Traveling solo with kids as an expat in Belgium

I was travelling solo out of EU with my baby/toddler several times.

Admin: You need official approval for the trip of another parent that is done at the commune. They need to list countries they agree for you to visit, in the period that they write explicitly (the more flexible the better, just in case - that's how we did). They have to go to the commune in person and this document is issued immediately. There is a small admin fee. It is not possible to give general approval nor the unlimited approval even for the same countries.

Noone ever asked me to show the paper at the belgian border but legally you are obliged to have it and they can make an issue if they want to.

Logistics: I always travel from Zaventem, look at the timing of the departure/arrival to fit in our routine schedule as much as possible. For example for me personally, late flight would be great, especially after work but I always avoided these with my child because I assume after the whole day, travelling would be very exhausting. Maybe it would be ok for baby, but for curious toddler it is difficult.

At the airport, come earlier, bring healthy snacks and everything you need for a child. I always had one bag hand bag just for things for the child including those we would need when we land, including "just in case" basic medicaments such as nurofen for example.

On the plane, it was always ok. We are screen free (except for family face time) and my child was always fine. We had toys, books, snacks, I would tell a story about what is happening and what will happen when we land etc. If necessary, I was going to the plane toilet for child to fall asleep without destructions. It is not easy but it worked several times.

Some airports have fast lines for kids, some have amazing playgrounds (for Brussels airport it is in the EU flight area for now only); some can provide you with the stroller if yours is flying directly to the other destination etc. As regards the stroller, you can opt to leave it at the check in or at the gate. Both can be convinient depending on your situation. Sometimes it is convenient to put all the things on the stroller and if child gets tired they can also have a rest depending on age or sleep if needed. If there is a connecting flight, you can check if you will get the stroller at the final destination or not. It happened that once I didnt pick up a stroller that I saw was left out of the plane when we already entered the bus, but stroller was put to the next plane and we got it later, so dont worry

We also always take a taxi to the airport and choose the easiest way from the airport. Unfortunately, not so many people offer to help, but at the airport it is also the easiest just to put all luggage including the stroller and the child on the trolley until the check in. If you have very small baby that cannot sit, it's best to put the in carrier.