2026
Travelling with your baby
Category (s):
Baby
Parenting
Welcome
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Planning a first trip with a baby can feel intimidating, especially if it involves a flight. Yet with the right tools, reliable information and a good dose of flexibility, the experience can be not only doable, but enjoyable. It is simply a matter of adapting the pace, planning the essentials carefully and adjusting your expectations.
This text is not an exhaustive guide, but an overview of the important points to consider so you can travel with a young child with real peace of mind.
Some considerations are essential when choosing a destination:
If you go for an all-inclusive trip, check whether the hotel offers family-friendly facilities: stroller, playpen, crib, high chair, childcare service, children's pool, and so on. Some chains offer a "Bienvenue bébé!" or "Baby Welcome" package, designed to lighten the family's luggage.
If you are travelling with a child for the first time, favour destinations close to home. Experience, confidence and organization all improve with time.
According to the SAAQ (Quebec automobile insurance board), there is nothing to prevent you from travelling by car with a baby, whatever their age, as long as the safety rules are followed. It is in fact recommended to have the car seat installation checked before the birth, ideally around 35 weeks of pregnancy.
On long drives, plan breaks every two hours to change the baby's position, take care of their needs and avoid the risk of positional asphyxia.
It is recommended to wait:
Several books can help you plan a family trip, for example Lonely Planet – Partir en famille, the Guide Ulysse – Famille, BB Jetlag or Terres d'Aventure – Voyager en famille.
Babies under 2 can travel free of charge or at low cost on a parent's lap. Fees (taxes or a percentage of the adult fare) may nonetheless apply. Most airlines let you buy the ticket online, but some require you to add the baby by phone.
It is sometimes possible to reserve a small travel bed (bassinet) for babies under one year old. You can also bring a car seat that is compatible with aircraft seats — check with the airline.
Travelling with young children takes energy. It is essential to take your physical and mental state into account. Do you need rest, novelty or a break from daily life? Before choosing a destination, ask yourself what you need, without letting yourself be influenced by the idealized images circulating on social media.
To get a passport for a child:
A consent letter is not required by law when only one parent is travelling with the child, but it is strongly recommended in order to avoid complications at customs. The details are available on the Government of Canada's travel website.
Before you leave, check with a health care professional to find out whether additional vaccines are needed for your destination. Some travel health clinics offer personalized support.
Before you pack, check the rules of CATSA (the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) to find out which items are allowed or prohibited on a plane. Each airline also has its own baggage policies (dimensions, types allowed in the cabin, contents, and so on).
Some exceptions apply for families:
Practical tip: use an insulated bag to carry milk, since it cannot be refrigerated on board.
Do not forget baby's essentials (diapers, wipes, changes of clothing, bottles, toys, and so on), which you can spread out among the family's bags.
The pressure changes during take-off and landing can cause ear pain. To relieve your baby, offer them something to suck on (breast, bottle, soother). Sucking encourages swallowing and helps equalize the pressure.
As a preventive measure, you can clear your baby's airways with a saline solution and a nasal aspirator 2 to 3 times a day during the week before you leave.
After the trip, watch for the appearance of fever or any other unusual symptom. A medical consultation is recommended for a young baby if you are worried.
Ideally, plan a few quiet days at home before going back to your routine: returning to the usual schedule, especially after a time change, can take a while, for the child as much as for the parent.
A trip with a baby is above all a human adventure full of learning. By being well prepared, you give yourself every chance to enjoy it fully, at your own pace.
The prenato.ca website and the comprehensive information it contains are intended as practical tools for expectant and new parents, as well as for women throughout the various stages of their lives. This information is not intended to replace the skills, knowledge, or experience of qualified healthcare professionals who are familiar with the specific facts, circumstances, and symptoms of each individual. Consequently, Prenato and its staff cannot be held liable for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information provided on this site. It is the user's responsibility to consult a physician or a qualified healthcare professional appropriate to their specific needs for any personal health concerns.
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