Your first holiday together as a young family is a major milestone.
It is worth bearing a few basic things in mind beforehand. For example, the hotel’s fixed mealtimes might not fit your baby’s routine at all, or you may find yourselves whispering in a dark hotel room from 7 pm onwards because your baby is asleep. To help make sure your first holiday does not turn into a stressful experience, we have put together the most important tips for you, including things you might not even think about before your first trip.

💡 The most important things to consider when booking, at a glance

• The room trap: It is better to book an apartment or a family room with a separate sleeping area. In a standard double room, your evening is effectively over as soon as your baby falls asleep.
• A fridge is essential: Make sure there is a minibar or fridge in the room. This is particularly important for expressed breast milk or formula.
• Choose a moderate climate: Babies are not yet able to regulate their body temperature very well. In extreme heat, you may end up spending much of the day in your room.
• Keep it close: A hotel right on the beach or near the promenade saves you from constantly carrying your baby, nappy bag and everything else around.

Why the classic hotel room is often a nuisance

Before having a baby, a nice double room was more than enough. With a baby, the dynamic changes completely.

• The ‘whisper trap’ from 7 pm onwards: Once your baby has fallen asleep in the evening, you might want to have a chat, enjoy a glass of wine or watch a film. If you are all staying in one room, you may have to whisper in the dark or retreat to the balcony.
  Our tip: Book an apartment with a separate bedroom or at least a spacious family room.
• A fridge is essential: Whether you are staying in a hotel or a holiday flat, check before booking whether there is a fridge. If you are expressing breast milk or want to store opened jars of baby food, you will need somewhere to keep them cool.
• Keep an eye on the room’s location: A room directly above the hotel bar, the evening entertainment stage or the busy pool is not a good idea. It is best to ask for a quiet room away from sources of noise when you book, so that your baby and you can sleep undisturbed.

Mealtimes and short distances

On holiday, everything suddenly revolves around logistics. The easier you make things for yourselves, the more relaxing your holiday will be.

• Hotel buffet vs. baby’s routine: In many hotels, dinner is not served until 7.00 pm or 7.30 pm. For many babies, this is exactly when they start to get tired and fussy. A self-catering holiday flat or aparthotel can often be much more relaxing for your first holiday, as you can eat whenever it suits you.
• Short distances are worth their weight in gold: When travelling with a baby, you will usually have plenty of things with you, such as a nappy bag, a change of clothes, toys and a blanket. Make sure your hotel is not too far from the beach or town centre.
• Travel pushchair and baby carrier: Even if the distances are short, you will not want to carry your baby in your arms the whole time. A lightweight, compact travel pushchair can be a real lifesaver. It is also worth packing a baby carrier in case the terrain, such as a sandy beach or steps, is not suitable for a pushchair.

The destination: not too hot

Even if you are sun worshippers, destinations with temperatures of 35 degrees in the shade are not a good choice for your first holiday with a baby.

Newborns and babies cannot yet regulate their body temperature independently and can quickly become too warm. In extreme heat, you may not be able to leave your room or deep shade between 11 am and 4 pm, as you need to avoid your baby overheating. For your first trip, it is better to choose a destination with a mild climate, for example in early summer or early autumn, or places such as the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts or the mountains. This will make it easier to go for walks and spend time outdoors during the day.

The most important tip: lower your expectations

The biggest source of stress on your first holiday with a baby is often your own expectations. Say goodbye to the idea of visiting three sights every day or lying in the sun for hours at a time.

‘Slow travel’ is the key. If you let the day unfold at your baby’s pace, enjoy long afternoon naps and take pleasure in small successes, such as a peaceful afternoon coffee, your first holiday can be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Frequently asked questions about your first holiday with a baby

When can you actually go on holiday with a baby?
In theory, you can go away as soon as you feel fit enough to do so after the postnatal period. However, it may be advisable to plan your first major trip after the initial round of vaccinations, from around the third or fourth month onwards. At this age, babies have often settled into a slightly more reliable routine, which can make the journey more relaxing for everyone.

Car, train or plane: which is the least stressful?
That depends entirely on your baby. The car offers the greatest flexibility, as you can stop whenever your baby cries and take plenty of luggage, but it can also be stressful if you get stuck in traffic. The train is convenient because you can walk around and entertain your baby on your lap. If available, consider booking a family or toddler compartment. For longer journeys, flying can be surprisingly straightforward, as the steady background noise may soothe some babies.

What is the best way to warm up milk or baby food in a hotel room?
If you do not have an apartment with its own small kitchen, a compact bottle warmer can be a worthwhile addition to your luggage. Alternatively, you can ask the staff in the hotel restaurant whether they can warm a jar for you in a bain-marie. For trips to the beach or into town, a leakproof, wide-necked vacuum flask can also be useful. Fill it with hot water in the morning and use the water to warm a jar of baby food whilst you are out, whenever needed.

What are the essentials for a baby’s first aid kit?
A well-stocked first aid kit can help give you peace of mind. Useful items include age-appropriate fever-reducing and pain-relieving medication, a clinical thermometer, saline solution for a blocked nose, nappy rash cream and any teething aids you normally use. Before you set off, it is also worth looking up the address and telephone number of the nearest paediatrician or hospital at your holiday destination. That way, you will have the information to hand if you need it.