The idea of traveling on a flight with a new baby can be daunting, you can't be sure of how your child will react to air travel and you don't want to upset other passengers. So when you have limited carry on space, what are the essentials to pack for your baby and yourself to make your life as stress free as possible? If you aren't sure where to start, don't worry we're here to help! Here are the most important baby items to take on a plane.

Diapers and Plastic Bags

Even if you are on a short haul flight, it goes without saying that you should pack diapers. One additional thing to consider though is extra plastic bags in an array of sizes. Bring larger bags in case you need to give your baby a full outfit change, and that way you can pop the dirty clothes in a Ziplock bag. You should always travel with enough to get you through the fight (plus additional diapers for in case of delays.

Silicone Bib

A silicone bib can be an absolute life saver. Whilst they don't fold down as small as material ones, you can offset that by the fact that you can clean them on the go by simply wiping them with a baby wipe. You won't need to carry around any dirty bibs anymore!

Car Seats

If you find that your child easily settles in their car seat when you are out on the road, why not bring it with you on your next flight? Before you go out to find a new car seat that you can check in at the airport or one that you can use on the airplane, just look at the label that yours has. If it says that it is airplane and car safe, there is no reason why you can't take it. You can simply check in the rest of the stroller as additional luggage and collect it at the other end!

Blanket

If you are used to using sleeping bags for your little one, you may find that it might be too hot for your little one to use on a plane. Try taking a blanket instead, not only do they compact far more easily, they are also more versatile. You can use them to cover your baby when they are sleeping or put it on the floor to give them somewhere to sit and in dire emergencies, you can use it as a changing blanket. 

Their Favourite Toy and A Backup

It can be easy to overpack for your baby, especially if they are used to a whole host of toys and other things to keep them amused but unfortunately, airline travel doesn't permit infinite luggage space. Pack their most favourite toy, but don't forget to grab a backup, in case the primary option doesn't stop a meltdown!

Disinfectant Wipes

You can't always guarantee how clean your surroundings will be, especially on a plane. Grab a to go bag of disinfectant wipes so you can clean down the plastic areas around your seats to make sure that they are germ free!

Baby Sling

If you are facing a long-haul flight, your baby isn't going to sleep or remain still throughout the duration of it. Pack a fabric sling so that you can wrap them round you and walk up and down the plane when they are awake. They pack down very small, so you won't be losing too much space like you would if you used a structured one. Walking up and down the plane is a great way to keep your baby amused when they see all the new faces!

Snacks

If your baby is starting to eat solid food, then having a snack back up is a good option. You don't need to carry fresh fruit and veg, simply grab a few of the travel pouches. They come in an array of flavours and are packed full of goodness that will keep your baby happy and keep hunger away.

Pacifier And A Spare

You don't need to carry two of everything when you travel on a plane but carrying an additional pacifier can be the difference between everything going well and everything not going well. Keep the spare on hand in case your baby drops the one they are using. You could also invest in a pacifier clip to make sure that even if your baby does spit it out, it will never get too far!

Final Thoughts

The idea of traveling with a new baby can be stressful and it is easy to over think and over pack, but if you have the basics covered, there is no need to buy additional luggage. Pack smart and think of different ways that you can keep your baby entertained and fed! Take backups of only the most important items that your baby will need on the flight to keep your bags light and make finding items easy.