How to travel safely with a baby?

Whether you've already booked your tickets or are still undecided, we're sharing all our parenting tips for traveling as easily as possible with a toddler in this article. Spoiler alert: you'll quickly realize that with a little organization and the right tools, it's actually easier than you think.

Comment voyager sereinement avec bébé ?

1 - Traveling with a toddler: good idea or completely insane?


Don't panic, quite the opposite! Traveling with a toddler is truly a great idea. Why? Because toddlers are flexible, they adapt to your pace, they sleep a lot, and in a way, they don't yet have their own opinions! As they grow, your baby will crawl, be eager to explore, and want to touch everything, everywhere… It's obviously just as wonderful, but much more active! The key takeaway is that traveling with a child, whatever their age, opens them up to the world, creates wonderful memories for you (and photos for them), stimulates their senses—in short, it's a win-win!


2 - From when can I travel with a baby?


There's no minimum age for traveling with an infant. From 7 days old, a baby can go almost anywhere, as that's the minimum age for flying. However, we advise against choosing destinations that are a bit too rock 'n' roll…


Yes, because there are some precautions to take:

 

- Vaccines

Early in life, there are many risks! Therefore, you need to be close to qualified medical personnel. And of course, make sure your baby is up-to-date on their vaccinations and can travel. If you're going to a tropical destination, check the requirements, but before age 2 it's often complicated; it all depends on the destination!


- The time difference

There are no contraindications, but let's just say that baby is trying to find the right rhythm (and so are you!) with varying degrees of ease. So if you go on vacation, it's best to stay more or less in the same time zone so that it truly remains a "good time"!


- The adventure

It's a big yes to adventure, but always keep an eye on nearby medical facilities! Travel always involves the unexpected, so if in doubt, make sure beforehand that you're not too far away. Finally, it's not recommended to go too high in altitude. No higher than 1,500 meters, as this could disrupt your breathing.


3 - The means of transport

As we've seen, babies can travel by plane from 7 days old and by car and train as soon as they leave the maternity ward. That said, whatever mode of transport you choose, we strongly advise you to opt for a simple destination where you'll only have a few hours' journey. As the saying goes: baby steps!


By plane


Normally, toddlers travel for free on your lap, but it's possible to book a separate seat and install a baby seat (car seat type, however, be sure to check with your airline as each has its own specific and strict regulations). Finally, you can often keep your stroller with you right up to the aircraft door if it's foldable, which is a significant convenience. Some areas are even reserved for families! Hallelujah! Take a moment before you leave to check; sometimes there are even spaces specifically for babies.


A little tip for when taking off and to cope with pressure changes in the plane: have your baby suckle (breast, bottle, pacifier) ​​to prevent ear pain…


By car


It's the easiest way to get around: you choose your schedule, your breaks, your route… Plus, you can take whatever you want without worrying about excess baggage fees. Ideally, time your departure around naptime and make sure you have a car seat that's compatible with your stroller (like the amazing Doona stroller we'll tell you about below!).


By train


The train is free for children under 4 if the baby travels on your lap; otherwise, it remains affordable. We recommend choosing a family compartment for comfort and proximity to the specially designed "baby" area for diaper changes. Finally, the dining car can warm up your baby food if needed, or even a bottle!


Regardless of the mode of transport chosen, here are two essential items:


The incredible Doona stroller is a game changer for traveling parents, thanks to its two-in-one design: stroller and car seat. Ultra-easy to use, lightweight, compact, and safe, it adapts perfectly to airplanes, trains, and cars for all children up to 13 kg.


Our KUKO bassinet is ideal for traveling with baby! While it's not suitable for air travel, it offers optimal comfort for baby on a train! The bassinet is primarily designed for home use, of course, but its main advantage is that it allows you to transport baby in a safe and secure cocoon where they can rest, be changed, and more. Parent's word! #reallife


4 - Upstream organization


A carefree holiday with your baby is possible with just a little bit of advance planning…


- Accommodation

Choose accommodation that's ideally equipped for babies, with a travel cot, high chair, and suitable baby bath available… That's one less thing to lug around! Some hotels and rentals are specifically designed to ease the mental load for parents; this is definitely something to consider before you leave.


- The papers

If you are flying outside the EU, a passport (even for a baby) is required. If you are travelling outside France, an identity card will suffice.


5 - The essential changing bag


Baby needs a bag of their own in which you can slip:


Final piece of advice: always aim higher! You never know what might happen…


There you have it, the checklist for a stress-free trip with your baby! Enjoy these moments, create memories, you'll see everything will be fine…

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