You just had a baby a few months ago. You barely have time to brush your hair. You are juggling work, sleep deprivation, and crazy feeding schedules.
Someone at work mentions a vacation. There’s no way you have time for a vacation! This is your first baby (or maybe your second, third, or more!). A vacation sounds like heaven, but seems like an impossible Mt. Everest climbing type of feat.
So take a vacation already!
Sometimes a getaway is the best medicine with a new baby. Maybe you just need a change of scenery and some quality time away with your new family. Maybe you just need to go to a place where you can dine out and someone cleans up after you.
New parent angst
There’s this feeling among new parents, especially first time parents, that traveling and taking a real vacation is hard with a baby, that plane travel is horrific, that you won’t find the right accommodations, and that your baby will get sick or scream the entire trip. This reasoning isn’t totally unfounded, but with a little upfront planning you can be ready for anything and embrace the adventure. In fact, when your little one is under a year it is probably one of the best times to travel.
Here are a few tips to help you make your trip a success:
The plane ride: You can have an uneventful plane ride with a little one. Be prepared and make a list and bring the essentials. Don’t forget to bring pacifiers, bottles, dry formula, toys, snacks, extra clothes, favorite stuffed animals, infant ibuprofen, and diapers. This sounds like a lot but you can probably put it all in one carry-on bag.
Plan for a flight time when your baby is usually happy and alert. The last thing you want is a stressed out little one. At take off and landing give them a pacifier or a bottle, something to suck on so that their ears won’t hurt from the altitude changes. They will probably cry at some point, but like everything this too shall pass.
Get the right accommodations: Book a condo or at the very least a hotel room with a refrigerator and an efficiency kitchen and microwave. A condo usually has larger accommodations than a hotel room and a separate bedroom. Splurge a little to get a place close to the beach or closer to your destination if you can. Look for amenities like pools, restaurants, and walking paths on location so you don’t have to go far for entertainment. Sundance Vacations has some great options for families with little ones.
Bring the right gear: Easy mobility is essential on a vacation with a baby. You need a versatile stroller; preferably a good city stroller that is compact. You will also need a good playpen for sleeping. Most hotels and condos provide these, but call ahead and find out before you lug one onto the airplane. You also will need a good carrier or sling for hiking and times you are out and about. Don’t forget the mobile car seat that attaches into the car, the stroller, etc. You can check this onto the plane for free if you aren’t purchasing an extra seat for your baby.
Get out and about on your trip: Put your little one in the car seat, get them to sleep, and take them to dinner with you at the hotel restaurant. Take some evening walks with your partner. Take advantage of this time the baby will sleep on the go and have some pseudo “alone” time with your partner.
And remember, babies love to explore. Take them to the pool and put their feet in the water. Go to the beach or take an easy hike to a waterfall (with a proper baby carrier). Visit a coffee plantation or go shopping. Relax and enjoy your trip with your family. Just because you have a baby with you doesn’t mean you can’t explore your vacation destination. Sundance Vacations has many resorts to choose from that offer many different types of family amenities.
Ready to start planning your next vacation? Check out Sundance Vacations for more information. We have destinations from the exotic to the tranquil and just about everywhere in between.
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