For many people, going on vacation with a child means not going on vacation at all. It is true that children, especially very young ones, require special attention and care and it can be stressful to feed or put your baby to sleep when you are somewhere other than home. However, with careful organization it is possible to have fun and relax on holiday even with a child in tow.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Organizing the Trip
Step 1. Choose a child-friendly location
You can take a baby almost anywhere, but you will have a better vacation if you take your little one's needs into consideration when choosing the location. Your best bet would be to avoid destinations that risk being very noisy or crowded or holidays that force you to follow a set itinerary (such as organized tours).
Beach holidays can be problematic if you have very young children. Remember that they must be protected from the sun (and infants under 6 months of age cannot always use sunscreen) and must not spend too much time in salt water
Step 2. Evaluate the best time to go on vacation
Once you have chosen the location, try to plan your trip by choosing the right time of year. Prefer the low season, when the vacation spots will be less crowded. Also take the weather conditions into account: your baby will be better off if you avoid temperatures that are too hot or too cold.
In general, the vacation can last as long as you want. However, if the little one does not tolerate the surrounding environment well, you should consider shortening the trip
Step 3. Select the accommodation carefully
When choosing a hotel, hostel or rental apartment, keep your child's needs in mind. There must be enough space for all his things and he must also have a comfortable place to sleep.
- If possible, choose accommodation that has a kitchen with a refrigerator. It may cost a little more but, unless the baby is exclusively breastfed, you will need somewhere to put food, snacks, fruit juices and any medications you may take with you. A sink in the kitchen will make it easier to prepare and clean the bottle.
- Look for a place that offers baby cots. It is not absolutely necessary to have one, but if your baby sleeps in a crib at home, he will probably sleep better if he also uses it on vacation.
- It would be best to avoid crowded places. It may be difficult if not impossible in a hotel or hostel, but your little one will sleep better away from the noise. Also, if she cries at night (as happens to many, especially if they are in unfamiliar places), you will avoid disturbing other guests. For this reason (but also for a matter of space and accessibility to a kitchen), the ideal solution is to rent an apartment.
Step 4. Plan your travels
Will you travel by plane, car, train or bus? If the location you have chosen is a short distance away, it is better if you use your car: the baby is used to traveling like this, you can stop whenever you want to feed him or to change his diaper and you will not risk that the baby will feel uncomfortable due to the pressure differences associated with air flights. Trains are preferable to buses for rather long journeys because they are more stable; also you can walk with the child back and forth in the corridors.
Step 5. Get all the necessary documents
If you go to another country, both you and the child will probably need a passport. You have to think about it a little in advance because the release procedures take time.
Step 6. Take the baby to the pediatrician before you leave
The doctor will be able to check that the child is okay and can give you travel tips. It may also give you specific directions to follow if you are traveling by plane or your destination is a foreign country.
Part 2 of 3: Packing Your Bags
Step 1. Pack comfortable clothes and shoes
Remember that you will walk a lot and will often have your little one in your arms, so bring comfortable clothes and some extra spare parts: life with a baby is complicated, even on vacation.
Step 2. Organize yourself so that you can dress the baby in layers
Know the climate of the holiday destination but pack clothes that allow you to dress it in layers. It may be hot enough for the little one to wear only onesie and socks, but restaurants, shops and hotels often overdo the air conditioning so it could get cold. In the same way it could be cold outside but hot and stuffy inside. Bring plenty of change, especially if you don't have the ability to wash clothes. Children get dirty easily.
Step 3. Bring enough food supplies
Depending on the age of the child and what he eats, a breast pump, powdered milk, bibs and baby food may be needed.
Do some research before you leave to find out what is available at the vacation spot. You may also find powdered milk and baby food there. However, bring enough travel supplies and a little extra - so you don't run out of supplies if you get stuck in traffic or your flight is delayed
Step 4. Take an extra couple of blankets and towels with you for the baby
You may need them on your trip and, once you get to your destination, they might come in handy - as extra blankets in a cold hotel room, as a surface to change nappies on, or as protection from sunlight.
Step 5. Select the necessary equipment
You'll probably want to keep your luggage to a minimum, especially if you're flying, but your vacation will be much easier if you have your car seat and stroller with you. You could also opt for a baby sling, especially if you have a newborn, so that it is more comfortable to carry the little one around with you.
If you've never used it but still want to bring one, practice before you leave. You will quickly realize if your baby doesn't like it; otherwise, you can get used to yourself and the little one so that it becomes natural when you are on vacation
Step 6. Don't forget sunscreens
If you are going to a warm and sunny place, you will need to take extra precautions to protect your baby's eyes and skin. Bring with you a sunshade, hats and sunglasses, and, if the baby is over 6 months, also a sunscreen with the highest protection factor possible.
Step 7. Bring his favorite games
If your little one has favorite toys or a stuffed animal that he always sleeps with, take them with you. This way he will have familiar objects in a strange environment.
Step 8. Pack the wet wipes
They will come in handy not only for diaper changes: you could use them if the baby gets dirty or to cool his face if it gets very hot.
Step 9. Ask the pediatrician what medicines to bring
The doctor can recommend medicines to bring for the baby. Depending on your child's age and your holiday destination, you may need an antipyretic to lower fever, disinfectant, treatments for insect bites and rashes, and medicines to treat diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.
Part 3 of 3: Enjoying the Vacation
Step 1. Get your things sorted out as soon as possible
Once you arrive at your destination, unpack your bags and organize the spaces where the child will sleep, play and eat. Household habits break when on vacation, and that's okay, but kids need time and space to eat and sleep.
Step 2. Prioritize your baby's sleep
Some habits can be changed, but your vacation will be much more fun and relaxing if you put your little one's need for sleep first. Try to keep the house routine - if you give him a bottle before bed, give him a bath or sing him a lullaby, do the same even on vacation - and don't neglect naps.
If you are traveling with your spouse or partner, you could alternate at nap time, with one of you staying with the baby and the other doing something fun
Step 3. Make mealtimes as peaceful as possible
It would be better not to take the little one to fancy restaurants: you would probably spend time worrying about not disturbing other customers or paying a fortune for a dinner that you would not even eat, having to be out all the time to comfort an irritated child. Choose a place that is pleasant, easy-going and noisy.
Going to a restaurant for dinner is an important part of many people's vacations, but consider having breakfast and / or lunch in your accommodation, especially if you have access to a kitchen. It will be much less stressful and you can plan meals based on the rhythm of your baby's naps
Step 4. Spend a lot of time outdoors
Make sure you protect the little one from the sun's rays and enjoy the fresh air and the sun with him. And if he doesn't sleep well in a crib that's not his own, he could make great naps in the stroller.
Step 5. Don't make too strict schedules
It is better to take advantage of times when your little one is in a good mood, rather than forcing him to follow a set schedule. Try to be as flexible as possible.
Step 6. Learn about services for children
Several hotels offer services for children or can recommend a babysitter. If you want to take a day to go swimming, sightseeing or doing something special with your partner, this can be the ideal solution.
Advice
- Adjust your expectations. A vacation with a child probably won't involve whole days spent sightseeing or at the seaside. You will still be able to have fun and relax, as long as you realize that a child will still place limits on your activities.
- Be flexible. To maximize fun and minimize frustration, you need to be flexible and ready to change or adapt your plans. If you want to go out for dinner but your child is fussy, you could order something from home; if the little one takes a longer nap than expected, take advantage of the free time and do something with your spouse or partner and don't worry about adapting your schedules.
