First vacation with a baby: our advice
Where are we going and with whom?
With a newborn, it is often recommended not to go too far. In fact, the objective of your vacation will be to try to... rest! Or at least not to come back even more tired from your vacation. Your key word will therefore be “tranquility”. We advise you to forget the long-distance flight to Thailand, the desert trek, the tour with friends, or the roadtrip to South America, you will not necessarily benefit from it. In general, avoid big time differences, destinations with too much altitude, countries with an extreme climate (too hot or too cold). Renting a vacation home with a bunch of 20 friends is also not the idea of the century this year. You may ask your friends to be quiet when your baby naps and be out of sync.
Charlie's advice: choose a vacation home with your family who can manage the housekeeping for you, a hotel with a children's club if you have adults or a fully equipped rental.
What are the essentials to take on vacation with a baby?
A baby arrives with a lot of equipment: baby bed, bassinet, play mat, diaper, toys... How to transport all this equipment on vacation? Already, we recommend that you make a list of the real essentials, then rent everything on site. Check with your rental or hotel, they surely have a baby bed and a high chair for older children. Then, there are sites that make your life as young parents easier by renting a stroller, car seat and other essentials near your vacation spot.
Finally, for all your trips, in your diaper bag, don't forget to take:
- Diapers
- A change of clothes
- A small toy
- A diaper that will be used for everything (bib, changing mat, stuffed toy...)
- A pacifier
- A bottle with water and powdered milk pods
- Cotton with liniment
- A stuffed toy
- A baby carrier
Charlie's advice: learn to travel lighter. We often carry ten times too much equipment. And in terms of bed, a bassinet is perfect for children under 6 months.
Car, train, plane... How do you go on vacation?
Each mode of transport has its advantages and disadvantages.
The car allows you to go where you want, with no luggage limits. Think of the right equipment (car seat, carrycot...) for everyone's safety.
Train rides are free for children under 4, as long as you travel on your lap. If you want your baby to have its own seat - practical for the carrycot for example -, opt for a Toddler Package at €9 on most trains. An interesting price that it would be a shame to do without! It's really more comfortable for everyone. In addition, SNCF offers a baggage handling service to have your suitcases delivered where and when you want. Basically, you take the train without your suitcases and it's a bit magical... Trains generally have a changing area and a car dedicated to families. It is also possible to heat your baby's potty by asking the Bar service.
As for flying, the majority of airlines offer travel to children under 2 years of age when they travel on their parent's lap. For toddlers, remember to make them suckle (pacifier, breast, bottle...) during takeoff and landing, in order to release the pressure in their ears. Check with your airline to find out what you are allowed to bring into the cabin with you (“stroller or not buggy, that is the question”). We recommend that you prefer short flights and bring a baby carrier with you to take your baby for a walk in the hallway!
Mandatory papers and health
If you are planning to go abroad, already, we advise you to reread our paragraph dedicated to the destination of your vacation... Then, don't forget your child's papers, namely identity card for Europe, passport for trips outside Europe. Are your papers ready? It is perfect. Don't you have one? Check with your town hall, as the deadlines for obtaining appointments are long. In April 2023, the average time to get a first appointment was... 66.5 days. In addition, paper manufacturing times will have to be added.
Also, take your baby's health record and his vaccinations must be up to date in case of traveling abroad. When choosing a destination, consider medical emergencies as well. The idea is not to frighten you, but to be just serene in case of a glitch! Make sure your vacation spot has medical facilities not too far away. Finally, take a look at the AMELI site in order to obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which allows you to benefit from local coverage of your medical care, according to the legislation and formalities in force in the country of stay. Practical for all members of the family, in fact!
What will be the program for a vacation with an infant?
With a newborn, the program is simple: idleness. You are always learning to know each other, to understand your baby's rhythm. Some young mothers are still recovering from giving birth. Plan simple activities that will not be a source of stress or intense preparation for you: nature walks, naps, swimming if you can, picnics and games adapted to your baby's age. Do yourself a favor, take the opportunity to book a massage, listen to a podcast on your deckchair... Take lots of photos of your first vacation with your baby with our milestone cards. Because even if he won't remember them, these timeless moments are essential to building your family.
One last tip for the road, stay flexible and don't try to do everything. Have a nice vacation to you!
You might also like:
