The world is huge and full of amazing places you want to visit during your life. Each one of these places is made up of sights and sounds that draw you in and entice you to fill your camera's memory card to the brim There's so much to see! You just want to spend the day go go going (which we talked about...slow down, people) and seeing everything, but there's a catch.
The boss (a.k.a. the wonderful little baby).
Don't rely on your baby to want to do everything you do. Her interests, attention span, tolerance of crowds and loud noises, the length she can go without a sleepy-eyed breakdown--these are just a few of the ways you and your baby differ (probably). So, prioritize and compromise.
Baby's fresh off a nap, new diaper and a bottle. You've got an old city center and a museum to see before baby starts to fuss for another round of r & r, maybe about three hours. What do you do? My advice: when baby is at his or her best, that's when you can generally get away with the most. Give them a book or a quiet toy and hit up the museum. Besides, when they're wide awake, they can much better appreciate all the colorful paintings and old-as-the-hills-statues. When baby's getting towards the just-give-me-my-bottle-and-let-me-sleep time block, it's usually a good idea to be somewhere where retreat is an easier option. Walking around a city center you can just head back to the room, even if you need to take a tram or taxi (or just walk a bit) to get there. From a museum you need to navigate a maze, walking past all those things you didn't get to see on your own time, while your baby is the only one screaming throughout the building. Which sounds more enjoyable?
That was the prioritize bit. The second part of this advice is compromise. If you know you're risking a tantrum, do you really need to take the boat ride or is the view of the cliffs from the top beautiful enough to satisfy your taste of awe? You'll need to think of your baby's needs and personality and find something that works for you both. Compromise. And you know what, in a few years your little one may love playing pirate on a sightseeing ferry. You can come back.
If you just won't feel happy about your trip unless you take the ferry, climb the tower or go in the pyramid or whatever, then ask your partner to hold onto the baby for a while and meet up with you later. You can always return the favor. (This is assuming there's more than just you and the baby traveling. If it's just the two of you, give the baby carrier a try. Not only could you see what you want to see, you'll get a workout while you're at it. Just don't rely on baby sleeping in the carrier. We made that mistake. And don't forget, if you're on a small boat, retreat is not an option.)
However.
One thing to remember with all this advice I give is that these aren't laws and differ by age and baby. Norah Grace was just three months old when we went to Ireland and we did go on the ferry ride. She slept in the baby wrap beneath my jacket to protect her from the cold wind. We actually found this age the easiest to travel with because she would sleep in the wrap.
The boss (a.k.a. the wonderful little baby).
Don't rely on your baby to want to do everything you do. Her interests, attention span, tolerance of crowds and loud noises, the length she can go without a sleepy-eyed breakdown--these are just a few of the ways you and your baby differ (probably). So, prioritize and compromise.
Baby's fresh off a nap, new diaper and a bottle. You've got an old city center and a museum to see before baby starts to fuss for another round of r & r, maybe about three hours. What do you do? My advice: when baby is at his or her best, that's when you can generally get away with the most. Give them a book or a quiet toy and hit up the museum. Besides, when they're wide awake, they can much better appreciate all the colorful paintings and old-as-the-hills-statues. When baby's getting towards the just-give-me-my-bottle-and-let-me-sleep time block, it's usually a good idea to be somewhere where retreat is an easier option. Walking around a city center you can just head back to the room, even if you need to take a tram or taxi (or just walk a bit) to get there. From a museum you need to navigate a maze, walking past all those things you didn't get to see on your own time, while your baby is the only one screaming throughout the building. Which sounds more enjoyable?
(Cliffs of Moher, Ireland)
However.
One thing to remember with all this advice I give is that these aren't laws and differ by age and baby. Norah Grace was just three months old when we went to Ireland and we did go on the ferry ride. She slept in the baby wrap beneath my jacket to protect her from the cold wind. We actually found this age the easiest to travel with because she would sleep in the wrap.
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