Suggestions for summer holiday with 6mo baby

mark_cycling00

Hi 

We are struggling to get any good ideas for where to go on holiday this summer (late aug/sept) with first baby at 6 months 

Ideally abroad as we'd love to have some sun and relax but that means airports and planes and temperatures that could be too hot for a baby 

Also, I guess we need a decent supermarket close by for baby things, not too hilly so we can push pram around, beach or lake for swimming, and other things we haven't thought of.

Any ideas? Thanks 

MorningcoffeeIV

You have masses of choices. Go short haul with a hotel with appropriate facilities. We did Portugal and Cyprus with kids under one, but also Antigua with a 6 month old. Was never a problem, especially if there are two of you to share the workload.

Be sensible with sunscreen and shade, but other than that, whatever you want. 

Savvy_Sue

I'll just say that my memories of holidays with babies are that it's not really a holiday, it's just doing the same things in an unfamiliar and probably less convenient place ... But I guess we were always self-catering, and in the UK. Where you can, to be fair, have absolutely stunning weather late August / early September. 

We didn't take ours abroad until they were much bigger, not least because there always seemed to be airport problems on the news, and the thought of long waits in airports really did not appeal - if they happened on the way out you'd be shattered at the start of the holiday, and even worse if they happened on the way back. 

I'm probably not helping much. My bottom line was that wherever we went, there had to be a washing machine available! After that, it would be a case of what you'd want to do - I'm not a beach person, DH and I both love reading, we'd visit local towns and historic buildings, but we'd be doing things we could do anytime. In fact, snuggle me up in front of a log fire and you can keep the sunshine! 

tacticalbanjo

I've done three cruises now with my 15 month old. No airport if you sail from the UK, you can take as much luggage as you want and some lines even offer evening babysitting so you can enjoy some couple time. The line I went on you could request baby food or have the main menu food pureed or mashed. I just ordered baby some meat, steamed spuds and steamed veggies and let her sort herself out. Only downside is that you'll need to take plenty of spare nappies and formula if you are using it because there is nowhere to buy more.

Spendless

We did France with both of ours at that age. Drove there and went on the ferry and self catered. I'd at least look into some options where you aren't flying to see if anything would suit. 

pickledonionspaceraider

Savvy_Sue said:

I'll just say that my memories of holidays with babies are that it's not really a holiday, it's just doing the same things in an unfamiliar and probably less convenient place ... But I guess we were always self-catering, and in the UK. Where you can, to be fair, have absolutely stunning weather late August / early September. 

We didn't take ours abroad until they were much bigger, not least because there always seemed to be airport problems on the news, and the thought of long waits in airports really did not appeal - if they happened on the way out you'd be shattered at the start of the holiday, and even worse if they happened on the way back. 

I'm probably not helping much. My bottom line was that wherever we went, there had to be a washing machine available! After that, it would be a case of what you'd want to do - I'm not a beach person, DH and I both love reading, we'd visit local towns and historic buildings, but we'd be doing things we could do anytime. In fact, snuggle me up in front of a log fire and you can keep the sunshine! 

I have to say -  I agree with this.  

I remember finding holidays with a baby stressful and  highly inconvenient and not entirely baby proofed like own home is.  It really is not a holiday - Beach or Lake for swimming is going to be very uneasy, not the care free experience of non parents.  I remember spending a frustrating day on a beach not being able to relax for a second as my small baby wanted to eat the sand, or crawl off.  It was more stressful than being at home.

Someone mentioned above about cruise liners offering babysitting - I didn't even know this was a thing, and again I can't say I would be a fan of leaving my baby with a stranger 

I think the idea of saving some money, booking a week off work, and doing some local family things interspersed with parents booked for baby sitting a couple of nights that week and have a holiday at home. Trust me, itll be more relaxing

mark_cycling00

Thank, I've asked all the NCT people too. 

All UK based holidays. Some said it was just like being at home. Didn't do much apart from lunch out and maybe an hour or two somewhere in afternoon. Very busy and not that relaxing. 

Campervan holidays got more positive feedback. I guess you spend a lot of time in the van anyway and easier to deal with nappy changes etc when on the road 

I think those "activity package holidays" like neilson would work as have babysitting and easy to have an hour if fun during a baby nap.

We've decided to do two different places in Cornwall for 3 days each. One house in centre of nice village and an apartment very close to the beach. 

Savvy_Sue

The youngest member of our extended family has enjoyed a trip on the Eurostar, and has been to the Isle of Wight. 

stuhse

New baby....Don't worry,  it's just the first 18 years that are the most difficult.  😉

stuhse

My suggestion is Brittany.  We found travelling by car preferable to airports etc. As you have more control,  can carry your kit, and stop whenever needed .  Some great campsites where you can hire static caravan, and have swimming pools, and all kinds of activities on site as they get a bit older, archery, zip lines , quads etc.  Not too far to drive and bit more guarantee on weather than UK.  Use Roscoff ferry
https://www.vacansoleil.co.uk/camping/france/brittany/locunole/camping-le-ty-nadan-2022123/

bellabella

Having just done a cruise with a 9 month old it wasn't easy we couldn't use any of the pools as baby was in swim nappy just an ankle deep bowl with a fountain ,yes the food was good but dinner in main dinning room is long so whoever finished their course took baby out to crawl around then swapped after the next course . Play areas for little ones you need to stay unless you use the ships nanny service for which there is a charge it was $9PH plus taxes and more after 8pm the rooms are small with a travel cot unless you get a suite its doable but in my opinion we could have stayed in a lodge in the uk with a hot tub for less and had as good a time