Tips for a relaxed holiday with a baby

How much relaxation you in the family holiday depends on many factors – on the chosen destination, from the accommodation, from the weather and not least by your baby. Don't stress yourselves too much beforehand and try it with a a few tips:

• Plan early: Spontaneous last-minute trips are generally not possible with a baby – the more carefully you plan your holiday, the more likely you are to find relaxation and recuperation.

• Practice vacation: Before the trip you can go to grandma and grandpa for a long weekend or visit friends. A rehearsal like this shows you, for example, what you'll need on the road and what to think about.

• Talk about the trip: Babies are usually happiest where their parents are. Toddlers can be prepared for the trip by talking to them about it in good time and, for example, reading books that feature airplanes or trains. You can also show pictures of the destination or the booked hotel – this builds anticipation and keeps the 'culture shock' within limits.

• Don't travel in peak season: The advantage of traveling with a baby is that you are not tied to peak travel times. Early summer or early autumn are ideal. Usually the journey is more relaxed then and the holiday destinations are not too crowded.

• Family hotel or baby hotel: In a hotel specifically geared toward babies, relaxation is guaranteed. For parents who desperately want a break from daily baby life, however, an environment full of young families might not be ideal.

• Use baby services: Many tour operators, airlines and hotels have adapted to families with babies and offer special services for families. Learn about assistance services, changing facilities, special train or airplane seats for families, infant carriers or seats and strollers for rent etc.

Checklist for a vacation with a baby

1. Planning and preparation

• If possible, book your vacation outside peak holiday periods

• International travel health insurance for the whole family

• Have biometric baby photos taken and apply for a child's passport

• Check vaccination status if applicable

• Inform tour operator / airline / train about traveling with a baby and request extra services (baby seat, baby meals, changing facilities, etc.)

• Baby cot / car seat / changing table / hire-stroller ask about it at the destination and book it if necessary

• Put together medicines and home remedies for the baby's travel first-aid kit

2. Packing list

• Changing bag with diapers, a foldable changing mat, spare clothes and a drink for the journey

• Trusted baby care products: washcloth and cleansing lotion, diaper cream, baby shampoo, baby cream, and, if needed, a toothbrush and baby toothpaste

• Baby clothing: Plan for two outfits per day; preferably several thin layers so you can adapt to temperature changes.

• Better to pack a few bodysuits more and also spare bibs, -socks and -hat don't forget

• For the south: sun hat, baby sunscreen and sunshade/sun umbrella

• bibs cloth or enough disposable bibs

• towel or baby bath towel

• Enough cloth diapers or muslin cloths

• Baby sleeping bag, suitable for the temperatures at your destination

• Baby blanket, preferably the blanket that's also used at home

• Bottles for formula or water, plus bottle cleaner and, if necessary, cleaning supplies (for breastfed babies possibly also pack a breast pump)

• Plastic spoons and, if necessary, a few jars of baby food or a cereal porridge to mix as a supply

• Favorite toy plus a new, exciting toy for the trip

• Baby travel first-aid kit with proven remedies for fever, diarrhea and stomach pain,

• colds, insect bites and sunburn

• spare pacifier

• baby sling or baby carrier for on the go – takes up little space and is flexible

• If necessary pram, stroller or bouncer

3. On the road

• Avoid stress: be at the airport or train station early, allow yourselves plenty of time for the journey by car

• Take regular breaks, especially if you're traveling by car

• Drinking: Offer your baby something to drink regularly

• Always have the changing bag with you

• toys or a picture book pack

• Only essential carry-on luggage, so you can concentrate on your baby when boarding, disembarking and transferring

• Find small distractions: show your baby the scenery, the airport, the train carriage – this makes the journey a bit more exciting

Bildnachweise:

Father carries baby in a backpack carrier and sits in the mountains next to mother © EVERST - stock.adobe.com

Baby is buckled into the car seat by mother © EVERST - stock.adobe.com

Mother and baby skip along a forest path © EVERST - stock.adobe.com