Holiday and baby

[TC07]

When did you go on holiday with a baby? Where did you go, what age and what do i need to consider.

DS is 5 months and I need/want a holiday.

Sorry for the blunt message but it's 2am and I'm sleep deprived

Sorry op I'm placemarking I booked a holiday last year for Tenerife in May by this time I will have a 3 month old. Booked it and paid in full before i found out I was pregnant. It was dh birthday present so don't want to cancel but I'm also panicking about how to make a holiday work.

One tip I do have it don't take your good buggy find a cheapy on Facebook or gumtree the airport treat pushchairs like shit!

Took my daughter skiing at 3 months and did 3 weeks in South Africa when she was 5 months (solo). Other trips too

It’s actually super easy before they walk/crawl.

I’ve got a babyzen Yoyo which is great. A good baby carrier is a must. Snoozeshade for naps.

I found hot easier than cold. We own a camper van and when we took her camping for two weeks it was the easiest holiday as she had all her stuff.

Any specific questions ask away

Honestly, from birth til about 10yo, it's not a holiday. It's just parenting in a slightly different climate....

Our DS was 18 months. We went to Portugal. It was lovely but fairly hilly with lots of steps. Majorca may have more suitable for us.

Fwiw my tips:
Get your passports asap to avoid a long wait during the summer rush.

If you're going anywhere warm - get air con in your accommodation.

Private transfer is more expensive but makes it way easier. Ask for suitable car seats.

We went self catering because we wanted separate bedrooms and a kitchen to prepare DS's food.

It is easier if there is a separate baby/children's pool or you could buy a small inflatable to splash around in on the grass if your DC is very young.

Get a factor 50 swim suit and sun hat for baby.

Have a lovely holiday

Our first holiday abroad was Menorca with a 2 & 4 yr old. It was great, totally recommend it.

DS2 was 3 months when we had an extended family holiday in Tuscany. It gets trickier when they're mobile, then easier again when they're older.

Center Parcs

First holiday to center parcs at 5/6 months. Second holiday to benalmadena in Costa del sol at 7 months. Benalmadena is great as the promenade is pushchair friendly.

We visited family in Spain when DS was 4 months old. It was April and just right temperature wise.

Also did Norway at 6 months (wedding) and south of France at 7 months (extended family holiday).

I wish we'd gone on a city break before DS was mobile.

Whatever you do stay somewhere with 2 rooms or a balcony so you're not stuck in the dark once DC is asleep.

All inclusive to sorrento when LO was 5 months. Would recommend all inclusive as to not have to think about meals etc. We did have lunch out just for a change of scenery. The only thing we found a PITA was the day trips we chose with having to fold and unfold the pram on and off buses. Eg we did Capri and the Amalfi coast. We went in May during term time so there were no other young families but lots of grandparents missing their GC so our LO had lots of attention!

France when dts were 1. It was a nightmare. Should have gone when they were 6 months or so.

'Same shit, different location' applied to most of our holidays when the kids were young. I didn't have the type who would sleep nicely in the prom while we had dinner or could cope with any change in their routine though.

@DreamingofSunshine we went to Benal in October, such a good holiday with kids!! The park, the beach, the cable car, the kids had a whale of a time!

DS1 - about 6/7 months to Majorca then 10 months to Spain. 10 months we had the GPS so DH and I actually got to relax together during the day sometimes whilst GPS took baby for a walk.

DS2 - Eurodisney at 4 months then Lanzarote at 5 months.

No issues with any of them. Just take ready made formula (if FF) and we bought a cheap folding buggy rather than risk the pram getting damaged.

Holidays with babies are easy, gets harder with a toddler. Lie flat buggy, snoozeshade, air con if you go somewhere really hot. I’d avoid a long flight if you can but actually long haul with a non mobile baby isn’t terrible. You can order formula, nappies etc from boots to pick up airside to save luggage allowance.

Go to Benalmadena now, then you can have a very long and delicious meal at Giorgio's restaurant before you have to get up every 2 seconds with a toddler.

Do it. I have a 1.5 year old and he has taken over 8 trips till now, including 1 long haul trip. I found it easier the younger he was. My tips are take a sling in addition to a push chair, and roll with it... Don't expect to do too much each day. Personally I still found it to be a holiday when I was on maternity leave as usually I would have been on my own with him all day and this way I had my husband with me (who is very hands on, and takes on more than half the responsibilities when on holiday)

5 months old right up to 7 years old. We've had 2 holidays a year varying from mid-haul, short-haul, cruises. Not a problem on any of them. We love it.

Following as I have a 13 mo (walking , doesn’t nap much , refuses to sit in pram or sling for long , into EVERYTHING)... and we really really a change of scenery , ideally before DD2 arrives late April.

Thinking if it’s worth it though.... “same shit different location, but actually slightly harder as you’re not in your usual environment / routine” springs to mind !

I never thought I’d suggest It, but I did suggest a Butlins made for tots breaks to DH, as DD1 will be both safe and occupied .... to which DH replied “fuck no I’m not going anywhere full of kids”. The sort of holiday he wants is NOT toddler friendly and will mean managing a screaming, writhing ball of frustration most of the time !!

Shazafied how about a caravan park? We go to one in Hunstanton which has a soft play and kids splash pool so easy and things for DS to do but it's not too kid focused.

That might be a good compromise! I will suggest to DH. Frankly I’ll go anywhere that DD1 will be happy with

Took Dd on holiday aged 3 months on the U.K. I was told it would be easier. I'm not convinced. It rained half the week and it prevented us just being out and about.
The year after we went to Italy which was great .

I can't see going abroad being any harder than staying in the Uk.

At that age you can take them to most places, they are pretty portable and it's much easier now than when they are crawling/walking etc.

We did Florida twice - once with a 10 week old and then with a 8 month old. Rented a house near a beach, it was fab.
France with 11 month old was good. Stayed in a b&b.

I would just decide what kind of holiday you want and go for it.