Taking care of infants while on self catering holidays

Choosing the Right Accommodation

- Look for self-catering places that are walking distance to a town or resort with restaurants and a pram-friendly promenade or town square[2]. This allows you to easily come back for naps while having nice places to walk around with baby.
- Book a ground floor holiday home to avoid carrying a sleeping baby up stairs in their pushchair[3].
- Opt for accommodations with on-site facilities like a restaurant, cafe, shop and launderette which can be very useful with a baby[3].
- Consider booking adjacent or interconnecting holiday homes if traveling with friends/family with a baby of similar age[3].

Feeding and Meals

- Many self-catering places come with a fully equipped kitchen, so you can prepare your own meals[3]. This provides flexibility compared to set meal times at all-inclusive resorts.
- Bring your own baby food jars, small containers, hand blender, and formula if bottle-feeding[3].
- Look for restaurants that are laid-back and child-friendly in case baby is fussy[2].

Packing Essentials

- Pack plenty of nappies, wipes, bags, cream, and other baby care essentials[3].
- Bring layers of baby clothes, a warm coat/snowsuit, and sun protection like hats and sunblock[3].
- Don't forget a pushchair/lightweight buggy, baby carrier/sling, bottles, steriliser, dummies, toys, bath, and other comfort items[3].

Enjoying the Holiday

- Take short breaks from carrying baby, for example when showering or cooking[4].
- Go out and about during the day, have a nice lunch somewhere, and aim to be back near the pool or accommodation for naps[5].
- Relax and enjoy the flexibility of self-catering to make the holiday as stress-free as possible with your little one.

The key is choosing the right self-catering accommodation, packing smart, and being flexible to make the most of your first holiday with baby. With some planning, you can have a wonderful, memorable trip.