So, you’ve just found out you’re pregnant. Congratulations! If it’s your first, well, then this article is for you. If it’s your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or beyond, then you already know why a babymoon is so highly regarded and important, but you probably won’t be taking any babymoons any time soon, as you have your hands pretty full. If you haven’t heard about this type of vacation, it’s the last trip you may take with your spouse before the baby arrives. Life is about to change as you know it. You might think you have everything under control, the baby room is ready, the tiny clothes are all washed, and bottles cleaned and put away. A baby is heavenly bliss, they truly are! They are the greatest love you will ever experience. However, along with this new found love comes a lot of work, sleepless nights, a lack of personal space, and a lots of laundry to wash. If you haven’t had the baby yet, pack your bags, and let’s go! This could be the last chance you get!
1) Sleep. This is the # 1 reason to take a babymoon, because although it’s a necessity for your healthy, it will be extremely hard to come by for the first year (or second or third). As a mother of three, I cherish every moment I can to sleep as though I might not get to do it again, that is how my brain now functions. I might get woken up in the middle of the night, I may be getting up at 6 a.m. for something or another. A childless person never realizes how special and sacred sleeping and naps really are! Oh, and when they say “sleep when the baby sleeps,” do it! It’s the wisest advice you may be given. On your babymoon, you can sleep in, take naps, and sleep through the night. What a luxury!
2) Yup. take advantage of these intimate moments with your honey, it will be a long time before your sex life gets back to normal after the baby arrives. First, you’ll have the postpartum abstinence period, then you’ll have the sheer exhaustion period. It will resume, I promise you, but it may take a while. A pre-baby vacation is the perfect time to dabble in some last minute fun.
3) Oh, this is a good one. Eat Uninterrupted. It happens every time, just as you sit down to eat, the baby wakes up, or is hungry. Although you can’t enjoy a nice glass of wine with your dinner during your babymoon, enjoy your meal to the fullest! Take pleasure in the fact that you are dining just the two of you, in peace, with no spilled apple juice scenes. Then try to make it a habit postpartum to have date nights
4) My, my, my. Relaxation is a word many moms just aren’t familiar with once the baby arrives. You may get in brief moments of relaxation, but you become so on edge listening for baby cries, you almost can’t settle. And just when you do… time to get up! Relaxing with your significant other can strengthen your bond, and prepare you for your baby’s arrival. If you can squeeze in a relaxing prenatal massage, do it!
5) Observe the children and families around you. Notice all the emotions, the happiness, the laughter, the tears, and the stress. It is a packaged deal, and the more you understand that all parents go through the same thing, the easier it will be to deal with when situations arrive.
6) Get Pampered. Soon you will be doing A LOT of pampering and caring for a little baby, and you might neglect yourself in the meantime. It happens to many moms. Allow yourself to be pampered and cared for on your babymoon. Get a massage, pedicure, room service, enjoy dinners out without the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Live it up!
7) No babysitter is needed. This will be the VERY last time you will have the freedom to enjoy spontaneous excursions that do not require massive strategic planning,or babysitters. Believe me when I tell you even trips to the grocery store and post office require preplanning post pregnancy.
8) Peace and Quiet. Presently, as I write this, my 6 year old is crying because she can’t find a block she wants to build Dora’s castle. This is a regular occurrence with kids. Blocks go missing, toys get lost in mid air, puzzle pieces disappear, and only mommy and daddy have the special magic it takes to find them. I can’t say this any more clearer: Enjoy the peace and quiet. Soon you will be surrounded by a lot of sounds… may they be cheerful or a devastating cry from lack of building blocks, it will be loud. Or louder than usual.
9) No Time Restraints. Remember when you were in high school and you had a curfew? Yeah, it will be like that again. You’ll have a sitter and a child to return to on date night, shopping is rush rush, and there is now feeding, nursing, and naptime schedules to adhere to. Your babymoon will be the last time you can stay out endlessly with no obligations to attend to. Take advantage!
10) Do Something New and Different. Take this time to explore new places. It may be a while before you get another vacation for just the two of you. Take this time to plan a vacation to a destination you’ve always wanted to go to.
Traveling while pregnant is safe and fun with the proper preparations! You will want to plan your trip in the 2nd trimester when the ill feelings of morning sickness subside from the first trimester, and before the tiredness sets in from the third. Always consult with your OBGYN before leaving, take all your prenatal records with you, and make sure your drive or flight allows for a lot of movement and stretching for great circulation.
It may seem like a babymoon is a type of farewell to freedom and a preparation for the grueling world of parenthood, but in essence, it is a great time to celebrate the life you’ve created with your partner. To rejoice, mentally prepare and relax.
