Travelling abroad with a baby

How soon can I travel abroad with my baby?

Healthy newborns are usually able to travel after two weeks. However, waiting until they are two to three months old gives their immune system a chance to develop (Flight Centre, no date).

If you need to fly with a baby before two weeks, you may need a doctor’s letter confirming they are able to fly. Check with the airline first (Derbyshire Family Health Service, no date).

Some airlines permit babies as young as 48 hours old to fly but you’ll need to confirm this with them (British Airways, no date). The mother or birthing parent may be able to travel 10 days after a caesarean birth or surgery, but they could need approval from their own medical team and the airline (British Airways, no date).

What documents will my baby need?

Bear in mind that as with adults, a baby going abroad will need some official documents. Time will need to be factored in to get the baby:

• a passport
• a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) – this allows healthcare in Europe and other countries on the same basis as residents of the country (NHS, 2023)
• travel insurance to cover planned activities and medical conditions (Travel Health Pro, 2024)

Permission to take the baby abroad

Permission is needed from everyone with parental responsibility for the baby before taking them abroad (Gov.uk, no date a).

The child’s mother or birthing parent has automatic responsibility for the baby. However, they still need permission from everyone else with parental responsibility to take the baby abroad. A letter from them is usually enough to show this (Gov.uk, no date a).

If your family name is different to the child’s name, a divorce or marriage certificate might help. A birth or adoption certificate may also be useful to take with you (Gov.uk a).

Surrogacy arrangements can be more complicated. The government page on legal rights in surrogacy explains the rights of parents and surrogates.

How to apply for your baby’s passport

The Gov.uk website has a clear guide on how to apply for your child’s first passport.  Applications can be online or using a paper form.

The full Government guidance on passport applications explains the process for solo parents, LGBTQIA+ families, parents through surrogacy and adoption. 

You’ll need photos of your baby. The Government guide to baby passport photos explains what is needed.

Do I need to buy an airplane ticket for my baby?

On domestic flights, babies up to two years old can usually sit on an adult’s lap and be listed on their ticket (Flight Centre, no date).

On international flights, an infant will need their own ticket even if they don't need their own seat. This is usually heavily discounted from the normal price (Flight Centre, no date).

Preparing for a flight

Breastmilk and formula milk allowance

On a flight, you can take expressed breastmilk or enough ready-to-feed formula milk and baby food for the journey in hand luggage. It will need to be kept in a cooling bag. However, you can’t take frozen breast milk in hand luggage (Gov.uk, no date b). 

It may be difficult to make up a powdered milk formula feed on the flight, so prepackaged ready-to-feed formula milk is a more reliable option.

Sometimes it is possible to order formula milk to be collected from a shop at the airport. This can create more space in hand luggage.

Each container of breastmilk must hold no more than 2,000ml and will be screened when going through security at the airport. Containers might be opened to check the liquids (Gov.uk, no date b).

Luggage allowance for infants

You can usually bring an extra hand luggage bag for baby items, like nappies and food, as well as your own hand luggage. Check with the individual airline (Flight Centre, no date).

Pushchairs, strollers and slings

Most airlines allow you to take a collapsible stroller up to the aircraft. It will then be placed in the cargo hold and you can collect it after the flight. If it collapses and meets the carry-on measurements, you may be allowed to take it as hand luggage in the cabin (Flight Centre, no date).

You could also consider taking a baby sling or carrier as well.

Keeping the baby comfortable on the flight

You don’t have to stay in your seat for the whole flight. If the seatbelt sign is off, carrying an unsettled baby in a sling or your arms can help soothe them. Older babies often enjoy walking up and down the aisle themselves (supervised by an adult).

Bringing toys or books can help keep babies entertained during the flight.

Bassinets/Sky cots

Most airlines have bassinets on board. These are for babies weighing up to 11kg on domestic flights and 18 kg on international flights. There may be limited availability, so it might be best to reserve one when the booking is made (Flight Centre (no date).

Baby changing

There are baby changing facilities on most flights, unless the aircraft is very small (Flight Centre, no date).

Ear pain

It is common for children to experience ear pain during take-off and landing. Breastfeeding or feeding from a bottle encourages sucking and swallowing, which helps to equalise pressure in the ears (Travel Health Pro, 2024). It can also help to calm and distract the baby.

Sucking a dummy might help to ease discomfort. But giving babies a sweet to suck is a choking risk (Patient.info, 2024).

How to stay healthy and safe when abroad

Researching the destination before going abroad is worthwhile, even if going to visit family. Find out about medical facilities and climate in the area.

As well as any usual medication, it’s useful to pack at least a basic first aid kit including (Travel Health Pro, 2024):

• Antiseptic wipes
• Plasters
• Thermometer
• Infant paracetamol and/or ibuprofen
• Oral rehydration solution
• Barrier cream for nappy rash

You’ll also need:

• Nappies
• Formula milk (if using)
• Clothes suitable for the climate
• For hot destinations: sun cream, light clothing and sun hats

If the destination is remote or with few shops, you’ll need enough of these to last until more can be bought.

Feeding and staying hydrated

Generally, bottled water isn’t recommended for making up powdered formula milk as it contains too much salt, sodium or sulphate. Read our guide to making up a formula milk feed away from home.

We also have tips on keeping a baby comfortable and hydrated in hot weather.

Car safety

When hiring a car abroad, a car seat will be needed for the baby. Car seats can often be rented with the car. However, parents or carers might want to consider bringing the baby’s own car seat from home to be sure of the right size.

If doing this and flying, check with the airline if car seats are part of the baggage allowance.

Read our tips on driving long distances with a baby or toddler.

Vaccinations

It might be advised to have vaccinations before going to some countries. The Travel Health Pro website has information about vaccinations.

Accidents

Tragically, accidents and drowning are the most common reasons for injury or death in children abroad. Be vigilant and aware that risks exist, even on holiday.

You might want to consider attending our Baby & Child First Aid course, which provides essential knowledge about what to do in an emergency.