How to organize your baby's first trip

 

 

How to organise your baby's first trip? When was the first time you travelled with a baby? Any time is good to start, but I recommend waiting until two or three months. The first months are critical both for the children and the parents as they have to undergo medical check-ups, their first vaccinations, and the parents learn to be parents. No one is born knowing how to care for their children, every child is a world of their own and you have to adapt to their needs. When you decide to travel with your baby in the first months of life, it is advisable to choose a destination within your own country; from 5 or 6 months onwards, you can make more trips within Europe and even international ones. It all depends on how well they adapt to travelling, or if it is a second child and you already have more experience.

 

Choosing a destination to travel with your baby for the first time

 As parents, we have to choose that destination, one that excites you, or one you want to repeat as a family. The advantage of choosing a destination you have already been to is that you are sure of it and will have no surprises, and it is a good option to try out being a travelling parent.

 

• The plane is the fastest means of transport to reach the destination. The baby will be in your arms and you can attend to their needs at any time. But you will have to carry just the luggage unless you check in a suitcase, which raises the ticket price.

You should know that babies up to 2 years old do not pay for a plane ticket but do pay taxes; they cannot carry a suitcase but you are allowed to bring a changing bag and you can check in up to two baby accessories free of charge such as the stroller and the car seat or a travel cot.

 

TAKING A LONG FLIGHT WITH A BABY

Travelling far with a small baby is possible. However, there are some tips we put into practice when our little bears were small to make travelling with a baby on long-haul flights as easy as possible:

- When booking your tickets, avoid flights with stopovers or transfers as much as possible. Besides lengthening the journey, you will have to face waiting times at the airport, with a more or less cooperative baby. I prefer direct flights.

- Opt for night flights: this will help the baby sleep during part of the journey.

a cot for your baby: this is possible on long-haul flights for babies weighing less than 10 kg. You will be placed in the first row, where the cots hang from the wall... and where you have space to stretch your legs forward: it is good to travel with a baby on a plane! However, you must arrange this in advance as they are very popular.

 

Choose a window seat: it is more comfortable. It gives you support when you have the baby in your arms. That said, for our first long flights with the little ones, we flew during the day and with a stopover... And we survived. But it is clear that we did nothing else on the flight but care for our little ones.

Therefore, expect your flight to be quite active. With a small child, you get up several times, whether to put them to sleep, change them, or stretch your legs (and run after them because they want to visit all the aisle seats...).

 

 

WHAT ARE THE FORMALITIES FOR TRAVELLING WITH A BABY BY PLANE?

 

What documents are needed to fly with a baby?

Travelling with a baby by plane requires documentation. These depend on your destination. In the case of France, normally no document is required, but most airlines ask for an identity document. For other destinations, you will need for your little one

- A valid identity document: to travel within the EU or the Schengen area;

- Valid passport: outside the EU

- Your passport and visa: in some countries of the world. Sometimes the authorities even require the visa to remain valid 6 months after the return date;

- A departure permit, also if you want to travel with a baby by plane and you are not the parent.

Wherever you go, carry your family record book. Although legally you cannot be required to show it, it is better to have it than to get stuck at an airport. As for the health booklet, it is essential for travelling with a baby by plane, in France or abroad. You never know. Note: do not wait until the last moment to prepare these documents. As deadlines may vary, plan ahead.

Finally, think about your travel insurance. Insurance is included with your bank card, but it may not be enough. It is often necessary to take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers all eventualities, especially repatriation in case of a health problem on site. No paperwork is needed in case of a problem in an EU country thanks to the European Health Insurance Card (you must apply for it before leaving).

How much does a plane ticket for a baby cost?

The good news is that travelling with a baby by plane is not very expensive. However, this depends on the airline. Some airlines, like Air France, offer great discounts if your baby travels on your lap: you will only pay 10% of the price. Children over two years old must buy a ticket that will cost between 70 and 80% of the adult fare. Therefore, before booking your flight, compare the fares of different airlines for your baby. Do not forget that, whatever the ticket price, you will have to add airport taxes, which must be paid whether your baby is 1 month or 24 months old.

Do I have to book a seat on the plane for my baby?

- Up to 2 years old, it is not necessary to book a seat when travelling with a baby on a plane. Your child can sit on your lap. For take-off and landing, an additional device in the form of a belt that attaches to your own is provided. When booking, specify that you are travelling with a baby.

- However, if under 2 years old, you can book a seat, which will cost the same as for those over 2 years old. This can be more practical during the journey, for example to put your things down. An approved car seat, adapted to your child, can be a good solution to keep them well settled. This will also avoid having to put one in the hold. If you plan to travel with a baby by plane quite often, you should know that there are approved inflatable car seats that are light and compact.

- For babies, the best idea is to book a cot.

Located at the side of the plane, you will be in the first row with your baby. Depending on the airline, they are designed for babies under 9 months or 10-11 kg and under 70 or 80 cm tall. It is a practical solution for long-haul flights, but it must be arranged in advance. Note that in some airlines, this is only a pre-booking. Cots are assigned at check-in, with priority given to the smallest babies.