Am I mad to consider this with a newborn?

Second baby this would have been a breeze, easy birth. First was quite traumatic and it wasn’t a C section but I remember struggling to walk for weeks. I couldn’t have pottered round a Christmas market at 5-8 weeks post partum.

i wouldnt book anything and wait to see how it all goes and book last minute

As others have suggested I think definitely get something with a cancellation policy to give yourself a get out clause if you need it! For me five weeks in I was still bleeding after severe tearing whilst in labour and in pain when I walked and I really wouldn't have been able to face that! Hoping that you have a really straightforward delivery and fingers crossed that you will be absolutely fine for that trip, as it sounds lovely! But please do give yourself the option to change your mind if you need/want to 😊

Nah my body was broken 😂

My ds4 was unplanned and we already had a holiday booked. He was 8 weeks old I think. Was an absolute nightmare and I've not been on holiday since.

We spend our holidays driving 500miles from South East England to see family in Hebrides. 3 kids and a dog, they're all so used to it. Youngest we did it was 3 months. Really easy when little as they just sleep. There's a small chance you or your baby won't be well enough after birth, but I'd plan anyway and then adjust if needed. With my 3rd, my c section scar took 2 months to close properly. I couldn't have travelled as had infections and many appointments.

I had my first six months ago. I too had plans to take a trip about six weeks in to visit family. It did not happen.

I didn't feel physically well and mentally was overwhelmed by everything. I could barely leave the house for the first month (complications from a tear).

Book something cancelable if you like but don't commit!

Yeh, 5 weeks after my C section I was still in pain and obviously not suppose to drive until 6 weeks after. Don't make firm plans yet ... just wait and see how things go.

I couldn't have done this with my ds1 because I had to have an episiotomy which didn't heal. A long car journey like that would have been hell. I didn't feel myself until I was about 4 months pp.

With ds2 i would have been fine, i was right as rain after about 2 weeks.

I certainly wouldn't commit to anything

I could not have done that with either of mine. I was a sleep deprived mess at that point.

Pre baby I'd have thought it possible. Post baby I was exhausted, DH was exhausted and the thought of being anywhere that wasn't my own home was the worst thing I could think of.

After a tear and stitches I had to be careful with the shower. Five weeks in I was too tired to want to get properly dressed half the time. I hadn't quite managed to get into the routine of making sure my hair was done or a shower had happened etc. Being around anyone other than DH or my parents would have made me feel worse.

If you have a C Section then the travelling will be uncomfortable etc.

It sounds lovely, so go if you think you'll be ok. But make sure you can cancel.

It depends on so many things. If I were you I'd decide once the baby's here. Best laid plans and all that...

I think it's doable is baby is nearer 8 weeks. I went up on the train from London and stayed over Xmas when my baby was 8 weeks and it was absolutely fine. Train was a bit easier though as I could feed him over the journey

So hard to say. If you have a lovely compliant baby who is happy to go in a sling/pram/cot/car seat then I'm sure it will be amazing. But could be a different story if baby likes to keep you on your toes and last nerve 😆

The only thing with the train is you need shedloads of stuff with a baby and trains tend to be packed around Christmas!

You are ment to stop ever 30mins with newborns in a car seat. I would also make sure you had most supptive car sear. 3 hrs is a long time for baby to be in car seat

I managed this with my first born. Not Scotland but we went away at 6 weeks for a family event. It was 4.5 hours drive and we managed.

As long as feeding is going well - bf or bottle feeding - it's an easy age to be away.
Double check your pram carrycot as some you can use for sleeping in.

I went on a hen do when baby was 7 weeks and then stayed at a cottage after with DP. It was really nice! They're small and portable at that age and just feed and sleep (she's 21 months now and it seems a distant memory 😵‍💫)

Honestly it completely depends on the baby. I would have been fine doing this with mine, but you may have a baby with colic, or who doesn’t sleep, or issues with feeding etc. Maybe don’t commit 100%.

C section
post partum bleeding
sore boobs
regular stopping
cruing baby
no thanks

It’s possible. But you probably won’t want to.

Sounds nice! I would also suggest getting an Airbnb that can be cancelled easily just in case but otherwise it sounds like a pleasant and very doable trip.
With my first I had episiotomy and DD had a tongue tie so breastfeeding took a while to be comfortable and I started feeling more like myself around the 2 month mark, but with my second I was planning trips and feeling amazing already when she was 3 weeks old. It all depends on the birth and the baby too

Our twins were most portable and easiest at this age. Only when they reached about 3 months did these types of things become ghastly. They simply slept all the time. No one can tell you how your individual baby would react to that length of car journey however – some babies just scream and scream and scream when not permanently attached to their caregiver.