Your Complete Guide to Flying with a Baby: Tips for Northern European Parents

Taking your first flight with a baby feels enormous. Whether you are planning a summer visit to grandparents in Denmark, a holiday to the Mediterranean from Amsterdam, or a long weekend in Berlin, the moment you realise you need to bring your baby on a plane can trigger a wave of questions. How old does a baby need to be before flying? What happens to their ears? What do you actually need to pack? Will it all fall apart at 30,000 feet?

The good news is that with the right preparation, flying with a baby is entirely manageable. This guide covers everything you need to know: the right age to fly, how to book smart, how to protect your baby's ears, and what to pack.

How Old Does a Baby Need to Be Before Flying?

Most major airlines accept infants from seven days old with a medical certificate, and some from 48 hours after birth. However, the fact that an airline allows it does not mean it is medically advisable. Paediatricians across Europe and beyond recommend a more cautious approach.

The general guidance from medical professionals is to wait until your baby is at least six weeks old before considering air travel. In the first weeks of life, a newborn's lungs are not yet fully developed, and the reduced cabin pressure and lower oxygen levels at cruising altitude can place additional strain on a very young baby. For premature babies, or those with any respiratory or cardiac concerns, always speak with your paediatrician before booking any flights.

Once your baby reaches two to three months, most healthcare providers are comfortable with flying, provided your baby is healthy. Many parents find the window between five and eight months to be a particularly smooth travel period. At this age, babies are curious and alert but not yet mobile enough to find sitting still unbearable. Whatever the age, do not fly if your baby has an active ear infection, a fever, or any respiratory illness, as these conditions are made worse by changes in air pressure.

Booking Your Flight Wisely

Choosing the Right Time of Day

For short to medium haul routes from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, or Scandinavia, a flight that coincides with your baby's usual nap time is ideal. If your baby reliably sleeps from 10am to noon, a morning departure works in your favour. For longer haul trips, an evening or overnight departure can work well for younger babies who are still feeding to sleep, as the familiar routine of feeding and darkness may help them settle in the air.

Requesting a Bassinet Seat

On medium and long haul flights, most airlines offer a free bassinet, also known as a sky cot, that attaches to the bulkhead wall in front of your seat. Bassinets are generally available for babies weighing less than around 10 kilograms and measuring less than 70 centimetres, though policies vary by airline. They must be stowed during turbulence, takeoff, and landing, so you will hold your baby during those phases anyway.

The critical thing to know is that bassinet seats are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Contact your airline as soon as you have booked your tickets and request the bassinet specifically. Airlines including KLM, Lufthansa, SAS, Norwegian, and Brussels Airlines all offer bassinets on eligible routes, but availability fills up quickly during peak summer travel periods. Confirm the request again at check-in.

Protecting Your Baby's Ears During the Flight

Changes in cabin air pressure during takeoff and landing create the same sensation adults know as blocked or popping ears. Babies cannot equalise pressure deliberately, which is why they often cry during ascent and descent even when they are otherwise content.

The most effective way to help is to encourage your baby to suck and swallow during these phases. Breastfeeding during takeoff and landing is ideal, as nursing combines swallowing with comfort. If you are formula feeding or your baby no longer nurses, offering a bottle or a dummy during takeoff and landing serves the same purpose. The swallowing motion helps the eustachian tubes open and equalise pressure naturally.

A helpful strategy is to hold back a feed until boarding begins. If your baby is hungry when the engines start, they will feed willingly during the critical pressure change moments.

What to Pack: Your Carry-On Essentials

Your carry-on needs to cover all eventualities because checked luggage is not accessible once you are in the air. For nappies, pack one for every hour of total travel time plus at least three or four extras. A travel-sized changing mat is worth including, as aircraft changing tables are not always well-equipped. Pack at least three full changes of clothing for your baby, plus a spare top for yourself.

For feeding, breast milk and formula are both exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restriction at European airports. You are permitted to carry reasonable quantities of baby milk and food. Always inform security before placing your bag on the conveyor so they can screen liquids appropriately.

Familiar comfort items make a significant difference to how settled your baby feels. Compact, tactile toys can be a lifesaver during the cruising phase when your baby is awake and alert but cannot go anywhere. The HelloLoomi Wooden Blocks in a Bag (50-piece travel-friendly set) is a practical addition to your hand luggage. The set comes in a compact drawstring bag and offers enough variety to keep a curious baby or young toddler occupied without creating chaos on a tray table.

Keeping Your Baby Warm and Comfortable in the Air

Aeroplane cabins are often significantly cooler than the weather outside, and the temperature can fluctuate throughout a flight. Babies lose body heat more quickly than adults, and a baby who is too cold will struggle to settle. Dressing your baby in layers is the most practical approach, so you can add or remove clothing as needed without a full outfit change.

A warm, soft outer layer that is easy to slip on and off makes a real difference. The HelloLoomi Merino Wool Car Poncho is designed for exactly this kind of situation. Made from natural merino wool, it regulates temperature gently, keeping your baby warm without overheating, and it can be draped over your baby whether they are in a carrier, a bassinet, or resting in your arms.

Helping Your Baby Sleep on the Flight

One of the most common concerns parents share about flying is getting their baby to sleep. The unfamiliar noise, light, and smell of the cabin can make settling much harder than at home, even for babies who usually sleep well.

Creating familiarity is the key. Bring the same white noise you use at home via a phone app, and pack a familiar sleep sack or swaddle. For younger babies who use a baby nest at home, the HelloLoomi Baby Nest provides a snug, enclosed sleeping environment your baby already knows and trusts. At the destination it also serves as an instant familiar sleeping space in a hotel room, so you do not need to re-settle a baby in a completely strange environment each night of the trip.

Safety on the Plane and at the Airport

Airlines provide an infant seatbelt that loops through your own lap belt for takeoff, landing, and turbulence. The safest option, according to paediatric aviation safety bodies, is a certified car seat approved for air travel and installed in a separately purchased seat. If your baby already knows their car seat from daily use, they may settle and sleep in it more readily on the plane.

At the airport, most European airports offer priority boarding for families with young children. Use this without hesitation. Your pram can generally be taken to the aircraft door and tagged for the hold, so confirm this at check-in so you know what to expect on arrival.

You Are More Ready Than You Think

First flights with a baby are rarely perfect, but they are almost always far better than parents fear. Fellow passengers are more understanding than you might expect, airport staff across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Scandinavia are well practised at helping families, and your baby is more adaptable than you give them credit for.

Prepare thoughtfully, pack with purpose, and trust yourself. At HelloLoomi, we create products that make the practical side of parenting a little easier, whether that is at home or thousands of metres in the air. Explore our range of travel-friendly baby essentials and take one less thing off your worry list before you board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old does a baby need to be to fly on a plane?

Most airlines accept infants from seven days old with a medical certificate, but paediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is at least six weeks old before flying. By this age, the lungs are better developed and the immune system is stronger. If your baby was premature or has any health concerns, always consult your doctor before booking air travel.

How do I stop my baby's ears from hurting on a plane?

The most effective method is to feed your baby during takeoff and landing. Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or offering a dummy all encourage the swallowing motion that naturally equalises ear pressure. Try to time a feed so your baby is hungry at the point of takeoff, making them more likely to suck and swallow when it matters most.

Can I bring formula and breast milk through airport security in Europe?

Yes. In European airports, baby formula, breast milk, and baby food are all exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restriction and can be carried in quantities appropriate for the journey. Declare them at the security lane before your bag goes through, as they may be tested separately. This applies to airports across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia, and throughout the EU.

What is a bassinet on a plane and how do I book one for my baby?

An airline bassinet, sometimes called a sky cot, is a small bed that attaches to the bulkhead wall in front of certain seats on longer flights. They are free of charge but limited in availability and must be requested directly with your airline as soon as you book. Bassinets are generally suitable for babies under around 10 kilograms, though the exact weight limit varies by airline.

What should I pack in my carry-on bag when flying with a baby?

Pack one nappy per hour of total travel time plus several spares, a portable changing mat, three full changes of clothing for your baby, any formula or expressed milk needed, and a familiar comfort object. For keeping babies occupied, a compact travel-friendly toy set like the HelloLoomi Wooden Blocks in a Bag is a practical choice for the cruising phase of the flight.

Is it safe for a newborn baby to fly?

While airlines technically permit flying from seven days old with a medical certificate, most paediatricians advise against flying with a newborn before six weeks of age. Newborn lungs are not fully developed, and the reduced oxygen levels in a pressurised cabin can be harder on very young babies. Premature babies and those with any respiratory or heart conditions should only fly after specific medical clearance.

How can I help my baby sleep on a long flight?

Recreate your baby's sleep environment as closely as possible by bringing a familiar swaddle or sleep sack, using a white noise app, and packing a baby nest your baby already sleeps in at home. The HelloLoomi Baby Nest is a practical travel choice because it gives your baby the snug, familiar space they associate with sleep, both during the flight and at your destination. Book a bassinet seat on longer flights so your baby has somewhere safe to lie flat.