Am I mad to consider this with a newborn?

I did Bromley to Bournemouth with my first baby when he was 6 weeks old. He slept for most of the journey, we only needed one stop, and it was absolutely fine once we got there (except I did have a grandparent on hand to help) However don’t expect to see/do much while there, the longest we managed away from
the house with a bottle fed baby was about 1hr 20 mins….
Good luck OP!

I personally couldn’t have, I was much more anxious than I expected. The thought of travel at 6 months (now) is still too much. But everyone is different and you might be absolutely up for it :) just my experience xx

I think you'll be fine. I travelled with mine from about 3 weeks. But if you have csection it might be a bit harder. But they are light to carry, relatively immobile and nutrition is easy if bf

At 5 1/2 months we did long haul to St Marteen via Antigua.
Also had our DD used to going out to restaurants from a few weeks old
So I definitely think it's possible she is as is her DB used to travel and has always behaved in restaurants without the use of technology. I'm a firm believer in routines but also ensuring from a young age they are used to fitting in your world with ease and confidence

I’m Scottish, lived down south when I had my babies, and drove home with both when they were less than 2 weeks to be with family. Totally easy, totally doable, and that was with one being EMCS, the other a VBAC.

I'd say totally doable, the only thing is we were had a terrible witching hour(s) from 5-7ish which was just miserable. I might have found being in an apartment or flat more distressing for fear of others hearing. But life definitely goes on and they're very portable - and sleep a lot - at that age.

Would you consider going by train? You can move around more easily, cuddle and nurse baby.

ive taken train and husband has driven with all the stuff, and I find that most relaxing way to do long journeys

NB you don’t need to bring your own travel cot. All hotels have them and a lot of AirBNBs do too. Just check before booking.

You won’t know how you feel until nearer the time OP, so book something with free cancellation and see how you go. I took three year old twins and a 12 week old to Majorca for two weeks and we all survived, although I wouldn’t class it as a relaxing holiday.

Totally doable. We did a full 3 days at the commonwealth games in Birmingham. 5 ish hours from home. Our child was less then ten weeks. Tiring. But fine. Manage your own expectations and schedule. I suggest following the Instagram account of ‘thetravelmum’ she is currently travelling with a small baby and an older child. She has great tips and inspiration. You are only limited by your imagination 💭

I think that's fine..we did a similar length trip when my daughter was about 5 weeks old. We used the basinet from the buggy for her to sleep in so didn't need extra bits. And fortunately I could bf her which made things a lot easier.

My only point would be regarding newborn in the car seat for too long this would just need to be thought about. Other than that not naive at all life goes on.

Do it!
we went to Mallorca with our 6 week old and he was no trouble

I couldn’t breastfeed (boobs would not work at all!) and we just took breaks every hour or so to get them out the car seat. To be fair one twin was incredibly colicky which she finally grew out of when we had gone. Had it been 6 weeks earlier it may not have been possible. But it was a great trip!

We went to Scotland with our 11 week old and a toddler. We flew up and hired a car from the airport. A friend leant us an ‘egg’ car seat which is padded polystyrene so very lightweight and fitted in a large hold-all. Family managed to borrow a pram and travel cot from one of their friends. It’s definitely doable if you’re up to it. Good luck.

We drove on holiday from London to Devon (a longer drive than you're planning) when my youngest was 9 weeks old, and his brother and sister were 8 and 5 respectively. Honestly, it was not a big deal. We shared a four bedroom cottage for two weeks with friends who had daughters aged 7 and 5 and twins aged 5 months. Babies shared a room with parents, girls shared a room and my son had a room to himself. The weather was not great but we had an excellent time.

Go enjoy while you can, see your friend and family go enjoy the lot have back up bottles plenty food the drive is amazing we left at 2am drove through the night no traffic no jams just a really soulful drive

I vote definitely go for it it sounds lovely! Just be prepared for the journey to take a bit longer for stops and feeds. We went to Spain when my baby was 8 weeks old and it was a lot easier than now at 16 months, we also did caravan trips from 5 weeks in our caravan and have great memories of this. As you’ve said you’re tired wherever you are so may aswel have a nice trip alongside the newborn madness xx as PPs have said look for a hotel with a cancellation option just Incase you aren’t feeling great post-birth but hopefully all goes well and you have a lovely time away

Can't see what the issue is. It is only 3 hours but make sure you stop ever hour so you can walk around for 10 minutes.

I should add, I was breastfeeding, but pumped with my first, so I even kept pumping while in Liverpool- hence the steriliser tip ;-)

I think 4 months old is easier. Were they still being breastfed? Probably in a routine and can stay in baby seats for longer. (I'm hoping you haf recovered as well!).

Have a read of people's experiences on this thread, if you can't think why!

We took our 4 month old twins to France around Christmas time for 4 days. You should totally do it.

I went on a trip to New York with mine when they were 6 weeks old so I'd say it's definitely doable and can't think of any reason why you wouldn't.

YANBU. With my first, went to Liverpool from London (train), stated in hotel fir 3 nights just ne and baby (my parents in another room, but DH didn't go)
I remember bring SO worried That I almost cancelled, now I'm not sure why! LOL
With ny second, I took a 12-hour flight back home (+2hr donestic flight once there), when he was 8weeks old and his brother 2.5yo!
It's always so much easier than we imagine it will be, or so I've found...
Stop on the way as needed, if bottle feeding take any detergent you'll be using + steriliser that you'll be able to plug in (or there are packs of travel steriliser tablets...) You should be fine!