A Quick Guide to Baby-Friendly Holidays in the South West
With the arrival of a new baby, the idea of taking a holiday can seem like an impossible dream.
However, baby-friendly holidays are becoming more and more commonplace and can even offer some benefits. Holidaying
with a baby means that this could be one of the last opportunities to take a break without having to adhere to the
time restrictions and financial implications enforced by school holidays, meaning you do not have to take your
break in the more expensive 'peak' periods.
Self-catering holidays also provide new parents with the privacy they need, as well as giving them peace of mind
that the infant is in the best possible care - their own! All that is required is a little forethought and you can
have a much-needed rest and care for your baby at the same time.
Baby-friendly holidays in the UK are by far the easiest option for parents. Taking advantage of the temperate
climate in the South West means that they get to enjoy that 'holiday feeling', whilst the child is not exposed to
the extremes of heat that are part of holidays abroad. Travel times are also much shorter, causing less stress to
the child as well as the parents. A baby-friendly holiday in the UK also rules out the potential for illnesses that
can be contracted abroad, with no need for injections and immunisations. It also ensures that a child does not risk
an upset stomach as the result of unfamiliar food.
When it comes to holidaying with a baby, preparation is everything. Taking a little time to research baby-friendly
accommodation can reap dividends. Many self-catering operators advertise baby-friendly accommodation, but it is
still worth checking out a few basics.
Recommendations from friends who have children and who have holidayed in the South West are always a good place
start: they will understand your needs and be able to answer any questions you might have.
Even if the cottage or accommodation you have chosen is advertised as baby-friendly, there are still some things
you might like to ask the operator, such as are there any ponds or swimming pools in the grounds and, if so, do
they have safeguards for children? Inside the accommodation, it is worth checking whether any staircases are open
or have banisters, which will let you know whether or not you want to pack a stair-gate.
Some baby-friendly accommodation allows you to pre-book certain facilities, such as highchairs, cots and pushchair
hire. If this is the case, it will allow you to reduce the amount of equipment you'll have to pack which, when
travelling with a baby, can be quite considerable. It is also worth checking whether the accommodation has a
washing machine and/or a dishwasher. These are becoming more standard facilities and can be a great help to
parents. Microwaves, too, can be a great bonus but remember that bottles can be sterilised just as well in a
dishwasher.
Checking out whether pets and smoking are allowed can also be a prudent move; while you may not want either,
equally you are unlikely to appreciate someone else's pet-hairs on the furniture or the smell of stale tobacco in
the cottage.
Doing as much research as possible before taking your holiday can ensure that your first holiday with a baby will
be an enjoyable break that is beneficial to everyone involved.
Coast and Country offer a choice of baby friendly holiday cottages;
including holiday cottages throughout Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth areas of South Devon.
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