4 week old and Newcastle GNR weekend

[astridforty]

DH has trained for 6 months for the great north run - raising a load of money for charity and losing nearly 4 stone in the process, and we’re due to travel to Newcastle for the actual event first weekend in September. Approx. 4 hours in the car.

At that point, DS will be 4.5 weeks old. I’m just getting into a better place at the moment after a tricky birth and unexpected complications for both me and DS, we’re not regularly leaving the house and the few small trips we’ve tried have been stressful - DS won’t settle in pram/ car seat, even sling hasn’t been a success. I’m breastfeeding and that’s the only thing that stops him crying.

Am I mad to try and go? We’ve got a city centre basic hotel and there are lots of friends also doing the run - potential for meals out etc. before and after. I really want to support DH and also, in slightly needy fashion would rather us be together than manage with DS on my own at home, but worried it might be hellish in a hotel or trying to find somewhere to feed while out and about.

Would you do it or stay home? Anything I should do or pack to make it easier or any GNR bods got any tips for spectators? Feel like I might end up watching it on TV in the hotel room..

Bump

Great that you’re going to support him, but I think the best idea is to make a clear plan to get to Hotel, check-in and then breath. Spectating is very busy so be prepared that if you do want to go see him, you’ll be on your feet for a good few hours. You may miss him, but I think that’s ok if you’ve got a new baby to content with.

Source a few coffee shops that may be quieter...then you can sit and feed and eat cake and let him walk to you. Same for other friends - you choose the base and see if they want to come with you.

I have to be honest and say I think that sounds awful for all three of you.

For you both: you'll have to stop every hour or so on the way up, so the journey is likely to take closer to 5 and a half hours with feeding/changing/getting the baby out for a stretch.

For you: trying to wrangle your sling-hating baby through crowds, jostling and potentially needing to feed.

For your baby: being cramped into a car seat, then ferried around during the run, before doing the journey in reverse

For your DH: trying to get a decent nights' sleep before the GNR with a very small baby

My suggestion would be, if you can't get the train, to invite someone to stay and help with you at home and then watch it on tv.

In terms of settling on the car, are you sitting in the back with her? If not, try that?

Just another thing - where will baby sleep? If it’s in a travel cot and your mobility is still limited, best in mind it’s a big bend to reach them! May be that your DP has to reach for you to do night feeds. Something I struggled with post-section.

Also, enjoy. Newcastle is lovely for a pram wander!

I wouldn't go tbh and would get someone to come over and keep me company during the day if I thought I would be lonely but I never felt like doing big trips when mine were newborns.

The GNR is great fun but was very busy when I did it, which is a while ago now but I don't think I'd fancy navigating the crowds with a small baby tbh. I think I'd be tempted to stay at home.