Where would you go for first holiday with baby?

[EmeraldIsle81]

Hi Mumsnet
Want to book a week's holiday for myself, DP and DS (who will be just under a year old) in late spring/early summer. Where would you recommend we go? Home or abroad? I'm really nervous about anywhere the water isn't safe or I can't easily get baby suitable food.
Ideas welcome please!
Thanks all!

We went to the Isle of wight with my six week old son, then took him to Spain at 8 months. Then Spain (Barcelona) again at 12 months when I was pregnant with second. Have to say that was hard, as was Paris with toddler and baby. Neither city was at all child friendly - I changed my son on the dirty floor of a bathroom in a museum in Barcelona and for all the talk of Spain loving kids I was practically shoved out of the way in taxi cue at airport trying to deal with pushchair and luggage. And my son tipped back in his pushchair at another airport while I was checking in and not a single person helped. But go more rural and with another adult and great time with a young baby.

I've been to Florida, Spain, canaries all with babies ranging from 5 months to a year all been fun and really enjoyed if anything it's easier when there babies and not on the move.

Just remember all counties have babies any you can get whatever you need

At that age I'd have stayed local. We went to Mauritius when DD was 6 months which worked well because he slept almost the whole flight and was immobile. Not a cat's chance in hell of me doing anything like that for the foreseeable!

Anywhere you feel comfortable with! Dd went to Brazil when she was 3 weeks old. My friend is from there and her brother was getting married. Tbh it’s super easy when they’re small.

At just under a year I’d look closer to home because it can get hairy. Dd went on a 1 hr train ride and SCREAMED the whole way. Really not fun.

@SpeckledyHen - good point maybe not required

We took DS out to Greece when he was 1. The flight was 4.5 hours and he was fine.
They really love kids and are very accommodating.
I did get myself a little worked up a d worried on our first holiday with him, but it was a breeze, he loved the food, the beaches and fell into a nice routine.

I'm not a massive centre parcs fan personally, I prefer a log cabin or cottage somewhere , but its whatever suits you guys. The description of the log fire in a cabin from a PP made me want to get booking.

You will be fine and pick somewhere both of you really want to go ,dont pick somewhere just because you think it will be easier with baby , the baby will adapt anywhere and you will have also been somewhere you guys wanted to go.

We went to Malta when DS was 8 months and it was great. He was at the age where he ate loads of things before business kicked in. Rabbit stew was a big hit! Also had a lot of rice cakes and a few pouches inside him over.

Evening meals are taken much earlier there than the rest of the med so we fitted right in eating around 6 with him then put him to bed and had takeaway ice creams and wine on our balcony every night.

My dd was born in January last year we’ve been on 4 UK cottage breaks this year and we took her to California for a week when she was 9 months old. It was a 10 hour flight and she was absolutely fine both ways. I fed her whatever we were eating pretty much but the supermarkets had some pouches anyway so got a few as back up. The only issue was returning home with such a huge time difference it took us almost a month to rectify but we all had a fantastic holiday and it’s given me confidence to travel again with her

Can I ask what water does a baby drink abroad? As I would drink bottled water in certain countries but my understanding was that bottled water isn't good for babies.

Sorry to derail your thread OP.

We took DD now 8 to Cornwall as a 5 month old, France as a 6 month old and Singapore as a 9 month old. All very enjoyable for adults and DD.

In fact Singapore was particularly fab. We went to Raffles for afternoon tea and they set the high chair with all the forks and spoons (same as we had but plastic) and the staff looked after her and us really well.

Every food hall had a spotlessly clean high-chair that appeared wherever we went. I took some pouches, but we also just fed her bits from our plates.

Can I ask what water does a baby drink abroad

Whatever you are having. If you are somewhere the tap water is fine for adults it's fine for babies too.

@EmeraldIsle81 there is a kettle yes! We had a suite so there was a bedroom and a large living area so plenty of room. I took a big Tupperware box and sterilising tablets but to be honest, my daughter was putting everything in her mouth so sterilising was a bit pointless. With regard to food prep, there are microwaves in all the restaurants and bars. My daughter was eating normal food by then though so I just took snacks for her like baby biscuits etc (sorry she's 5 now so I forget what they are called!). The buffet had loads of choice so she had things like Weetabix for breakfast and fruit then pasta, fruit, veg, mash etc for her other meals.

A decent all inclusive is perfect when you've got young kids. Self catering is fine but isn't it just same shit different house??

We took DS to Corfu when he was 1 to a tui family life. They had a baby room with toys, microwave etc. They even had a baby club.
The kids buffet was great and there was always snacks and drinks available. We've done 4 different tui family life and all have been spot on.

Another vote for Singapore and/or France here, depending on budget. @Fantail I absolutely love raffles. Singapore zoo is fab too.

We went to lots of nice places in Europe with ours as babies (canaries, Greece, Portugal, mallorca, paris. But, we're very used to travelling. Really only plan a holiday you are comfortable with. What do you like doing.. countryside, city, beaches, soft play?

Close to home while they’re little. Reassuring to be near familiar hospitals and English speaking services.

And I disliked flying with a young baby. I always worried about then catching measles or other illnesses, you so often catch a cold when flying so babies would be more susceptible to illness.

The earlier the better, it's only really tough around 18 months to 3, before you can reason with them and they bolt everywhere!

Having a bady doesn't mean you succumb to the monotony of centre parks!

We went on holiday with DD when she was 7 weeks to the canaries - super easy holiday!

DS was 4 months when we took him to Spain, then 12 months canaries again.

DS has been on holidays lots since- hardest age I found was 12 months - 18months for the flights as they want to move and be into everything and you can’t really reason with them.

DS at a year just ate the food we did at the all inclusive resort. Water was from the tap and was fine to drink in the resort.

We were comfortable and fine and find it easier going abroad to an all inc than holiday in the Uk with kids. But that’s our preference - do what you feel will be good for you!

Also DD didn’t catch any bugs at 7 weeks on the flight she fine!

We've been to Majorca, Spain, Paris, Canaries and Portugal and Uk with an under 1 and no issues at any of them.

My only problem with the UK ones is that we live in Scotland and constantly get shitty weather so it's such a good change to be abroad and have the kids outside all day without waterproofs and a million layers on! I also find UK to be expensive for activities and eating out.

AI works well so you don't have the dinner prep/washing up to do. We tend to fly with jet2 who have a good luggage allowance so I've taken my own steriliser and prep machine or else left the prep machine and just used the big ready made bottles.

I would say a cottage near the beach in the UK. DS was walking at 12 months and flying suddenly became very difficult.

Wherever you go, make sure you have some separate space for you once DD is asleep. Some children will happily sleep late in the buggy whilst you have supper out but ours didn't.

We did Disney World with an 11 month old and I probably wouldn't recommend that. The journey was truly hellish. We ended up needing medical assistance while there and I don't prefer the US for that. The water there is queationable as well. Well we were drinking it until some locals told us not to! If I had a do over we'd go to Disneyland Paris.

We did Spain with our 4 at that age also Cyprus and Egypt (wouldn't recommend Egypt)
Spain and Cyprus were fine though. Self catering is much easier. Weetabix for breakfast and fruit, picnic lunch and then something in a restaurant when we were out at night. We used Evian water for bottles and drinks with no problem.

To be honest anywhere you fancy, that has a pool and isn't ridiculously hot. DC are still pretty portable at this age and able to fall asleep in a buggy while you go out to eat. We go to Cyprus each year and everything you need for a baby is available.

Can I ask what water does a baby drink abroad? As I would drink bottled water in certain countries but my understanding was that bottled water isn't good for babies.

@Forgivemenot mineral water isn't really good for babies but that's the expensive option anyway. Most bottled water will be table/spring water and is absolutely fine