The First Family Overseas Holiday With Baby

Think it's impossible to take your young child on an overseas vacation? It's certainly not the easiest vacation you'll ever take, but with some preparation and patience it can be a fun and enjoyable time for the entire family.

First of all, do a bit of research before you take your baby overseas. Know the passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting. If you are a UK citizen traveling within the European Union, you will be able to travel without a visa. However, it's always best to check ahead to avoid any surprises.

How do you choose a destination for your first overseas vacation with your baby? For the first international trip, it's a good idea to stay relatively close to home. A 14-hour flight with a baby, no matter how well-behaved the baby is, will probably not make for a comfortable vacation. For Britons, there is a wealth of choices out there. Spain is a popular choice, as is the family-friendly island of Menorca and the ever popular sister island sees a lot of people take holidays in Majorca too.

For Americans, international travel is not as simple. However, Canada and Mexico are nearby and can provide a rich cultural experience for the entire family. If you are brave enough to venture a little further afield and can afford it, many South American countries are safe and pleasurable to visit with a family. The region is full of history and will make for an unforgettable vacation.

The number one fear of traveling parents is how young children will act on the airplane. We've all been seated near the infant who doesn't stop crying for the entire flight, and no one wants to be the parent of that child.

Much of that crying can be alleviated with a few simple tricks. First, babies' ears can pop painfully during takeoff and landing. Be sure baby is nursing or drinking something during these times to help equalize the pressure in their ears.

During a long overseas flight, boredom can set in and prompt a crying jag. Bring along a few familiar toys for comfort. Also buy some new toys to carry on. The novelty of a new plaything can distract baby and give you some much-needed peace.

When reach your destination, it's easiest to stick to kid-friendly attractions. If your little one decides to have a meltdown outdoors in a park or botanical garden, it's a much smaller problem than it would be inside a quiet museum.

That's not to say that you should shy away from museums and other quiet activities. Just make every effort to go at the time of day when your child is most likely to be cheerful.

The most important piece of advice any parent can get about traveling with young children is to relax and have a good time. It may feel stressful when your child cries or whines in public, and you may be embarrassed when your entire tour bus has to stop because of a smelly diaper. But remember that these are the experiences that you will one day look back on with a smile.