It feels like an age since you went on a nice, relaxing, sunny holiday, and after a pretty tiring first 7 months of newfound parenthood, you absolutely deserve a rest. But you’re feeling a little hesitant to book something, after all, holidays can be rather stressful to organise, but even more so with a baby. So, maybe you’ll just wait until they’re a bit older.

Well, to that we say, don’t let this stop you!

It’s perfectly possible to get away with your baby and have a fun and relaxing time, you’ll just need to prepare a little more than you might have beforehand.

So let’s get right into it and begin with accommodation needs.

How do I choose holiday accommodation that suits my baby?

Choosing holiday accommodation that’s suitable for a baby can feel like rather a hassle, but so long as you consider the following, you should find somewhere that works for your family.

Stairs. If your baby is crawling, a place full of stairs won’t feel like somewhere you can truly relax, so try and opt for places with a single flight or with stair gates included.

Pools. If a pool is fenced off, you’re good to go, but otherwise, you’ll have to be on high alert the entirety of your holiday, and that’s sure to be far from relaxing.

Distance from a shop. When you have a baby, you’re always running out of this or that, so it helps to be within easy walking or driving distance of a shop.

Baby equipment. A lot of places, hotels especially, will actually have baby equipment that you can use which saves you from bringing some of your own, so it’s worth getting in touch and finding out.

So, now that you know where to book, what will you need to bring?

What do I need to pack?

Now, when it comes to packing, don’t worry too much about trying to recreate your baby’s home life, after all, holidays are an adventure, a vacation from the norm to see something new. So you won’t need a ton of toys.

However, there are a few things that will definitely come in handy:

A travel cot and your baby’s bedding/comfort item.

A lightweight travel buggy or sling if you have a young baby. This is your holiday too and your arms will need a break from carrying a baby out and about.

A car seat if you’re renting a car and the company doesn't provide them.

Food and feeding equipment for the journey and the first night. You can go shopping on the second day, so don’t feel the need to pack 2 weeks' worth of food.

An infant first aid kit. This should contain infant painkillers, insect repellent, rehydration sachets, a thermometer, plasters and antiseptic ointment and wipes.

Weather-appropriate clothing. Remember you can always wash things, so don’t overdo it.

Now, while it’s always best to be over-prepared, there are a few things you may think you need that can really stay at home:

Lots of baby food and nappies. So long as you’re near a shop, you’ll find food your baby can eat and nappies that fit them.

Their high chair. Instead of packing a great big chair, buy a handy travel seat that clips to the table, or simply have them on your lap at meals.

Sterilising equipment. Boiling bottles and teats in a clean pan will do the trick whilst you’re away.

Loads of toys. A few books and one or two favourite cuddlies will do.

Now, let’s say the holiday of your dreams involves a rather long flight. You’ll probably feel a little anxious wondering how your baby will fare on a flight, and that’s completely understandable. So let’s explore how to make flying with your baby as manageable as possible.

How do I fly with a baby?

Before you fly, it’s useful to keep the following in mind:

Try to get your baby to feed whilst taking off and landing to stop their ears from hurting.

If you forget something, ask the cabin crew; they’ll often have spare nappies and baby food (but don’t count on this).

Take a few new toys with you as you have a greater chance of distracting your child with items they haven’t seen before.

Try to keep your equipment to a minimum.

Expect to spend a great deal of the flight walking up and down the aisle with your baby.

If you’re travelling with a family member, it might help to get separate seats so you can take turns with the baby while the other rests.

Try to give your baby as normal a sleep routine as possible, despite being on a plane.

Book and reserve a travel cot if the airline provides them.

Ask if the flight is full before checking in because sometimes they’ll agree to block out a seat for you if it’s relatively empty, and an extra seat will come in handy. If you notice that there are plenty of extra seats when you board, you can also ask to be moved.

Most airlines place buggies in the hold, so make sure to pack essential items in your carry-on luggage.

Baby slings can be useful when walking around the airport as they free up your hands.

Try to stay calm and get some good sleep the night before.

What to pack for long flights:

Nappy changing equipment. You’ll probably want to pack one nappy for every couple of hours of travel, nappy sacks, lots of wipes, a travel changing mat and a few muslin cloths.

Bottles and sippy cups.

A few cartons or sachets of formula if you are bottle feeding.

Food (if they’re eating solids). A few jars of shop-bought baby food are probably best when travelling, as well as hand-held snacks. You might also want to bring along a disposable bib.

A blankie or soft toy for comfort.

An extra blanket. This will be useful if you want to breastfeed or if your baby is a little cold.

An extra outfit for them and you. Just in case of any mess.

Now, one or two parents might recommend that you give your baby a light over-the-counter sedative to keep them calm and sleepy throughout your flight, but the fact is, these can often backfire and actually increase your child’s energy levels. So it’s probably best not to use sedatives.

And finally, remember that if you’re going abroad, your baby may need some vaccination shots, so speak to your doctor where necessary.

How do I vacation with my baby?

Makes trips with baby a breeze with Unii’s thoughtful tips.