That's it, your baby is finally here, and now you want to enjoy life as a family. And by "enjoy," you mean, for example, traveling. But traveling with a baby is something you've never done before! And as for your friends who have already tried it, reviews are mixed... However, traveling in France or abroad with a little one is possible. Some couples even head around the world with their baby. Why not you? According to experts, to travel well with a baby, the key word is “organization.”
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A key prerequisite for smooth travel: plan ahead
To build confidence and be ready for anything, practice! Head out with your baby in the morning for a full day of adventure, 100% outdoors and with no backup. No meals at grandma's or breaks at a friend's house. To get ready for your first vacation with baby, nothing beats an "extravehicular" outing on your own.
A good tip: travel light at any age
The goal is to have your hands free as much as possible, especially if you're traveling alone with your child. Ultra-light, ultra-compact gear and travel-size items are recommended—for you and for your baby.
Timing: adapt to your baby!
Most children have a hard time sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. So, expect your nights during vacation with baby to be a bit interrupted and shorter. But look at the bright side! You’ll have plenty of daylight to enjoy and plenty of time for romantic sunrise and sunset moments.
Traveling by car, train, or plane? That is the question
The mode of transportation you choose to travel with baby largely depends on your destination and therefore, the length of the journey. However, if you have a choice, each mode has its own advantages to consider based on your needs.
Car travel: a practical classic
For travel within the US and across much of Europe, the car is still the most common mode of transportation. It's practical—it lets you leave whenever is most convenient, make as many stops as you want and pack all your stuff with no guilt. You’ll need:
- a car seat or infant carrier appropriate for your child’s age,
- a small changing mat or bath towel for diaper changes,
- sun shades for summer road trips,
- books and/or CDs to keep your baby entertained when awake.
Train travel: #1 for saving money
On trains, children under 4 ride free if on a parent’s lap. Prefer extra space? Plan ahead (back to tip #1) and reserve a family compartment with a reduced-fare baby ticket. You’ll need:
- a diaper bag,
- a baby carrier or bassinet,
- a bottle or water bottle with suitable mineral water to counteract the effects of air conditioning,
- books or a few toys.
Traveling by plane: one key precaution
Most airlines allow babies to fly shortly after birth. However, it’s generally recommended to wait one to three weeks before flying with a newborn. One essential thing to remember: have your baby drink or nurse during takeoff and landing phases—it helps protect those little ears. You’ll need:
- toys, loveys, books… to entertain your child during the flight and during often long boarding periods,
- a diaper bag, but remember space on board is limited—if you can change your baby beforehand, even better,
- a bassinet or crib sometimes provided by airlines, especially on long-haul flights.
And when it comes to baby’s meals, how do you organize?
- Breastfeeding? You need almost nothing except a muslin cloth you can use for just about everything (burp cloth, comfort item, or nursing cover).
- Formula feeding? In this case, bring a bottle of mineral water suitable for formula preparation or hot water in a thermos if your child prefers warm milk. Pack as many milk powder containers as needed for the trip, and perhaps an extra box to cover your vacation. Can’t wash the bottle right away? Put 2 or 3 in your bag. And to avoid breaking them, opt for a healthy, unbreakable baby bottle!
- Does your baby prefer warm milk? Try a portable bottle warmer! It takes only 5 minutes to heat up milk and water, works for 8 to 12 hours, and weighs just 0.86 lb: perfect for taking everywhere.
- Started solids? If you’re using Baby-Led Weaning (BLW), bring some of your child’s favorite foods in a tupperware; otherwise, think about the ever-handy baby food jars, drinkable yogurts and individual applesauces.
In general, always choose bottled mineral water over tap water, especially when traveling abroad, foods your child knows and likes over culinary experiments, and for older kids, finger foods or individually wrapped snacks.
Seasoned parents admit it: their biggest crises have happened when baby was hungry. So traveling with a baby means you have to stick to breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner breaks. You'll also need to be flexible with what older siblings eat, and get creative to always have something on hand to prepare baby’s meal.
One last thing: don’t skip the separate bedroom
Who hasn’t been disappointed by a vacation rental that was too small, too noisy, poorly equipped, or badly laid out? Now imagine having the same problem with a baby!
- Always choose a larger rather than a smaller space.
- Make sure you have at least one separate bedroom with a door (to protect baby’s naps during the day and to save your romantic dinners and your privacy).
- Be sure the travel crib fits in the bedroom (ask for this to be checked—get some measurements, see if the crib can be pushed aside, and check if the door will hit the crib when opened...)
- You can also ask if there are blinds and/or curtains and if it is possible to rent some baby gear such as a bottle warmer, baby monitor, or extra crib.
“Zen, let’s be zen.” If there’s one key rule when traveling with a child—especially an infant or if you have several kids—it’s zen attitude! If your baby doesn’t sleep as well as at home, it’s not the end of the world, or if their nap is in the carrier instead of the crib. As for older children, you can relax the five-fruits-and-veggies-a-day rule and focus on having them comfy—even if their outfit isn’t as Instagram-worthy.In short, take your time, put things in perspective, and listen to your child. There’s no doubt your baby will set the pace for this family getaway!
