A Blog For Mums
I’ll be honest: the first time I took my baby on a plane, I was terrified. I had visions of the whole cabin glaring at me as my daughter screamed for hours.
And yes — she did cry (a lot). But what I learned after a few more flights (and a few tears of my own) is that it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a bit of preparation, the right mindset, and a lot of snacks, flying with a baby is absolutely doable.
If you’ve got a flight coming up and you’re panicking already — deep breath. Here’s everything I learned from my own plane journeys with a baby, plus the tips I wish someone had shared with me before I boarded.
First, let’s get one thing straight: babies cry. They cry at home, they cry at the supermarket, and yes, they cry at 30,000 feet.
Your goal isn’t to have a totally silent flight.
That’s not realistic, and honestly, it’s way too much pressure to put on yourself.
Your real aim is to understand why your baby might be crying, respond as best you can, and manage the situation calmly. Most people on the plane will get it — and those who don’t? That’s their problem, not yours.
I learned (the hard way) that being organised is your best defence against an in-flight meltdown.
If you can, try to book flights around your baby’s nap schedule. For me, early morning flights worked best — my daughter would be tired after getting up early, and usually drifted off not long after takeoff. Some parents swear by night flights for long-haul, but I found it harder because she was overtired and cranky.
Here’s what I always pack in my carry-on:
If your airline lets you choose, a bulkhead seat (the ones at the front of cabin sections) is ideal. Some airlines provide bassinets for babies if you sit here, which makes life SO much easier.
Otherwise, I preferred a window seat — it gave me a bit of privacy when breastfeeding, and my baby loved staring out at the clouds.
Now you’re onboard, here’s what worked for me when the inevitable tears started:
Sucking helps equalise pressure in their ears, which can otherwise feel really painful. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or even a dummy can help.
I remember once frantically shoving a bottle into my daughter’s mouth during takeoff when she started howling — and within seconds, she settled. Magic.
If the seatbelt sign is off, get up and walk the aisles. Movement can be super soothing — especially if your baby is used to being rocked to sleep.
I must have walked more miles inside planes than on the ground during some flights, but it worked!
It’s noisy, bright, and strange on a plane — no wonder babies get overwhelmed. I found draping a lightweight muslin over the seat and cuddling my daughter underneath helped create a little ‘den’ that felt safe.
I learned to introduce toys one at a time, keeping a few hidden for emergencies. Even small things like a set of plastic keys or a lift-the-flap book bought me precious minutes of peace.
If your baby is weaning, small snacks like rice cakes or banana slices can double as entertainment too.
Sometimes, despite everything, they cry.
And sometimes, the best thing you can do is hold them, rock them gently, and not panic. Babies sense stress. If you stay calm, they will settle quicker.
I used to imagine angry passengers judging me — but honestly? Most people either didn’t care or gave me an encouraging smile. One woman even offered to hold my baby for a minute while I sorted my bag. There is more kindness out there than you think.
It doesn’t matter if your baby cried for ten minutes or two hours — you made it. You survived something a lot of people find nerve-wracking even without a tiny unpredictable human attached to them.
I used to feel so guilty if my daughter cried on a flight. Now, I look back and think: she was just being a baby. And I was just being a mum, doing my best.
And you are too.
Flying with a baby isn’t easy. But it’s 100% doable — and honestly, it gets better with practice.
The more you do it, the more confident you’ll feel. Babies grow, flights end, and one day you’ll be the calm mum on the plane giving a tired new parent a knowing smile.
Hang in there — you’ve got this. Safe travels!
Baby Care
