BootsnAll Travel Community

I wanted to know if anyone has ever traveled from the US to Europe with a baby, and if so, how young was he or she? I may need to hit a baby forum, but when is it safe to travel by air with a baby. I am talking anywhere between 1 month and up. Thanks.

My sister came out to visit me in Zürich from LA with her daughters, the youngest of which was a little over 1 year.

Something thing that pops into mind immediately is to ensure you are sorted with the airline. My sister booked weeks in advance through Expedia (?) and, in reference to my smallest niece, they said "if she sits on your lap, no problem"...but when they got to the airport the airline (Swiss) had a different policy!!! My sister had even called Expedia after purchasing the tickets. The agent said everything was ok. End result: My sister had to fork out for a half of a full fare ticket on the spot just so my niece could sit on her lap. If she had know, she could have purchased ahead of time a full seat for the same cash!

Moral of the story: book and confirm airline policies directly with the airline itself.

I traveled to Europe with a 2 year old. My sister came over from Europe twice, once when her son was about 5 months old and again when he was 10 months.

As for age restriction, I've never heard of one but you should talk to the airlines. Many airlines provide a bassinett for small infants.

As far as safety for the infant, I believe it is the baby's ears that are most suseptible to damage. The trick is to have the baby nurse during take off and landing. A baby forum can probably provide you with better safety info if you are flying with a very young infant. There is debate about whether to bring a car seat on the flight
(it is optional).

We traveled with out 4 month old from Sweden to Texas. It went wonderful. She cried a total of 30 seconds the entire time. When we were in the states, we caught several flights, all without any problem.

I find the biggest problem is the fact that I had to trade my backpack for a suitcase. That was very, very painful!

We've done this a few times -- a couple just to see family in Western Europe, and once to do a 6-week backpacking-style trip through Eastern Europe. Our son's first trip was at approximately six months of age. Will be doing it again this summer with a six-month-old and a 2.5-year-old.

Generally, the actual long distance travel part (trains, planes and cars) is easier when they're younger, because they just eat and sleep -- they don't need move around. When they start walking, though, sitting on a plane for 10 hours got to be rough. It can be especially bad if you're stuck on a runway, hit turbulance, or otherwise need to remain seated. Kids don't understand, and when they start crying, many airline staff and fellow passengers won't understand either. It can be a very unconfortable situation!

Continuing on the airline charges issue: Most, but perhaps not all airlines, charge "lap children" somewhere around 10% of the fare plus full taxes. Plus you get very little luggage allowance. Once they're 2 years old, you're mostly going to pay full fare, but you do get an extra seat and full luggage allowance. Oh yeah, and 2 years is about the time where being on a plane would drive a kid (and you) crazy.

One last thing ... it might be a challenge getting a U.S. passport by the time the baby's a month old. First, Social Security Numbers take roughly six weeks. Pretty sure you need that, but not positive. Also, the wait for an official birth certificate can be up to 3 months in some U.S. counties. You'll need that as well, I believe. Then there's the challenge of getting a useable picture! Oh, the joys of that! (You might be able to work around these things -- just wanted to give you a heads up on other potential issues).

That is one benifit of living abroad, we got the passport within 3 days of turnining in the application, along with the SS# at the same time. I think that she was about 2 months when we got it.

I am sure that you are right that it will not be fun getting one in the states.

I appreciate all of the information and advice. Thanks!

My 1 year old son came to the UK for a week from Indonesia. He dealt with the flight from KL to London very well.

My thoughts are everything is possible. If you have a needy kid, he/she will be needy anywhere. My kid hollers when he wants to be fed, or when he sees something he wants. Apart from that he's okay.

My wife and I have always carried him on our hip, which is easy and always possible. We've never owned a stroller / pram, but in London did use one for going downtown. The subway and trains allowed us to roll on and off no worries.

Travelling in the summer makes life easier as there are fewer layers to unwrap. We found that day trips were totally possible if we packed 2-3 spare tops, shorts for him, plus a couple of disposable diapers.

People often make travelling with a kid out to be tough, but as long as he gets what he wants, you're fine.

The worst age for travelling has to be around 1 1/2 to 2. They are old enough to be mobile, but not old enough to understand that they have to sit sometimes.

Our kids as babies were usually never a problem for very long when travelling. If not nursing, then unfortunately the best thing to do is let them cry during take-off and landings. Yes, I know its hard to do. Crying opens their eustachian tubes and clears their ears.

quote:

The worst age for travelling has to be around 1 1/2 to 2.

I have to honest, that is horrible news. We are planning on a trip to the states in July with our two children. One of them will 19 months. I am dreading it, but will probably just have to deal with it.

Hello,
We are planning to travel to Montreal in a couple of weeks with my 9 month old son. This will be our first time travelling with him. We will be there for a week. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we will have a direct flight. Should he have his own airline seat? Also any other travel tips (how to take as little as possible and stretch it )and things to do in Montreal would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,

I will be going to cambodia with a nearly 2yr old. Do I need to worry about malaria or other nasties?

I recall that Cambodia has some malarial "hot" zones, but that many parts of the country are not considered high risk.

Of course you'll never be 100% free from risk, but I imagine that if you stay out of these zones, your kid has a pretty good chance of staying healthy.

we're off to thailand in a week with our 10 month old. just bought a cot mosquito net to take with us as have heard the resort we're going to doesn't do them. not just as a precaution against malaria, which isn't a problem where we're going but i hate to see bubs with red spots all over.
our friend who lives in thailand assured us if we stick to touristy places, avoid thick jungly stuff, we have a really low risk.
guess the same applies to other parts of SEA.