Tips for flying with infants & toddlers
Remember when you were stuck in the middle seat next to a crying baby on a flight? Yes, you do.
Fast forward to now, the baby belongs to you, and it’s your job to soothe, feed, and entertain them for the entire flight. And you know what? It’s not easy. But hey, some of us at The Smart Local have been there, done that, and come through with tips for flying with infants and toddlers to make your life easier, one plane ride at a time.
What is the minimum age to board a plane?
The minimum age requirement to board a plane varies depending on the airline, so always check directly with the one you’re booking.
That said, here’s a rough guide: for Singapore Airlines, your baby needs to be at least 7 days old to fly. If your little one is between 48 hours and 7 days old, you’ll need to get medical clearance before take-off.
Does my child need a seat on a plane?
Image credit: Wei Yin
Yes, if your kid is above 2 years old, they’ll need their own seat.
For those travelling with a baby, certain airlines provide bassinets for infants between 7 days and 2 years old, but you’ll have to adhere to the weight limit. Emirates’ bassinets, for example, can only carry up to 11kg. Singapore Airlines’ ones, on the other hand, allow a maximum of 14kg.
The good news is, most airlines offer discounted fares for infants and kids, usually a percentage of the adult ticket price. On some budget airlines like Scoot, there’s no child fare – kids pay the same as adults.
Always check the fare rules when booking – every airline has its own policy, and it never hurts to do a little comparison hunting.
How much breast milk can you bring on a plane?
If you’re flying with your baby, Singapore Airlines allows you to carry as much breast milk as you need to keep your little one well-fed mid-air.
But if you’re travelling solo without your child, the usual liquid rules for hand carry luggage kick in. That means your milk stash needs to be stored in 100ml bags. Alternatively, check it in with your luggage. Just make sure it’s packed in multiple layers to avoid any messy surprises, and consider packing it with ice packs or dry ice.
FYI: according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, you’re allowed up to 2.5kg of dry ice in both hand-carry and checked baggage. But, it’s best to make arrangements with the airline you’re travelling with in advance.
How early should I arrive at the airport when travelling with kids?
Image credit: Jessica Fang
Arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight – it’s not being kiasu, it’s being smart. You’ll thank yourself later when there’s a diaper situation mid-check-in or a meltdown at security.
Plus, heading down early means having ample time to let the kids run wild at kid-friendly spots at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi. This will hopefully tire them out before boarding.
1. Let kids run around before boarding
It might be tempting to board the plane early so you can secure overhead storage and skip the queue. But don’t. This is a grave error that you’ll want to avoid at all costs when flying with a toddler who can’t sit still.
Image credit: Jessica Fang
Instead, let the kids run around the airport until the gate is about to close. Give them as much freedom to move as possible prior to being confined in a small space. The point is to help them burn off excess energy and be ready to stay buckled up for the duration of takeoff.
2. Choose your seats based on your kid’s age & preferences
If you’re on a long-haul flight, your seat selection can make or break your baby’s sleep and your sanity. So, choose them wisely based on your bub’s age, size, and sleep preference.
Image credit: @radsiu via Instagram
Front row seats with a mounted bassinet will only work if your infant is within the weight limit.
If your baby doesn’t fit in a bassinet or you happen to be on a budget airline like Scoot that doesn’t offer one, your next best bet is to request an empty row of seats upon checking in. That way, your bub will be able to stretch out for extra comfort during the flight.
Keep in mind that bassinet seats are usually located near the toilets or the galley. If your baby is easily woken up by noise and light, you might want to choose other seats towards the middle of the plane. For those who are sensitive to motion, opt for either the front or middle section. According to experts, these areas tend to be less shaky during turbulence.
3. Use blankets to create a makeshift nap tent
If you’ve been flying often, then you’ll know that meals are served for at least 2 hours after the plane takes off. While this is great news for the hungry folks, kiddos might find it hard to sleep because of the lights, movement, and noise.
To prevent an Exorcist-style meltdown from your overtired baby, use blankets to create a makeshift nap tent.
Image credit: Samantha Nguyen
Here’s what you need to do: tuck one corner of the blanket in your headrest and the other in the front seat to create a lil tent. Secure both ends with a hair tie. The makeshift tent will create a sleep-inducing space for your bub to rest while you watch your movies.
Image credit: @_cozigo via Instagram
Sadly, if your baby is in the bassinet, you won’t be able to DIY a teepee for your tot. But you can strap a blackout cover like the CoziGo cover to block out light. At $139, it’s an investment, but it’ll be worth it.
4. Bring essentials like milk, food pouches & snacks
Unlike flying solo, flying with infants has its perks.
Most airlines will allow you to bring essentials like a mountain of food, breast milk, formula powder, a flask of water, and pouches if you have young tots in tow. However, some airlines have strict packing guidelines that you’ll need to follow. Emirates, for instance, requires you to store baby food in individual Ziplock bags prior to putting it through a security checkpoint.
Image credit: Emirates
Other essentials to carry in your hand luggage include infant medications like Paracetamol and a change of clothes, enough for the whole fam. Airplanes don’t provide them, and you never know when your baby will regurgitate or randomly develop a fever.
A few airlines like KLM, Korea Air, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines hand out free fun packs for children. Depending on the kid’s age, they’ll get a nifty bag with a variety of goodies like a stuffed toy, bib, diaper cream, colouring book, passport holder, and sticker pack.
5. Consider a variety of fidget toys & board games
Sure, you could bribe your kiddos with their fave movies and videos, but the blue light emitted by the screens can make it hard for them to fall asleep. Instead, try to keep them busy with a variety of fidget toys and board games.
Image credit: @scientificmouse via Instagram
In an overstimulating environment like airplanes, fidget toys can help relieve anxiety and calm toddlers. Plus, they’re fun, cheap, and usually come in a giant pack so you can pull a new one out every hour to keep the tantrum at bay. Order a 75-piece pack of fidget toys on Amazon that costs only $26.06 – you’ll get to keep some at home and let your kiddo pick their favourite ones to bring on board.
If your flight lasts for more than 4 hours, sneak in a few books with flaps, sticker packs, and a Play-Doh kit. Try this Activity Book by Cupkin ($30.09) that comes with 500 stickers and colouring pages that are suitable for toddlers aged 2 and above. It’ll buy you a couple of hours of peace before the madness swells.
6. Land at your destination during the day to reduce jet lag
Flying to a different time zone will guarantee some levels of jet lag. To keep it to a minimum, choose a red-eye flight that lands at your destination in the morning. That way, your baby can resume their usual daytime routine and be ready for bed at night.
Then again, you might find flying during the day easier if your child doesn’t sleep well on the go. If that’s the case, secure a daytime flight so that their night sleep isn’t interrupted. Once you’ve landed, stick to your baby’s regular eat and sleep schedule. A familiar routine will provide comfort and help them adjust to the new time zone quickly.
7. Use a pacifier or nurse during takeoff & landing
You’ve probably heard babies cry on top of their lungs during takeoff and landing. That’s because of the ear discomfort they experience when the cabin’s air pressure changes.
Image credit: Wei Yin
Unlike adults, young children can’t neutralise the pressure in their ears by popping or yawning. By letting them nurse, suck on a pacifier, munch on a snack, or sip on drinks, they’ll be able to unblock their ears and ease the pain. Plus, if you’re on a night flight, there’s a higher chance your baby will fall asleep with the sucking motion.
Keep a pacifier holder ($14.52) with a strap handy so you can loop your baby’s binky onto your carry-on for easy access – super useful when the captain announces it’s time to take off or land and your little one needs comfort stat.
Flying with infants & toddlers doesn’t have to be a daunting task
Flying with infants and toddlers can be tiring escapades, especially when you’re on a long-haul flight. But don’t resign yourself to never leaving the house until your child is “old enough.” You can still make it to your vacation abroad in one piece. Just take a leaf out of our trusty list of tips for flying with kids. You can do it.
More kid-friendly things to do:
- Family-themed playground at GBTB
- KidsSTOP at Science Centre Singapore
- Indoor playground with farm-themed activities
Cover image adapted from @radsiu via Instagram, Jessica Fang
Last updated by Wei Yin on 22nd April 2025.
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