Thank goodness we took the plunge and booked a trip to Maui for right after Juliette received her vaccinations. We weren’t thinking clearly when we booked it but 2 months was a great age to travel with her. She slept so much!

Here are all of the tips from of our flight and for flying with a small baby.

Hotel or apartment? Where to stay with a baby

For us, it was a no-brainer to get an Airbnb over a hotel room. Having an Airbnb meant we had a kitchen, fridge and most importantly — laundry. It was just like being at home and was so comfortable to have everything we needed in our unit.

Best tip for vacation accommodations

Get accommodations that are comfortable that you’ll want to hang out in — because you’ll be there a lot. It is definitely worth spending any extra money to get a nicer place. In our case, we got a unit at our favorite condo building where we stayed for our last three trips. We chose a unit right on the ocean with a big lanai, so we could see the ocean and sit out on the balcony all day. This was perfect for nursing and for hanging while Juliette took naps inside.

There were days we didn’t get out of the condo until 4:00pm. That’s when it is nice to enjoy your condo. Also great if you end up getting take out to bring back if dinner time interferes with bedtime.

Managing expectations while on vacation

So, we survived the flight and we were in paradise. Sunny, 80 degrees, listening to the sounds of the ocean…and stuck in our condo. We spent a lot of time in the condo between nursing and naps and more nursing. The added bonus for this trip was that we traveled with my in-laws who were visiting from Australia which meant they could watch Juliette while Justin and I ran down to the beach for a walk or quick swim. Having that time was incredible. If you travel without help, take turns getting out and getting some non-baby time — it’s so important! But set expectations that this new type of traveling will mean doing far less than you did before.

Maui is a special place for us since we got married here a few years ago. Every time we come back (usually around our anniversary) we go back to Olowalu Plantation House where and watch sunset at the site we got married. This year we took Juliette there with us. There may have been a few tears (from me, not Juliette).

So, our first trip is in the books and was a total success. Juliette was a champ on the plane (we were too!) and gave us the confidence and excitement to do it again. Good thing we have trips planned every month for the next four months. She is a frequent flier in the making!

Comment below with questions and your favorite travel tips with a baby. Happy traveling!