What advice is there for traveling by plane/car with a baby?
Dr. Valleteau de Moulliac,
Consulting Pediatrician for Laboratoires Sarbec
Traveling by car
- Your baby must be perfectly secured in an appropriate car seat or a carrycot for newborns, but not too tightly. Dress your baby, but not too warmly, in loose and comfortable cotton clothing. Don’t forget their comforter or pacifier if needed.
- Avoid stress, agitation, or (frequent) arguments before departure. This is very important for everyone’s comfort!
- Leave early, travel during the coolest hours (avoid 12/4 PM), and preferably when traffic is light. Ideally, use air conditioning (which is increasingly common), but not too cold. Otherwise, try to ventilate without exposing your baby directly to drafts.
- No smoking in the car (common sense!!!!).
- Protect your baby from the sun (ideally with a sunshade, otherwise a small blanket wedged with the car window. Be careful, the sun’s height and direction change during the trip!)
- Stop often (ideally every 2 hours) to stretch and relax all travelers, and take the opportunity to feed your baby if it’s time. Do not unbuckle your baby while driving to feed them; stop the car instead.
- Keep feeding supplies within reach (breastfeeding is easy or pre-prepared bottles), drinks, as well as changing supplies (wipes, diapers, cream, clothes). A spray bottle is useful to cool your baby down.
- A small baby is only rarely affected by motion sickness.
Air travel, which is becoming more frequent and longer, also requires some advice:
- Depending on the airline, babies are accepted between 2 and 15 days old (Air France: 7 days), but most doctors recommend waiting two weeks before taking the first trip, provided there are no health issues (a check-up can be useful).
- Make sure your baby has an ID, even within France.
- A stroller is useful (there are small ones considered as carry-on luggage, otherwise carry your baby in a baby carrier or sling).
- The ideal when your baby is very small (under 10/15 kg or under 70/80 cm depending on the airline) is to request a bassinet for long-haul flights (you’ll also get better seats); otherwise, you’ll have your baby on your lap until age 2 (so plan ahead).
- You have priority boarding.
- While pressurization is suitable for all ages, takeoff and especially landing can cause ear pain, sometimes very uncomfortable. You can try to prevent this by having your baby suck on a pacifier, breast, or bottle.
- The air is very dry, so remember to offer drinks frequently.
- Keep everything you need to feed your baby within reach (breastfeeding is easy), regulations allow it, and also for changing (including bags for dirty diapers).
- Don’t overstimulate your baby, don’t disturb them if they’re sleeping. And if they cry, stay calm, otherwise the trip could become a nightmare for you… and the other passengers. Walk them in the aisles to stretch and relax when they’re awake.
- Colds and ear infections are not a contraindication as long as they are treated and all pain has disappeared.
Train travel does not pose any specific additional problems and is very practical:
- But remember to get a “bambin” package: €9 valid up to 4 years old, which gives you an extra seat.
- Be careful with air conditioning, which can sometimes be too hot or too cold (so bring appropriate clothing).
- To get around, you can keep your stroller or use a baby carrier or even a sling.
- Otherwise, as in the car or on the plane, have everything within reach to feed, refresh, and change your baby.
In general, don’t panic—little babies usually sleep during trips.
