The Four-Week Europe Trip That Changed My Postpartum Life

Three months postpartum, I felt consumed by breastfeeding, housework, trying to make sure my two-year-old still felt seen, and trying to be a supportive wife while feeling disconnected from my own body.

I needed a change.

That's when I looked at my husband and said, “Let's just go to Italy.”

Somehow that sentence became a spontaneous four-week trip through Europe with our two-year-old and three-month-old—the break from our routine that I had been craving.

Why I Needed to Go

Postpartum life felt relentless at that point.

Breastfeeding seemed to take up every waking moment. I was trying to give my toddler individual attention, keep up with the house, care for a newborn, and hold everything together while not feeling entirely like myself.

The weight of the routine felt suffocating. I kept thinking that if I could step outside it—even temporarily—I might be able to breathe again.

The trip started with me saying out loud that I needed something to change.

Our Route Through Europe With a Toddler and Baby

We moved through six places over four weeks. Each stop gave the trip a different rhythm.

Lisbon, Portugal

We stayed in an apartment and explored Lisbon's neighborhoods, historic trams, and Alfama. The parks gave our two-year-old room to be a kid between sightseeing.

Cádiz, Spain

Our apartment was near the sea, so we could walk through the old town, spend time at the beach, and slow down a little. The seafood was another highlight.

Rome, Italy

We stayed centrally, which made it easier to see places like the Colosseum and the Vatican while still finding open spaces where our toddler could move around. And yes, we ate plenty of Italian food.

Tuscany, Italy

We spent most of our time in Tuscany, staying in a countryside villa and taking in the vineyards, rolling hills, and slower pace. We also made trips to Florence and Siena.

Tuscany was 10/10 for us.

Portofino, Italy

In Portofino, we stayed by the sea and took in the harbor, colorful buildings, and coastline. The views alone made this stop feel completely different from the cities we'd already visited.

Milan, Italy

We finished in Milan with a central hotel and time to see the cathedral and Sforza Castle, along with the shopping and food the city is known for.

The Part That Actually Changed Me

This trip mattered because it gave us time together outside the responsibilities that had started to define every day.

We bonded as a family. I felt some freedom again. I came home with renewed energy and memories that still feel important to me.

It gave me the new experiences and sense of possibility I had been missing.

Would I Tell Every Postpartum Mom to Do This?

No. A four-week trip through Europe with a toddler and baby is not a universal answer to postpartum stress.

It was simply what I needed in that season.

Leaving the routine gave me room to reconnect with my family and return home with renewed energy. I'm grateful I said, “Let's just go to Italy,” and even more grateful that we actually went.

If you're looking for another firsthand family-travel story, you may also like our honest LEGOLAND California review.