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Top Tips for Travelling with Baby
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Updated
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Quick Answer
Travelling with a baby is easier when you plan around the parts of the journey that create the most friction: documents, airport security, your pushchair, feeds, naps and heat. Check your airline's baby equipment and stroller policy before you fly, pack essential changing and feeding items in hand luggage and make sure your baby's passport and destination entry documents are ready. A lightweight compact stroller can simplify airport transfers, but always check your individual airline's cabin dimensions and rules before travelling.
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Updated for current family travel This guide has been refreshed using current UK Government airport security and travel guidance alongside NHS and The Lullaby Trust advice for travelling safely with babies.
Your first holiday with a baby can feel less like packing for a trip and more like relocating the entire contents of your house.
The reality is usually much simpler. You need the essentials that keep your baby fed, changed, comfortable and safe, plus a plan for getting through the airport and around your destination without carrying everything at once.
Whether you're flying abroad, taking a city break or heading away by car, these practical tips can help make travelling with a baby feel more manageable from the moment you leave home.
Before booking Check passports and entry requirements
Before flying Check your airline's pushchair policy
In hand luggage Keep feeding and changing essentials close
At your destination Plan for shade, sleep and transport
Before you travel
What should you check before travelling abroad with a baby?
Sorting the paperwork and practical details before packing the suitcase removes some of the biggest potential problems later.
01 Passport & entry rules Make sure your baby has the passport required for your journey and check the destination's current passport validity, visa and entry requirements well before departure.
02 Airline rules Check baggage allowances, stroller dimensions, car seat policies and whether your pushchair can travel in the cabin, be gate checked or must be handed over at check-in.
03 Insurance & health Arrange appropriate travel insurance and check the latest health advice for your destination, including any recommended vaccinations or precautions.
Packing without packing everything
What should you pack when travelling with a baby?
Think about what you need during the journey first. Anything you could need before your checked luggage reappears should be easy to reach.
01
Nappies and changing essentials
Pack enough nappies for the journey plus extras for delays, along with wipes or cotton wool, a changing mat, nappy bags and at least one complete change of clothes.
02
Feeding essentials
Keep milk, bottles, baby food, snacks and anything needed for feeds somewhere accessible rather than at the bottom of the main bag.
03
Spare clothing
Take a spare outfit for your baby and, if space allows, a spare top for the adult travelling with them. Babies have excellent timing.
04
Medicines
Keep any essential medication where you can reach it and check the security and destination rules for anything that needs special storage or documentation.
05
Familiar entertainment
A few age-appropriate books, toys or activities can help with long waits. Rotating or saving one or two familiar favourites for the journey can make them feel more interesting.
06
A baby carrier
A suitable sling or carrier can be useful when your pushchair has been checked in, when boarding or anywhere you need both hands free. Use it according to the manufacturer's age and positioning guidance.
Choosing a travel pushchair
Should you take a pushchair on a plane?
For many families, yes. A pushchair can make airports, transfers and sightseeing considerably easier, particularly when your child gets tired or you need somewhere to carry everyday essentials.
The important thing is to check your airline's rules before you travel. Policies vary: some airlines allow a stroller to be taken to the aircraft door, others may ask for it at check-in, and cabin acceptance depends on the airline's own baggage dimensions and available space.
A compact one-hand fold can make those transitions much easier, while a carry bag can help protect the stroller if it needs to travel in the hold.
Do not rely on a general rule about how many free pieces of baby equipment an airline accepts. Confirm the allowance for your exact booking before arriving at the airport.
Through the airport
How can you make the airport easier with a baby?
Know when the pushchair leaves you Find out whether you'll keep it until boarding or hand it over at check-in. If it is going early, have your carrier or sling ready rather than buried inside checked luggage.
Allow extra time Feeds, nappy changes and security checks rarely happen exactly when planned. A little extra time can make the entire journey feel less rushed.
Use family facilities Check whether your terminal has family security lanes, feeding rooms, changing facilities or play areas before you arrive.
Keep documents together Passports, boarding passes and any supporting documents are much easier to manage when one adult knows exactly where they live.
Once you're on board
How do you keep a baby or toddler entertained on a flight?
You do not need to fill every minute of the flight. A handful of small familiar activities, snacks and changes of scene are often more useful than carrying an entire toy box.
For babies
Familiar and simple
Soft books, sensory toys and familiar songs can provide plenty of entertainment without taking up much space.
For toddlers
Bring a few surprises
Stickers, drawing activities, favourite books or a toy they have not seen for a little while can help break a longer flight into smaller chunks.
For everyone
Snacks buy time
If your child is old enough for snacks, keeping a selection of suitable favourites nearby can help during queues, boarding and longer stretches in the seat.
When plans change
Expect the unexpected
A delayed nap, an extra feed or a restless period does not mean the journey is going badly. Travel days are unusual days.
UK airport security
Can you take baby milk and baby food through airport security?
At UK airports, when travelling with a baby you can take enough baby food, formula milk, cow's milk or sterilised water for the journey. Breast milk is also allowed in hand luggage, subject to the current container and screening rules.
Security staff may need to screen or open containers, and the rules at airports outside the UK can be different, including on your return journey.
Check the latest UK Government baby food and baby milk guidance and the rules for every airport on your itinerary before travelling.
Hot-weather travel
How do you keep a baby safe from the sun on holiday?
Hot weather can affect babies quickly, so shade, airflow and regular temperature checks matter just as much as sunscreen.
Keep younger babies out of direct sun NHS guidance says babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Older babies should also spend as little time as possible in strong sun.
Use purpose-designed shade Use the pushchair's canopy, compatible parasol or manufacturer-approved sun protection while keeping ventilation open.
Dress for the conditions Lightweight loose clothing and a suitable sun hat can help protect exposed skin while avoiding unnecessary layers.
Check temperature regularly Feel your baby's chest or the back of their neck. Hot, sweaty or clammy skin can indicate that they are too warm.
Never cover a pram or pushchair with a blanket for shade The NHS advises against covering a baby's pushchair or pram with a blanket because it can reduce airflow and contribute to overheating. Use an appropriate sunshade instead and check your baby regularly.
Sleep away from home
Where should a baby sleep while you're travelling?
Safer-sleep principles still apply on holiday, whether you're in a hotel, villa, apartment or visiting family.
Travel cot
Firm, flat and well-fitting
Check that the cot and mattress are in good condition and that the mattress is firm, flat and fits properly without gaps.
Carrycot
Only when approved for sleep
A carrycot may be useful away from home when it is completely flat and the manufacturer confirms that the exact model is suitable for overnight sleeping.
Car seat
For transport, not the hotel room
It is normal for babies to fall asleep during a journey, but once you arrive, move them to an appropriate firm, flat sleep surface rather than using the car seat as their main sleep space.
Keep it clear
Don't improvise extra comfort
Avoid adding pillows, bulky bedding, folded blankets or an unapproved extra mattress to a travel cot or carrycot.
A stroller designed around travel
What makes a compact stroller useful on holiday?
Holidays often involve more folding, carrying and switching between different types of transport than everyday life at home.
A compact stroller can be particularly useful when you're navigating airports, trains, taxis, hotel lifts and busy streets, because it takes up less space when folded and is easier to carry between journeys.
The iCandy Pip weighs 7kg and has a one-handed compact fold, carry handle, included carry bag, raincover and UPF 50+ canopy. It is suitable from birth using its lie-flat seat and supports children up to 25kg.
iCandy describes Pip as IATA cabin approved, but the final decision on cabin acceptance always sits with the airline. Check its current dimensions and stroller policy before you travel.
Explore Pip
One final check
Which documents might you need when travelling with a baby?
01
Your child's passport
Make sure it will meet the entry requirements for your destination for the full duration of your trip.
02
Visas or destination paperwork
Check the latest foreign travel advice for your destination, including visas, health documentation and any additional entry requirements for children.
03
Parental consent where relevant
If you are taking a child abroad without another person who has parental responsibility, check whether you need their permission and what evidence you may need to carry.
04
Insurance details
Keep your travel insurance information and any relevant healthcare documentation somewhere accessible rather than only in checked luggage.
Travel lighter
Why consider iCandy Pip for travelling?
Pip is designed specifically around compact travel and everyday urban use, making it a more relevant recommendation for this guide than the discontinued Lime featured in the previous version of the article.
7kg lightweight design Easier to lift between transport, carry through stations and manage alongside luggage.
One-hand compact fold Useful when you're holding your child, boarding transport or navigating somewhere with limited space.
Carry bag included Helps protect the stroller during travel and makes the folded pushchair easier to manage.
UPF 50+ canopy Provides useful coverage for travel in sunnier destinations while maintaining the stroller's compact design.
Common questions
Travelling with a Baby FAQs
Does a baby need their own passport to travel abroad?
Make sure your child has the passport required for international travel and that it meets the entry requirements for your destination. British children under 16 can be issued a child passport. Check the latest destination-specific guidance before booking.
Can I take a pushchair through the airport?
Pushchairs can generally be taken through airport security, but what happens afterwards depends on the airline. You may be able to use it until the aircraft door, be asked to gate check it or need to check it in earlier. Confirm the exact policy with your airline before travel.
Can a compact stroller go in the aircraft cabin?
Some compact strollers meet common cabin-size specifications, but every airline sets its own baggage dimensions and stroller rules. iCandy describes Pip as IATA cabin approved, while also advising customers to check with their individual airline before travelling.
How many pieces of baby equipment can I take on a flight?
There is no universal allowance that applies to every airline. Some carriers include a pushchair and car seat or travel cot free of charge, while others have different limits or conditions. Check your airline's policy for your route and fare type.
Can I take formula, breast milk and baby food through UK airport security?
Yes. UK Government guidance allows enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey when travelling with a baby. Breast milk can also be taken in hand luggage subject to current container and screening rules. Always check your departure, transit and return airports because rules can differ.
Is a sling useful for flying with a baby?
It can be very useful when your pushchair has been checked in or while moving through boarding and baggage reclaim. Use a carrier that is appropriate for your baby's age and follow its positioning and safety instructions.
Can I cover the pushchair with a blanket in hot weather?
No. NHS guidance advises against covering a pram or pushchair with a blanket because this can restrict airflow and contribute to overheating. Use the pushchair's own canopy or a suitable sunshade and check your baby's temperature regularly.
Can my baby sleep in their car seat at the hotel?
A car seat is designed for transport rather than as a main sleeping place. If your baby falls asleep during the journey, move them to a clear, firm and flat sleep surface when you arrive.
What should I do if I'm travelling abroad without my child's other parent?
Check whether you need permission from anyone else with parental responsibility. UK Government guidance says a consent letter is often sufficient evidence, although requirements can vary depending on your circumstances and destination.
Ready for take-off
Pack smart. Check the rules. Leave room for the unexpected.
Travelling with a baby involves more planning, but it does not need to mean taking everything you own.
Sort the documents early, check your airline and airport rules, keep the essentials close and choose equipment that makes the transitions easier. Once those things are covered, the rest of the trip can focus on where you're actually going.
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