How to go on vacation or travel with a baby or small children?
Going on vacation and traveling with a baby or small children
Going on vacation with a baby or toddler cannot be improvised. Indeed, certain precautions are necessary to ensure his specific needs during the trip and at the place of destination.
Where to go ? What is the ideal means of transport?
Finding the ideal destination that will suit a young child or a baby means making a selection based on their age and state of health. It is also necessary to take into account the distance to be covered, the travel time and the climate of the place of stay. It is better to give preference to a trip to the countryside, to low mountains or to coastal areas.
On the transport side, the plane and the train are the most comfortable and safest means of transport. However, if the distance to the place of stay does not represent too many hours of driving, going by car can also be a good option. Traveling by car allows you to stop to rest and take with you everything that young children and babies need for a happy vacation. This last point is not always obvious if you go by plane, because the number of bags and their weight are increasingly limited by the airlines.
Advice if you are going by plane: to avoid the inconveniences linked to pressure changes during landing and take-off, all you have to do is get your child to drink. Swallowing regularly during these stages of flight will allow him to compensate for pressure differences. To calm him down during the trip, don't forget his favorite comforter and toys.
Are there any special arrangements to be made?
For the suitcase, apart from clothes, childcare equipment and toiletries, also provide sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a baby carrier. The travel pharmacy kit must contain, among other things: dressings, antiseptics, paracetamol in pediatric form and an electronic thermometer.
Traveling with a child is not exempt from red tape. An identity card is sufficient if the journey is made within the European Union, but just like adults, a passport or visa may be required for destinations outside the EU. In order to avoid any disappointment, find out about the documents to be provided with the consulate or embassy of the host country.
And the insurance?
If you do not intend to leave Europe, bring the European health insurance card (EHIC). Holders of this document benefit from support for a period of one year throughout Europe.
Please note : the EHIC may not be sufficient for certain destinations in Europe. Indeed, coverage and reimbursements are based on the social security scale. In some countries, the cost of medicine is higher than in France. To cope with this difference, you can always take out additional travel insurance.
If, on the other hand, you want to discover distant lands with your child , taking out an insurance contract with cover abroad is essential. Even if, generally, the payment of your stay via a credit card entitles you to travel insurance ( note: the guarantees vary according to the type of card ), this one often includes many exclusions and limited reimbursement ceilings. It is therefore preferable to opt for travel insurance offering broader coverage; especially for your children!
What you must remember
Preparation and insurance are the key words for a successful family trip ! So take your time to organize yourself well in advance by asking your insurance broker and travel agencies who have detailed tourist guides containing more advice and practical information.
Additional Resources
Traveling with a child on the Guide du Routard
Ideas, info and tips for traveling with children
Happy family trip!
PS Have you ever traveled with babies or toddlers? Do not hesitate to share your experiences and your advice in the comments of this article.
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