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If you're about to travel by plane with a baby, especially alone without the other parent this article might be of help.
Specifically, in addition to a passport, if you and the child do not have the same family name, airport officials have the right to request the child’s birth certificate. The second essential thing is to have a consent letter from the other parent. You can download document here.
Bearing in mind that the prices of hospital care and medical interventions can be extremely high abroad, it is desirable to get some travel insurance for yourself as well as for the child for the period of your staying abroad. This can be obtained through any insurance company at very reasonable prices. In case of illness or injury, you can immediately contact your insurance agent and forward him all hospital records, copies of the insurance policy and passport of the beneficiary, as well as the address and telephone number of the health institution. Another possibility is to pay all on the spot and be refunded upon return to your home country.
When you've got all administratively technical necessities done and have checked the expiration date of passport (no later than 15 days before travel) it only remains to pack a bag for yourself and for your baby.
Most airlines allow in addition to the ten pounds of personal luggage a pushchair and sometimes a carseat to go in the hold at no additional charge. These should be handed in immediately upon check-in with your other baggage. Another option is to take the stroller with you on the plane and thus have the ability to move easier through the airport with your baby. If not it is best to wrap them to protect them from damage in the hold. This can be done either at home or you can use the airport luggage wrapping service. This service costs an average of 8 euros and is highly recommended. If your stroller wheels are inflatable, be sure to let the air out before it enters the plane (once they over-inflate it is not so easy to repair them). In addition to your hand luggage you have the right take a bag for the baby as well.
The most practical way to get around with a baby at the airport is the carrier. That means the baby is in the safest possible place, on your chest, and you have free hands. To manoeuvre and run through the airport this is the easiest option. From our experience the BabyBjorn carrier is life-saving in these situations, and it is really easy to take on and off and you might have to do that a lot during security controls.
A baby travel bag should contain baby diapers, water (boiled water is available on the plane), a change of clothes, some healthy snacks, a blanket, a favourite toy, disinfectant for hands etc. When packing, make sure that you put the liquid on the top of your luggage. Most airlines give toys during the flight like puzzles, rubber toys, books made of textile etc. The easiest and cheapest way to entertain your kid during the flight is to have some stickers with you which can be pasted on a piece of paper, in a small notebook or just anywhere. In any case they are easy to remove. Pay attention that the toys you take with you are not too noisy, such as those with melodies that repeat endlessly, for the sake of the other passengers. If your baby uses a pacifier, bring an extra one. It is desirable to pack a change of clothing for yourself, as well as plenty of water if you are breast-feeding.
During shorter flights babies up to 2 years sit on your lap and pay ten percent of the ticket price. For long distance hauls contact your travel company before the trip and ask them to provide you with a bassinet. It is hard to imagine having a baby on your lap for hours on end, especially if you have twins.
The most important thing is not to bother too much about third party advice from other passengers if your baby cries or is restless during the flight. Just be sure to stay calm and offer your baby breast, pacifier or bottle during takeoffs and landings due to pressure changes that can cause pain in their ears.
Enjoy your trip!
