Tips for taking your baby to the mountains!

For some of us, winter holidays in the mountains and on the ski slopes are a must. But this year, we have a new baby! 

At what age can you take your baby to the mountains? What precautions should you take? We offer some advice in our article.

Taking a newborn to the mountains is entirely possible, but it requires a little organisation and adherence to certain altitude limits. 

As a general rule, there is no minimum age, but it is recommended to wait until the baby is at least one month old for a stay at low altitude. Before the child is 12 months old, it is preferable to stay in the lower mountains. 

Before arriving at the station, during the ascent, it is advisable to take a break halfway up to give your child time to adjust. If you are bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, this will prevent your little one from experiencing altitude-related earache.

Our advice: do not take the cable car or chairlift with a child under 3 years old as the ascent is too fast for them.

Here are the different altitude levels recommended for your child's age : 

.From 0 to 1 year old, the maximum recommended altitude is 1,200 metres. 

. From 1 to 3 years old, up to 1,800 metres. And for children over 3 years old, the recommended altitude can be up to 2,500 metres.

Are there any other precautions I should take when going to the mountains with my young child?

Young children often have sensitive skin, so it is important to protect them properly against the cold and dry mountain air. Remember that a baby who is not moving around in their pushchair will get cold much faster than you! Dressing your child in several thin layers of clothing will allow them to move freely. 

A little tip: try to take your baby out during the warmest hours of the day, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

It is best to cover their extremities well with suitable shoes, a hat, gloves and a scarf. The mountain air can dry out your baby's skin, so remember to moisturise them with cream. You can also apply lip balm to prevent chapping.

Snow reflects up to 90% of UV rays. Therefore, don't forget to apply sunscreen and put sunglasses on your child. 

Can you hire all-terrain pushchairs suitable for the mountains?

You can hire childcare equipment suitable for the mountains from FAMILIB.COM. It offers a solution that is both practical and economical for parents.

When you go on holiday to the mountains with your family, you want to avoid the hassle of taking all your childcare equipment with you. What's more, walking around the resort or climbing the peaks with young children often requires suitable equipment, such as an all-terrain stroller or a baby carrier. 

In partnership with CGH Hotel Residences in the Alps, FAMILIB offers all-terrain pushchairs and baby carriers for hire to make parents' holidays easier. 

The CGH group is present in all the major ski resorts in the Alps, in Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isère and the Hautes-Alpes. CGH's 4- and 5-star hotel residences reflect their passion and commitment to wide open spaces, quality and professionalism.

Why hire an all-terrain pushchair in the mountains?

A standard pushchair with small wheels is practically unusable as soon as there is 2 cm of snow or gravel. Hire models offer:

•    Large wheels with suspension: So your baby isn't jolted with every bump.

•    Wide tyres: So you don't sink into fresh or melted snow.

What are the rental rates? 

Prices vary depending on the resort and duration, but generally range from:

•    €20 to €27 for one day.

•    €40 to €60 for a full week.

Going to the mountains with a baby is a great idea, but it just requires a little more organisation than a holiday with friends. 

Trips to high altitudes must be well planned, especially for young children! Make sure you protect your baby from the cold.

The FAMILIB team