Myrtle Beach? Hilton Head? San Francisco? San Diego? Any other United States destination suggestions? We are planning a week-long trip in October with our 4-month old. A beach is a must while having SOME other attractions nearby. Our main purpose is to relax while having options of things to do. I would appreciate opinions on destinations and lodging. Thanks!!

babies that age don't always travel well, nor can they handle having their routine changed.. Your "restful" vacation could easily turn out to be a nightmare.

Stay in your own time zone. That would be the least amount of disturbance to his daily sleep time, nap time, etc. A overly tired baby is a cranky one. Even the best ones tend to be bothered with travel and strange places.

I was also thinking that staying close to home might be easiest on all of you. Where will you be traveling from?

Lee Ann

teachem47, besides the baby issue I can tell you that San Francisco is not a "beach destination". Yes SF has beaches but not in the way that say for example S. CA does. I can't imagine that being in SF and enjoying SF would be all that relaxing with a little baby. Take care and good wishes with your decision for a trip.

New babies are the sweetest! Really, they are better off at home, rather than galavanting around a sandy wind blown beach, or a dirty city street. Leave the baby with grandma and let the parents take a vacation! Sorry to sound so harsh, but the grim reality is that any outing with a newborn baby should provide a stable, comfortable environment, away from viruses & germs.

Where you go is not nearly as important as other considerations - and I think it is possible to go someplace for a week with a baby that young.

First, revise your thoughts on relaxing. One can not escape their constant and unpredictable needs by going on vacation. So if you can discard your notions of relaxing on a beach somewhere, proceed.

Second, babies have very limited tolerance for beach. Sand gets in everything, some advise not using sunblock on kids that young, and even in October sun reflecting off sand can harm their delicate skin, even under an umbrella.

Third, "attractions" should be baby-tolerant. Some babiesd are tolerant of museums for a short period of time - put them in a stroller while they sleep and view-away. But be prepared for paying an admission fee and having the baby getting cranked-up and having to leave.

Now the part about where to go. Having just clicked on your name and finding this is your first post, I am hoping this is not a troll. Where you should go is somewhere no more than a 2-3 hour car ride, or, if you must, a 2-3 hour non-stop plane ride away. And if you go by plane, by the kid a seat and bring carseat.

Lodging suggestions - a house, condo, suite with at least kitchenette. Eating out with a 4-month old baby is not relaxing.

So if you are not a troll and tell us where you live, more specific suggestions may follow.

Hi teachem. When my daughter was 3 and half months old we flew to Nova Scotia for a week a one time zone change ahead for us. It went spectacular I must say, but just as a short note my daughter was a fabulous baby. Our trip was great and the biggest pain was taking all of the baby stuff with us. My dd has also been to Tampa and Mexico for week long trips and again even though she was older they were great and my 4 month old niece who was there did great as well as my 3 year old niece who was in Manzanillo for her 4th trip.

I would suggest renting a house on the beach or condo somewhere. Whenever we have traveled with the babies our sleeping quarters have been home for the week making it very easy with bottles and such. The above posters are right about babies and the beach so make sure your place to stay has a nice pool. The condo's we stay at in Barre de Navidad Mexico near Manzanillo have kitchens, living rooms, we make sure we get the ground floor, a pool, and a palapa for shade. It really makes for a perfect relaxing vacation.

Any of the places you mentioned are great minus San Francisco for the beach. I would google beach houses + the number of people you need a sleeping space for + the area you are looking at. If it were my vacation I would look at the Outer Banks and Florida. Both will have tons of options for homes or condos to rent and many have pools and other ammenities.

If you're baby is basically a happy one and you are very attentive to the fact that you are traveling you shouldn't have to many problems with an unhappy baby on vacation. I'm sure you know this but just be extra cautious that they get their naps in and meals are regular.

My daughter has traveled so well as well as my nieces that we are taking her to Ireland this spring on a 2 week trip just after she has turned 3. If you fly, make sure you check in early and that you have a FAA approved car seat. If they have extra seats they will allow you to strap the carseat into the seat. We were able to do this 2 of 3 flights and it was great.

Oh I forgot. I have never used a service like this with DD but will with our next baby. Many areas that attract tourist will usually have businesses that will rent baby equipment to you such as swings, bouncy chairs, high chairs, cribs etc... If you let them know where you are staying it will be set up for you when you get there. I have a friend who uses a service like this when they go to the Keys every year and loves it.

Don't count on getting an empty seat for the carseat on a plane - unlikely these days.

We are from Chicago and were planning on a 3-4 hour flight tops. Our little one loves to be "on the go" so we want to take advantage of that. As long as he is fed, well-rested and attended to, he is a happy baby. We are leaning toward Myrtle Beach because of the shorter flight and many of the hotels offer an indoor and outdoor pool/s. There are things to do but there is also the beach... ahh... Any suggestions on where to stay? We have never been there before. Hotel? Condo?

HI Teachem! Definitely a condo. Travelling with a 4 month old, you will need a kitchen for sterilizing bottles, washer/dryer for the babies clothes etc. When my son was 5 months old, we went to Florida and he had more luggage than the rest of us. A washing machine will definitely help you cut down on the amount of clothes you have to bring.

Please make sure that there is a good hospital close by for emergency. Our baby was fine when we left the house and suddenly got a stomach virus when we got to our destination. Apparently there was a bug going around and he got it. We had to take him to the emergency room for an IV. With children this young, you just never know. Enjoy your trip!

I found this site www.vrbo.com while looking for houses to rent for an all girls trip with my friends. Just google condos +myrtle beach +sleeps X and you'll pull up a ton of stuff.

As gail noted don't count on getting an empty seat it doesn't always happen. In January on our flights to and from Mexico we had an extra seat for my daughter but when we flew to Florida earlier that year the flight was booked. Now she is over 2 and we will purchase her a seat. If you choose to purchase a seat for your baby the cost for a baby or child's seat is 67% of the cost of the ticket on some airlines.

I really would suggest a condo or house as you can still be outside and enjoy the pool and beach while your baby is taking a nap. The biggest problem with a hotel and baby is that when they are napping the parents are bound to the hotel as well. I've pretty much sworn off hotels unless it's a trip with just my husband and I which rarely do trips without our daughter anyway. We found on our last trip to a wedding without our daughter we still stayed at a condo with friends as it was cheaper and nicer than a hotel.

And since this is apparently your first trip as a family, keep in mind that family vacations always have some element of stress to them. This is just because no one spends 24 hours/day for a week with anyone except on vacation. Even times you and other parent of baby have traveled together BC (before children), I suspect you probably went off at some point and did things separately.

Also, have a really honest discussion with each other about your ideas about this vacation. We made mistake of not doing this before heading off with our first kid to rental house when he was that age. Both of us really needed a break, wanted to have a day or 2 to sleep late, read a book - things normal people do. While that is possible, it will likely be one at a time, with the other responsible for baby. If each of you goes off with idea "I really need and deserve a break" there will inevitably be friction. Not trying to give couples therapy here - just prepare you for likely realities of travel with kids.

A condo, house, or even 2-room suite with kitchenette will work - just something more than one room. I advise against doing much cooking - get take out, even from a supermarket.

I would also

As I often do, I will suggest Amelia Island. Cottages & condos that time of year are relatively inexpensive & there are several attraction nearby including Ft. Clinch, the Old Town, St. Augustine & things in Jax as well. There is really litlle reason to 'change your routine' if you plan properly. I have a 3 year old that is well traveled (been to Europe several times, PR, etc.) & also a 4 month old. The sooner you get them used to travel, the better off you'll be in my opinion. Most of those naysaying traveling w/young kids, usually don't have any.