This post is also available in: 
Spanish
Here is an article covering the questions we ask ourselves as parents with interesting answers regarding when our babies can travel, go to the pool, use a high chair …
When is it safe to start using a baby carrier?
Most of the baby carriers that are in the market are well equipped to be used since birth.
When the baby is in continuous physical contact with the mother and gets to smell her scent and feel her breathing rhythm he feels safe.
This creates a hugely positive effect on his development. Keep in mind that the baby carrier should be safe and adaptable to the morphology of your little baby.
When can my baby play on a seesaw?
Seesaw: There are as many models as you can imagine for seesaws and babies from the age of birth till being 6 to 9 months old. Kids could be put in them depending on each model.
Find one that is comfortable and has a seat belt for your baby. You can use small pads or cushions to offer your baby more comfort, especially during the first months when he will not be able to hold his head, so a cushion can facilitate all the process.
My daughter loved the ones she had and they were all really practical.
When can I take my baby to the playground?
Going out either to a park or to a playground can be very healthy for both, the baby and the mother.
Actually you can start going to the park with your baby from 3 or 4 months of age. colors and shapes can get his attention and arouse interest in him.
In our case, We started taking our daughter to the parks and Playgrounds, when we felt that it was going to be more interesting for her…
When should I put my baby in a walker?
The baby walker is a debatable issue because there are people who recommend it for its benefits and others who totally advise against it because of its dangers.
In all cases, you should expect that your baby will be able to sit alone without support and without falling sideways around his 8 – 9 months.
One thing to keep in mind is the number of models, some models allow the child to move wherever he wants while sitting down, while others allow the baby to stand without any support.
They do the pushing and the effort, and that is the one our daughter started using when she was 9 months old. You have to be very careful though since they can easily fall.
We saw the benefits of the baby walker, she walked almost every day in a garden near the house using it and we could see that she really enjoyed it and we think that it really helped her in having some confidence.
When can my babysit in a high chair? Do babies need a high chair?
You can usually put a baby in a high chair once they can be seated which is more or less between 6 -7 months.
What is the law on child car seats?
The baby could start using the car seat from the day of his birth.
In some countries, especially in Europe and the USA, it is mandatory to carry the baby in his car seat.
The chairs (group 0 and 0+ in Europe) are adapted for newborn babies.
And it is something that parents should install in their car to get back from the hospital with their newborn.
When can a child be in a backless booster seat?
Children can be first put in those chairs when they turn 3 years old.
The weight has to always be at least 18 kilograms.
But let’s go back to the fact that there are many models and some are for newborns, till they turn 6 years old.
After that, it is easier to use booster seats, especially that these chairs are not very comfortable to use with children of 3 years of age or younger.
When can a babysit in the shopping cart seat of supermarkets?
Your baby can get in the shopping cart when they are able to sit alone which usually starts from 9 months.
Most of the children enjoy this ride.
Carts usually have an inscription that states the age and weight for the usage of the baby.
But be careful, when your baby can raise himself, the situation becomes dangerous…
In our case, we could see how our daughter enjoys those rides because she is always busy playing with the groceries.
When can my baby travel by plane?
Your baby can travel by plane during his first weeks. In fact, there are no formal statements that prevent your baby from traveling by plane, even if he is only 15 days old.
The only problem that could affect the baby would be the pressure of takeoffs and landings but there are solutions for that.
You also have to consider the fact that the papers (passport, permits, etc.)
your baby needs to travel can take time to get ready.
When can I take my baby swimming?
The USA NIH advises that babies can start swimming lessons as young as several months of age. But this also depends on the country and the official rules of the pool.
In France, babies who are 4 months old and have taken all the vaccines recommended for their age can go to the pool without any problems.
There are special pools for babies where the water has a temperature of 86 °F. This is so important since babies don’t know how to regulate their body temperature. In fact, it’s only at around 18 – 24 months, when they start to learn how to regulate their body temperature.
When can I take my baby to the beach?
You can go to the beach with your baby when he is just a couple of months old but you have to be careful with the sun, the heat, the wind, the flying sand, etc…
The sun can be very strong in some regions so its better to avoid excess exposure. In Europe and the US, it is better to avoid being on the beach between 12 and 4 in the afternoon because that is when it is hottest and where the sun is strongest.
In all cases you must protect your baby if you go to the beach:
- Use a sunblock special for their age with a super index (60 minimum)
- Use a hat that covers their neck
- Use a shirt (anti UV is the best)
- Use sunglasses
Today there are small tents UV protection for babies that can be taken to the beach or swimming pools. These tents can protect your kids from the sun’s rays and from the wind. They could be very useful especially for when the baby is napping.
When is it safe to travel with my baby?
Traveling by train, car or plane, your baby can travel from the first weeks of age.
Traveling won’t be a problem for your baby since they will be provided with all they need by their parents.
But to play it safe, it is better to avoid long-distance trips in countries that have different conditions from the ones your kid is used to like: (altitude, temperature, etc…)
In these cases, is best to ask the pediatrician for advice in terms of food, hygiene, vaccines, etc…
This post is a part of a series of posts about the baby’s first moments:
Here is an article with interesting answers to questions we ask ourselves as parents at some point about trips and going out with our babies.
You might like:
With Love
7 comments
Oh la la, traveling with babies! I’m so glad that time is gone for me… Love this article and all the answers a mom (or dad) can find in just one place. very useful!
A colleague of mine is having a baby and was just asking when she will be able to travel with the baby the other day. I think this post is perfect to answer her question and know more about it. I will pass it on.
Love this article! It is good to know at what age my baby starts traveling. Than you!
Traveling with a baby is always an experience, thank you for sharing these parent concerns, any help we share with other parents is greatly appreciated.
I took my babies almost everywhere I went. But this post have plenty of useful information, Take the baby out may be intimidating for many parents.
I think traveling with a baby is not that hard , specially now that we can have lots of tips like these. I have traveled with my kids since they were like 3 months old!
What a very useful article with the most common answers for mom with babies.