A family vacation can be such a thrilling event for us all, for it means spending lots of quality time with the people we love most! If you are vacationing with a baby or young child for the first time, however, do read on as this will be especially helpful for you.
Planning a vacation when you have a baby or toddler in the family may sound like a daunting endevour at first, especially if one is clueless as to how to go about it. If, however, you are well-prepared and happen to bring along everything you need, then it’s safe to say that your holidays are bound to be a breeze!
The first tip we can offer for first timers planning a vacation with their baby is to pick a location which is ‘safe’ and not too adventurous, so as to leave room for failing, for, as everything else in life, our first vacation with a baby is also a learning curve. Every family member is experiencing something for the first time, and there will be expectations to be met, etc.
Planning ahead is the key to a more gratifying vacation
If you are planning a vacation with a baby, planning ahead is worthwhile and crucial. While spontaneous trips have their winning points, but with a little one on board, a little forward thinking becomes the magic key to stress-free adventures. Let us see you through this step by step so that you can start your travel adventure well prepared and stress-free
Pack the essentials and leave nothing out!
Travelling with children? You can forget about packing light, believe us! It’s a bit of a balancing act between lugging a lot of stuff with you and forgetting something essential, heaven forbid you should accidentally leave behind your child’s favourite bedtime snuggle-buddy or a must-have toy! A vacation is not the place you want to be having a helpless meltdown or tantrum, isn’t it?
Determine the baby gear you can’t do without and check what’ll be available at your destination, such as baby high chairs, for example, for it makes little sense to bring along too much gear.
Of course, every family will have slightly different needs. It’ll also vary depending on whether you’re staying in a hotel or going self-catered. Remember you can also buy lots of things at your destinations (for example, toiletries). But it’s good to have a general checklist to get you started.
Why even go on a holiday?
Travel exposes children to new places, people, cultures and more. The experiences we have on holiday can change our perception of the world – and travelling exposes children to a lot they wouldn’t experience at home. It can shape how they view their place in the world around them.
Choose what’s best for YOUR family
As you think through your itinerary, be realistic about the people in YOUR family. While it’s great to see other family’s vacation pics on social media, think about the ages, personalities, and other important factors as you plan a getaway for your family.
Planning the best activities
Holidays will be slightly different with a baby, so being flexible is key, to be able to book ahead for most things. Plan ahead and think of activities your family could do. Spending time outdoors at the beach or beside the pool is always a good idea, as it will help you keep an eye on your child or children.
Bring that first aid kit, no matter what!
Accidents can happen. Having the essentials to hand can provide you with peace of mind, so that you can act quickly if your children have minor injuries or feel unwell. It can be hard to find the right medicines in another country; taking your own familiar supplies is a smart move. For example, if your children are used to Breacol for Children, you might struggle to find something similar at your destination.
