Best Vacations With Infants – Forbes Advisor

Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean you need to put your vacation schedule on hold. 

Vacationing with an infant is a chance to make family memories while getting your child acquainted with airplanes and car rides. We asked child development experts and pediatricians to figure out the best way to have a safe, memorable vacation with infants—here are their top tips. 

What Makes a Vacation Infant-Friendly?

People travel with babies all over the world. However, some vacation destinations are more convenient, safe and enjoyable to explore with an infant than others. 

Jordyn Koveleski Gorman, founder of Eat Play Say, an online parenting hub of child development resources, suggests analyzing a baby’s three main areas of day-to-day life—eating, sleeping and playing—to make a vacation more baby-friendly.

“Wherever you’re vacationing, it’s important to check what comes with where you’re staying and what you need to bring, borrow or rent while you’re there,” Gorman says. She suggests considering your fridge and highchair access, child-friendly food options, sleeping environments and bedtime routine preparations. 

Gorman also advises against bringing too many toys on vacation, since your destination will likely provide plenty of opportunity for entertainment. 

Once you narrow down your baby’s needs, it’ll be easier to choose the best places to travel with them. Here are other questions to keep in mind before traveling with an infant: 

• If you’re driving to your accommodations or attractions, can you bring a car seat or stroller? 
• Does your itinerary account for multiple feeding stops, diaper changes and naptimes? 
• Will you be able to comfortably breastfeed in public? 
• Can your baby explore, or will you need to keep them in a carrier for most of the trip? 

Top Infant-Friendly Vacation Destinations

Just like for adults, traveling has benefits for your baby’s psyche. Dr. Sara Douglas, a developmental psychologist, says exposure to the unfamiliar through travel “refines neural synapses and not only creates memories, but provides new foundations on which to bolster new learning.”

But finding the right vacation destination when you have a newborn depends on the season, budget and capacity of the parents. We judged these popular vacation ideas based on ease of mobility for parents, convenience and enjoyment potential. 

• Boardwalks and beach towns: Take a trip to the coast and take advantage of sunshine, boutique shopping and a relaxed environment. Coastal towns are soundtracked by soothing ocean sounds with laidback lifestyles, which makes these areas particularly baby-friendly. 
• All-inclusive resorts: A resort offers all the family-friendly entertainment, meals and activities you need to unwind without ever leaving the property. Just make sure it’s not an adults-only resort. 
• Cabins in nature: A cabin stay creates an escape from busy city life and the opportunity to spend calm bonding time with your baby. Research also suggests that exposure to nature has restorative effects on cognitive and behavioral skills and improves brain activity, mental health, sleep and cognitive function in children and adults. 
• Buzzing cityscapes: Maybe you want a little more excitement on vacation. Big cities offer dynamic experiences and entertainment for parents, but also the opportunity to build community in public spaces, such as playgrounds and parks. 

Read more: Best Family Vacation Spots

Beach Vacations With a Baby

Coastal towns offer the perfect mix of summer fun and small-town charm. Whether you head to Martha’s Vineyard, Malibu or St. Augustine in Florida, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly restaurants, quiet beaches and specialty shops that welcome babies.

Sun protection is key at the beach, but according to Dr. Gary Kirkilas, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, not all sunscreens are created equal. He suggests using sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet light, typically labeled “broad spectrum protection.” Kirkilas also recommends using clothing as a form of sun-protection, including swim tops and shorts that offer UV protection and floppy hats for infants to keep sun rays off their heads and necks. 

The sand can be hot on sensitive skin, so be sure to test the sand’s temperature before you set your baby down to play. It may also be a good idea to pack extra swim diapers and clothing changes in case of emergencies. 

And don’t forget to rest. “Taking a mid-day break from the sun for lunch, fluids and sunscreen reapplication is always a good idea,” Kirkilas says.

Nature and Outdoor Getaways for Families With Infants

Camping and outdoor getaways are a great way for babies to connect with nature, especially if you don’t have access to it back home. Tennessee cabins, Wyoming campgrounds or a Wisconsin lake house are adventures even a baby will enjoy. 

If you’re headed to the forest, mountains or lake, Dr. Amir Miodovnik, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, urges parents to prioritize insect protection when taking babies outdoors. 

Add mosquito netting over strollers and carriers and use DEET-based repellents appropriately. Miodovnik says infants under six months should also have enough shade and lightweight, sun-protective clothing to guard against harmful UV rays, even in the shade. 

City Escapes That Work With a Stroller

Even babies will be fascinated with big cities that have sky-high skyscrapers, museums galore and parks to recharge in. New York City, Chicago and San Francisco are just a couple that check all the boxes, but you can find baby-friendly fun in just about any of the U.S.’s major cities. 

While navigating a stroller might be a challenge on stairs, public transportation and cracked sidewalks, cities do offer indoor activities for families that are easier on a stroller. Children’s museums, for example, are a great source of learning and provide kids with ways to learn through their senses. 

Kirkilas does, however, caution parents traveling to big cities with infants. “There are concerns with air pollution and poor air quality in almost every major urban area in the U.S.,” he warns. “Please take note of this, especially if your family has a history of respiratory issues like asthma.”

Tips for Traveling With an Infant

Keeping an eye on eating and sleeping routines is important, but Gorman emphasizes that it’s not imperative for your day to revolve around a strict schedule. Even though it’s impossible to make sure every detail goes according to plan, here are our expert-approved tips to make travel a little easier with an infant: 

• Prepare for accidents. Keep extra plastic bags handy for soiled clothes, trash and dirty diapers, plus an extra change of clothes for your baby.
• Strategize mealtimes. If you’re flying, feed your baby during takeoff and landing to help their ears stabilize. 
• Upgrade their seat. Miodovnik explains that an FAA- and AAP-endorsed car seat for babies on planes reduces the risk of injury during turbulence, just like a seatbelt does for adults. “The safest place for a baby or toddler on a flight is secured in a car seat, not sitting on a parent’s lap,” Miodovnik says. 
• Rent what you didn’t bring. Don’t feel like you need to buy new supplies. Some hotels and resorts offer highchairs and crib rentals.
• Try to maintain your routine. Sleep expectations should stay as similar to home as possible, Gorman says. Pack your child’s favorite nighttime items and follow your normal routine when possible. 
• Baby-proof what you can. Move small objects out of reach, keep the baby away from outlets and cover sharp corners with blankets or towels. 
• Keep calm. “Remember that babies feed off of our emotions,” Gorman says. “If we’re calm and comfortable in the vacation space, they’re more likely to be, too.”
• Be prepared to pivot. Douglas also suggests that “depending on the age, there may be various discomforts that the implicit novelty of travel brings, and having ways to mitigate this is important.” Whether that’s cutting an activity short to accommodate restlessness or recognizing signs of illness on vacation, stay tuned to your baby’s needs. 

Read more: Best Family Vacation Spots

Best Time To Travel With a Baby

If babies require patience at home, the need doubles on vacation. Check your destination’s peak tourist seasons and try to book during an off-season to avoid crowds and travel havoc. 

Gorman recommends booking early flights so that you and your baby can rest on the plane. A road trip with a midnight start is also beneficial because you can make good progress on the route before your baby wakes up for the day. 

Rest assured that travel stress is valid and common. Gorman explains that even if your schedule is hectic, your travel day can still be enjoyable. She advises to “plan for breaks, keep those expectations low and remember that your travel day is just a day—it’s not forever.” 

What To Pack When Vacationing With an Infant

If you’re traveling to a place that doesn’t have easy access to a grocery store, like a tropical island or mountain resort, for example, pack these essentials: 

• More diapers and wipes than you think you need
• Formula or breastfeeding supplies
• Any baby medicines
• Travel-friendly bottles
• Diaper bag
• Baby carrier
• Travel crib
• Car seat, if necessary

If your travel destination is a little easier to navigate, like a major city, remember that you can always restock everyday supplies throughout the vacation. Still, consider these items that will be comforting to your baby: 

• A familiar blanket from home
• Toys for the airport or car ride
• Backup clothing
• Baby monitor
• White noise machine

Best Vacations With Infants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)