Travelling To Thailand With A Baby: 11 Things You Need To Know

Travelling to Thailand with a baby? It might sound like a bold move, but with the right prep (and a decent baby carrier), it can be an incredible experience. From the baby-loving locals to the tropical beaches, Thailand has a lot going for it (even with a little one in tow).

This guide skips the generic travel advice (check out our general guide to travelling to Thailand with kids if you need that) and gets straight into the real stuff parents need to know: what to expect and how to make the most of your trip without losing your mind.

1. Surviving the long haul flight to Thailand

Let’s get this over with. It’s a minimum 11h 40m flight from the London to Bangkok. Babies cry. They will cry on the flight. People will look. Some will raise their eyebrows. But there are lots of things on flights that can be disruptive. They will put their headphones back on and you will manage.

Some tips to keep you sane whilst you fly:

1. Book the baby bassinet. Even if you don’t think baby will sleep in it you should still book it as you get extra leg room and they can sit in whilst you wolf down your plane curry.
   • Book it as soon as you select your seats so you know you’ve got it. You may need to contact the airline directly.
   • Different airlines have different bassinet sizes so make sure you know what you’re getting by doing your research.
2. As a back up, bring a front carrier on board.
3. Baby will be sat on you for take off and landing with a baby seat belt attached to your own.
   • You can feed them during this time so have this prepared before takeoff and landing.
   • The majority of airlines are supportive of breastfeeding and many have pre-made formula on board or can help with making up a feed. Ask for help!
4. Make sure you have an aisle seat within your family booking. There is nothing worse than holding a sad baby without being able to get up and give them a bounce.
5. If you can, time your flights overnight so that baby can sleep en route.
6. Pack extras of all essentials in case of delays.

Read our complete guide to surviving a long haul flight with a baby.

The amount of people who will come up to you when disembarking to tell you how cute your baby is and to congratulate you for making it through will give you courage. You’re not alone.

2. Breastfeeding and bottle feeding

Breastfeeding in Thailand is widely accepted though typically discreet in public. Most locals are incredibly supportive and we haven’t encountered any issues when breastfeeding in Thailand. A light muslin cloth can help if you prefer to cover up.

If you’re bottle feeding:

• Bring your own bottles, brushes and sterilising tablets or microwave bags.
• Use only boiled, bottled water to prepare formula. You cannot drink the tap water in Thailand.
• Formula is available in supermarkets and pharmacies but brands may differ. If your baby is particular, pack enough for the whole trip. We recommend these formula sticks which are great to travel with.

3. Weaning abroad

If you’ve just started weaning and are concerned by the amount of baby pouches and jars taking up your baggage allowance don’t panic. Thai supermarkets such as Tops and Bic C sell pre-packaged baby food with a popular choice being Peachy pouches. There are also plenty of pre-packaged snacks available for a variety of ages.

If you’re looking for fresher options your baby will be delighted by all the exotic fruit available such as dragon fruit, mango and rambutan. You can ask hotels to puree dishes as needed although be sure they don’t mix in tap water and disclose all allergies.

💡 Pro Tip: Take a bag of couscous with you. It can be easily made up in a small snack pot using boiled, bottled water and is a great addition to top up any lunch or dinner.

If you’re dining out in restaurants take note not all of them have high chairs. If you are planning on eating out:

1. Take a cloth high chair which can be attached to any chair with a back.
2. Pack a couple of lanyards with clips and loops to attach toys to chairs so you can grab a couple of bites yourself whilst baby plays.
3. Use our family-friendly restaurant guide to find a restaurant that is baby-friendly near you.

4. Sleeping arrangements

Baby sleep can be unpredictable enough at home now throw in jet lag, air-con and new surroundings, and you’ve got yourself a challenge. The good news? Most hotels and Airbnb-style stays in Thailand will offer baby cots or cribs at no extra charge. Just make sure you check in advance and confirm with the property directly.

If your baby is particular about their setup, we recommend you bring a travel cot from home that they have tested before your trip. We recommend this pop-up tent as it’s lightweight, small and comfy.

Here are a few extra tips for better baby sleep in Thailand:

• Avoid placing the cot directly under the air conditioning unit as the airflow can make baby too cold overnight.
• Bring white noise (download an app or bring a portable machine), especially for city hotels or guesthouses with paper-thin walls.
• Pack a mosquito net for the cot if using the one provided by the accommodation.
• Use blackout blinds or travel shades if baby is used to pitch black at home. Lucky for us, Thailand is located closer to the equator than the UK which means even on the longest day the sun still sets at 6.48pm.
• Bring multiple tog sleeping bags or layers, so you can adapt to different temperatures at night.

Hotel rooms aren’t stocked with baby extras like monitors or sleep aids, so it’s best to bring whatever you rely on at home than to lose sleep over it.

5. Surviving naps on the go

You’ve got your sleep routine down and now you’re asking your baby to throw it all out the window (but only for nap time and not for bedtime). The reality is either your baby will give napping on the go their best shot or they will only sleep in a dark room with their white noise and comforter. Encourage napping on the go, ideally in a baby carrier, by practicing before you set off.

6. Getting around with a baby

Getting around Thailand with a baby is totally doable but it takes a bit of planning and flexibility. The easiest (and most comfortable) way to move about is with a baby carrier. We recommend a back carrier with built-in shade or a front carrier if your baby is still tiny and loves a snuggle nap.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a back carrier with storage space so you don’t need to bring a separate nappy bag. Their sun shades are also great for covering with a mosquito net from dusk onwards.

Why not a stroller?

Strollers can be tough to manage on uneven or broken pavements, especially in busy cities like Bangkok. That said, if you’re sticking to modern shopping malls, airports, or some resort areas, a compact travel stroller can come in handy. Just make sure it folds easily and can be carried one-handed.

Transport Options:

• Taxis: Most don’t have car seats by default. But some hotels and private drivers can arrange one in advance so be sure to ask when booking.
• Grab App (Thailand’s version of Uber): Widely used in cities. You can’t easily request a car seat, but the drivers are usually careful when they see you’re with a baby.
• Tuk-Tuks: Fun but the least safe option as there are no seatbelts or side protection.
• Boats/Ferries: Often used between islands or as a taxi service in Bangkok. Always hold baby securely, and ask if child life jackets are available (spoiler: they often aren’t, so bring one if you plan to use boats frequently).
• Car Hire: The roads in Thailand are well maintained and car hire from major airports is straightforwards. It’s mandatory for your baby to travel in a car seat in a hired car so you should arrange this with your provider when you book.

7. Doing laundry abroad

Less of an issue if you’re only travelling around Thailand for a week or two but still, some babies poop through outfits quicker than you can say pampers. You can get laundry done at your hotel, however, this is usually expensive. There are self-service laundromats throughout big cities or you can pay for someone to do your laundry for you costing between 40-60 BHT (£0.90 – £1.50) per 1kg. Alternatively, pack some laundry detergent and a foldable washing line and have a go yourself. We share some tips on how to ace any laundry whilst travelling here.

8. Shopping for supplies

Worried about running out of nappies, wipes or baby snacks while you’re away? Don’t stress, Thailand is well-stocked when it comes to baby essentials, especially in the bigger cities and tourist areas.

Where to shop for baby supplies in Thailand:

• Big C and Tops are your go-to supermarkets for a solid range of baby products including:
  • Nappies in various sizes (Huggies, MamyPoko, BabyLove are common brands)
  • Baby wipes (organic, alcohol-free, unscented), cotton pads, and bath products
  • Peachy baby food pouches (Thai-made and widely trusted)
  • Formula (though local brands may differ from what you use at home)
• 7-Eleven is everywhere. You’ll see one every few blocks in places like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the islands. They’re great for grabbing bottled water, snacks, wipes, and emergency supplies on the go but don’t expect much variety for babies.
• Boots and local pharmacies: Found in shopping centres and near busy areas, they often stock baby-friendly pain relief (like Thai paracetamol brand SaRa), teething gels, soothers, bottle-cleaning brushes and more.
• Shopping centres and department stores (especially in Bangkok): Good for picking up extras like baby clothes, toys, or forgotten travel gear.

9. Teething abroad

Those teeth will come when they want. Your best bet is to be prepared. Take teething gel or granules with you on the flight and in your first aid kit (better to have a backups) and take your teething toys from home. If you need a day or two by the pool to let those bad boys come through then that’s what you do.

10. Swimming and beach safety

Thailand’s beaches are beautiful, but not all are baby-friendly. Some islands have stronger tides, jellyfish risks, or limited shade.

Before swimming:

• Check if beaches are safe for young children (ask your hotel or lifeguard especially during jellyfish season normally April to October).
• Pack a swim hat, baby sun suit and re-usable swim nappies.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen for baby-safe protection.

Pools at hotels are often shaded and a safer bet for younger babies. Some even have shallow splash zones.

11. What to avoid

While most activities are doable with a baby, a few might not be worth the hassle or not recommended by local tour operators. These include:

• Long boat trips with no shade or life jackets for babies
• Jungle treks or motorbike tours (not baby-friendly)
• Crowded street markets in the heat of the day (go early instead)
• High-risk areas for mosquito-borne illness (check travel health advice)

Trust your gut and skip anything that doesn’t feel right. Baby won’t remember, but you will!

Last Update: 14th August 2025

Photos by Evan Krause for Unsplash