Flying with a Baby: Everything You Need to Know

Flying with your baby for the first time can feel a little overwhelming.

There are suddenly so many questions:

What documents do I need? What can I take on the plane? Should I take the stroller? What about milk? When should I board? What if my baby cries? Is a bassinet worth paying for?

After traveling with a baby, including long journeys with multiple flights and airports, I learned that the best thing you can do is simply break the journey down into steps.

So, if you’re preparing for your first flight with your little one, here’s what I would tell you.

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1. First: Check Your Airline’s Baby Policy

Before you pack anything, check the airline you’re actually flying with.

Not all airlines have the same rules.

Check:

• How much hand luggage you can bring for your baby

• Whether your baby gets their own cabin bag

• The size and weight allowed

• How many baby equipment items are free

• Whether you can take your stroller to the gate

• Whether the stroller comes back at the aircraft door or at baggage reclaim

• Whether you can take a car seat

• Whether you can use a car seat on board

• Whether bassinets are available

• Whether you need to reserve a bassinet or special seat in advance

  
  

And don’t just check the airline once.

Save a screenshot of the policy on your phone.

If you have connecting flights, check each airline, because the rules can be different.

The important thing is not to assume:

“My friend was allowed to do this, so I will be too.”

Check your specific flight.

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2. Get Your Documents Sorted Early

This is one thing I would never leave until the last minute.

Your baby needs their own travel documents.

Depending on your destination and your baby’s nationality, this could include:

• Passport

• ID card, where accepted

• Birth certificate

• Visa or travel authorisation, if required

• Residence documents

• Any documents required for transit countries

  
  

Traveling with only one parent?

This is something I would check before booking the trip, especially if you and your baby have different nationalities or surnames.

Some countries or authorities may require evidence of consent from the other parent or additional documentation.

Don’t rely on:

“We’re married, so it should be fine.”

Check the requirements of the country you’re travelling to, the country you’re leaving from and any country you’re transiting through.

If you are travelling without the other parent, I would rather have the consent/documentation with me and never be asked for it than arrive at the airport and discover I needed it.

3. Now Decide What You Actually Need

This is where I think we mums can go a little crazy.

You don’t need to pack your entire nursery.

Think about what your baby needs during the journey.

For the baby bag:

• Nappies, more than you think you’ll need

• Wipes

• Changing mat

• Nappy bags

• 2–3 changes of clothes

• Muslin cloths

• Bibs

• Dummy, if your baby uses one

• formula/breastmilk

• Baby food if you’re already doing solids

• Small toy

• Comfort item

• Any medication your baby needs

• A plastic bag for dirty clothes

  
  

And please…

Pack one change of clothes for yourself.

You will thank me later.

4. What About Milk and Baby Food?

Don’t panic when you see the usual airport liquid rules.

When leaving Malta, baby food and drinks are allowed through security for babies aged 0–24 months in quantities sufficient for the journey.

You may be asked to demonstrate that they’re suitable for consumption. (help.maltairport.com)

So if your baby needs milk during the flight, take what you need.

I would keep everything together in one easily accessible part of the bag.

And don’t forget to think about the return journey.

Security rules aren’t necessarily identical at every airport.

5. Stroller or Baby Carrier?

If you ask me, I would say:

If you have a baby carrier, take it.

Airports become much easier when you have both hands available.

You don’t have to push the stroller, pull your suitcase and hold your baby at the same time.

But I would still take the stroller if you have one that is practical for travelling.

Just check whether your airline allows it to the gate and whether it comes back to you at the aircraft door.

Don’t assume that a small stroller automatically means it can go in the cabin. Cabin stroller rules depend on the airline and the stroller’s dimensions. Malta International Airport also advises passengers to check the airline’s specific policy.

My ideal combination?

Baby carrier + travel-friendly stroller.

6. Should You Board Immediately?

This is one of those things where I don’t think there is one perfect answer.

Airlines often offer families with young children priority or early boarding.

And everyone’s instinct is:

“Great! Let’s get on first!”

But think about it.

If you board first, you might spend an extra 20–30 minutes sitting inside the aircraft before the plane even moves.

With a baby, that can sometimes be the least enjoyable part.

If your baby is happy in the airport, you might prefer to let everyone else board first and spend a little more time moving around.

On the other hand, if you have lots of bags, need to organise your seats, install a car seat or simply want some extra time, early boarding can be really useful.

My rule would be: don’t board early just because you can.

Ask yourself:

Will those extra minutes sitting on the plane help me or my baby?

If your baby is sleeping peacefully in the airport…

I would probably let them sleep.

7. What Time Should You Arrive at the Airport?

Give yourself more time than you would normally give yourself.

With a baby, everything takes longer.

Changing a nappy.

Finding the baby room.

Getting through security.

Taking the stroller apart.

Getting milk checked.

Finding somewhere to feed.

And then, inevitably…

Baby decides they need another nappy change. 😂

You don’t want to start your holiday already stressed.

If you’re travelling, especially during busy periods, I’d rather arrive early and have time to sit down than be running through the airport with a baby.

Did you know Malta Airport offers a parental room? Located inside the Check-In Hall and at Departures, it provides a soothing space for feeding your little ones or changing them.

8. Short Flight or Long Flight?

This makes a BIG difference to how you prepare.

For a short flight

Don’t overcomplicate it.

You probably don’t need every possible baby gadget.

Focus on:

Milk + nappies + wipes + change of clothes + comfort item.

And remember that a short flight really is short.

Even if your baby cries, it will eventually be over.

For a long flight

Now I would prepare differently.

Think about:

• Feeding

• Sleep

• Changing

• Movement

• Bassinet

• Extra clothes

• More nappies

• More milk/food

• Entertainment

• Connections and layovers

And this is where your seat choice can make a huge difference.

9. Is a Bassinet Seat Worth It (Long flights)?

If you’re taking a long-haul flight with a young baby, I would definitely look into it.

Being able to put your baby somewhere to sleep rather than holding them for the entire flight can make a huge difference.

But don’t assume that booking the seat automatically guarantees the bassinet.

For example, Air France says bassinets on long-haul flights are subject to availability and aircraft configuration, and they’re currently intended for babies under 10 kg and under 70 cm.

So check:

• Is the bassinet available?

• Do I need to reserve it?

• Does my baby meet the airline’s weight/height requirements?

• Is the bassinet guaranteed or only requested?

  
  

If you’re travelling for 8, 10 or 12 hours…

I think it’s worth investigating.

Especially if your baby is still small enough to use it.

10. Don’t Expect Your Baby to Follow Their Normal Routine

This is probably the biggest mental adjustment.

Your baby might sleep.

Your baby might not sleep.

They might sleep at completely strange times.

They might take a 2-hour nap at the airport and then decide that the plane is party time.

Don’t spend the entire journey worrying about wake windows and schedules.

Follow your baby’s needs.

If they’re tired, help them sleep.

If they’re hungry, feed them.

If they want to be held, hold them.

It’s one day.

You can go back to your normal routine when you arrive.

11. Take-Off and Landing

Some babies don’t care.

Others hate it.

A bottle, breastfeeding or dummy can be useful around take-off and landing because sucking and swallowing may help with ear pressure.

You don’t necessarily need to start feeding the second the plane begins moving.

Just have everything ready so you’re not searching through your bag while your baby is already uncomfortable.

12. What If You’re Travelling Alone?

This is probably the part that scares many mums the most.

And honestly?

You can do it.

But make it easy for yourself.

Keep:

• Passport

• Baby’s passport

• Boarding passes

• Important documents

somewhere you can reach easily.

Use a baby carrier if that makes moving around easier.

Keep your baby’s essentials in one small bag rather than having to open three suitcases to find a dummy.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Airports have staff.

Other passengers will often help.

And if someone looks at you because your baby is crying…

Let them look.

You are travelling with a baby, not a silent piece of luggage. 😂

13. Your Final “Don’t Leave Home Without It” List

Before leaving for the airport, check:

• Baby’s passport/ID

• Birth certificate if required

• Visa/ETA/travel authorisation if required

• Consent documents if applicable

• Boarding passes

• Airline baby baggage rules

• Stroller policy

• Car seat policy

• Bassinet confirmed/requested

• Nappies

• Wipes

• Baby clothes

• Spare clothes for you

• Milk/food

• Dummy

• Comfort toy

• Medication

• Baby carrier

• Chargers

  
  

And then…

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. 🤍

The most important thing I learned

You can prepare everything perfectly and your baby can still decide that the middle of a 10-hour flight is the perfect time to cry.

And that’s okay.

You don’t need a perfect baby.

You don’t need a perfect flight.

You just need to get from A to B.

The first flight might feel overwhelming.

The second one will probably feel easier.

And eventually, you’ll be the mum telling another nervous mum:

“Don’t worry. I’ve done it with a baby. You can do it too.” 

From one mum to another 🤍

Airline and airport policies change, so always check the current rules for your specific airline, flight and destination before travelling.