Daniel and I always said we wouldn't stop doing what we love because of our kids. We love taking a few bigger trips a year, and lots of weekend trips. Taking a newborn (when does she stop being a newborn?) on vacation is a little intimidating, but I figure we can feed, change diapers, and soothe her at home or on the beach! 🤣 Also, if we can't handle vacationing with one child then we would definitely not be vacationing when there are three of four of them running around. Basically, this vacation is teaching us how to vacation with babies!
How to Prepare
If you've never stayed overnight anywhere with your baby that's the best way to prepare for your vacation. We have spent the night at the lake house, and at a friend's house at the river. Both of these trips showed us what we actually need for bed time and for the water! Our first trip to the lake we completely overpacked. The whole back of the car was packed with so much baby stuff for just one night. I tried to tone it down this time, but still brought quite a bit since we were there for three nights.
Make sure your baby has experienced water before, besides the bath tub! Sawyer has been in a river and a pool. She preferred the pool, but didn't mind the river water even though it was FREEZING. If your baby doesn't like the pool, I would suggest not putting them in the ocean, or just their feet.
Have your baby on some sort of schedule. This made it possible for us to know when the best time for the beach/pool/dinner would be. Otherwise I'd have to stop and feed her mid activity. We use a schedule at home, and it works great for us. If a schedule isn't your thing, just make sure you're flexible!
Have your baby on some sort of schedule. This made it possible for us to know when the best time for the beach/pool/dinner would be. Otherwise I'd have to stop and feed her mid activity. We use a schedule at home, and it works great for us. If a schedule isn't your thing, just make sure you're flexible!
What to Bring
We took a lot of baby gear that was so helpful. I'm obsessed with our fisher price dome, and we use it by the pool every weekend too! We also loved using our huge beach blanket to keep the sand off all our baby stuff. A beach tent or pop up are perfect to keep you and baby shaded, especially while breastfeeding. We also brought a little battery operated fan to keep her cool. Long sleeve bathing suits are a must. I put her in super cute tank top swimsuits, but I was so nervous about her arms being exposed. Apparently newborns aren't supposed to use sunblock (even baby sunblock) so floppy hats & long sleeves are a MUST.
Tips & Tricks
I suggest wearing a nursing friendly bathing suit. Most of them are super easy to just pull to the side without untying, but I'd try them on at home and check! I even used my swimsuit cover up as a nursing cover by just putting it on without my arms through the sleeves. It was breezy and not as hot as my normal nursing cover. Breastfeeding mamas need to drink a ton of water! You do not want to get dehydrated while on vacation and trying to take care of baby.
Within our beach bag I packed everything into gallon sized ziplock bags. I had a bag with all the sunblock, a bag with diaper supplies, a bag with baby towels/hats/sunglasses. It made it SO easy to pull out the bag I needed, and keep from getting everything sandy. Definitely use a wagon to carry everything in. You will have 3x the amount of stuff compared to a beach trip without kids.
Expect to only stay at the beach for 3-4 hours. Basically I fed her 8-8:30 while the guys set up the beach stuff, then we headed down while sawyer was awake for another hour or so. Then put Sawyer down for a nap in her dome. We were pretty much done with the beach by her next feeding at 11. We would spend a little while at the pool during the afternoon since that takes a lot less prep!
I'm so excited that our vacations will be family trips with kids from now on with the exception of little getaways together. Life is so much more fun with a baby.
xoxo,
kelsey
