And just as you're carefree traveling the world with a small suitcase and a carry-on, a tiny creature enters your life and changes everything! Not for the worse of course, you just need to readjust your plans and get used to the new reality... And then the time comes to decide whether or not to go on vacation with your baby and immediately a bunch of questions swirl in your mind and insecurity begins to take over. But should you?
In principle, vacations with a newborn are not forbidden and as long as your pediatrician agrees, put aside the various inhibiting factors (advice from friends, grandparents, etc.) and dare to do it! If you take all the necessary measures and make a proper plan, you and the baby will have a great time. After all, babies are much more resilient than we think. We went on vacation with our only fifty-day-old infant and we give you some useful tips.
Destination selection
The A and Z of your vacation! Forget small islands and barren coastlines, as well as very mountainous destinations. Make sure you are within a maximum of two hours of a large hospital in case something emergency happens and that there is a pharmacy in the area. Your destination should be “friendly” to the use of a stroller (without cobblestones and paths) so that you can take your walks with him comfortably. If he has grown a little, ask your pediatrician if he can fit into a baby carrier. It would also be a good idea at this tender age (up to 3-4 months) not to organize a long road trip since leaving the baby in the car seat-egg for a long period of time is not recommended. And despite the fact that infants fall asleep almost immediately on the way, stop every hour and a half to let him rest.
Residence
The ideal would be a beachfront accommodation so that you have easy access to the beach or can take turns going for a swim with your partner when the baby needs to sleep or stay in the room. If the accommodation does not have a playpen or crib, don't worry as he can comfortably sleep for a few days in the stroller's carrycot. It would be good if the room had a stove or kitchenette to warm his milk and to sterilize pacifiers, bottles or anything else. Tip: Επίλεξε accommodation με ασανσέρ ή διαφορετικά προτίμησε το δωμάτιό σου να είναι ισόγειο για να μην κουβαλάς το καρότσι και τα πράγματα του μωρού.
Beach, sun, walks
If you think you'll do the same program as you did when you were solo and carefree, you're kidding yourself! The baby needs special conditions to feel comfortable and not make your life...unliveable. Direct exposure to the sun is prohibited until the 6ththe month, while the use of sunscreen is not recommended for newborns. In addition, the baby's thermoregulatory mechanism is not fully developed, so you should avoid moving during the hot hours of the day. Find beaches with natural shade (if available) or wake up early, go early and leave before 11 a.m. or prefer the afternoon hours, when the sun has set.
Nutrition, sleep
If your baby is breastfed, then his food will be available at any time. If he is not breastfed, you will simply have with you a bag for the bottle, a thermos of water and a case with the doses of baby milk that you will need. And these are more than enough! As for his sleep schedule, maintain the schedule that he had at home without this meaning that you will remain in the room during those hours. Most babies sleep just as comfortably in the stroller with a little shaking and a good temperature.
What to take with you
Anything you use every day will make your baby feel at home. This can include everything from his toys to his bath! That's why we believe that the first vacations should be done in your car so that there is enough space to fit all the necessary things. Before you leave for your destination, contact your pediatrician to give you instructions and some essentials that you may need to take with you, even if just as a precaution.
Closing
We know firsthand that staying up all night and caring for a newborn can be exhausting. But that doesn't mean you have to ruin your vacation! For your baby to be healthy, the parents need to be healthy too. So don't neglect your own mental health and well-being. With proper planning and a smart choice of vacation destination, you'll all have a great time and be refreshed!
