Traveling with newborns: the guide for new parents

Documents: even the newborn needs their own

Every child, including a newborn just days old, must have their own travel document: for travel within the Schengen area, an identity card is sufficient, valid for 3 years for children aged 0 to 36 months, while for destinations outside the EU a passport is required. If only one parent is traveling, many airlines and border authorities recommend bringing written consent from the other parent, even if it's not required everywhere. Complete details are in the guide to documents for children traveling by air.

Bulkhead seat and bassinet: how and when to request it

The travel bassinet attaches only to rows with bulkheads and should be requested as soon as you book, since available spots on board are limited and not guaranteed. Weight and length limits vary from airline to airline — for example around 10 kg for KLM and up to 12.5 kg for British Airways — so it's wise to check the specific limits for your flight before departure.

Takeoff, landing and the changing bag

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding during takeoff and landing remains the most effective method to help equalize pressure in the newborn's ears. The changing bag should be organized with diapers, wipes, a complete change of clothes and an extra supply of milk or baby food, and kept under the seat in front, not in the overhead bin.

The stroller, from check-in to the aircraft door

In most cases the stroller can be used until the aircraft door (gate check) and is returned as soon as you disembark, without going through baggage claim; some airlines such as Wizz Air are exceptions, which do not allow strollers in the cabin or models with electric motors. It's worth checking the exact policy for your flight, since exceptions vary from airline to airline.

Before departure, check on a single page of your airline's website three things: the minimum age accepted, the maximum weight for the bassinet and the stroller boarding rules — these are the pieces of information that change the most from one airline to another.