Taking babies on vacation?

brody8336 · December 2011

I really want to take the babies (in the next 6 months) on a little vacation for a few days, to a destination about 2 hours away. But I can't help but wonder if it will be a ton of work, and we won't get to enjoy it. Maybe I just need to plan more day trip activities around here...

So, just for fun, when did you start to really enjoy taking your babies on small vacations? TIA!

090106 · December 2011

We went away with our boys for the weekend (3days, 2 nights) when they were 15 months and it was horrible. We are going to try doing a weekend getaway again this spring which will be about a year from the last disaster and I'm hoping that year will make a difference.

brody8336 · December 2011

090106:

We went away with our boys for the weekend (3days, 2 nights) when they were 15 months and it was horrible. We are going to try doing a weekend getaway again this spring which will be about a year from the last disaster and I'm hoping that year will make a difference.

Thanks. Good luck on your next trip!

kmb585 · December 2011

We go up to our cabin in the mountains which is about 3.5 hrs from our house about once every 6-8 weeks. I won't lie it is alot of work, but it is so nice to have the change of scenery. Plus once you go away for the weekend you start to learn what all you need to pack and it gets easier for planning subsequent trips.

jalaiaa · December 2011

Vacations with the boys are so much different now. There is no more relaxing on a beach. They are out of their elements and don't nap as well. If what you are looking for is to relax I recommend having someone stay with the kids overnight and you and DH go to a resort up the street and pretend you're somewhere else

That said, if your goal isn't to relax I would definitely take them on a little vacation. Since the boys were born we have taken them to California (4 or 5 months oldish), Telluride (13 months), Yellowstone (17 months) and Italy (20 months). Each time it has been less than relaxing but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love to travel making it worth it. The biggest piece of advice is to rent a condo/house or something like that instead of staying in a hotel. Makes life a lot easier with meals and naps.

omgtwinsfeb11 · December 2011

We went to the beach when they were 6 months old. It was SO hot, so we kept our actual beach-time short. My guys will not sleep in a PNP so for us, renting cribs was the way to go. Good luck!

Rangergal9 · December 2011

We travel to visit family 5x a year and OMG I dread it! There is so much stuff to pack, places aren't baby proofed, they don't sleep as well. My older DD is easier to travel with, so I would think around 3 yr old it might be easier...lol

brody8336 · December 2011

Thanks ladies!

blondebee · December 2011

We live in MN and our b/g twins are now 17 months old- we took them to west palm beach fl last march when they were 7 months old (& I was exclusively pumping So logistics of traveling & storing were hard) and then again to Disney world in October when they were 15 months old- both sets of flights and trips were a lot of work but so worth it. We also go to our cabin every weekend in the summer (about 3 hours away) & every few months in fall and winter - every trip gets easier & you need less. I say go for it!! You'll never know if you don't try!

Polofsky · December 2011

I've travelled with mine a bunch, and I personally think it's all about expectations (meaning you shouldn't have ANY!). If you are flying, then yes, that's rough. I think driving is much easier that way when meltdowns occur you can take the next exit, we brought our walkers with us and that helped a lot at rest stops and such. Just go with the flow. If this is your first trip, just see how it goes, learn from your mistakes for next time.

google123 · December 2011

It's not that hard, if you have DH to help. We always go away for weekends. We went when they were first 6w on an 8hr trip to Kentucky for 4days, and we've driven to the a city which is about 2 hours away to shop on a saturday (coming back in the evening). We've gone to Minneapolis (4.5 hrs away) twice. I don't find it that hard. The only difficult part I have is the fact that my babies hate their car seats, so at some point they end up screaming their heads off in the car. We try to stop and give them breaks. I make sure they are dressed comfy and fed before we drive.

You'd be surprised at how many things you really don't need when you are away. I don't take their bouncy seats or swings. I don't take a pack-n play. I take some toys, but nothing major. Then a few changes of outfits and all their diapers and formula. I only take 2 bottles each, and just wash them as needed. They play on the floor on a blanket usually. Their stroller is a must, though.

blossomtg85 · December 2011

We went to Disney when our twins were 8 months. It was a little crazy, I will admit! They had trouble sleeping at night so we were up a lot more than at home. It wasn't the best experience, to say the least!

BUT we just took them on a week-long cruise (10.5 months) and they were amazing. They slept great at night, took the best naps, and were just great. On the cruise there were places for them to crawl and play so they weren't confined to their stroller.

I say go for it. Even if it isn't what you expect, at least you are on vacation!

MrsCali_Bride · December 2011

We'll be using my parents' timeshare near Monterey (about 2 hours from us) in May when the babies are 13.5 months old. I know it won't be easy but since we'll basically be in a condo with a full kitchen, etc. it will be a lot like being at home, just with a change of scenery and my husband there to help everyday rather than just at night & weekends. We're actually really looking forward to it.

LottaLattes · December 2011

With two singletons, I didn't really enjoy a relaxing vacation until they were 7 and 4, and partially because my younger son is really easy (my older son at 4 wasn't relaxing). With that said, it is definitely possible to enjoy your trip with babies, it just won't likely be relaxing in any way comparable to traveling as an adult with other adults. Try it and have fun! I think practice also makes it better, so even if the first trip is a disaster, it won't always be so.

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