Baby air-travel packing tips

Start your packing early when you plan to fly with a baby or small child.

Make a big pile of everything you'll need, then cull it if you can. Leave plenty of time for re-packing - you'll probably need at least one 'trial pack' before your finally happy with your arrangements.

See our packing checklists and 'countdown to departure day' checklists too!

TIP:
How to avoid excess baggage fees --- here's good advice from magellans.com

	Check your airline baggage policy carefully before you begin. In particular check the weight, size and number of pieces restrictions for cabin baggage and for children’s fare passengers.
	Establish whether the bags and cases you own will give you maximum carrying space within these restrictions.
	To keep your hands free in terminals, consider using a back pack as your principal piece of hand luggage. Label the pockets for easy reference when very tired!
	Pack your cabin bag to include smaller named packs of toys, nappy changing things, spare clothing, wash bag, medical kit and emergency rations. This way you can re-apportion the hand baggage amongst yourselves if a check in assistant has a problem with the size of your cabin bag. It also helps with in-flight organisation.
	Use a waist pack or similar for your passports, tickets and cash. You can put it away in the pack once onboard.
	If you’re travelling with a baby, take a front pack in your cabin bag. This helps when moving around the plane, collecting luggage from the carousel and at any time when you’ve been separated from your stroller.
	Consider taking a toddler back pack for an older child or the really versatile stroller backpack.
	Definitely look into purchasing a Baby B'Air travel harness. This is the only harness we have seen which is specifially designed to keep a small child safe from air turbulence whilst he sits securely fastened but able to move around in his parents lap.
	Take only an umbrella folding lightweight stroller or car seat with detachable wheels to get the best chance of getting your buggy on board the plane. Don’t be surprised if it is taken from you at the departure gate to be placed in the hold.
	Consider taking a set of reins or an elastic wrist/waist rein for toddlers. This way they can board the plane under their own steam, and enjoy a little freedom in the terminals whilst working off some energy.
	Eagle Creek Pack-It cubes come in all shapes and sizes that are perfect for separating kids clothes and grown up clothes without little tiny socks getting swallowed up in the bag. Sew patches on them from where you've been so they are a little more interesting.
	A cabin bag with it's own wheels can hook over the handles of a baby buggy to aid in airport ease of movement.
	Take a set of reins or a harness for a toddler so that you can let him walk around the terminal - but still keep him close at hand. This is a great bonus as you try to pick luggage from the carousel or present documents to airline, customs and immigration officials.
	Because airplane bathrooms are small, keep a nappy, small pack of wipes/cotton wool, tube of lotion, lightweight plastic change mat/hand towel, flannel and nappy sack in a side pocket of your cabin bag. Take only these essential items into the bathroom for each nappy change and restock the side pocket once you have resettled baby.
	Take cotton sheets to wrap baby or a toddler and to erect as a light shield over a bassinet.
	Small travel strollers will fit in the luggage bins of 747's or larger aircraft (but airlines have become increasingly strict about not allowing these on board, so brind a stroller bag with you to the airport to keep your stroller clean in the hold.)
	Cheap tickets sometimes have hidden restrictions - like tough cabin baggage weight limits - so check yours carefully before you start to pack.
	Get children to carry their own back packs to lessen your load.

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