Baby on board

So when your little angel turns into a screaming ball of fury, produces a foul-smelling nappy or - the favourite - spews down your neighbour's neck, stay relaxed, apologise and say something non-commital, like, 'He's too young to know better'. Remember that your baby is more likely to be calm if you are, too.

Recruiting allies
If you can, travel with a partner. It is much easier if you can take it in turns to eat, sleep and visit the loo. Take a trip solo with your little darling and you'll have to master tricks like pulling up your knickers and fastening your trousers, while cradling a sleeping bundle and preventing the strange man next to you from ogling your cleavage as you try to breastfeed a grizzly infant into submission.

If you are travelling alone, it's a good idea to get the stewards/esses on side. Try to have a brief chat before you take off, ask for anything you need politely, and don't be too demanding during their busiest times. If you're flying in America, you should know that American staff will not hold and handle your child in case of injury or litigation.

Get talking to fellow sympathetic-looking passengers. If you're lucky, someone will help you out, or at least offer a consoling smile or comment, which will make you feel 100 per cent better.