Traveling with a baby for the first time can be both thrilling and terrifying all at once. Some parents choose to wait until their newborn is older before traveling abroad, whereas others can’t wait to book their first family trip. There’s no right or wrong answer as to which is better. Ultimately, it's up to you and your partner to decide. It is, however, recommended that you take extra care when planning a holiday with a young child or baby, as there are a number of things you will need to consider—many of which you wouldn't have had to before. Traveling with a newborn changes how you plan a holiday. Just as solo female travelers often research destinations with safety in mind, new parents should look for places that are safe, accessible, and well-suited to young families.
Maya's Hub Notes
When auditing guest submissions on family logistics, I always emphasize two critical verification points. First, if your baby is under 6 months old, standard chemical sunblocks are too harsh for their thin skin barrier – always pack a pure mineral sunscreen instead. Second, call your airline exactly 48 hours before departure to request a bulkhead bassinet. They cannot be reserved dynamically online, and they fill up fast!
Even though traveling as a family for the first time will be entirely different from previous holidays you’ve been on, you will enjoy your time away just as much—if not more. First, there are a couple of considerations to make. Here’s our ultimate guide for first-time parents who are traveling with a baby.
Healthcare and Travel Insurance
Many believe that because they can’t purchase a dedicated travel insurance package for their newborn, they aren’t required to protect them against expensive medical bills abroad. It's recommended that families traveling with a baby add their newborn to their own travel insurance or family policy instead. No matter if your baby is 2 months or 8 months old, if they’re not included in your travel insurance policy, they won’t be supported if they were to fall ill or be injured during your time abroad.
Family travel insurance policies work in a similar way to multiple injury claims. If an incident occurs where your family is injured or falls ill abroad, and you choose to claim on your family travel insurance, each family member who is injured will have an individual claim that's treated separately from the rest. Even though the claim is handled together, compensation is evaluated individually. Family travel insurance is recommended because it can be cheaper than individual policies and can cover a variety of different claims, such as loss of belongings and travel disruptions.
🌌 Maya's Hub Tip:
If you haven't locked down your destination yet, use our native Destination Finder to match your family's travel style with perfectly suited locations. If you already know where you're flying, head straight to the Activity Explorer and toggle the Age Group filter to reveal logistics-proof things to do with an infant!
Packing Efficiently
It can be easy to think that packing more is better than less when you’re traveling with a newborn for the first time. The most effective and practical way you can pack for your family trip abroad is to check off our comprehensive family trip packing list tool to help narrow down those items that take priority and those that you can purchase while you’re away. Some of the most important items to travel with are baby food, a first aid kit, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, and formula or breast milk, depending on which you choose.
If your newborn is less than two weeks old, some airlines may request an official doctor's note confirming that your baby is safe to fly. It's important to pack plenty of sunscreen that's safe to use on babies. Newborns under 6 months of age tend to have skin that's much more delicate and thinner than older children. This is why you should pack a mineral sunscreen if your baby is still under 6 months old, and above everything else, prioritize keeping your baby in plenty of shade while you’re away.
Baby-Approved Flights and Accommodation
The best advice anyone could give you about booking a holiday with a young baby is to book your flights and accommodation as early as possible. Not only will prices be much more affordable, but you will also be guaranteed times, seats, and rooms that are more suitable for your young one. However, especially with a newborn, planning ahead isn’t always as easy as it sounds, which is why there are a number of other considerations to make if you’re unable to book early. Choose evening flights where you can, as this will improve your chances of getting them off to sleep for the journey. Planes tend to be darker and quieter during evening flights, which will further help your baby get the rest they need.
Even if you prefer to carry or sit with your baby during the flight, it's a good idea to book them a designated seat regardless. Some airlines make it a requirement for your baby to sit in their own seat during take-off and landing, so booking them a seat will save you from running into any issues before you set off. Although it's not preferred by everyone, booking a seat by the window can be helpful if you need to put your baby to sleep during the flight, too.
When it comes to booking accommodation that's appropriate for your family holiday, it’s advised to look for either apartments and Airbnb or hotel suites, all of which offer you separate bedrooms for you and your baby – helpful for nights when they struggle to sleep. Many accommodation providers will have cribs or Moses baskets available for young babies, but it's a good idea to check with them before booking so that the rooms can be ready for when you arrive.
