How to go on holiday.... and actually have a holiday!

Well, Little T is quite the jetsetter...  following our jaunt to Dubai, I am writing this post overlooking the tumbling Tuscan hills.   A lot of new parents shy away from going abroad in the first year, as you worry that taking babies out of their familiar surroundings will mess with their routine and upset their sleeping patterns.  However, Little T is still at an age where he is so portable that we can take him out for dinner in the buggy, join us on our wine tasting tours and has long enough daytime naps that we can have a swim and a glass of wine (almost baby free!)  Holidays abroad also mean that you don't get stuck at home doing the boring jobs you keep putting off and ensures Daddy H has lots of quality time with the little guy.

My top tips for a stress-free baby holiday in the first 6 months are:

- Go short-haul... even if your baby cries the entire time (which they tend not to as they like the white noise sounds of the plane) you can deal with anything for a couple of hours!

- Take your own buggy that they are familiar with (and a snooze shade!), so that you can take your baby with you out to dinner.

- Pick somewhere baby friendly/accommodating.  Although you don't have to go for a super baby friendly hotel at this age, going somewhere they have baby listening or baby sitters, so you can eat dinner at your hotel in peace is a godsend.

- Go with family.  We are on holiday with my mum and dad, and there is nothing like an extra pair of hands!

- Tag-team in and out with your other half, so in addition to family time, you get some time to tan, gym, sleep... all on your own! (the luxury!!!!)

- Pick somewhere familiar.  We are in Tuscany in the same area we have been to for the last couple of years and although we are staying in a different place, it has been stress-free as we already know some fantastic places to eat and places to go.

- Be prepared.  Pack all the milk, muslin, medicines etc. that you can manage and having everything you need with you at the hotel makes life much easier!

-Enjoy!  It may not be quite so chilled as when you went away before you had a baby, but the pictures of Little T enjoying all these new experiences abroad are wonderful.

Taking it all in...