Traveling with babies is never an easy task; it always requires caregivers to be extra attentive and take precautions. However, the level of difficulty varies depending on the stage of life. For newborns, for example, a phase that lasts until they are 2 months old, traveling is not recommended.

They are still at a very early stage of life, with a poorly developed immune system, as well as a fragile muscular and skeletal structure. Parents are also likely to have little energy or motivation at this stage—especially the mother, who may still be recovering physically.

How Many Months Old Should a Baby Be to Travel?

Starting at 3 months old, the scenario begins to change, as the baby is no longer so fragile and does not have motor autonomy—meaning, they do not yet walk or crawl. This makes them easier to carry, giving what we might call great “portability,” since it’s easier to carry the child in your arms. Traveling with a baby becomes a bit easier, although it’s not yet ideal.

In later stages, as the child develops the ability to crawl and walk, the parents’ challenge is no longer the comfort of the journey, but rather keeping an eye on the child’s activities. It’s a good idea to choose destinations that do not require limiting the child’s exploratory curiosity with too many “no’s.”

Can Babies Travel by Plane?

Generally, airlines do not accept newborn babies less than a week old to board. The medical community recommends that, unless the travel is urgent, it should only take place after the baby is at least 2 months old.

There are some risks associated with this type of travel that justify why it is not recommended for newborns. Their immune system is less developed than that of an adult, since they have not yet received all their vaccines, which makes the shared air in an airplane an unfavorable environment for their health.

Precautions When Flying with Babies

Another risk, which adults are also not immune to, is exposure to new viruses and diseases in the destination region. Even though doctors advise against it, by regulation, a newborn more than a week old is allowed to fly. Still, if travel must occur, it is important to take some precautions, such as:

  • Making sure the aircraft has a pressurized cabin;
  • Buying a ticket for the baby as well, so they have their own seat, and bringing their infant car seat.

It is necessary for the airplane to have a pressurized cabin—which is standard in almost all large commercial airplanes—because its purpose is to maintain inside the plane a pressure similar to that experienced on the ground.

At high altitudes, air pressure drops, reducing the amount of oxygen. For babies, any possible reduction in oxygen is felt more strongly, since the smaller the person, the less oxygen they can take in. Therefore, reduced oxygen levels make babies more vulnerable to other illnesses or can worsen a preexisting condition.

Should Babies Sit on Your Lap or in Their Own Plane Seat?

When traveling with their babies, parents may also wonder: should the newborn be held in the caregiver’s arms or sit in their own seat, like an infant car seat, placed in another seat on the airplane?

The question arises because airlines generally do not charge for tickets for children under 2 years old or, if charged, it is about 10% of the ticket’s value, and the child must sit on the responsible adult’s lap.

However, in the case of newborns, it is not recommended that they travel in arms. In the first 2 months of life, babies cannot hold their heads up, so the use of an infant car seat with a neck support is advised to keep them more stable and safe during the trip. The financial cost of buying a full ticket, instead of getting the free lap infant policy, is offset by the greater safety for your baby.

IMPORTANT: Airlines do not usually provide infant car seats, so parents must bring one from home for the baby’s safety during the trip.

Places to Travel with Your Baby

Choosing a travel destination for your baby depends on the parents’ financial possibilities. However, the free or low fares charged for lap infants may make even the more expensive travel options, like air travel, economically interesting, despite the precautions we’ve mentioned above.

Those who travel by bus can take children up to 5 years old (up to the day before their 6th birthday) without paying for a ticket, provided they do not occupy their own seat—in other words, traveling on the caregiver’s lap.

In any case, when choosing where to go, pay attention to the length of the journey, aiming to avoid long trips and unfavorable conditions, such as driving through mountains or on poorly maintained roads.

One viable option in terms of infrastructure is a cruise, which offers small functional cabins. For those who are still in diapers and therefore cannot go in the pool, there are special areas with water just for little babies.

The drawback with cruises is the minimum age requirement, which is not universal and varies by company. This minimum age can range from 4 months to 1 year, depending on the company and/or ship. When the baby is still in the “portable” phase (carried in arms), for example, which is around 3 months, embarking is generally not allowed, much to the disappointment of their parents.

Another less restrictive and more peaceful option is farm hotels, which bring the family closer to nature. The baby can explore the environment crawling or running, getting in touch with plants, trees, and animals—an excellent idea for those raised in a city setting. Parents also enjoy the activities and relaxed atmosphere, making this a calming destination. There is no minimum age for staying.

There is also a recent trend, which is ‘baby friendly’ hotels and inns. These offer a wide range of facilities for little ones, from a 24-hour kitchen stocked with anything the baby might need, to restaurant menus including baby food and soup, as well as a crib and baby bathtub in the room.

This tailored offering for babies’ needs means your trip becomes much more economical in terms of the number of bags and baby items you would normally have to bring with you.

See Also: Children’s Nutrition While Traveling

Photo: Anna Langova