What Is a Babymoon? Meaning, When to Go and Where to Stay

Key takeaways

• A babymoon is a relaxing trip expecting parents take together before their baby is born. The word originally described the quiet weeks after the birth, and is usually credited to the British childbirth educator Sheila Kitzinger.

• Mid-pregnancy is the usual window. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) calls 14 to 28 weeks the best time to travel.

• Most babymoons are short, typically two to four nights, and beach destinations, including Mexico, are among the most popular. 

What is a babymoon?

A babymoon is a vacation that expecting parents take before their baby arrives, usually a short, restful trip for two. It's one last stretch of time together as a couple, planned around the pregnancy.

The word started out meaning something else. Sheila Kitzinger, the British childbirth educator, is credited with using babymoon for the uninterrupted time new parents need after the birth to get to know their baby. By the early 2000s it had picked up its current meaning, a pre-baby trip, and hotels and resorts began to market babymoon stays.

Babymoon vs. honeymoon

A honeymoon celebrates a marriage. A babymoon marks the move from couple to family, and it's planned around the pregnancy, so the pace is slower: shorter flights, more rest, food that's safe to eat and activities a pregnant traveler can enjoy.

When to take a babymoon

ACOG's guidance is that the best time to travel during pregnancy is mid-pregnancy, from 14 to 28 weeks. Morning sickness has usually eased by then, and the CDC notes that complications are most likely in the first and third trimesters. ACOG recommends a prenatal checkup before you go and notes that trips of four hours or more raise the risk of blood clots, so pregnant travelers are advised to walk and stretch regularly on the way. Its travel during pregnancy FAQ covers the details.

Airline rules set the outer limit. Most US airlines allow pregnant travelers to fly until about 36 weeks on domestic routes, international routes can have earlier cutoffs, and some airlines ask for a doctor's letter later in pregnancy. Cruise lines are stricter, generally limiting travel after about 24 weeks.

The CDC also recommends travel health insurance that covers pregnancy problems and newborn care, since many health insurance policies don't cover pregnancy or newborn complications abroad.

How long a babymoon lasts

Most babymoons are short. An earlier Liberty Travel and BabyCenter survey found that 59% of new parents had taken a babymoon with an overnight stay, and that babymoons typically last two to four nights. A long weekend at a resort within a few hours' flight is the most common shape.

What to look for in a babymoon resort

Prenatal spa treatments. Cleveland Clinic advises waiting until after the first trimester for a massage, and ACOG recommends lying on your side and telling the therapist you're pregnant.

Somewhere cool to swim. Swimming is a good form of exercise in pregnancy, according to the UK's NHS. A private plunge pool or calm beach is ideal; hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms are best skipped, because Cleveland Clinic advises against anything designed to raise body temperature.

Shade and air conditioning. The CDC notes that pregnant travelers can be affected by heat sooner, so shaded terraces and cool rooms matter in a warm destination.

Planning a babymoon in Mexico

Mexico is a short flight from much of the US and a popular babymoon choice. A few things are worth checking before you book.

Food and water. Drink bottled water, and skip raw seafood and unpasteurized cheeses, including unheated queso fresco.

Activities. Swimming and snorkeling are generally considered safe in pregnancy. Scuba diving isn't, according to the NHS and the CDC.

Sun. Pregnancy hormones can bring on melasma, dark patches on the skin that sun makes worse, so Cleveland Clinic recommends an SPF 30 to 50 sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

The best babymoon resorts in Mexico

For a babymoon in Mexico, the Punta Mita peninsula on the Riviera Nayarit coast has two of the strongest choices, both about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's airport and both run by Four Seasons, as separate resorts with very different styles.

For a longer list, see our guide to the best luxury resorts for a babymoon in Mexico, or plan the days with our five-day babymoon itinerary for Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit.

Other babymoon ideas

In a Babylist poll of more than 200 expecting parents, beaches dominated, with Hawaii by far the favorite and Florida, Mexico and Caribbean islands also popular. Other popular options were luxury and spa resorts, walkable trips to cities such as Charleston and Savannah, national parks, international trips to places like Japan, Italy and Portugal, and weekends close to home.

Frequently asked questions about babymoons

What does babymoon mean?

A babymoon is a relaxing trip parents-to-be take together before their baby is born. The term originally described the quiet time after the birth and is usually credited to childbirth educator Sheila Kitzinger.

When should you go on a babymoon?

ACOG says the best time to travel during pregnancy is mid-pregnancy, from 14 to 28 weeks. Most US airlines allow domestic flights until about 36 weeks.

How long is a typical babymoon?

Babymoons typically last two to four nights, according to a Liberty Travel and BabyCenter survey.

What is the best babymoon resort in Mexico?

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's airport, with two swimmable beaches, a spa with 13 treatment rooms and a choice of restaurants. For a private, all-inclusive stay, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, on the same peninsula, has 15 tents with private plunge pools.

What should you avoid on a babymoon?

Health guidance from ACOG, the CDC and Cleveland Clinic advises pregnant travelers to avoid hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms, scuba diving, alcohol, raw seafood and unpasteurized cheese, and to take breaks to move around on long journeys.