Caribbean villa vacation with one year old

[Anonymous]

We are headed to one of the caribbean islands for 2 week vacation when my son will be 1 year old.

The house doesn't have any railings which concerns me. I am a FTM. I have a portable chair and crib.

What else should I take with me? The house has a pool and beach access.

Thanks much

[Anonymous]

You are going to need to be prepared to baby proof. I'd have low expectations for this trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are going to need to be prepared to baby proof. I'd have low expectations for this trip.

Can you elaborate more? I have a play yard I will.pack with me.. thanks

[Anonymous]

Oh my god this would be my literal NIGHTMARE. OP. A you cancel? Seriously, that is the absolute worst age to travel, you're in an unsafe, un-babyproofed house by the WATER? This won't be fun in any way.

[Anonymous]

A serious discussion with your spouse that someone has active eyes (not on phone) on the kid at ALL times that they are not in a crib or play yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god this would be my literal NIGHTMARE. OP. A you cancel? Seriously, that is the absolute worst age to travel, you're in an unsafe, un-babyproofed house by the WATER? This won't be fun in any way.

+1 and for 2 weeks. 😩

[Anonymous]

Can you rent a pack n play? Why would you fly with one? Yeah this sounds like no fun. And be prepared for sleep regression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are going to need to be prepared to baby proof. I'd have low expectations for this trip.

Can you elaborate more? I have a play yard I will.pack with me.. thanks

Electrical covers
Gates of multi stories
Move tchotkes
Bet the furniture isn’t anchored so you’ll need to watch the kid like a hawk
Blinds with cords?

And if your kid becomes a climber that play yard may not home them. I know mine thought the play yard was just a suggestion and would move it around. 😂

[Anonymous]

OP please rethink this. Who are you traveling with? I'm a pretty chill parent but there's no way in hell I'd be comfortable at a house with a pool. Is there a fence?

Drowning is the number one killer of children.

[Anonymous]

I have to think this is a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to think this is a troll.

I don't know. First time parents easily make this mistake. ONCE.

[Anonymous]

Oh come on, you guys are so harsh. I wouldn’t do this, but I’m not rich enough for villa vacations anyway.

The reasons travel sucks most ages 1-2.5 imo are:

1) even in a “babyproof” house, you’re going to have to have eyes and arms reach on your little monster at all times. Since you have water, it’s that much more important. AT ALL TIMES.

2) sleep will be hard and no vacation rental is dark enough and there is often stuff that can be reached from the crib (RIP decorative grass I didn’t notice)

So just make peace with those things and you’ll be fine. There’s no gate or playpen or anything that can get you out of needing an adult on baby following duty at all times, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh come on, you guys are so harsh. I wouldn’t do this, but I’m not rich enough for villa vacations anyway.

The reasons travel sucks most ages 1-2.5 imo are:

1) even in a “babyproof” house, you’re going to have to have eyes and arms reach on your little monster at all times. Since you have water, it’s that much more important. AT ALL TIMES.

2) sleep will be hard and no vacation rental is dark enough and there is often stuff that can be reached from the crib (RIP decorative grass I didn’t notice)

So just make peace with those things and you’ll be fine. There’s no gate or playpen or anything that can get you out of needing an adult on baby following duty at all times, unfortunately.

This is not a vacation.

[Anonymous]

Wow, most of these reactions seem over the top. When our eldest was 1, we moved from Asia to Europe and had 6 months of garden leave. We traveled all over and stayed in hotels, serviced apartments, etc and it was all fine. We babyproofed, but not excessively (outlets and moved hazardous pieces of furniture but did not secure cabinets etc). If the place didn’t have a crib, we made a bed on the floor. We had a month in a house with an ungated pool and another month in a house on the beach and we either had all the doors shut and locked, or someone was always watching the toddler.

It will be fine. Take 15-30 min to walk the whole house/villa when you get there and identify any dangerous scenarios. Toddlers are ingenious, but they aren’t cats. You can keep them out of places you don’t want them to go. We stayed in one place with a gorgeous balcony, but the gaps were wide enough for a toddler limb to slip through, so we locked the door, put a rod at the bottom and the top to prevent the door from opening even if unlocked, and then moved a sofa in front. If you use your common sense, it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the resort ahead of time so they can babyproof as much as possible. I am sure plenty of couples bring their baby/toddler.