The summer holidays are approaching, and you are standing in front of an open suitcase wondering how on earth you fit nappies, muslins, a portable sound machine, and a week's worth of tiny outfits into two bags while also keeping your baby calm at 30,000 feet. If this scene sounds familiar, you are not alone. First-time flights with a baby are one of the most googled topics among new parents in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia, and across Northern Europe, and for good reason. The thought of being in a confined metal tube with a baby who decides that is the perfect moment for their most spectacular blowout can feel genuinely terrifying. But here is the truth that experienced parent travellers know well: flying with a baby is almost always far easier than you imagined it would be. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the moment you click "book" to the moment you land, so you can arrive at your destination feeling like the capable, prepared parent you absolutely are.
When Is Your Baby Ready to Fly?
The first question most parents ask is whether their baby is old enough. According to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) via HealthyChildren.org, babies should ideally be at least seven days old before flying, though most paediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is at least two to three months old. This is partly because newborns have immature immune systems, and airports and aircraft cabins bring exposure to many people in a small space. Waiting until after your baby's first round of vaccinations, typically around eight weeks in most Northern European countries, gives them a stronger foundation before air travel.
Once your baby reaches around six months of age, they are generally considered to be in the sweet spot for flying. They are sturdy enough to handle the journey, not yet mobile enough to want to run up and down the aisle, and still young enough to sleep through a good portion of a short European flight. That said, plenty of parents successfully take newborns and older toddlers on planes every single day. The key is preparation, not perfection.
Booking Your Flight: How to Set Yourself Up for Success
The choices you make at the booking stage can make a significant difference to how your journey unfolds. Whenever possible, book a flight that aligns with your baby's nap or bedtime. An evening departure that coincides with your baby's usual sleep window means there is a good chance they will snooze through at least part of the trip. Early morning flights are another popular choice for babies, as little ones often wake early and are at their most content in the first few hours of the day.
If you are flying with a European carrier such as KLM, Lufthansa, SAS, Norwegian, or Finnair, infants under two years old typically travel either on your lap using an infant seat belt extension provided by the airline, or in their own seat using an approved child car seat. Lap travel is the most budget-friendly option, but securing a separate seat and using a rear-facing car seat approved for aviation use is considered the safest option by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). If your budget allows for a separate seat, it is worth considering.
One feature worth booking in advance is a bassinet seat, also known as a sky cot. Many long-haul and medium-haul aircraft have bulkhead seats fitted with fold-down bassinets. These are available on airlines including Finnair, SWISS, KLM, and Lufthansa, and are typically suitable for babies up to around nine kilograms who cannot yet sit unassisted. Availability is limited, so book as early as possible and confirm directly with your airline at the time of booking. Bassinets give your baby a flat place to sleep that is not your arms, which is worth its weight in gold on any flight over two hours.
What to Pack in Your Hand Luggage
Hand luggage preparation is where you can genuinely make or break the experience. The golden rule is to pack more than you think you need, but not so much that your bag becomes impossible to manage at the gate. A good starting point is one nappy for every hour of travel plus a generous buffer of at least three extra. Nappy changes on planes are a rite of passage: the tiny aeroplane toilet cubicle with its fold-down changing table is a genuine test of spatial reasoning, and you do not want to be doing it without supplies.
Pack at least two full changes of clothes for your baby in your hand luggage, not just one. Any parent who has ever experienced a blowout mid-flight will tell you this advice is not overcautious. Add a spare top for yourself too, because babies are generous creatures and they will share. Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, a small tube of nappy rash cream, and any regular medications belong in your hand luggage rather than your hold baggage.
The good news for parents travelling within Europe is that baby milk, formula, expressed breast milk, and baby food pouches are exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restrictions at European Union airports. You can carry as much as you need for your journey without decanting anything into tiny bottles. Always declare these items when you go through security, and allow a little extra time as they may be tested with a liquid scanner.
For comfort on the plane, a soft muslin blanket is one of the most versatile items you can bring. It doubles as a light cover in the cool cabin air, a makeshift nursing cover if you prefer privacy, a surface for tummy time during a long layover, and a comforting familiar scent from home. The HelloLoomi Soft Muslin Cotton Blanket in Ivory White is made from 100% gentle muslin cotton and is beautifully lightweight for exactly this kind of travel use.
At the Airport: Practical Tips to Keep Things Smooth
Airports with babies are genuinely manageable once you know a few tricks. Arrive with extra time, because moving through security with a baby means disassembling the pram, removing shoes, emptying bags, and then reassembling everything while your little one tries to eat the conveyor belt tray. Most European airports have dedicated family lanes at security, which move faster and have staff who are used to helping parents with prams and car seats.
Your pram or buggy will typically be gate-checked, meaning you take it all the way to the aircraft door and it is stowed in the hold. At your destination, you may collect it at the aircraft door or at the baggage carousel depending on the airport and airline. Confirm this when you check in. If you are worried about damage or delays, a lightweight travel pram that folds small is far easier to handle than a large system. Some parents choose to use a baby carrier through the airport instead, keeping their hands free for bags and boarding passes.
Take advantage of priority boarding when it is offered to families. Those extra few minutes to get settled, stow bags, and get your baby comfortable before the rest of the passengers board make a real difference to how relaxed you feel at the start of the flight.
On the Plane: Managing Ear Pressure and Keeping Baby Calm
The most common concern parents have about flying with a baby is ear discomfort. The changes in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can cause pain similar to the feeling adults experience when descending in a lift, but babies cannot equalise their own ears the way adults can by yawning or swallowing deliberately. The solution is simple and effective: nurse your baby, offer a bottle, or give a dummy during takeoff and the initial descent. The repeated swallowing motion naturally opens the Eustachian tubes and relieves pressure. According to KidsHealth from Nemours, this is the most reliable way to prevent ear pain in infants during air travel.
If your baby has an ear infection, speak to your GP or paediatrician before flying, as the pressure changes can cause significant discomfort in already inflamed ears. EASA guidance also notes that parents should seek medical advice if their child has had ear surgery in the two weeks before a planned flight.
Beyond ear pressure, the key to a calm baby on a plane is bringing familiar comforts and a few gentle distractions. For babies over six months, simple toys and familiar objects from home are far more effective than elaborate entertainment. For slightly older babies approaching the one year mark who are becoming more curious and active, packing a small selection of sensory toys and easy-to-grasp objects in your carry-on bag pays dividends. A compact travel toy set is ideal because it takes up minimal space but offers real engagement. The HelloLoomi Wooden Blocks in a Bag is a brilliant example: a 50-piece set of natural wooden blocks that come in their own fabric bag, making them easy to pull out and pack away on the go.
One of the most useful things any experienced travelling parent will tell you is this: your baby feeds off your emotional state. If you are tense and anxious, your baby will sense it. If you approach the journey with calm confidence, your baby is far more likely to settle. Take a breath, accept that there may be some crying, and remember that every single person on that plane was once a baby too.
Packing for Little Explorers: The Right Bag Makes All the Difference
If you are travelling with a baby who is approaching toddlerhood, giving them their own small backpack can be a surprisingly effective travel strategy. It gives older babies a sense of ownership and purpose as you move through the airport, and it holds a small selection of their favourite snacks, a comfort toy, and a sippy cup. The HelloLoomi Backpack in the Mr. Bear design is a beautifully made, child-sized backpack that is robust enough for real travel while being soft and comfortable for small shoulders.
After You Land: Helping Your Baby Settle In
Jet lag is primarily a concern for longer long-haul journeys, but even a short European flight can disrupt your baby's rhythm for a day or two. On arrival, try to get outside into natural daylight as soon as possible. Natural light is the most powerful regulator of the body clock for both adults and babies. Stick as closely as you can to your usual feeding and napping routines even in the new environment, and try not to let overtiredness spiral into multiple missed naps. A familiar object or blanket from home in the travel cot or hotel crib can help your baby recognise it as a safe sleeping space.
Most babies recover from a flight far more quickly than their parents do. Within a day, the majority are back to their usual selves, exploring the new environment with the unbridled curiosity that makes travelling with babies so rewarding despite everything.
You Are More Ready Than You Think
That first flight with your baby will almost certainly become one of your favourite stories to tell. There will be moments that make you laugh, moments that make you want to hide under a blanket, and a landing that feels genuinely triumphant. You are not just taking your baby on a trip, you are starting a lifetime of adventures together. At HelloLoomi, we make thoughtfully designed products to support your family through every stage, from first flights to first steps and everything in between. Browse our full collection of travel-ready baby essentials to help you pack smarter and travel with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old does my baby need to be before they can fly on an aeroplane?
Most airlines accept babies from seven days old, but paediatricians generally recommend waiting until your baby is at least two to three months old and has received their first vaccinations. At this age their immune system is better equipped to handle the environment of an aircraft cabin. If you have any concerns about your baby's health, always check with your GP or paediatrician before booking.
How do I stop my baby's ears from hurting on a plane?
The most effective way to prevent ear pain during takeoff and landing is to encourage your baby to swallow repeatedly. Breastfeeding, offering a bottle, or giving a dummy during these stages of the flight naturally opens the Eustachian tubes and equalises the pressure. Timing a feed to coincide with takeoff and the final descent is the strategy most recommended by paediatric health professionals.
Do I need to buy a separate seat for my baby on a European flight?
Infants under two years old can travel on a parent's lap on most European airlines using an infant seat belt extension provided by the airline, and a lap infant ticket is usually significantly cheaper than a full fare. However, EASA and paediatric organisations consider travelling with a rear-facing car seat in a separate seat to be the safest option. Whether you choose a lap ticket or a separate seat depends on your priorities, budget, and the length of the flight.
What can I bring through airport security for my baby?
Baby milk, formula, expressed breast milk, and baby food are exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restrictions at airports within the European Union. You may carry as much as you need for your journey. Security staff may ask to test the liquids with a scanner or testing strip, so declaring them when you reach the security point saves time and avoids confusion.
Can I take my pram or pushchair to the airport gate?
Yes, in most cases you can take your pram or pushchair all the way to the aircraft door, where it will be gate-checked and stowed in the hold. You collect it either at the aircraft door on arrival or at the baggage carousel, depending on the airport. Check with your airline in advance so you know exactly what to expect on arrival.
What are the best toys to bring on a plane for a baby under one?
Simple, familiar objects from home are the most effective in-flight entertainment for babies under one. Soft toys, light sensory items, and compact play sets work well because they are easy to pull out and put away in a small space. Natural wooden toys such as a compact block set are ideal travel companions as they are quiet, durable, and genuinely engaging without relying on screens or batteries.
Do European airlines have bassinets available for babies on flights?
Many European airlines including KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair, SWISS, and SAS offer bassinet seats on longer flights. These are attached to bulkhead walls and are suitable for babies who cannot yet sit unassisted and who are below the airline's specified weight limit, typically around nine kilograms. Availability is limited and they must be booked in advance, so contact your airline as early as possible when travelling with an infant.
