My baby girl is just seven months old and already she’s been on eight flights. You know what they say: like mother, like daughter. There’s no denying, I’ve passed on the wanderlust gene to my offspring.

Dahlia’s grandparents aren’t Irish so as soon as she was born I was under pressure to get her to Spain to meet them. They’re not getting any younger and I really want her to have a relationship with them and spend as much time as possible together.

I mean, the day after I was released from hospital having had a C-section I was in the birth certificate office sorting things out so I could get her passport ASAP. Luckily, it all came through within a few short weeks so at just two months she was already on her first flight, and a few more have followed since.

Read More: Why men don’t help with kids - I learned the hard way!

Most new mams I talk to say they haven’t yet travelled with their baba as they are intimidated about the stress of the airport and the flight, so I’m here to put your mind at ease and tell you to go for it.

In fact, I suggest milking it as much as possible while you’re on maternity leave and up until the baby is two, while they fly for free. Once they turn two, you have to pay full adult fare for flights.

The first time we flew with Dahlia, the experience went above and beyond our expectations. In fact, I was so pleasantly surprised that I couldn’t wait to go again. We basically got the VIP treatment all the way from check-in, through security to air staff. Everyone was so helpful and did everything to make our trip as seamless as possible.

Babies have a way of breaking down barriers and even making scary-faced security men turn into kids’ entertainers. Not to mention the kindness of strangers offering to carry bags. One guy carried Dahlia’s pram bag off the plane all the way through security and then up to the suitcase collection belt. He was telling me about his own kid along the way. It was clear he had empathy for another parent travelling alone with a baby and wanted to help. It made me realise there is so much goodwill out there, we just need to be open to it.

Actually, on one of our flights Dahlia did cry as she had dirtied her nappy, but we were in turbulence so I couldn’t bring her to the toilet and she was uncomfortable so she let me and all within earshot know. Isn’t that every parent’s worst nightmare: a screaming baby on a plane?

However, what stood out to me most was the kind, understanding looks I got from anyone I made eye contact with. There were no angry faces looking at me like I’m a bad mother, the total opposite in fact. The lady in front of me was in a row alone and offered me her seat so I could change the nappy with some privacy. So I did, and like magic the crying stopped. Can we get a round of applause for the kind and humane people, please?

Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair have the same policy in relation to baby equipment. They both say you can bring two pieces of equipment free of charge – so a pram and a car seat, for example. Although, in fairness to them both, I had three separate pieces and there wasn’t a peep out of either airline. My car seat is suitable for a newborn and comes in two parts; I had worried that would be counted as two, plus my pram would be listed as three, but there wasn’t a question asked. The staff at check-in just handed me three stickers for my equipment.

Another perk is, you’re welcome to use the assistance lane. Yay, less queues! If you’re at Dublin Airport, make your way towards security and before you scan your boarding card, go to the left lane which is the special assistance lane. It’s basically the free version of Fast Track – thanks, Baba!

As long as you’re travelling with your baby you can basically bring anything you need for your child through airport security. No need to worry about that ridiculous 100ml rule. If you have bottles readymade and your baby drinks a full 210ml bottle, you can bring it through, no questions asked. So I suggest bringing more bottles than you think you’re going to need, just in case of delays. It honestly crossed my mind to say my baby drinks full bottles of perfume, moisturiser and foundation! Also make sure you bring a spare set of clothes for both you and baby in case of in-flight disasters such as vomit, poonami and the like.

Baby and Toddler Travel essentials

  • Yes, I know my baby isn’t exactly a toddler yet but it won’t be long coming which is why I’ve been asking my sisters how they’ve survived trips with their toddlers. Here are some of their top tips:
  • Always have snacks for the plane as a chewing child is a happy child.
  • Ensure to exhaust your little munchkin before boarding the plane; plenty of walks around the airport to expend all excess energy pre-flight is a good idea, and board last to prevent boredom.
  • Download their favourite TV shows before travelling and use them on the flight to keep their attention. I know it’s not the best parenting advice, but mid-flight isn’t the time to be a martyr.
  • Did you know there’s a baby changing table onboard airplanes? I didn’t but needs must, so I learned. It’s situated in the toilet above the toilet pot, it just folds down from the wall and makes life so easy.
  • If you can’t be bothered bringing your own baby equipment with you it’s possible to rent a car seat or pram at most high footfall tourist destinations. The average cost of a Maxi Cosi car seat for example, with Isofix is around €40 per week and around the same for a decent pram. You can also rent cots, bottle makers and bouncers so you’ve really no need to worry.

Before you book your flight

  • I recommend only taking short flights. We’re so spoiled in Europe that we can get to sunnier or snowier climes in around two hours. So there really is no need to go Transatlantic just yet.
  • Usually infants must be at least two weeks old before they can travel although some airlines allow seven-day old infants on board. The booking policy differs from one airline to another, so it is important to check directly with the airlines.
  • Finally, make sure you locate the medical centre or hospital at your location as soon as you arrive, and also take note of the phone number of the emergency services. Hopefully, you won’t need this but it’s always better to be prepared.

Now, go enjoy some travel with your baby and make memories that you can cherish forever.

Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter

READ MORE: