We haven't flown since early last summer, before the ban on liquids on flights, and the requirement for clear plastic bags.


We also now are lucky enought to have our first baby, now 8 weeks, and are planning a trip to a villa in Crete in late August.


I'm sure there are tons of frequent flyers out there with small children, at least I hope there are, as I need a bit of friendly advice!

What is ok to take? (Thank goodness breast milk is ok!!)

My husband is also a bit concerned with his medication as he is at type 1 diabetic who will need to take his insulin as hand luggage, (in case of lost bags). Any advice? And will it take longer to get on board etc?

Hi Busy Mum

Firstly congratulations on your new baby!!

Secondly, in our experience, and feedback from our users, it is indeed much easier to take a holiday with a baby rather than toddlers, or older children, and if you are still breast feeding it makes it even easier.

Checking in takes slightly longer than it used to, with the enhanced security measures. It is advised that you arrive at the airport in plenty of time:

• International flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure.

Packing, prior to departure, also requires a bit more thought and planning too. Each passenger is now restricted to carrying only one item of cabin baggage through the airport search point with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage.

One of the key changes is in regard to the carrying of liquids in the cabin.

Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100ml.
These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids.


The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point.

For flights from all UK airports we advise you to check the Department for Transport website with security requirement details for all passengers departing from UK airports and also provides advice to help passengers pass through the security search point as quickly as possible. We also advise that you check with your airline.

Baby Milk and Baby Food

Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting.

Medication -Specifically Insulin

As a type 1 diabetic myself, I am more than aware of the unwillingness to be separated from my insulin. The worry of checked in baggage ending up in another country means that I always carry the majority of my holiday insulin supply in hand luggage.

The Department for Transport guidelines state that, "Essential Medicines for the period of the trip may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit, but will be subject to authentication. Passengers must have obtained the prior agreement of the airline with which they are travelling and their departure airport. Passengers must also bring with them supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional."

On further investigation, I also found some really useful information on the Diabetes UK website regarding Air Travel and Insulin. They advise you to see your GP to get a letter of verification explaining your need to carry syringes/injection devices and insulin. In addition to a doctor’s letter, a Diabetes UK Insulin user’s identity card, may also help the cardholder to verify his/her need to carry syringes and medication. They also advise how to prevent insulin freezing in the hold(!), and how to spot any crystalisation of insulin following this, and also advise taking twice the amount of insulin you anticipate using whilst on holiday.
Other advise well worth following is buying medical insurance - Check the small print and allow 2 weeks to organise this.

Travelling with infants.

Please also see our travel tips for Travelling with infants, which you may also find useful.

Do also contact your airline for information on bassinets and brittax seats, as well as pre- booking bulkhead seats.

We hope this helps with your holiday preparations, and makes getting there as trouble free as possible.

Have a great holiday and do let us know how it goes.

Sam at Take the Family

So I'm a bit confused. If I'm taking formula for my son, do I have to find a bottle that's 100ml instead of his normal bottle that holds 250ml?

Hi Joanne

Baby milk and baby food are one of the exceptions. The jars/bottles can be greater than 100ml, but do remember that you will/should be required to open them and taste the contents at security, so you are advised to only take an amount sufficient for your journey.

Also, don't forget that wipes and creams will count as liquids so should be put in your tranparent bag (approx 20cmx20cm).

I hope this helps with your holiday preparations.

Have a great time!