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?

Hi Op, a compact and super-easy but pricy travel cot is the Baby Björn one.
www.babybjorn.co.uk/travel-cot/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-PqEkY_44QIVkQrTCh08OAH6EAAYASAAEgJD3vD_BwE

Argos does one based on it which isn't as convenient because you have to take the metal legs on and off each time; and the mattress isn't as comfy. But it is compact www.argos.co.uk/product/7074486?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|acid:444-797-0832|cid:189942085|agid:18091973125|tid:aud-641224040337:pla-445191792670|crid:77627773045|nw:g|rnd:5475445325005167130|dvc:c|adp:1o3|mt:|loc:9046757&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-PqEkY_44QIVkQrTCh08OAH6EAQYAyABEgL9lvD_BwE

Or I'm a fan of pop-up ones at that age. I have the "Sun Essentials" one which which has a blow-up mattress like a Thermarest. I also got a Koo-di bassinet for DC which worked well (thin "mattress" but I put a clean towel underneath on a hard floor; or they sell an inflatable mattress for it). In hindsight I'd get the larger size as they grow out of the "bassinet" size so quickly.

If you're NE have you thought of staying even more local? Obviously amazing countryside and towns around inland and by the sea (as you know!). It might make it feel less daunting if you knew you could get back home in an hour or so if need be. I doubt you'd want to anyway!

I think this is the easiest age. My baby was still very portable, sleep lots in pram/ car/ hotel room and not yet in too strict a routine that they would be affected by change. Depends on the baby and if 4 more sleep regression might coincide!!

Oh and for sterilising, you could use sterilising tablets and a bowl; or there are ready-made bags with a sterilising tablet inside them which you fill with water.

(Just try out at home first in case baby objects to the residue from the tablets as I've heard this is a thing!)

Hi OP, bit of a splash out but could you afford to use pre-mixed formula for the few days you're on holiday and warm it just standing it in boiling water? We went away with babies that age and all the pubs etc were always happy to help.

Definitely worth getting a really good travel cot. As well as making breaks away easier, it's really handy if you have anyone with a baby to stay with you at home.

If you self cater and just drive somewhere, I'd take your regular steriliser with you that you're happy using. If that's not possible maybe buy a cheapo steam steriliser? Having a big steriliser you can put on overnight will make life so much easier. You don't want to spend your holiday Milton-ing hundreds of bottles.

I'd also say now is a better time to go away than in a couple of months' time when you're weaning and there's just a lot more 'stuff' to worry about.

Hope you manage to get your break and have lots of fun!

I don't like the sterilising fluid. Smells like bleach and I can't comprehend giving something to baby which has been in something that smells like bleach. I really do make a rod for my own back!

Thank you though for all your advice. York is only about an hour to 1.5 hours away. I don't even think I would need to sterilise if only went for one night. I think we will make a plan and I will try and stop being such a worrier and just enjoy it. Poor DP.

We went to Windermere and had a lovely time.

Thank you. Just waiting to hear back from a B&B. Will report back if we go