This summer, you may have the opportunity to fly for the first time with your baby.
A means of transport suitable for toddlers, provided you have good organization!
Discover our tips for traveling with your family with peace of mind.
STARTING AT WHAT AGE ?
Babies are allowed to fly much earlier than you think. If they are healthy and full-term, newborns are accepted by most airlines from the age of 1 week for a short flight, and from 3 weeks for a long haul.
However, if you can postpone your trip, it is better to wait until your baby has received his first vaccinations before taking the plane: the confined atmosphere of the cabins is conducive to the transmission of viruses. It is also not recommended to take your baby to regions of the world affected by diseases against which he is too young to be vaccinated (malaria, yellow fever, etc.). Finally, if your baby was born prematurely or suffers from a health problem, always seek the advice of your doctor before flying with him.
PREPARE FOR THE TRIP
To avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport, be aware that your baby is subject to the same regulations as you: he must have his own identity card to travel to Europe, and his own passport (as well as any visas) for rest of the world. It takes several weeks to obtain these papers: remember to do so in advance!
When booking your tickets, also tell your airline that you will be traveling with a toddler: you will thus be able to benefit from a more spacious seat, a hammock cradle or even a bed for your baby on certain companies. Most also accept babies in their bassinet or in a cozy maxi type car seat.
If you would like a separate seat for your child, don't forget to ask: by default, babies under 2 years old travel on their parents' laps. An economical solution, but not always very comfortable... Finally, find out about the rules regarding strollers: folding models are sometimes accepted on board, while large strollers are always put in the hold. So remember to bring a baby carrier, which will be very useful after checking in your luggage.
TIPS FOR A SEAMLESS FLIGHT
Most often, your baby is entitled to his own hand luggage: take the opportunity to bring a large supply of diapers, wipes and a change of clothes, for him but also for you. This will help you avoid spending the trip in bad conditions if a glass of water spills on you or in the event of a slight regurgitation on your shoulder. Also note that the safety rules regarding liquids on board the plane do not concern toddlers: you are allowed to take powdered milk, mineral water or small pots to feed your baby. But be careful: security agents may ask you to taste them before accepting them! It is therefore better to package all of this in resealable containers.
Other liquids, such as cleansing water, cleansing milk or physiological serum, must not exceed 100 ml to be tolerated in the cabin: samples and travel pods are perfect for this use. During takeoff and landing, the change in altitude causes decompression which can be painful for your baby's ears. Only one solution to unclog your ears: sucking, from the breast, from a bottle or from a pacifier. If he has a blocked nose, clean it too before taking off and beginning the descent to arrival. Finally, on board, the air conditioning is constant and the temperature rather cool. Cover your baby well and bring a blanket and a hat in addition to his clothes. A little cold is quickly caught!
KEEP YOUR BABY ON BOARD
If infants sleep for a good part of the trip or are content to stay in your arms, older children often have difficulty remaining seated throughout an entire flight! There is no miracle solution, but a few tips can help you. Above all, for long hauls, always choose night flights: your baby will sleep and you too can rest. Also consider bringing some of their favorite toys on board, avoiding those that could disturb other passengers – especially those that make noise or music. Depending on the age of your child, turn to books, cuddly toys, toy cars, drawing materials and other silent activity materials.
Draw your child's attention to everything around him: the people passing by, the flight attendants, the sky and the clouds visible through the windows... A plane flight is an opportunity for many discoveries for him! Often, cartoons are also offered on the screens: a good solution to keep your baby occupied for a little while.
Finally, if the flight attendant allows you to do so, get up with him for a short walk in the aisles: the change of position will help him calm down if he gets angry.