How to organize your baby's first trip

 

 

How to organize your baby's first trip? When was the first time you traveled with a baby? Any time is good to start, but I recommend waiting until two or three months. The first months are critical for both children and parents as they have to undergo medical exams, their first vaccinations, and parents learn to be parents. No one is born knowing how to care for their children; every child is unique 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 country. From 5 or 6 months, you can take more European and even international trips. It all depends on how well they adapt to traveling, 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 and won’t have surprises, and it’s a good option to try debuting as a traveling parent.

 

• The plane is the fastest transport to reach your 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 a suitcase, which increases 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 are allowed to bring a changing bag and you can check up to two baby accessories for free, such as a stroller and a car seat or a travel crib.

 

TAKING A LONG FLIGHT WITH A BABY

Traveling far with a small baby is possible. However, here are some tips we put into practice when our little ones were small to make traveling with a baby on long-haul flights as easy as possible:

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

- Favor night flights: this will help the baby sleep during part of the trip.

A crib for your baby: this is possible on long-haul flights for babies weighing less than 10 kg. You will be seated in the first row, where cribs hang from the wall... and where you have space to stretch your legs forward: it’s great 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’s 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 layover... and we survived. But it’s clear that we did nothing else on the flight but take care of 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 TRAVELING WITH A BABY BY PLANE?

 

What documentation is needed to fly with a baby?

Traveling with a baby by plane requires documentation. This depends 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 Schengen area;

- Valid passport: outside the EU;

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

- An exit permit, especially if you want to travel with a baby by plane and you are not the parent.

Wherever you go, bring your family record book. Although legally you may not be required to show it, it’s better to have it than to get stuck at an airport. As for the health card, it is essential for traveling with a baby by plane, in France or abroad. You never know. Note: don’t wait until the last minute to prepare these documents. Since deadlines may vary, plan ahead.

Finally, think about your travel insurance. Insurance is included with your bank card, but it may not be enough. Often it is necessary to purchase 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 request it before leaving).

How much does a plane ticket for a baby cost?

The good news is that traveling 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. Don’t forget that, regardless of 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 reserve a seat on the plane for my baby?

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

- However, if your baby is under 2 years old, you can reserve a seat, which will cost the same as for children over 2 years old. This can be more practical during the trip, 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 frequently with a baby by plane, you should know that there are approved inflatable car seats that are light and compact.

- For babies, the best idea is to reserve a crib.

Located on 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 under 10-11 kg and less than 70 or 80 cm tall. This is a practical solution for long-haul flights, but you must arrange it in advance. Note that in some airlines, this is only a pre-reservation. Cribs are assigned at check-in, with priority given to the smallest babies.