UK break with 4month old

[Rarfy]

Hi.

Dp really wants to go for a night or two away with four month old DD. She is bottle fed and sleeps in a small wooden crib at home.

We also have a small dog who comes with us. I just can't face the thought of it and feel like a killjoy.

Precious holidays / city breaks are spent going pub to pub which I know we can still do but I'm not really sure I want to.

Im petrified of having her sleep somewhere other than her crib because of sids which I know is completely irrational and managing bottles whilst out and about for the day just seems like more chew than its worth.

If you were going to go, how would you make it feel like an enjoyable experience and like something I actually want to do?

We went away with our 3 month ds1 to mousehole in Cornwall. I was worried it wouldn’t be much fun but it was great. We had a cottage and we brought along a travel cot and the steriliser and prep machine so it was like being at home in that way. For day trips out we brought a flask of boiling water and a flask of cooled boiled water and pre-measured out formula and made the bottles up on the go. It really wasn’t much of a hassle. You should go somewhere, I’m sure you will enjoy it!

You should go, we took DS1 when he was 4 months up to Durness & Cape Wrath (very far north Scotland). It was great, we got loads of fresh air, walked all over beaches and caves with him in the sling. Went out for nice meals in the evening with him in the pram. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Can I ask which travel cot you used? I may just have to bite the bullet.

Flask recommendations would be good too - I definitely need to get on board with the flask set up because I darent use cool boiled water like everyone keeps telling me too.

Thank you for your responses. We are thinking York.

It's easier when they are still tiny than it is when they are toddling around and have an opinion about what's going on, lol!

I had a tommee tippee flask. I'll get shot for saying this but I pre-made the bottles we needed in the morning and warmed them using the hot water from the flask. I know, it's not recommended but it was nearly 10 years ago and he's still alive.

Travel cot wise we had a mamas and papas one, nothing fancy but it did the job.

We has a Little Life Arc 2. It worked well.

We always say we should have gone on a canal boat holiday before DS became mobile.

Oh I didn't know tomme tippee did flasks will have a look and check out the travel cot recommendations too.

I feel like baby would be fine or dog would be fine but both just feels like so much stuff and so much to think about with regards to what we can do when get there.

I would stay somewhere they are set up for families and where most equipment like travel cot and high chair are provided. We found that a travel cot and baby sleeping bag were a great combo and sids-friendly. Caravans, lodges and cottages can all be good for accommodation, depending on your budget. Definitely get a gro-blind to black out the room at sleep time!

We go to towns that have amenities within walking distance. Swanage in Devon is a favourite for us - it's got the fun of a seaside resort, loads of pubs and places to eat, a beautiful town beach and harbour, stunning walks, a steam train and Studland beach nature reserve is just a short hop away. You can take the ferry to Poole/Bournemouth to explore further. In the other direction is Lulworth cove.

We're going back in September to a rented cottage in the town (with dog and now toddler), I can't wait

This is the flask thing we used direct.asda.com/george/baby/bottle-feeding/tommee-tippee-closer-to-nature-travel-bottle-warmer/002657608,default,pd.html?cmpid=ppc--george--ggle-pla--OD16HOME_GARDEN---_-dskwid-s92700035482877261_dc&ds_rl=1238816&ds_rl=1254577&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp-T1yfr34QIViQrTCh0EJQuCEAQYASABEgIupfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thank you for all your great suggestions. Unfortunately we're north east so don't want to travel too far. Maybe upto 2.5 hours.

I read way too much and it puts me off hiring a cot isn't that basically the same as using a second hand mattress which the lullaby trust recommends you don't do?

I know I sound ridiculous. This is my first baby and I have had a stillbirth so I am probably way over the top.

@Rarfy well you're not going to relax if you're not comfortable so I'd prioritise that over everything else for your holiday! You might relax over time Although to reassure you, all of the travel cots that have come with accommodation we've booked have been the Graco ones - even abroad. The base mattress is very thin and not really like a mattress at all. We take our own fitted waterproof sheets as a barrier. There's nothing on those travel cots that a baby can get entangled in, especially if you combine with a sleeping bag. Maybe have a look at travel cots online to reassure yourself? I haven't read any connection between travel cots and sids x

You should go. We did many trips with dd when she was small and I'd have taken more if I could!

We went to a leisure resort which had a hot tub with the lodge, when dd was 5 months, was amazing! We took our own travel cot (Hauck dream & play) & baby sleeping bag. Took the perfect prep for in the lodge & bought the ready made bottles you get from supermarkets when out & about to save faff. I was still so tired that we didn't even leave the resort! Fond memories of having a cocktail in the hot tub whilst DD napped in her rocker beside it..

It all sounds lovely and something I would love to do. I think first thing is to go out and have a look at travel cots in the flesh.

Dd doesn't take the ready made cartons very well i think they flow too fast for her so the flask method is probably better for us.

Never even thought about sterilising bottles so we would either need somewhere with a microwave or an electric sterlisier. I feel like an apartment /cottage would be easier than say a B&B which is where we would normally stay.

Hot tub and cocktails sound amazing however my csection scar still isn't healed and is infected yet again.

We took ds1 to the Cotswolds for a week at 4 months. He was very small for his age so we just took his pram (large lie-flat style) and a sling. We had a lovely time with lots of country walks and pub lunches

We did center parcs at this age and it was great. All set up for families, very easy and familiar and it didn't cost much as we did mid week off peak and no activities except swimming which DS loved.

Meant to add we were in a sc cottage which made it easier.

Dd is small for her age and pram is suitable for overnights I'm just not sure I would feel confident using it. Times like this I wish I could just throw caution to the wind and get on with it.

Im a child of the 80s we didn't even have car seats

Hot tub and cocktails sound unreal but my csection wound is still not healed and I have yet another infection.

www.argos.co.uk/product/8892351?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|acid:444-797-0832|cid:189942085|agid:18091973125|tid:pla-618732994027|crid:77627773045|nw:g|rnd:13057123778522358050|dvc:m|adp:1o6|mt:|loc:1006792&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrsCZxYv44QIVSYfVCh3woQuMEAQYBiABEgIojvD_BwE

This travel cot looks quite good for a younger baby?
Good luck OP, only go if you want to go don't feel pressured when your still recovering/have infections etc.
But if you do go have fun and choose somewhere with nice amenities near by so you're not have to trek for doing anything!

Centre parcs is good with a small
One! We went at 6 weeks ago 4 months. We took his next2me with us

This is the one I meant the link doesn't work sorry!!

I have that travel cot saved on my argos lol! Looks good.

I think I would enjoy it once we got there its just thinking about it. I may have a look on air bnb now for apartments.