Four Things to Consider When Vacationing with an Infant for the First Time!

Despite popular belief, having a new bundle of joy does not mean that you have to give up the joys of a good vacation.

It’s easy to get paralyzed by fear when it comes to traveling with a little one. There are tons of potential “what-if’s” that may make new mothers second-guess their decision to go on a vacation.

Here’s the deal: you do have to take special care when it comes to your destination and travel arrangements. Keep the following four considerations in the back of your mind regardless of your vacation plans.

Keep Your Plans Wide Open

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of traveling with an infant if that as long as wherever you’re going allows children, any sort of destination or activity is fair game. After all, babies don’t really have schedules or expectations beyond being fed and getting their sleep, right?

Trip to Disney World? Totally cool. The great outdoors? Check. Even outside-the-box vacations fair game: Outdoorsy.co notes how families with small children can enjoy RV trips while volunteering along the way.

Case in point, you can do just about anything with an infant in tow.

Just keep in mind wherever you decide to go that you should tread lightly when it comes to sticking to timetables. You never know when your child is up for an impromptu nap or simply can’t handle crowds despite seeming just fine at first. In other words, it’s probably a good idea to pick a destination that’s conducive to frequent breaks for your baby so you don’t have to continuously go back and forth to his or her needs.

Go ahead and accept the fact that your plans will probably change despite how well you prepare. And guess what? It doesn’t have to be a big deal if you’re not stuck to a specific timetable.

Make Comfort and Safety Your Priorities

On a similar note, your top priority should be to do everything in your power to make your child comfortable. From extra blankets and bug spray to a baby first aid kit and their favorite snacks, you need to be prepared for just about anything in case of a medical emergency or tantrum Likewise, if you’re camping or away from civilization, it’s always best to pack too much rather than be stuck without your essentials.

Be Prepared to Babyproof

Whether you’re staying in an RV, a hotel room or a family member’s home, you should be prepared to babyproof your child’s space accordingly. Bringing along extra cushions, tape and edge-protectors could be the difference between your child’s safety and a nasty accident. If you’re going to a home or hotel, there’s a good chance that you can pick up such items at a local big box store so you don’t have to take up needless space in your car or suitcase.

Remember That You’re on Vacation

Last but not least, don’t try to force the vacation vibe or simply go on a trip for the sake of doing so. Your baby might indeed be too young for you to realistically have an enjoyable trip and therefore it might be worthwhile to wait a few years rather than waste money being miserable.

Let’s be honest: traveling with a child can be exhausting. As such, you shouldn’t forget that you’re on vacation and should find time to relax accordingly even if your child is a handful. If your baby is being fussy, compromise with your partner to pass off your bundle of joy so each of you can get some quiet time.

Don’t assume that you can’t travel with your infant: simply make sure that you’re prepared. With these tips in mind, you can make your vacation dreams a reality with your baby.