The sky's the limit if you make your own safety checks

Not long ago I would pray to the travel gods for a baby-free flight. Now I'm the one with the explosive device. I was sharply aware of this when boarding a plane last week.

I felt sorry for the strangers around me who, smiling as people do, probably had that sinking feeling that their hopes of forty winks, a bit of Wilbur Smith and the Simplex crossword were dashed.

However, a few hastily gathered travel tips worked a treat and I learned a few more on the way. Babies and planes can co-exist peacefully - but the prep work starts at the time of booking.

First off, if you're taking a long-haul flight with Aer Lingus, you can book a bulkhead seat with a bassinet for a baby of up to 18kg to sleep in. If you're taking a shorter trip with either Ryanair or Aer Lingus, be aware that the toilets with the changing stations are at the back of the aircraft, so get a back seat if you're offered a choice. The engine is louder back there, too. This is useful for absorbing the sound of crying and soothing those babies who love hoovers, washing machines and car engines.

Try and time a feed for take off. Breast or bottle-feeding during take-off and landing helps to ease pressure on the baby's ears and may even send him off to sleep. Straws in cartons of drinks work the same way with toddlers.

When you get on a plane with an infant (that's any child under the age of two), you'll be given an extension to your own seat belt to secure him on your lap. It's a simple enough device, but if your baby is inclined to squirm, he'll slip out. This is another reason why feeding on take-off helps - it keeps the child still and buckled in.

Feeding in the air is no less messy than anywhere else, but changing clothes is a major inconvenience so stick to neutral-coloured baby food that won't make too much of mess on the way back up. Blueberry and carrot are particularly vivid on the shoulder. Some airlines provide baby meals on long-haul flights if you're stuck.

One of the biggest hassles facing travelling parents is the extra paraphernalia involved. Buggies, car seats, travel cots, changing bags, baby clothes and toys have you laden down before you even begin to pack for yourself. Your buggy and car seat, if they click together, can be brought right to steps of the airplane and recovered immediately on landing - so that's one load off your baggage allowance. Aer Lingus allows babies 10kg of baggage on top of your allowance, which is helpful.

The cost of carrying an infant on your lap varies from airline to airline - Aer Lingus charges 10 per cent of the adult fare, while Ryanair charges a £5/€8 (or local currency equivalent) administration fee. Ryanair infants are not entitled to a personal baggage allowance.

The days of arriving at the airport with seconds to spare are over - or they should be, now you have a child with you. Allow extra time at every juncture. Hidden delays can scupper your timetable, especially where connecting flights are concerned.

Missing flights with a child in tow is a scary proposition, but it could happen to a transport minister. Bring enough food and nappies to cover extra hours at the airport and don't even consider checking in the child's buggy in case you're left hanging around. At smaller airports with fewer ground crew it is sometimes suggested that buggies be checked through rather than taken to the aircraft steps. Resist at all costs. These are the services you're shelling out for when you pay the infant charge.