up a few scratches and dents along the way. For your sanity (and your wallet), a holiday‑specific pushchair is worth it.

Of course, if you do take a pushchair, you can usually gate‑check it on departure and collect it again at baggage reclaim.

Now, for the elite among you (and I must say, I am not part of this club, but I am deeply jealous of those who are), there are ultra‑compact, fully collapsible buggies that fit in the overhead lockers. I have seen parents sailing through security with their baby snoozing happily, while my arms were falling off carrying mine.

These compact travel strollers are definitely at the higher end of the price range, but you can pay for convenience, and in this case, it might just be worth it. If this is not an option and you have a baby carrier, I would definitely recommend using it. It keeps your hands free for your passport, bags, or that much‑needed coffee before boarding.

5. Fly From a Local Airport

For your first flight with a baby, stick to a smaller, local airport if you can. Our first trip was from Norwich Airport, just 15 minutes from home, and it was an absolute dream.

I used to work at London Heathrow, so the thought of driving down, parking and transferring before even starting the airport journey made my stress levels skyrocket. Norwich, on the other hand, was calm, simple and stress‑free: everything I needed for my first flight as a mum.

The last thing you want is airport anxiety before you even board the plane, so if you can, start small and build your confidence before tackling the big international hubs.

6. Bring Backup: Family, Friends & Grandparents

Take grandparents, relatives, friends – literally anyone who’s willing to help! Juggle the baby between you during the flight to keep them entertained. Having loved ones with you not only keeps baby happy, it might just buy you a bit of “me / us time” during your trip. And as a parent, I can confirm: you absolutely deserve it.

Final Thoughts: It Really Is Worth It

Travelling with infants is not always picture‑perfect, but with a bit of preparation, a lot of patience, and help from your dedicated Travel Counsellor – me, of course – it can be an adventure that is fun, memorable and surprisingly manageable.

The holiday memories are so worth it. Trust me.