At a glance
What can you take through security for a baby?
Baby milk, baby food and medicine are exempt from the liquids limit at Dubai International. Dubai Airports says you can bring as much baby food as your baby might need during the flight; everything else follows the 100 ml rule in one clear bag.
Dubai Airports' liquids rule is 100 ml per container, ten containers or one litre in total, in a clear resealable bag, with exemptions for medication, baby milk and foods, and special dietary requirements for use during the trip[1]. Its FAQs add that you may bring as much baby food as your baby might need during the flight, and that medicines can go in hand luggage[2]. Keep the exempt items separate so they can be checked on their own.
Our guide to hand luggage rules at UAE airports covers the rest of the bag, including power banks.
Can you take your pushchair to the gate?
On Emirates, yes, if it folds fully and there is space: you may bring one fully collapsible pushchair or carry-cot in the cabin. Otherwise it goes in the hold. Emirates also lends pushchairs (it calls them strollers) after security in Terminal 3, which you leave at the gate.
- Your own pushchair: passengers travelling with infants may carry one fully collapsible pushchair or carry-cot in the cabin, as long as cabin space is available and you are not also bringing a child seat; if there is no space, it travels in the hold[14].
- A borrowed one: Emirates offers free pushchairs, which it calls strollers, in departures and connections at Terminal 3, after security; you leave them at the stroller park at the boarding gate or on arrival[11].
- Moving between floors: Dubai Airports asks guests with pushchairs or bulky baggage to use the lifts, not the escalators or travellators[3].
Can families with children use the Smart Gates?
Usually not with small children. Dubai Airports' passport-control page says families with children, guests with large pushchairs and anyone under 1.2 metres cannot use the Smart Gates. Its summer 2026 advice said families with children over 12 can. Expect to use a staffed desk with a baby or toddler.
The standing rule on Dubai Airports' site excludes families with children, guests with large pushchairs and anyone under 1.2 metres from the Smart Gates[4], and GDRFA Dubai sets the same 1.2-metre minimum[6]. In its July 2026 advice, Dubai Airports said families with children over the age of 12 can use them[5]. With a baby or toddler, plan for the staffed passport-control desks and allow for the queue; our guide to Smart Gates sets out the rest.
What is there for babies and toddlers at DXB?
Baby care rooms in Terminal 3 departures, the DXB Family Zone play area in the B gates, and a family suite and play area in the Plaza Premium Lounge in the A gates. Medical centres are staffed around the clock, and pharmacies are open 24 hours.
Family facilities Dubai Airports and Emirates list at DXB
| Facility | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Baby care rooms | Terminal 3, departures[7] | Private rooms for looking after a baby; ask a Guest Experience Ambassador for the nearest[7] |
| DXB Family Zone | Terminal 3, B gates[8] | A play area with benches for the family[8] |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | Terminal 3, A gates[9] | A lounge open to Economy travellers, with a family suite and a play area[9] |
| Emirates lounges | Dubai International[11] | A play area in its First and Business Class lounges[11] |
| Medical centres and pharmacies | All terminals[10] | Medical teams around the clock; pharmacies open 24/7[10] |
From Dubai Airports' and Emirates' listings on 25 September 2026; facilities move, so ask at the airport.
Dubai Airports asks parents to supervise children at all times, especially near moving baggage conveyors, and not to let them sit on or play with trolleys[3]. Emirates says families are invited to board before other passengers[11].
What are Emirates' rules for babies on board?
A baby under two can travel on your lap with an extension seat belt, or in a bassinet if they fit it and weigh up to 11 kg. A child with their own seat can use an aviation-approved car seat; Emirates does not provide one. Babies under seven days old fly only in exceptional cases.
- On your lap: an infant under two travels on an adult's lap, secured with an infant seat-belt extension during taxi, take-off, landing and whenever the seat-belt sign is on[13].
- Bassinets: for babies up to two years and up to 11 kg who fit without bending their legs; they are limited in number, and cannot be requested if you have booked a seat at a child fare[13][12].
- Car seats: allowed if you buy the child a seat; the seat must carry a label approving it for aircraft use from the JAA, the US FAA or Transport Canada, and Emirates does not provide child restraint devices[13][12].
- Two babies, one adult: one on the lap and the second in an approved restraint in its own seat, at a child fare[13].
- Newborns: infants under seven days old are carried only for emergency medical reasons or when the mother is travelling on compassionate grounds[13].
- Feeding and changing: you can breastfeed at your seat, there are changing tables in the bathrooms, and baby meals, formula and bottle warming are available on request[12].
Other airlines
These are Emirates' rules. flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia and other airlines set their own, particularly on bassinets and car seats; check your airline's pages before you book seats.
What baggage does a baby get on Emirates?
It depends on the route. Under the weight concept an infant ticket carries up to 10 kg; under the piece concept, one piece of up to 23 kg. In the cabin you may also take a 5 kg bag of infant necessities and a collapsible pushchair or carry-cot.
Emirates says infant baggage depends on whether the weight or the piece concept applies to your ticket: up to 10 kg under the weight concept, or one piece of up to 23 kg and 150 cm in total dimensions under the piece concept[14]. In any class, passengers travelling with infants may also carry a handbag of up to 5 kg for in-flight necessities and infant food, no larger than 55 by 38 by 22 cm, and a collapsible pushchair or carry-cot[14]. The allowance is printed on the infant's ticket.
How early should families get to DXB?
Dubai Airports' advice is the same for everyone: at least three hours before departure. With a baby, the staffed passport desks and the walk to the gate are what take the time, so do not cut it finer. At peak times airlines have asked for four hours.
Dubai Airports recommends arriving at least three hours before departure[2]; in the busiest weeks both Dubai-based airlines have asked passengers to arrive four hours ahead, as our guide to arriving at DXB sets out. No official page gives families a different time.
Questions travellers ask
Can I take baby milk through security at Dubai airport?
Yes. Baby milk and foods are exempt from the 100 ml limit, and Dubai Airports says you can bring as much as your baby might need during the flight[1][2].
Can I use my own pushchair up to the gate on Emirates?
A fully collapsible pushchair or carry-cot can go in the cabin if cabin space is available and you are not bringing a child seat; otherwise it goes in the hold[14].
Does Emirates provide a baby car seat?
No. Emirates does not provide child restraint devices; you can bring an aviation-approved car seat if you buy the child a seat[12][13].
How young can a baby fly with Emirates?
Emirates carries infants under seven days old only for emergency medical reasons or when the mother travels on compassionate grounds[13].
Where are the baby care rooms at DXB?
Dubai Airports lists them in Terminal 3 departures, and asks you to check with a Guest Experience Ambassador for the nearest one[7].
Sources
The desk opened each source on the date shown. Rules, fees and timetables change: check the official source before you travel.
- [1]Security & customs — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [2]Dubai Airport FAQs — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [3]Safety tips — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [4]Passport control & visas — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [5]DXB set for a busy start to summer as daily guest numbers top 200,000 (1 July 2026) — Dubai Airports Media Centre. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [6]Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration — General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [7]Baby care rooms — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [8]DXB Family Zone — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [9]Plaza Premium Lounge — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [10]Emergency and medical — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [11]Families at the airport — Emirates. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [12]Travelling with infants — Emirates. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [13]Special assistance and requests (FAQ) — Emirates. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [14]Baggage and lost property (FAQ) — Emirates. Accessed 25 September 2026
Published 25 September 2026 · Updated 29 September 2026
Seen something wrong or out of date? Write to trade@nwp.ae and the desk will check it against the source.
