Baby on board

Where to sit?

• If you can, pre-book the bulkhead seats. You'll have more legroom and may get a carrycot placed on the table in front (not available on budget airlines). You'll have hold your child if there's turbulence, and may get a seat-belt extension that attaches to your own belt for landing and take-off. The main disadvantage with the bulkhead seats is the armrests don't fold down, so baby can't stretch out across two seats


• If the plane's not full, and you're travelling with another adult, ask them to hold the third seat in a row of three, so baby can stretch out


• Another option is to sit apart so that while one adult takes a shift, the other can have a proper rest


• Often parents are boarded first, but bear in mind this will mean being trapped longer in a confined space. It might be easier to wait until the end, even if you lose first choice of the overhead luggage space.

Health

• The two biggest issues are dehydration and ear pain. Make sure baby drinks regularly, and don't feed them salty snacks. For ears, give them a drink (breast or bottle) during landing and take-off to help the pressure in their ears equalise. Sucking a dummy will help, but isn't as effective


• Some recommend giving baby a sedative. But beware; this can have the opposite effect in some children, making them hyperactive. Test it out before you travel.