How to travel peacefully with baby?

Whether you have already bought your tickets or are still hesitating, we share all our parenting tips for travelling as easily as possible with a toddler in this article. Spoiler: you will quickly realise that with a touch of organisation and the right tools, it is truly easier than you think.

Comment voyager sereinement avec bébé ?

1 - Travelling with a young baby: good idea or completely crazy?


No need to panic — quite the opposite! Travelling with a young baby is truly THE great idea. Why? Because young babies are flexible, they adapt to your rhythm, sleep a lot and, in a way, don't yet have opinions! As they grow, babies start to explore, are hungry for discovery, want to touch everything, everywhere… That is obviously just as wonderful but much more energetic! What you need to remember is that travelling with a child, at any age, is opening them up to the world — it creates wonderful memories in your mind (and in photos for them), stimulates their senses — in short, it's all good!


2 - From what age can I travel with my baby?


There is no minimum age for travelling with a newborn. From 7 days old, a baby can go almost anywhere, as this is the minimum age required to take a flight. However, we would advise against choosing destinations that are a little too adventurous… 

And yes, because there are a few precautions to take: 

 

- Vaccinations 

In the early days of life, there are many! You therefore need to be close to suitable medical staff. And of course, make sure baby can travel with their vaccinations up to date. For tropical destinations, do your research — before the age of 2 it can often be complicated, depending on the destination!


- Jet lag 

No contraindications, but let's say that babies are still trying to find their rhythm (and so are you!) with varying degrees of ease. So if you are going on holiday, the ideal remains to stay more or less in the same time zone so that it truly stays "quality time"!


- Adventure 

It's a big yes to adventure, but always keep an eye out for a nearby medical facility! Travel means the unexpected, so when in doubt, make sure in advance that you are not too far from one. Finally, it is advisable not to go too high in altitude — no more than 1,500 metres, as this risks disrupting your baby's breathing.


3 - Mode of transport 

 

As we have seen, babies can travel from 7 days old by plane and from leaving the maternity ward by car and train. That said, whatever mode of transport you choose, we strongly advise you to start with a simple destination requiring only a few hours of travel. As the saying goes: baby steps!


By plane 


Normally, young children travel free on your lap, but it is possible to book a separate seat and install a baby seat such as a car seat (be careful though — check with your airline as each one has its own precise and strict regulations). Finally, you can often keep the pram until the aircraft door if it is foldable, which is a considerable and invaluable comfort. Some boarding gates are even reserved for families! Hallelujah. Take a moment before you leave to look into this — sometimes there are even dedicated spaces for babies.


A little tip for take-off and to cope with pressure changes on the plane: feed your baby (breast, bottle, dummy) to prevent ear pain… 


By car


It is the easiest mode of transport: you choose your own schedule, your rest stops, your route… What's more, you can take everything you want with no risk of excess baggage. The best approach is to time your departure around nap time and to use a car seat that is compatible with your pram (such as the incredible Doona pram we tell you about below!)


By train 


The train is free for children under 4 if baby travels on your lap, otherwise it remains affordable. We recommend choosing a family grouping of seats to be comfortable and close to the dedicated "baby" area specially arranged for nappy changes. Finally, the buffet car can warm up your little one's jar of food if needed, or even a bottle!


Whatever mode of transport you choose, here are two essential items: 


- The incredible Doona pram is a game changer for travelling parents thanks to its pram that simplifies life by being two in one: pram and car seat. Ultra easy to use, lightweight, compact and safe, it works equally well on a plane, train or in the car for all children up to 13 kilos.


- Our KUKO bassinet is ideal for travelling with baby! It certainly doesn't fly, but on a train it offers baby optimal comfort! The bassinet is of course really designed for home use, but above all it allows you to transport baby in a safe cocoon where they can rest, be changed… Take it from a parent — been there, done that!


4 - Planning ahead 


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


- Accommodation

Ideally choose somewhere equipped for baby with a travel cot, a high chair, a suitable bath… That's always less to lug around! Some hotels and rental properties are specially designed to lighten parents' mental load — this is definitely worth considering before you leave.


- Documents 

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


5 - The essential nappy bag 


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


Last tip: always pack more than you think you need! You never know when the unexpected might strike…


There you have it — the checklist for travelling with baby without a worry! Enjoy these moments, make memories, you'll see that everything will go just fine… 

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