Your first vacation with a baby - preparation is everything
The first vacation with a baby is a topic that divides opinion. While some parents want to spare themselves and their baby any hardships, others want to fulfill their dream of a trip around the world during parental leave. Don't let anyone put you under pressure. There are many different ways to organize your first vacation together, and with good planning and preparation, many things are possible. If you are relaxed and confident, your sweetheart will also feel at ease and your first vacation will be an unforgettable experience.
When is the first trip with a baby possible?
From a medical point of view, there is no minimum age at which your baby is ready for their first trip. Theoretically (!) it would therefore be possible just a few weeks after birth. However, the reality of life for new parents is usually very different. In the first few weeks, the time you spend at home with your baby is exciting enough. You slowly get to know each other and with each day you understand the signs and needs of your little one better, so that after a while everyday life slowly returns - the best prerequisite for new adventures!
If you already have a certain routine in dealing with your baby on a daily basis, you can react more easily to unfamiliar situations and improvise in an emergency. It is also very helpful for travel planning if your little one already has (more or less) set sleeping habits and meal times that you can take into account when traveling or waiting.
On average, this is the case from around the 3rd month and is in line with the recommendations of midwives and pediatricians. Regardless of this, the most important thing, as always, is how you assess the situation. You will know when your desire to travel returns and when you feel confident enough to take your first vacation with a baby.
First vacation with a baby: where to go?
Once the desire to go on vacation has been awakened, the question of a suitable destination arises. Here you shouldn't just follow your wanderlust, but also think about feasibility. An individual trip through South America may be a long-cherished dream, but it may not necessarily be the best destination for a relaxed first trip with a baby.
We recommend you start small. A first day trip by car, a nice hike with your little one in a baby carrier or a train ride to visit relatives is the best way to find out how well you get along on the road. You will gradually learn what your baby needs on the go and in which situations you are most relaxed. You can then take this experience into account when planning a longer vacation.
The choice of vacation destination also depends not least on which means of transport you prefer for the journey:
Car
If your little one has no problems with long car journeys, the car is one of the most relaxed means of transportation for your first vacation. You can take breaks whenever you need to, you are flexible at your vacation destination and - the biggest plus point - there is plenty of storage space for all the baby items you want to take with you.
Train
A train journey has the great advantage that you can concentrate fully on your little one on the way and you can move around during a long journey. However, depending on the length of the journey, transporting your luggage can be difficult, especially if you have to change trains several times. Tip: You can use different transport services and send some of your luggage to your destination in advance.
Motorhome
If you like camping, a motorhome or caravan is also perfect for your first vacation with a baby. In addition to the advantages of the car, you also have the option of self-catering and your sleeping accommodation is always with you. This means you can easily travel to more distant destinations and divide the journey into several baby-friendly stages.
Air travel
Flying with a baby is also possible and, above all, inexpensive, as many airlines will fly your little one free of charge up to the age of 2. However, this only applies if they do not need their own seat and sit on your lap during the flight. You should take this into account when choosing your destination, as the longer the flight takes, the more strenuous it will be for you.
Important:
If you're going somewhere far away, make sure that the local hygiene conditions and healthcare are good and that there is no increased risk of dangerous infectious diseases. You should also consider the climate - because large temperature differences or humid tropical air can make things difficult for your little one.
Which accommodation should you choose for the first vacation with a baby?
An important aspect when preparing for a vacation is choosing suitable accommodation. Whether it's a hotel, vacation home or camping is a matter of taste, but make sure that the accommodation is child-friendly - that way you can avoid some stressful situations from the outset and enjoy your first trip with your baby.
In a hotel, you can enjoy all-round service and really relax from everyday life. Look for a child-friendly hotel complex or a family room - baby-friendly facilities will make your everyday vacation easier. In addition, other guests will react with understanding if your little one cries or is in a defiant phase.
In a vacation apartment or vacation home, you have plenty of space and are undisturbed. Although self-catering is a little more work, it has the advantage that you can maintain your usual rhythm on vacation.
In southern and central Europe in particular, there are now great campsites where families can find everything they need to have a relaxing time, from baby-friendly sanitary facilities to playgrounds, paddling pools and childcare.
