Summer vacations are an ideal time to spend with your family and create unforgettable memories with your baby. What could be more magical than watching your little one marvel at simple things, like playing with sand? And yes, our children can sometimes help us discover little pleasures that we've forgotten or trivialized over the years.
Of course, before you even think about enjoying your vacation, the planning stage is important, because with a young child, it's best to have everything at hand and to have organized your stay so that the trip goes off without a hitch. In this article, we offer 4 practical tips for thinking about the essentials when packing baby's luggage, planning meals, organizing transportation without a hitch and finally, planning a few activities.
The checklist is the key to success when preparing baby's luggage. Our bonus tip: start it two weeks before you leave to make sure you complete it without pressure and, above all, that you don't forget anything. You can add to it as you go along, dividing it into categories such as clothes suitable for your destination's climate, diapers, toiletries, medicines and any other items essential to your baby's daily routine.
If you're heading off to a hot destination, take a look at our article entitled "5 tips for coping with the heat with baby". In this article, we explain how to choose the right clothing. If you're going out during a heatwave, it's advisable to have your baby wear long, light-colored, UV-resistant clothing. Even if the temperature of the destination you choose is more temperate, protect baby with suitable sun cream. The sun's UV rays don't heat up, so even if you don't feel very hot and the weather is cloudy, that doesn't mean they aren't there and that they aren't harmful.
To save space, consider packing multi-purpose items. For example, versatile clothes that can be used for different occasions, or blankets that double up as play mats. These tips will enable you to travel light while still having everything you need close at hand.
When you're on the move, consider a baby carrier or sling. They don't take up much space and let you enjoy nature and city outings without the complications of a stroller. Several models of Chimpäroo baby carriers and slings can adapt to very hot temperatures, while offering coolness and comfort for baby and parent.
Such is the case with the Air-O baby sling, with its quick-drying mesh fabric. There are also highly versatile products like the EvöAir baby carrier, which can be used in all seasons. In summer, simply remove the removable panel, which is then replaced by mesh for optimal ventilation.
Baby carriers are also available for older children. For example, the Bambino Air baby carrier is specially designed for young children aged 12 months to 5 years. And of course, it too has an ultra-breathable mesh back panel.
Depending on where you've booked your vacation, it's not always easy to get to the local grocery store, so you might as well plan ahead for some snacks and meals to ensure a carefree vacation. Of course, the challenge we all face is always the same: the car is easily filled to capacity and then, if we're talking about food, it can become a real headache.
We've got a few tips to help you make life easier during your summer break:
- Prepare meals that are easy to transport and prepare. If your baby has started to diversify his diet, think about purées in small sachets. Just add a little boiled water and the purée is ready!
- If you're breastfeeding, prepare everything you need to be comfortable wherever you are. Did you know that babywearing can be a great help when breastfeeding? Be prepared to breastfeed frequently, as travelling can be tiring for your baby, who may want to nurse more often for comfort.
Keep your baby well hydrated, especially in hot weather. Take enough water and/or bottles with you. Remember to buy an insulated bottle to keep your water cool.
- Snacks are essential for trips and outings. Take along healthy, convenient foods, such as dried fruit or baby cookies.
Travelling can be stressful, but with the right organization, it can go smoothly. First of all, choose the mode of transport that's most comfortable for your baby, be it plane, train or car. If you're renting a car, don't forget to ask the rental agency if they have a car seat you can borrow for your baby.
Never skimp on safety. Install sunshades on the windows to reduce direct exposure to the sun. Car windows don't block all UV rays. Remember to apply sunscreen to exposed areas of baby's skin.
Plan regular breaks to allow your baby to get some fresh air and, if he's older, to stretch his legs. When accompanied by young children, it's advisable to take breaks every two hours.
Sometimes there's so much we want to do on vacation to make the most of it that we forget something essential: vacations are also about resting. We invite you to plan your activities with this in mind.
When you're traveling with a baby, you need to set your own pace and maintain your routines as far as possible, to avoid disruptions that can cause stress for your child. And just because you're with baby doesn't mean you can't move around. In fact, our ActivMom TREK 2.0 baby carrier has been designed for active parents who want to walk, or even play sports, safely with baby. For more tips on what to do with baby during the summer, check out ActivMom's training on the subject.
Here are a few examples of activities you can enjoy during the vacations, depending on your baby's age:
- If your child is between 0 and 6 months old, think about outdoor stroller or baby carrier walks. It's just as good for him as it is for you! For walks with baby, read our article on hiking in a baby carrier. Skin-to-skin sessions in a quiet, shady setting, such as under a tree or in a beach tent, are also a great idea!
- If your baby is between 6 and 12 months old, you can opt for a shallow inflatable pool in which he or she can splash around under constant supervision. At this age, your little one is discovering the world and is curious about everything. Why not take him to touch the sand and splash in the water on the beach? Or take him on a family picnic to discover a new environment?
- If your child is between 12 and 18 months old, there are many options open to you: sand play with buckets and spades, visits to zoos or aquariums, or outdoor activities such as playing ball or blowing bubbles.
- Finally, for toddlers aged 18 to 24 months, explore the toddler-friendly play areas with slides and swings. Visiting educational farms is another great way to learn about farm animals and have fun at the same time!
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By following the advice in our article, you'll have a serene summer and, above all, spend some quality time with your little one. During the vacations, we're less stressed by everyday life and have more time to enjoy our loved ones. These moments are so precious! During your stay, don't forget to remain flexible. With a young child, it's not always easy to do exactly what you want, but what's important is that you and your baby feel happy in the end.
The whole Chimpäroo team wishes you and your little one a wonderful, relaxing and rejuvenating vacation!
For more tips on babywearing, check out our various resources:
- Read our other blog posts on recommendations for coping with summer heat, tips and tricks to simplify parenting, and advice on preparing your body for babywearing.
- Chimparoo's YouTube channel is packed with demonstrations of babywearing positions and discussions of baby development.
- You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, which addresses questions commonly asked by our customers.
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