New Parents Can Still Enjoy Travel

Rediscovering the World with a Baby

Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest adventures, but it can also feel like the end of another. For many couples, travel has been a defining part of who they are. Weekend city breaks, backpacking through new countries, spontaneous road trips, or lazy beach escapes. Then, the baby arrives, and suddenly even going to the supermarket feels like an expedition.

But here’s the truth. You don’t have to give up travel when you become a parent. You just travel differently. It takes more planning, flexibility, and patience, but it can also be more rewarding than ever before. Watching your baby experience new places, new sounds, and new cultures is a joy all its own.

In this guide, we’ll explore how new parents can still enjoy travel, from mindset shifts and practical tips to destination ideas and sanity saving strategies.

1. Redefine What Travel Means

Before kids, travel often meant freedom and spontaneity. Booking flights at midnight, staying out late, hiking up mountains just because you could. Parenthood changes that rhythm, and that’s okay.

Now, travel might look like:

A long weekend at a seaside cottage instead of a two week trek in Peru.

A slow-paced city stay with playground stops and early dinners.

Visiting family abroad and adding a few extra days for yourselves.

The key is to adjust your expectations, not abandon your passion. Travel is no longer about ticking off bucket list sights, it’s about creating shared experiences and finding joy in small, simple moments. Watching your baby play with sand for the first time can be just as meaningful as seeing the Eiffel Tower.

So don’t think of it as giving up travel; think of it as evolving your travel style.

2. Start Small and Build Confidence

Your first trip as new parents doesn’t need to be a 12 hour flight with a newborn. In fact, it probably shouldn’t be. Start small.

Consider a short domestic trip, maybe a weekend in a nearby town or countryside hotel. It gives you the chance to test your travel systems, packing efficiently, managing naps on the go, figuring out how your baby copes with new environments.

Once you’ve done a few short getaways, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows. That’s when you can start dreaming bigger again, maybe that European city break or even a longer haul adventure.

3. Pick the Right Destination

Not all destinations are equally baby friendly, and choosing the right one can make or break your experience. When deciding where to go, consider:

Travel time - The shorter the journey, the less stressful it tends to be.

Climate - Avoid extremes, babies don’t regulate temperature as well as adults.

Healthcare - Choose places with good medical access, just in case.

Facilities - Baby-friendly accommodation, accessible transport, and safe spaces matter.

Some destinations naturally tick these boxes. In Europe, cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Lisbon are famously family friendly, with great infrastructure and relaxed atmospheres. In the UK, spots like the Lake District, Cornwall, and the Cotswolds offer gorgeous scenery with easy access to family accommodation.

If you’re heading further afield, destinations like New Zealand, Japan, and Canada combine safety, cleanliness, and convenience, all major wins for new parents.

4. Plan Your Travel Days Carefully

Travel days can be the hardest part, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Time your flights or drives around nap schedules when possible.

Pack smart keep essentials (nappies, snacks, wipes, toys, change of clothes) easily accessible, not buried in checked luggage.

Dress comfortably and bring layers for both you and baby.

Don’t rush. Arrive early at airports or stations. Babies sense stress, and giving yourself extra time helps everyone stay calm.

And remember, you can’t control everything, delays, blowouts, meltdowns happen. If you treat these as part of the adventure rather than disasters, it changes the whole experience.

5. Choose Accommodation That Works for You

In your pre-baby days, you might have been happy to crash in a basic hostel or chic but tiny boutique hotel. Now, comfort and practicality trump aesthetics.

Look for accommodation that offers:

Separate sleeping areas, so you’re not tiptoeing around a napping baby.

Kitchen facilities, so you can prepare bottles or simple meals.

Laundry options, because babies generate more laundry than you can imagine.

Child friendly amenities, like highchairs, cots, or baby baths.

Airbnbs, serviced apartments, and family oriented hotels can be great options. Some even provide baby gear rentals so you don’t have to bring everything with you.

6. Pack Light

Every new parent’s instinct is to overpack, “just in case.” But lugging around half your nursery isn’t fun, and it’s rarely necessary.

Here’s the secret. Babies need less than you think.

Stick to the essentials:

A compact travel stroller or baby carrier.

Nappies and wipes for the first day or two (you can buy more there).

Two or three outfits per day, max.

Feeding supplies (bottles, sterilising bags, etc.).

A lightweight blanket and favourite toy.

Most destinations have baby supplies available locally, and improvisation is part of the adventure. Less baggage = more freedom.

7. Embrace Slow Travel

When travelling with a baby, slower is better. Gone are the days of cramming six attractions into one day, and that’s a blessing in disguise.

Instead of rushing from one sight to another, build in downtime. Let naps dictate your rhythm. Enjoy leisurely breakfasts. Spend a morning at a local park. Take breaks when needed.

Slow travel allows you to immerse yourself in local life, sipping coffee at a café while your baby naps, chatting with locals, or simply wandering aimlessly through charming streets. You’ll see less, perhaps, but experience more deeply.

8. Keep Baby’s Routine

Maintaining a consistent routine helps babies feel secure, even in new environments. Try to stick to familiar feeding and sleeping patterns where possible.

That said, don’t stress if things go off-schedule. Travel inevitably disrupts routines, and that’s fine. Babies are more adaptable than we think. A flexible attitude keeps everyone happier.

Bring small comforts from home, a familiar sleep sack, bedtime story, or lullaby, to help your baby settle in new places.

9. Make Time for Yourselves

Yes, travel is about family bonding, but it’s also about you. New parenthood can be exhausting, and a change of scenery is the perfect opportunity to reconnect as a couple.

If you’re staying somewhere with childcare options (some resorts offer babysitting services), consider booking a dinner out just the two of you. Or, take turns watching the baby so each parent gets a solo break, a walk, a spa treatment, or simply a quiet coffee with a view.

You’ll return to your baby refreshed, not frazzled.

10. Capture the Memories, But Live Them Too

It’s tempting to document every adorable travel moment, the baby’s first dip in the sea, their reaction to pigeons in a city square, that messy gelato face. These moments are precious, but remember to put the camera down sometimes.

Soak it in. The baby won’t remember the trip, but you will, the feelings, the laughter, the tiny victories (like surviving a flight with minimal crying). These are memories you’ll treasure long after the photos fade.

11. Connect with Other Travelling Parents

You’re not alone. Thousands of parents travel with babies every year, and sharing tips and encouragement with others can be incredibly helpful.

Join online communities or local parenting groups focused on travel. Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit all have thriving networks of “travel families” who share destination guides, packing lists, and honest advice about what works (and what doesn’t).

Sometimes just hearing, “We did it and survived!” is all the motivation you need.

12. Be Kind to Yourself

Finally, remember this. You’re doing something brave. Travelling with a baby isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. You’re showing your child that the world is big and beautiful, and that exploration is part of life.

There will be moments of chaos, tears, lost sleep, forgotten items, but also moments of pure joy. The first giggle at a sunset, the warm smiles of strangers helping you carry a pram up stairs, the pride in realising you did it.

Give yourself grace. You’re not trying to prove anything; you’re simply finding your new rhythm as a family.

Final Thoughts

Travel doesn’t end when you have kids, it transforms. It becomes slower, messier, more unpredictable… and often, more meaningful.

As new parents, you might not be ticking off bucket list countries or partying until 2 am, but you’ll gain something richer, the wonder of seeing the world through your child’s eyes. Every small experience becomes a discovery, for both of you.

So pack the baby wipes, embrace the chaos, and hit the road. You may not travel as lightly as before, but your adventures will be filled with laughter, love, and stories you’ll tell for years to come.