You’ve spent the last nine months covered in baby snot, changing dirty diapers and generally suffering from sleep deprivation. Oh, and the nine months before that were spent stretching, aching and, eventually, giving birth to a baby. To say you deserve a holiday is an understatement. You have certainly earned a vacation after all that hard work. The thought of taking your baby on holiday might seem daunting, but if the thought of a couple of weeks of uninterrupted rest and relaxation sounds appealing, check out the five baby-friendly vacation ideas below:
- Somewhere close to home
The most stressful part of any vacation is the journey. Add a baby into the mix and it’s a wonder anyone ever manages to get away. If you’re worried about the journey, choose a vacation spot that’s close to home. You don’t need a long plane journey to make it a vacation, instead, choose somewhere you can reach in a few short hours. Getting away from work and the stresses of everyday life is what it’s all about anyway and you don’t need to be on the other side of the world to achieve that.
- A family-friendly resort
If you’re worried about how other holiday-makers will react to your youngest traveller, choose a family-friendly resort. Not only will the other holiday-makers know exactly what you’re going through, you might find other families to socialize with during your break. The only downside to this plan is that the resort will be filled with children which you’ll look for in a couple of years, but it’s not necessarily something you need to endure when your baby is still so young.
- A group vacation
One reservation many couples have about that first vacation as a family is that it will feel a little like shift work. One of you will be watching your napping baby while the other catches rays by the pool and then it’ll be time for a switch. Will you get much chance to spend any quality time together? Of course, you will, but to avoid that shift-worker vacation you could consider a group vacation with friends and family. That way, there will be plenty of other adults to keep you company during your trip. And, dare you think it, perhaps even a few willing babysitters so you and your partner can enjoy a meal out alone during the trip.
- A once in a lifetime trip
Ok, you’re not the carefree backpacker you might have been a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean you have to sign up for the traditional family vacation just yet. Babies are relatively easy to transport. They’re happy as long as they’re with their parents and, assuming you don’t have an early walker, will be happy in a sling or pushchair while out and about. This may be a great time to take an exotic trip to a faraway location. If aged under two, your child’s flight might be free and you’ll be able to explore the sights while your baby snoozes happily in a carrier.
- The road trip
Babies come with a lot of baggage and that can make packing for a flight pretty difficult. You can avoid this stress altogether by opting for a road trip vacation. You’ll be able to fill the trunk of your car with all of your baby’s favorite toys, baby bouncer and clothes without worrying too much about space. If your baby is happy in the car, you might even be able to get pretty far away from home. Or you could break the journey up into smaller journeys if your baby isn’t really a fan of the car seat.
Have you taken your baby on their first vacation yet?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.