Start your vacation with a plan of what you are going to do and when you are going to do it. This isn’t a plan that you have to stick to strictly, but having an idea of when you are going to be where and when you will be able to break and feed with or play with your baby is a nice help. Plan the times you will eat meals so that you can keep to a regular schedule and the times when you are going to be done for the day so that you can put your baby to bed without them getting too overtired or fussy.

A vacation with your baby can be lots of fun. Taking him to meet relatives will have everyone cooing over your little bundle of joy, while giving your arms a break from holding him all of the time. Let your family members play with him and let your baby get to know them, but always watch and listen for your baby’s cues that he has had enough or that he needs a little bit of one on one time with you or alone time to regroup. Babies can quickly become overwhelmed with too many people and with meeting new people. If this happens to your baby it may be hard to calm them down, so try to catch the signs early on in an effort to not let your baby get too worked up.

In order to remember your vacation, be sure to take lots of pictures. You will never be able to go to these places and do these things with your baby again at this age. Since your baby won’t remember it, you can use these pictures when he is older to tell him about the first vacation he took to meet his grandparents. Video is also a good way to capture the moments of the vacation with your baby. Being able to hear his relatives and see them interacting with him between visits, will help your baby feel more comfortable with these would be strangers the next time you go on a trip.

Over all, just remember to have fun with your baby on vacation. Keep it relaxed, and keep your own stress levels down since your baby can feel this stress and will react to it. Whether it is your first vacation with your baby or your fifth, it is bound to be a time that you will remember and look back on with smiles and fond memories. If you manage to make it go smoothly, chances are it won’t be your last.

For a new parent dressing a baby can be a scary thing. Especially so with smaller babies who seem that much more fragile. Many people are afraid they will break their baby if they are not careful. While the likelihood of that happening is not very high, it is easy to understand why people would fear that.

When you start shopping for clothes picture yourself trying to dress your baby in the outfit. If the outfit looks complicated or time consuming you may not want to buy it, especially in the smaller sizes. Also remember to wash all your babies’ clothes in a gentle, perfume/dye free detergent prior to putting them on your baby as you do not want to irritate your baby’s sensitive newborn skin.

Step 1: Pick Out the Outfit Ahead of Time
Don’t wait until it is time to dress your baby to decide what to dress your baby in. Decide earlier in the day or the night before and set the clothes out while your baby is calm or asleep. This will take away the possibility of a last minute choice while your baby is crying, and you having to rush.

Step 2: Think Layers
You should definitely invest in simple onesies for your baby to wear under his daily outfits. When your baby is first born it is harder to regulate their temperatures as the temperature outside changes. If it is hot you can easily remove layers, but if it is cold you will be happy that you have them and so will your baby. You also never know when your baby’s diaper may leak and having that extra layer of clothing could very easily protect that cute outfit you just had to have your baby seen in. Another good reason to layer is that often the cute outfits have stitching on the inside that can lie against the babies’ skin and irritate them. Tags in the back of clothing can be irritating as well, so having the onesie in between the skin and main outfit can help give you a happier baby.

Step 3: Protect the Neck
Just like when carrying your baby around, you have to remember to support the neck while you are dressing your baby. It can be a little difficult when trying to get your baby’s arms in a top, to remember the neck. Your baby might lift a bit, letting his head fall back. If you want you can try to build your baby’s wardrobe with outfits that don’t go over the head, but button down the front, or can be put on feet first.

Step 4: The Head and Feet
Don’t forget about your baby’s head and feet. Remember that body temperature is partly controlled from these upper and lower extremities so you want to keep them covered, or uncovered as well. If it is super hot outside stick to a thin pair of socks for your baby, or let them go sock less. Don’t worry about the shoes until your baby is walking. If you are out in the sun consider a hat for your baby so they don’t get burned, but otherwise keep their head uncovered so that it can “breathe”. In the winter or on colder days, have socks for your baby and a baby “stocking cap” to help keep your baby’s head warm.

Step 5: Take Extras!
It doesn’t matter how old your baby is, you still need to take at least two spare outfits with you to dress your baby in while you are out. This includes extra onesies, socks and caps as well. You never know when your baby will have a blowout, spit up on himself, get sick, become a messy eater, or be victim to an accident on your part like a tipped over soda in the stroller. We say two outfits so that you still have a spare outfit after you change your baby the first time, in case there is a second accident. Take lots of socks with you because it can be very common for a baby to move while you are changing his diaper. Often his feet can end up in the mess and you don’t want him wearing his socks that are dirty. Also, since caps can easily slide and be pushed off the head when you pick up your baby, you want spares incase it falls in a puddle or gets dirty.

The Diaper Bag
Don’t wait till you are ready to leave to stock the diaper bag. If possible check for supplies before you leave while baby is napping. Even the night before if you know you are heading somewhere. Make sure you have plenty of diapers and wipes to get you through your trip. Also make sure you have a couple of changes of clothes for your baby jut incase there is an accident.

Schedule Extra Time
It takes a while to get baby ready to go. After making sure he has a clean diaper you have to get him dressed, get him in his car seat, grab the diaper bag (which should already be stocked), grab a blanket and maybe a couple of toys, pack some snacks if your baby is at the age to have snacks, and a bottle or sippy of some type of fluid. Once you have everything in hand, you have to get your baby out of the house and strapped into the car. This whole process can easily take 15-20 extra minutes before you leave.

While out it is likely that you will spend more time than normal doing even the simplest things. You will have to take time outs to feed the baby and change a diaper. Many times as soon as you change him, you will have to change him again. A simple 10 minute trip the store, can easily and quickly turn into an hour long trip, or longer.

Feeding Your Baby
Especially if you are breastfeeding and your baby won’t take a bottle, feed him before you leave the house. If you feed him he will not only be full and should be able to go a couple of hours without eating, but he will be happier and might actually sleep. If your baby will take a bottle, take one with you in case you need it suddenly, and if he is old enough take some snacks like cheerios and goldfish.

Naptime
Most babies will fall asleep in the car. If yours falls asleep easily in the car and you have a long drive to make, try to schedule it at your baby’s naptime. If your baby is asleep then running errands and such will go much faster. If your baby will not sleep in the car, the schedule your outings to coincide with the time your baby wakes up. This way he is well rested and happy, instead of tired and cranky.

Going out with your baby really is a test of timing, patience and good planning in order to guarantee that it will be a successful and fun time for everyone involved. While out just remember to listen to and pay attention to your baby’s cues. Babies are great at letting us know when they are unhappy or just simply want to be held.

1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply).
2. Wipes
3. Cream (like Desitin, A&D ointment, Vaseline).
4. Baby Powder
5. At least one bottle of juice or milk
6. A few jars of baby food
7. At least one clean outfit
8. A few bibs
9. A few cloth diapers to clean up spit and other spills
10. Items to entertain your baby (rattles, books, toys)
11. Baby thermometer
12. Teething rings
13. Biter biscuits or similar type of crackers
14. Medicine for fevers, colds, related symptoms
15. Any prescription medications
16. Measuring device for medications
17. Baby Nail Clippers
18. Phone number of Baby’s Physician
19. Any stuffed animals or favorite blankets your baby needs to fall asleep
20. Any parenting books you refer to frequently to find answers to unexpected questions

Resource Box – © Danielle Hollister (2004)

About the Author:
Danielle Hollister is the Writing Host at BellaOnline and Publisher of BellaOnline’s Writing Zine To subscribe send email to: bellaonlinewriting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.