On vacation with your baby: here's how to reduce stress!

Going on vacation with your baby for the first time can be quite a challenge. How do you take your baby safely and how do you ensure that your child enjoys it? Questions that keep going through your head, below you can read how to make your vacation a little less stressful.

Traveling with your child

Flying:

Officially, you are allowed to fly 7 days after delivery (if the delivery went without complications). However, it is recommended to fly with your baby only after 6 weeks because the lungs are then fully developed. Up to the age of 2, your child must sit on your lap or in a bassinet for seats. Having your baby on your lap all the time can be quite annoying, which is why the AirTraveller can help to make it more pleasant and your baby can sleep comfortably.

For safety, take extra baby supplies in your hand luggage. You never know what's going to happen and you want to be prepared if you have to go without your suitcase for the next few days. Therefore, take extra clothes, diapers, baby food, ointments, baby wipes and sunscreen.

Car:

Plan your car ride in segments, so don't drive for more than 2 hours without stopping. This gives your child time to stretch and get some fresh air. When choosing a holiday destination, take into account how long your baby can handle car travel. If your baby stays awake during the car ride, it is useful to have a bottle, food and some toys ready. This will prevent a stressful car ride. Of course, also check whether your car seat is properly secured and safe.

Place of destination

Check whether the accommodation is “babyproof”. A nice expensive hotel is of course great, but is probably not that babyproof, plus you have little space and you share the room with your baby, which can ensure that your little one has less pleasant naps. A house or bungalow is a better fit for your baby. This way you have all the nice things from home and you can sit in the garden sunbathing while your baby sleeps in the bedroom.

Also pay attention to the audibility of your accommodation, being next to an entertainment center is of course not that smart. Furthermore, you can also check whether your accommodation has a toddler pool, a sleeping bed (you can also bring your own bed tent) and a high chair.

Below you can see 5 child-friendly holidays:

1. Menorca

Menorca has beautiful nature, nice weather with a gently sloping sea, so you can safely play in the water with your little one. There are many child-friendly things to do in Menorca, such as going to an aquapark, dolphin excursion or a small zoo. Most accommodations are totally focused on children, such as mini clubs, children's pools and animation programs.

2. France

It is quite close by and you can drive there by car, so you can determine your own pace and you are completely away from home. France has many babyproof accommodations, especially many campsites. In addition to campsites, there are also many child-friendly hotels! And if that's not enough, there are also holiday parks including Center Parcs. You can also enjoy the sun, nature and the delicious food of France.

3. Netherlands

In your own country is of course also just a good idea. Wherever you go, it is close by, the weather can be great if you pick a good moment and in the Netherlands you can also do a lot with your children, such as going to amusement parks, swimming pools and zoos. It may also be nicer for your baby's first vacation to go to your own country, so you have all the strings in your hands and you can quickly be back home if necessary.

4. Greece

Greece is a beautiful country that is perfect for you and your child. Most beaches here also have a gently sloping sea and Greece is known for having the best hotels for children. Kos, Crete and Corfu are known as the most babyproof islands of Greece. If your child can already eat, they are lucky in all, yes all, restaurants serve fries.

5. All inclusive in Turkey

A resort where everything is done for you. Doesn't that sound nice? Therefore, choose an All Inclusive holiday in Turkey. Food and drinks are always ready for you and the resorts also have everything ready for you and your baby, such as entertainment, high chairs and baby beds. The only thing you have to think about is what you are going to do. Sunbathing on the beach or letting your child get used to the water for the first time. There are also fun things to do outside the resort, such as visiting a town or taking a walk in nature.

Don't plan too much in one day

Visiting a town for a whole day, going on an adventurous mountain bike ride and going jet skiing with your little one is not the best idea. You have to take into account that you can't do as much as you did when you were on vacation with friends. Therefore, plan 1 thing per day, so you keep enough rest for your baby and you can still do something.

See what your mini-vacationer is in the mood for and find a balance between the things you want to do and your little one. It may be different, but it doesn't have to be less fun. Especially if you accept the changes and accept that you have less time for yourself. For example, go to the beach and laze around together, go to the toddler pool or take a nice walk while your baby is sleeping in a buggy or stroller.

Plan on time when you apply for your baby's passport

Nowadays, if you go abroad with your baby, he or she needs a passport, which is valid for five years. You also have to take a passport photo of your baby, which can sometimes be quite a hassle, your baby has to sit still with his hands down. This can sometimes go wrong a few times, so take your time and plan it well in advance. How long it takes to apply for a baby passport depends on your municipality, but keep in mind that it takes more than a week.