On vacation with your baby, you're sure to have less stress!

Going on vacation with your baby for the first time can be a challenge. How do you keep your baby safe and make sure they're doing well? These questions keep running through your head. Below you can read how to make your vacation a little less stressful.

Travel with your child

Flight:

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

To be on the safe side, bring extra baby essentials in your carry-on. You never know what might happen, and you'll want to be prepared if you have to go without your suitcase for a few days. So, pack extra clothes, diapers, baby food, creams, baby wipes, and sunscreen.

Car:

Plan your car journey in stages, so don't drive for more than 2 hours without a stop. This gives your child some time to stretch and get some fresh air. When choosing a holiday destination, consider how long your child can tolerate being in the car. If your baby stays awake during the car ride, it is good to have a bottle, food and some toys ready. This way you avoid a stressful car ride. Of course, also check whether your car seat is properly secured and safe.

Destination space

Check with the accommodation to see if the place is "childproof". A nice expensive hotel is of course the right way to go, but it's probably not that childproof, you have little space and you share the room with your baby, which may cause your little one to get less pleasant sleep. What suits your child better is a house or a bungalow. That way you have all the nice things from home and you can sit in the garden and sunbathe while your baby sleeps in the bedroom.

Also pay attention to the noise from your accommodation; being next to an entertainment center is obviously not a good idea. You can also check if your accommodation has a paddling pool, a travel cot (you can also bring your own travel cot) and a high chair.

Below you can see 5 child-friendly holidays:

1. Menorca

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

2. Frankrike

It's quite close and you can go there by car, so you can set your own pace and still be completely away from home. France has many child-safe 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, of course, enjoy the sun, nature and the delicious food in France.

3. Netherlands

Staying in your own country is of course also a good idea. Wherever you go it is close by, the weather can be fantastic if you pick the right 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 can also be a bit nicer for your child's first holiday to go in your own country, so you have all the control and can quickly come home if needed.

4. Greece

Greece is a beautiful country that is perfect for you and your child. Most of the 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 baby-safe islands in Greece. If your child can already eat, they are in luck, all, yes, all restaurants serve fries.

5. All inclusive in Turkey

An all-inclusive resort where everything is done for you. Doesn't that sound nice? So 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 cots. All you have to think about is what to do. Sunbathe on the beach or let 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 city or taking a walk in nature.

Don't plan too much in one day

Spending a whole day in a city, taking an adventurous mountain bike tour and jet skiing with your little one is not the best idea. You have to take into account that you will not be able to do as much as you did when you were on vacation with friends. Therefore, plan one thing per day, so that you have enough rest for your baby and that you can also do something.

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

Plan ahead when applying for your child's passport

Now, when you cross the border with your baby, they need a passport that's valid for five years. You also have to take a passport photo of your baby, which can be quite a challenge sometimes. Your baby needs to sit still with their hands down. This might take a few tries, so take your time and plan ahead. The time it takes to apply for a baby passport depends on your municipality, but keep in mind that it takes more than a week.