A babymoon is a holiday you and your partner can take before your little one arrives. They’re becoming more and more popular and it’s not hard to see why — they’re a chance to spend quality time together, take a break from everyday life, and make the most of peace and quiet before parenthood takes over.
“It has become an increasingly growing trend for moms-to-be to head off on holiday with either their partner, friend or a loved one before the imminent happiness of the new arrival,” says Tasnim Nazeer on Culture Trip. “Some couples choose to go on a babymoon as their ‘final’ holiday as just a couple before they transition into having a family.”
Want to enjoy this trend for yourself? Here are five steps for planning your own babymoon.
1. Pick your destination
It’s best not to travel too far. Beyond that, however, there are lots of options to suit the needs of any expectant mother, from chilled out European resorts to relaxing rural retreats.
And then there are the types of holidays you can pick from. You could:
- Go on a countryside getaway
- Choose a beach holiday
- Head off on a laid back city break
- Get pampered at a spa hotel
You could even find somewhere that mixes more than one of these choices. And don’t rule out a staycation in your home country — it cuts down on travel time but still gives you a break from your usual routine.
2. Decide when you want to go
Different things work for different people, but nearly everyone agrees that the best time to travel when you’re pregnant is during the second trimester — 13-28 weeks. The difficult weeks of adjusting to new hormones and morning sickness are behind you, but the exhaustion of the third trimester is still to come, so you’ll have to energy to enjoy being in a new place (even if all you plan to do is sit on the beach).
The choice is yours, but it’s worth keeping these facts in mind when you’re planning your babymoon.
3. Pack wisely
The last thing you want to do is heave a heavy suitcase around. Take only what you need (click here for a simple, fool-proof packing list) and put it in a suitcase with four wheels that rotate 360 degrees. They’re easy to pull along, meaning you won’t get any extra aches and pains. Be sure to ask your partner or a member of the cabin crew to lift it.
4. Get your travel documents sorted
You’ll need copies of your travel insurance policy and maternity notes, plus a doctor’s letter declaring you fit to fly. Even if your pregnancy has been healthy and free from complications, chatting to a doctor will reassure you, since you’ll be able to get valuable advice and ask all the questions you need.
Many airlines require clearance for pregnant women to fly from 28 weeks onwards, but it’s worth getting no matter what stage you’re at, since cabin crew have the right to stop you from boarding if they think you might put your health or that of your fellow passengers at risk.
5. Plan a treat or two
You might be saving up for when the baby arrives, but it’s still worth finding the money for a few treats while you’re away, whether that’s a foot rub or a fancy meal. Pregnancy is hard work, so you’ve definitely earned it!
Would you ever go on a babymoon? Let me know in the comments.
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