The time has finally come – your first vacation with baby is here! While you can't wait to explore new places with your family or relax on the beach, a lot of planning awaits you before the trip. New parents rightly wonder what they really need when traveling with a baby and how to make the vacation as stress-free as possible. From planning and packing lists to choosing the best travel stroller: In this guide, you will receive the most important tips for relaxed travel with a baby.
The first trip with baby: What to consider
What initially seems exhausting for parents can be approached in a relaxed and stress-free manner with the right planning. Because if your vacation destination offers everything you need to master everyday life with a child, you can fully dedicate yourself to sightseeing, your activities, or relaxing by the hotel pool. We therefore recommend that you deal with all the details of your vacation early on and refrain from last-minute deals and ill-considered travel destinations, especially with newborns who still require a lot of attention and care. This way, you'll have a clear head for the really important things during your journey and stay. Therefore, consider the following aspects in advance:
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Baby's age
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Climate & season
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Destination
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Accommodation
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Catering
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Transportation
Planning your trip: The ideal age
If you are traveling with a baby for the first time, you should carefully consider whether your vacation wishes are compatible with your little one. First of all, the baby's age is crucial. Pediatricians recommend refraining from travel for the first 3 months until the immune system has sufficiently developed. From the 4th month, family routines have usually settled in, and the worst sleepless nights are a thing of the past. Now, there's nothing stopping a family trip. Many parents find the time between 4 and 8 months ideal, because the baby perceives its surroundings but cannot yet move independently. This often changes from the 8th month onwards. As soon as the little ones become mobile, crawling, pulling themselves up on furniture, or even taking their first steps, they also want to explore the world. This active time is fun, but it can impair the parents' relaxation during the vacation. Therefore, think carefully in advance about how you envision your first trip with a child.
Where to go? Child-friendly destinations
The most important question before a vacation is the destination, because not every dream paradise is ideal for a family trip with a baby. Particularly suitable are vacation spots that offer the necessary infrastructure, comfort, and excellent medical care, so that the days are pleasant and you are covered in an emergency.
Also practical is a short journey, whether by car, train, or plane. Those who sit in the car or plane for 10 hours with a baby to their destination often start their vacation exhausted. Both Germany and Scandinavia, Austria, and Southern Europe offer wonderful places that are quickly accessible and provide a high standard of living.
But don't forget to consider the season and climate before booking! Spain, Italy, and Greece are beautiful in spring and autumn, but in summer they can be burdened with hot temperatures. Conversely, Nordic countries in winter with freezing cold, a lot of rain, and snow can spoil the vacation for you and your loved ones.
Choosing accommodation: Hotel, vacation home, or campsite?
Once the vacation spot is set, it's time to choose accommodation. To ensure high comfort for your family, you should leave nothing to chance. If you prefer hotel service, it's best to look for special family resorts or baby-friendly hotels. They offer cribs, high chairs, kettles, nursing areas, and sometimes even childcare.
Families who want to be flexible and prefer to prepare their own meals can book a baby-friendly vacation home or apartment. In addition to baby-friendly equipment, they offer their own kitchen, washing machine, and sometimes separate bedrooms. However, everyday tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning, and doing laundry arise here, so the vacation can quickly feel like everyday life.
For adventurous families, campsites are also an excellent option for slowing down. With a camper van or large tent, you can enjoy time in nature with your baby. However, since you have to bring all the equipment yourself, you should think carefully about the necessary equipment in advance.
Seat, hand luggage & travel stroller: Flying with a baby
You don't have to drive yourself, you have your hands free, and you reach distant destinations in just a few hours: Traveling by plane has many advantages, but it often deters parents with babies. Because once you're inside, you only get out when you arrive, and you're afraid that the baby will cry or scream loudly and thus disturb other passengers. But with the right preparation and a few tips and tricks, flying can even be relaxing and go smoothly. Therefore, consider some important points when planning:
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Travel time
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Seat
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Hand luggage
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Transportation
Booking and seating
A flight with a child can be significantly improved by choosing the right seat. Children under 2 years old usually sit on their parents' laps. However, this is not mandatory; you can also easily book a regular seat for your little one. Instead of sitting on you, your baby will then be in an approved car seat that you bring, leaving your hands free. For long-haul flights, bassinet seats offer relief. Here, the baby can lie in a special bassinet provided by the airline, placed in front of you. Since only a few of these seats are available, you should contact the airline immediately after booking your flight.
If these options are not feasible, a seat in the 1st row or a window seat offers a little more privacy and comfort. Unfortunately, the popular emergency exits are not permitted for travel with small children due to safety reasons. Furthermore, if there is an opportunity to schedule the flight during the time of day when your child is in a good mood and well-rested, then nothing stands in the way of a pleasant flight!
What needs to be in hand luggage?
When traveling with a baby, you need quite a lot for your little travel companion on the plane. First of all, supplies for the next few hours should be secured. Depending on the age, this means having enough food with you. Pack formula milk and boiled water for bottle-fed babies. For older babies, make sure you have enough baby food. Also, plan for possible delays and take a little more with you so you don't end up with a hungry child. The good news is that baby food is not subject to the usual 100 ml liquid restriction. So you can take as much as you need.
Also important are changes of clothes, a changing pad, diapers, and wet wipes so you are prepared for any mishap. Depending on their age, you can also pleasantly pass the time with a children's book or a small toy. Most airlines are very accommodating to families with children and will let you take a few extra items to keep your little one happy.
Comfort at the airport: Stroller & carrier
Before you can make yourself comfortable on the plane, you have to get there first. Baggage drop-off, security control, the walk to the gate, and the stay involve many waiting times, which is a test of patience for parents and children. Here, travel strollers are an absolute must-have. Light, compact, and practical, they offer your baby a place to sit or lie down and some storage space to keep your hands free. In most cases, you don't have to check in the stroller but can take it directly to the gate or the airplane. Airports that do not allow strollers through security control usually offer replacement strollers that you only hand over when boarding the plane.
For younger babies who are not yet allowed to sit in a stroller, it is also possible to take the pram on the plane. However, many parents prefer to check it in as luggage and use a carrier to the gate, as it is not as compact and maneuverable. In the carrier, your baby feels safe in the unfamiliar environment and can explore the world around them at the same time.
You can get detailed information about taking a stroller and pram from the respective airline.
Which travel stroller is the best?
You love your combination stroller, but when it comes to family vacations, it's too heavy, too bulky, and takes up too much space. This is where travel strollers are ideal. They offer maximum flexibility, are very compact, and can be easily stored in the car or taken on plane trips.
They also make an important contribution once you've arrived at your destination. Babies who can't walk yet can easily accompany you on sightseeing tours and small excursions and take a nap if needed thanks to the practical reclining position. Toddlers who can already walk have a comfortable retreat where they can rest and observe everything. But for it to work so smoothly, the stroller should be high-quality and have certain features. But which travel stroller is the best? There are countless travel stroller tests, and we will show you what you should really look for when choosing one and introduce you to our high-quality Hartan models.
Buying a travel stroller: What to look for
There are many travel strollers, and it's not always easy for parents to keep track when choosing. To ensure you get a balanced combination of safety, comfort, and functionality when traveling with a baby, consider the following aspects before buying a stroller:
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Compact folding size: To easily store it in the car, train, or plane, the stroller should fold compactly.
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Low weight: If you ever have to carry it, the stroller should be light and ideally weigh under 10 kg.
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Good maneuverability: Swiveling front wheels are ideal for narrow alleys and crowded airport terminals.
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Continuously adjustable backrest: Whether fully upright for snacking, in a relaxed reclining sitting position, or a flat lying position for sleeping, an adjustable backrest is essential for comfort.
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High safety: The chosen model should comply with European safety standards, be stable, and have a 5-point harness.
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Extras: Sun canopy, shopping basket, one-hand folding mechanism, and cup holder also make daily travel easier.
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Age recommendation & weight: Make sure the stroller is approved for your child's age and weight. Most models are recommended from 6 months and up to 15 or 22 kg.
Hartan models for travel with baby
If you are looking for a stroller with a recline function for your family vacation that offers your child great comfort and makes traveling easier with its compact folding size and low weight, then it's worth taking a look at the high-quality Hartan models. With many years of experience, our 4th generation family business manufactures strollers and buggies that meet the highest demands. They offer an excellent level of safety, absolute flexibility, and a stylish design. Whether the off-road Clixx Buggy for adventures in nature, the practical i-maxx Buggy for quick use, or the compact travel stroller Bit for excursions: Discover the model that suits your wishes and requirements.
A detailed comparison of our Hartan stroller models can be found in our article "Which stroller is the best? The big Hartan Guide".
Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling with Baby
Can a travel stroller be used from birth?
Most travel strollers are not suitable for newborns but are only approved from 6 to 9 months of age. It is important that the baby can already sit independently and has stable neck and back muscles. There are a few models for younger babies, but these should not be used for too long and only in a completely flat lying position.
Which travel stroller has a recline function?
Many high-quality strollers have a recline function that allows the backrest to be fully lowered. At Hartan, all our stroller models have a continuously adjustable backrest including a resting position, so you can flexibly determine the best position for your child.
Can a travel stroller be taken as hand luggage on the plane?
Most strollers can be taken to the gate or the aircraft door, but are then loaded by an employee. Whether a stroller can be taken into the cabin as hand luggage varies from airline to airline and depends on the individual hand luggage dimensions. It is best to check directly with the airline before your trip.
Checklist for a family vacation with a baby
📂 Documents: Passports, insurance cards, driver's licenses, and more: Find out what you need for your destination. For a better overview, you can keep all important papers in a binder.
🌍 Location & duration of vacation: Find out about the weather and conditions at your destination. Depending on how long you are traveling and what the climatic conditions are, you can pack appropriate clothing.
🏨 Accommodation: What amenities does your accommodation offer? Is there a bed, high chair, washing machine, and other necessary accessories for your baby, and what do you need to bring?
🩹 First aid kit: Be prepared for the unexpected. A travel pharmacy with fever syrup, suppositories, a thermometer, nail scissors, antihistamines, etc., is essential when traveling with a baby.
✈️ For the journey: Travel stroller, comfortable baby clothes, changes of clothes, changing bag, depending on the baby's age, food or formula milk, water bottle, bibs, muslin cloth, and if possible, a few toys.
