A Complete Guide to Breastfeeding in UK Airports
Most airlines recommend that you arrive at least 3 hours before your flight. You use that time to check in, get through security, find your gate, and board the plane. But that could be a lot of time for hungry babies to go without food, especially if it precedes a flight of several hours.
You may need to breastfeed to keep your little one happy. Luckily, UK airports are required to have some kind of breastfeeding/baby-changing facility, and in this guide, we’ll look at all these facilities across all major UK airports.
Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is well-equipped to assist travelling parents. There are feeding and changing rooms throughout the airport, including before and after security. Follow the babycare symbol (see below) to find these facilities, or head for the toilets, as many women’s and some men’s toilets have fold-down tables you can use for this purpose.
The airport also offers bottle-warming services, as well as rooms designed to keep kids quiet and content, security lanes for families with young children, and family-friendly parking.
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport, just like Gatwick, has a number of breastfeeding and changing rooms throughout the airport. Follow the same babycare symbol mentioned above to find these changing areas.
Other family-friendly facilities at Heathrow include:
- Family-friendly restaurants, including Giraffe, Itsu, Jones the Grocer, Spuntino, and The Curator
- Free travel for kids on the Heathrow Express
- Stay & Play for kids aged 9 and under (6 AM to 9 PM daily)
- Family-friendly parking spaces
London City Airport
London City airport offers breastfeeding mothers access to the First Aid room, located in the main terminal, just before you go through security. Ask one of the airport’s team for access to this room if you want to breastfeed in private. Alternatively, there are toilets before and after security, including alongside gates 5 and 23, as well as an accessible toilet near Soul & Grain.
Luton Airport
For a quiet place to breastfeed, head to Gate 17. There is a Quiet Room nearby where you can breastfeed in peace at Luton Airport.
Southend Airport
There is no dedicated breastfeeding room at Southend airport. However, the airline's page states that the staff are willing to assist if you need privacy. Just look for a member of the SKYLIFE Lounge or airport team, let them know the situation, and they should be able to help you out.
Stansted Airport
You have a few different options at Stansted. It has a dedicated breastfeeding room in the main departures lounge, and there are family rooms scattered around as well. These are great places to relax with the kids and de-stress a little.
Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford airport is small, but there are some baby-changing facilities where you can breastfeed away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Check out the terminal map, paying attention to the red spaces.
Liverpool Airport
You are welcome to breastfeed throughout the terminal at Liverpool Airport. To breastfeed in private, head to the Upper Retail Level, where you will find a dedicated breastfeed room.
Manchester Airport
No one will stop you if you breastfeed in Manchester Airport, so you’re free to do it anywhere you’re comfortable. If you’re looking for more privacy and comfort, look for the breastfeeding and changing facilities. These come with chairs and other useful additions to make things more comfortable.
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport is equipped with four baby-changing facilities where you can breastfeed in private. There are two before security and two after.
Bristol Airport
Head to the toilets on the ground floor, including the departures lounge, as these have baby-changing facilities. There are also facilities on the Mezzanine floor at Bristol Airport.
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport has baby-changing facilities throughout the airport where you can breastfeed your child in peace.
East Midlands Airport
The women’s bathrooms (before and after security) have changing rooms with seating. It’s possible to breastfeed in these areas while getting away from the noise of the terminal at East Midlands Airport.
Aberdeen Airport
There are several rooms for changing and feeding your baby at Aberdeen Airport, including:
- Opposite WHSmith (before security)
- Next to the female toilet near the Granite City Bar (before security)
- In the female toilet near Gate 5 (after security)
- Between Gates 11 and 12 (after security)
Edinburgh Airport
As with most airports in the UK, you don’t need to hide away if you want to breastfeed your child in Edinburgh airport. But if you’d prefer some privacy, there is a dedicated nursing room near Gate 21, and this is lockable.
Glasgow Airport
All of the toilets at Glasgow airport have baby-changing stations and there is a breastfeeding zone at Gates 1 to 3.
Summary: Breastfeeding at UK Airports
As you can see, most airports in the UK are equipped with adequate breastfeeding areas, making the preparation that follows air travel a little easier for parents with young kids. For more information, check out our guide on expressed milk policies across major European airlines.
FAQs
Can You Breastfeed at UK Airports?
Yes, you should be able to breastfeed throughout the terminal at all airports. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you want to. If you need a little privacy, look for a quiet room, breastfeeding room, or toilets with baby-changing facilities. You can find these in the terminal, as well as some of the airport’s restaurants.
Do All UK Airports Have Baby-Changing Facilities?
Yes, all airports endeavour to include these facilities, whether it’s in the form of a dedicated room or additional facilities in male and female toilets.
Can I Get Assistance While Breastfeeding at a UK Airport?
Yes, airport staff are usually happy to help you out, whether that means showing you to the nearest facilities, giving you access to a private room, or providing a seat. If you’re bottle-feeding your child, you can ask staff in a restaurant or bar for hot water to heat the food. They usually refuse to warm products given to them by passengers, though.
Where Can I Find Baby-Changing Facilities in UK Airports?
Some of them are signposted with the babycare symbol shown at the top of this guide. Others are simply included in toilets and quiet rooms. If you can’t find the information you need in the guid above, ask one of the airline’s staff members.