Your first holiday abroad with a baby: what actually matters

Rethink what a good trip looks like

The first holiday with a baby is rarely about ticking off sights. It is about a change of scenery, some sunshine or fresh air, and a few hours a day where the adults can sit with a coffee and watch the world go by. If you plan with that in mind, you are far more likely to come home feeling refreshed rather than worn out.

Choose one base rather than several. Every move between hotels means repacking, a new cot, a new routine and a new set of noises at night. A single apartment or family-friendly hotel for the whole stay gives your baby time to settle, and gives you time to work out where the nearest pharmacy, supermarket and shady park are.

Protect sleep above everything

Babies cope with new places surprisingly well, as long as their sleep is protected. Bring the things that signal bedtime at home: the same sleeping bag, a familiar muslin, a small white noise device or app. These weigh almost nothing and do a great deal of work.

When booking accommodation, ask whether a cot is available and what size it is, and look for a room layout that lets you keep a light on or talk quietly after the baby goes down. A separate bedroom, a balcony or even a large bathroom can turn evenings from tiptoeing in the dark into something resembling a holiday.

If you are crossing a time zone, the gap within Europe is usually only an hour or two. Many parents simply shift the baby's routine gradually over the first couple of days rather than fighting it.

Feeding without the stress

If you breastfeed, travel is often simpler than people expect, since supply comes with you. If you use formula, check whether your usual brand is sold where you are going; many international brands are widely available in European supermarkets and pharmacies, but packaging and names can differ. Bringing enough for the first few days removes the pressure to find it on arrival.

For babies on solids, local markets and supermarkets are full of soft fruit, yoghurt, bread and vegetables that are easy to mash. Pouches are useful on travel days, but there is no need to carry a fortnight's supply.

Getting there

On AeroVista, infants under two can fly on a parent's lap at a reduced fare, families with children under five get priority boarding on every fare, and you can take your stroller right to the aircraft door free of charge. That makes the airport part considerably easier: you keep the stroller as a mobile bed and luggage trolley until the moment you step on board.

Pick flight times that suit your baby rather than the cheapest slot. A flight that lines up with a nap can feel like a short break for everyone.

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