Choosing which brand of swaddle or baby carrier to register for can certainly be overwhelming, but navigating all the celebrations that come along with expecting can be an entirely new challenge in itself. Push Presents, Diaper Parties, and Babymoons are no longer just trendy ideas, but instead are mainstream must-do’s for many couples preparing for baby.
As a first time expectant mom, I’ve learned to focus on what’s most important to my own little family without getting too wrapped up in ‘doing it all.’ One current trend that my husband and I knew we wanted to do was take a Babymoon, defined as a relaxing or romantic vacation taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born. Being smart financially has been a strong theme of our preparation for adding another member to our family, so we knew it wasn’t an ideal time to take that weeklong trip to the Bahamas or to go gallivanting around Europe. Instead, we simply wanted to get away for a long weekend, step back from reality and focus on each other and our own relationship before baby makes three.
At 28 weeks pregnant, we headed south for Jekyll Island, Georgia and spent three beautiful days together soaking up the sun, exploring the island and having our breakfasts with a side of ocean view. Our trip didn’t consist of big plans or schedules, but we instead focused on doing what we selfishly wanted while we still could – like sleeping in late and turning off our cell phones. The trip wasn’t fancy or impeccably planned, but it was a perfect memory to add to our list of experiences B.C. (Before Children)!
Here are a few tips for having an unforgettable Babymoon no matter your budget, travel time or location:
Know Your Finances
Having an over-the-top Babymoon may sound fun in theory, but I promise that a budget-blowing vacation will cause a world of regrets when you get home and realize the money saved for the crib and stroller is no longer in your account. Know your finances and what you can afford from the very beginning, and then plan your getaway from there!
Remember You’re Pregnant
Even though a Babymoon is a time to get away from reality, chances are that one of you is really pregnant – and that’s one thing you can’t simply leave behind at home! Even though it’s not the sexiest accessory in the world, bringing my Snoogle pregnancy pillow was a lifesaving decision for my sleep. Also, sunscreen lotion and chapstick is extra important while pregnant for protecting sensitive skin from the sun. If you’re on a road trip, make sure to stop frequently for bathroom breaks and to get out of the car and move your legs. Sitting for too long can really put a damper on vacation if you can’t walk once you arrive to your destination!
What Really Matters
You don’t even have to travel far to have a Babymoon, because the heart behind the trip is simply to spend time pre-baby with each other. If you don’t have the means to travel far, why not have a Staycation at home instead? Take off a couple days from work and do things locally – go hiking and pack a picnic, go out to dinner at the new restaurant you’ve wanted to try, or simply stay home and enjoy the silence while you still can! It’s truly not important where you are or what you’re doing, but what really matters is creating those memories together as a couple before baby makes his or her arrival.
This is so important! A babymoon is a must! I always try to remind my pregnant friends that there will never be another pregnancy like your first! Where it is just the two of you…and your belly. When you get to sleep in together, watch movies in bed…and just be. I can tell you from experience that I wanted my 2nd pregnancy to be like the first (babymoon and all)…but I forgot I would be chasing around a 2 year old and barely have time to think about me! Great article & great advice!
Hi Monica, I completely agree with you! We debated back and forth as to whether taking a Babymoon was important to us, and the more we thought about it, the more we realized this is truly the last time we can take a vacation without worrying about our kids – whether they are with us or not! It was a great last getaway for just the two of us before we welcome baby boy into our family. Even if we decide to take another Babymoon for our future pregnancies, it will still never be as carefree as our first!
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