Travelling with a baby or toddler is a journey in itself. Soothing a fussy infant while facing an airport delay can be exhausting. And digging to the bottom of your bag to find that you forgot your toddler’s favorite stuffy is a downer.
But reaching your destination in good spirits and clean clothes (for at least one member of the family) is possible, if you follow a to-do list of essential steps and remember to pack must-haves for bagies and toddlers. You can have a bearable, even pleasant, travel experience.
In the unfortunate event that your baby or toddler should suffer a mishap on vacation, ensuring they are eligible for travel insurance coverage may help eliminate financial stress, so you can focus on taking care of your infant.
Be aware that for most policies, a travelling infant needs to be at least 15 days old as of the effective date of the policy to be eligible for travel insurance coverage through their parent’s plan. Make sure your travel insurance paperwork is up-to-date and accurate, and remember to include infants on the policy. If your child has a medical emergency while travelling, your travel insurance documentation will serve as proof of coverage.
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Did you know that Canada, China and the U.S. have some of the highest rates of flight cancellations in the world? An analysis by Travelperk of flights in 2024 found that among the ten countries with the highest flight volumes, “China and Canada had the highest cancellation rates, at around 5% and 3.4% respectively.” The U.S. came in third at nearly 3%. Travel insurance with protection for trip cancellation and delays can make travelling with kids easier. Disruptions such as travel delays can be even more stressful while travelling with babies or toddlers, whose needs must be met while you deal with travel snags.
To manage cancellations and delays without too much of a headache, it’s important to have a plan. Travel insurance should be a key part of that plan. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan with trip cancellation and delay protection reimburses certain non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or delayed for a covered reason.
It’s wise to consider purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, so you can have the most extensive protection possible. Travel insurance offers protection in case of unforeseen and unexpected events. If an emergency occurs before you purchased your policy, you would not be protected in that instance.
Let’s say you’re all packed for a family trip to Disney World but a severe tropical storm delays your flight by a day. Trip cancellation benefits by Allianz Global Assistance may reimburse certain eligible non-refundable expenses — such as a hotel stay while you wait for another flight — if you purchased your policy before the storm was forecasted.
Staying aware of your flight status can help you plan ahead in case of a delay or cancellation due to inclement weather and other interruptions. Most airlines have an official mobile app, which can help you conveniently keep track of flight updates. Your airline’s website is also a reliable source. FlightAware can also help you to keep track of expected delays at airports around the world. FlightAware, a provider of aviation software and data services, delivers real-time flight tracking information that can also help you keep an eye on expected delays at airports globally.
You can take some actions to minimize your chance of experiencing delays, such as flying early in the morning or flying direct. And it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather along your flight path in the week before your flight, just in case you may need to reschedule a more ideal flight to avoid a significant delay.
Arriving early to the airport is crucial, even if your flight is delayed. Delayed flights often make up time and may be earlier than expected, or you may be more likely to snag seats on another flight if you are already at the airport. For domestic flights, standard guidance is to arrive to the airport two hours before take off. Arrive three hours before an international flight. However, if you have a baby or toddler, you may want to add an additional half hour to an hour.
Think of your family’s comfort while making plans. You may want to gain access to airport lounges for more comfortable and private seating and rest areas for your family. There are various ways to gain lounge access, such as purchasing a membership to a lounge network, purchasing a day pass, or redeeming airline points. You can also book a nearby hotel for day use if you have a particularly long layover and need space to decompress.
If you experience a delay, don’t solely rely on watching flight statuses on screen at the airport; try to talk to a gate agent or call the airline’s customer service line to ask if you can get on another flight at no additional cost. If you are faced with standing in a long line to talk to a gate agent, or you can’t get through on the phone to reschedule your flight, there are other strategies you can try. You should be able to reschedule on the airline’s website or mobile app, but keep in mind that fees could apply. If you need to speak to a live agent and you are flying internationally, try calling the help desk in the home country of the airline, which may have more available staff to assist.
All Canadian children, from newborns to age 16, must have their own passport to
travel outside the country. Other important documents besides a Canadian passport could include consent letters, supporting identification, and legal documents regarding custody or court orders. Also, make sure to bring along a copy of your
travel insurance policy and the phone number for your baby's healthcare provider in case questions come up on the road.
A lot of thought and consideration goes into choosing the best travel accessories for day-to-day life. The car seat and stroller should be at the top of your packing checklist for flying with an infant or toddler, to ensure transfer from vehicle to stroller is easy. . A good option is a collapsible umbrella stroller that can be checked at the gate, but make sure that this will be durable enough to handle any outdoor activities on the other end — if you’re planning to hike, for instance, you might be better off renting an ‘all terrain’ stroller at your destination.
It is almost impossible to hold a baby for an entire flight, particularly for overnights, so make sure to book a seat where the airline can provide you with a bassinet, usually at the front of a section. Make sure to request this as early as possible, as there are a limited number per flight.
Packing cubes can be a lifesaver when it comes to staying organized and finding your baby or toddler’s items. Packing cubes can help you group items of similar size and use, so you can keep it all in order. Also, if you will be outdoors during your trip, it’s a good idea to pack a sun hat and SPF protective shirt for your baby. Excessive sun can be harsh on young skin. On overcast days, sunburn is still a risk because UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
Oh so much to remember for the packing list when flying with a baby! Think about the all-encompassing diaper bag and build from that (a lot!) Diapers (roughly one per hour of travel) and a changing pad, wipes, diaper-rash cream, blankets, pacifiers (bring lots – if it drops on the ground you won’t want to use it again), at least two changes of baby clothes for the baby and one for you, easy-wipe bibs, plastic bags for soiled diapers or clothing, tissues, sling or front carrier, disinfecting hand gel, baby wash, and baby lotion and a baby first-aid kit are your foundational items. Additionally, pack several lightweight baby blankets and bibs to protect your clothes while burping your infant.
Here is where the trip is make or break. In addition to preparing well for your own needs with healthy snacks, make sure to pack well (and extra) for the little traveller. You'll need bottles for breast milk or formula, baby food, sippy cup, and soft spoons for feeding. You'll also need water and snacks like rice crackers. Make sure to do some research before travelling to your destination, so that you know what will be available there.
If you’re boarding in Canada or the U.S., or many other nations, it is easy to fly with breast milk. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has the following policy regarding breast milk on flights:
“Passengers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than 100 ml provided it is presented to the Screening Officer for inspection prior to screening. Gel or ice packs are also permitted.”
Depending on the age of your child, some options for in-flight entertainment will be required. Combine old favourites with a few new options such as books and small, soft toys. Stickers are also popular for those old enough to see them as a novel curiosity instead of a snack. And of course, the ever-versatile tablet or laptop, loaded with some favourite cartoons can be a lifesaver. If you’d rather read than watch a movie, bring a book light so you don’t disturb the baby.
Travelling with an infant or small child may seem daunting but being well organized will get you a long way. Start preparing to pack a few days before you travel. Keep a running list of things to take, or put items out on a table or dresser as you think of them. If there is genuine concern that fellow passengers will be disturbed on the flight, people do bring “bribe bags” for fellow passengers. These include earplugs and candy or chocolate with a note asking for forgiveness if the baby cries a lot.
Preparation and flexibility is key when travelling with a baby or toddler. Make sure to pack travel insurance to keep your journey safe and save money during your trip. Most importantly, have a great time on your trip! This is just the beginning of many adventures with your child, and it will be a memory you'll cherish forever.
Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators Group of Companies, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.
