Traveling with a young baby is a daunting prospect for any parent. You always worry that you will forget to pack something. The journey itself can feel twice as long, depending on the mood of your offspring. And, if they are ever at all bored when you arrive at your destination, you will be the first to know about it.
Getting away, however, is good for you and the little one(s) as sometimes you just need to take yourself away from it all. In addition, a holiday can reinvigorate you on physical, mental, and emotional levels where you may have been running on empty. However, you aren’t going to feel re-energized if you can’t relax.
Fear not, new mommy, because we have you covered with our handy travel tips for new moms to help see you to a nice relaxing holiday with little one(s) in tow.
Toys and Comforters
If nothing else, do not forget to pack children’s toys and comforters, especially if your vacation includes a long-haul flight. Not only will distressed infants be stressful for you, but also the rest of the passengers on the plane – at 40,000 feet in the air, it can be a lonely place to be for a parent.
Research Child-Friendly Destinations
Not all travel destinations are child-friendly, and it is not unusual for hotels to be exclusively for adults, meaning that young babies are not welcome. So somewhere that includes children’s activities on-site and has nearby amusements, as well as a beach (of course), should be the first thing that you look for.
All-Inclusive
Always look for all-inclusive options for your vacation because, with a little one to feed, you won’t regret it. This means that you won’t have to pay a premium every night for your evening meal or breakfast in the morning. While you may want to enjoy a dining experience outside of the hotel on a couple of occasions, knowing that you have the option of eating for free is one less burden to carry, which your bank account will thank you for.
Travel Outside of Peak Times
If you have the option of traveling outside of the school holidays, make the most of this luxury while you can because prices can increase astronomically. It is also worth conducting your own research on potential destinations, such as if you may be looking to visit Dubai before the summer seasons kick in as this could potentially clash with Ramadan. It is definitely worth educating yourself about any local festivities that may coincide with your holiday.
Hire a Car
A helpful piece of advice that not many travel agents tell you is that, when traveling with children, it is always worth hiring a car because little to no taxis offer child seats. Traveling without a child safely seated is an offense in most countries, and responsible taxi drivers simply wouldn’t allow you to travel in the car. If you do not have a driver’s license, research into other forms of public transport such as trains and buses.
Mind the Heat
Finally, make sure that where you are traveling will not be overbearingly hot – temperatures north of 73℉ are too much for young babies to handle. Not only will this cause discomfort for your young one, but the strong rays of sunlight can also present some health risks, even when sunscreen is applied.
Hopefully, our new mom vacation guide has helped you decide on your next vacation and, if so, we hope you have a great time and remember to send us a postcard!
