Some time ago - before the pandemic - a good friend of mine took a four-month break in Australia with her husband, baby (10 months) and three-year-old daughter. The reactions of those around her ranged from admiring "What you dare to do!" to reproachful "What you put the poor children through!".
For many parents, the thought of travelling with a child or even a baby is often fraught with uncertainty and worry. "For now, the only option is probably a holiday at the Baltic Sea," I recently heard the mother of a three-month-old bundle of joy say. That sounds so negative, but there's no question about it: families with small children can have wonderful holidays in Germany's coastal regions. But children also surprise their parents time and again with how adaptable and flexible they can be when travelling if their parents are by their side as a safe haven and their children's needs are taken into account.
Incidentally, my friend's family came back from Australia pretty happy. The "poor baby" had learnt to walk on the way and her big sister had learnt English nursery rhymes. They both really enjoyed their time with mum and dad. The parents now "feel" they know every playground between Sydney and Brisbane and are also filled with exceptionally wonderful memories.
Of course, not every family has to travel to the other side of the world. However, some basic travel planning considerations apply to every possible destination.
What age is suitable for travelling with a child?
Grabbing your newborn baby and immediately after the Postpartum packing your suitcases is certainly not such a good idea. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to make generalised statements about the best time for the first trip with the new family member. Experience shows that the following is a good guide: Once your new family routine and rhythm has settled in and you feel ready, you can get started. Many mums who are travelling find it very practical if they are still breastfeeding. This means you don't have to worry about feeding your baby while travelling. Good breast milk is always hygienically "packaged", at the perfect temperature and immediately available at all times.
Regardless of what time you feel is right for travelling with a child: It is important to see your child as an equal travelling partner and to take them seriously. No matter how old they are. If you take the child's needs into account appropriately, even the youngest children can settle in well and feel comfortable at their holiday destination. This includes, for example, familiar bedtimes, enough space to play and familiar rituals, which should be embedded in the holiday arrangements wherever possible. Ultimately, the whole family benefits from a relaxed baby when travelling. However, stress would already be pre-programmed if adults wanted to go through "their" holiday programme and only drag their children along as an appendage.
Which destinations are suitable for travelling with a child or baby?
Areas for which you need malaria prophylaxis or similar are ruled out as holiday destinations. Countries where the general security situation is questionable are also not suitable for family holidays. You should also remove countries or seasons where it is extremely hot or cold from your list of possible destinations. Babies and toddlers are much more sensitive to temperature than older children. You should bear in mind that extremely warm temperatures of up to 40 degrees can also prevail in the south of Europe in midsummer.
Also find out about general hygiene and medical care on site. This means, for example: Is the tap water suitable for drinking or is it better to use bought bottled water, for example for preparing baby food or brushing teeth? How quickly is medical help available - also for the child? There is also the question of how you will organise meals for your child if you are no longer breastfeeding fully. Would you have to take powdered milk, jars etc. with you or can you buy baby food locally? The planned duration of your holiday also plays a role here.
I also advise you to keep an eye on the proportionality of the journey and holiday duration. It's not worth taking an hour-long flight with a time difference or a car journey lasting several days for a few days' change of scenery. It's better to do this without children.
And also note: As soon as you leave Germany, your baby will need their own passport. You can have a children's passport or a biometric passport issued for this purpose.
Of course, the type of accommodation is also a decisive factor in determining the course of a holiday. Families travelling with a motorhome, for example, know where they will be staying: In the same bed every day and usually on a campsite, even if a new one is visited the next day. Other families swear by a holiday flat because it's the best place for them to find their own rhythm and be able to concentrate on their child or children undisturbed. However, if you don't want to eat out, you have to prepare all your own meals and go shopping. Others want to be pampered in a family hotel. Each family needs to find out in advance which type of accommodation suits them best.
How are we travelling?
If the journey there is as relaxed as possible, it's a good start to the family holiday for everyone. Sometimes, however, the youngest children simply aren't in the form you'd like them to be for the journey. Then, unfortunately, you just have to get through it. This applies to you as well as to other fellow travellers, but every car journey, train journey and flight has an end...
By car:
Having your own car is often the most uncomplicated solution for many families. In addition, the many small and individual items that tend to be added to the general luggage when travelling with children can still find a corner in the car. Plan enough time for the journey, including enough breaks. At least every two hours, baby's back needs a break from the infant carrier or child seat. Make sure you and your child get plenty of exercise during the breaks. You can read more about travelling by car with babies on my blog here(Link) read.
By train:
No traffic jams slow you down on the rails, and nobody has to concentrate on the road traffic. The train is also a very safe mode of transport. However, suitcases and other items should be well packed - after all, you don't want to be travelling with a bunch of extra bags that are easy to forget somewhere.
For stress-free train journeys, it is better to book seats in advance. If you are travelling on an ICE train, you have the option of reserving a so-called infant compartment for children up to the age of five. Here, families are among themselves and no fellow travellers will give you annoyed looks just because the little ones get a little louder. You have peace and quiet for breastfeeding, the pushchair has its own corner and there's even room to play. This service is also offered on most IC and EC trains.
By aeroplane:
The airline's regulations apply to baggage. You can check in the buggy or pushchair folded up as bulky baggage. If your child is under two years old, they can travel on your lap. In this case, it is secured to the lap belt of mum or dad with a separate belt (known as a loop belt). However, experts have long criticised this system for children as insufficiently safe and, in extreme cases, even life-threatening for the little ones. Alternatively, you can book your own seat for your little one, where they can travel in a child seat or infant carrier that you have brought with you. However, the seat or carrier must be certified by TÜV as "For use in aircraft". You can also ask your airline for a baby cot, which can then be attached to the wall in front of the first row. However, this is only intended "for in between".
From the second birthday must you can book a separate seat for your child on the aircraft. This seat is then fitted with the same lap belt as all other seats. However, for small passengers weighing 10 kilos or more, you can purchase a separate seat belt system that secures children separately in their seat with two shoulder straps on the plane.
Your baby or toddler is not yet able to equalise the pressure in their ears themselves. You can therefore give them something to drink or breastfeed during take-off and landing. Swallowing movements help to relieve the pressure on the ears. A dummy also helps with this.
Finally arrived!
Once you have reached your holiday destination, take it easy so that everyone can adjust to the new surroundings. A holiday with children is simply different to a holiday without children. However, getting involved as adults also offers the opportunity for wonderful shared travel experiences and adventures.
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