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Original poster

Beach holiday with 3 month old?

48 replies

RedPandaFluff · 07/10/2023 22:32

After a crappy year (apart from the safe arrival of DD2 of course!) we've treated ourselves to a beach holiday. DD will be three months old and we have a four-year old as well. Are we mad? Is this a really bad idea?

And if we're not mad, what are your tips for a beach holiday with a small baby, please? Grin

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 08/10/2023 00:35

Beach holiday in Wales or beach holiday in the Gambia ?

BananaPalm · 08/10/2023 00:37

UsingChangeofName · 08/10/2023 00:35

Beach holiday in Wales or beach holiday in the Gambia ?

🤣🤣🤣

Peepshowcreepshow · 08/10/2023 00:39

Get one of those UV tent things. Will stop the Gambian heat or the Welsh winds.

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AllrightNowBaby · 08/10/2023 00:40

Do you really think you are going to have a relaxing holiday with a 3 month old baby?
Nightmare, believe me!!!!

Original poster
RedPandaFluff · 08/10/2023 07:34

Beach holiday in the sun! I wish it were the Gambia but it will be Turkey.

@Peepshowcreepshow I'd been looking at the Swished tent but not sure whether it's small enough to go in a case; UV tent definitely on the list though, thank you.

@AllrightNowBaby not expecting relaxing, just hoping for a change of scenery and not having to do the housework/cooking/cleaning for a week!

OP posts:
Businessflake · 08/10/2023 07:49

Are you breastfeeding OP? Super easy if you are. If not I would recommend pre made formula for out and about.

Take the car seat (you’ll probably need to anyway), get a carry bag for it and fill it with nappies. Much cheaper to take from home than buy in a resort. If you are taking the baby in the pool much you will go through more than you expect to.

Take plenty of spare clothes for the flight. Something about the altitude/pressure makes small babies shit like you wouldn’t believe. Also pack spare clothes for the adults. You will need them.

And just go with low expectations. Definitely easier than a 6-12 month old in my experience.

EnolaJ · 08/10/2023 08:06

It'll be fine I promise! Went away last year with a baby and a toddler, the baby was dreamy just had a clip on fan for the pram I actually think they slept better abroad as we were outside all the time and napped a lot

The toddler was great as well but there is a lot of up and down with older kids as they always want to get an ice cream or go in the pool but I love that part

Enjoy your break very jealous as we haven't managed to get away this year as DH has started a new job!

piintheski · 08/10/2023 08:08

I wouldn't. There is nothing in it for the 3 month old, and not really anything in it for the 4 year old either.

Roselilly36 · 08/10/2023 08:14

When my two were that age, I found it easier to be at home tbh. Our second son was a very difficult baby though, toddler was an absolute dream, no bother at all. Tips I would suggest, take snacks for toddler on the plane, a new small toy, download episodes of favourite childrens series. Good luck I hope you have a lovely holiday, just go with realistic expectations.

Coffeeandchocolate12 · 08/10/2023 08:20

It will be fine. We have done this when our second daughter was 3 months old and again when our third daughter was two months old.

We had a villa which made daytime sleep easy, we tended to be up and out early then would come back indoors around lunchtime. Back out again later when it had cooled down.

we had a UV tent thing which was v useful.

Original poster
RedPandaFluff · 08/10/2023 08:23

@Businessflake - thank you, I had no idea about the effect of altitude/pressure!

I was thinking it would be okay, @EnolaJ - I am breastfeeding, so no bottle faff, and babies seem pretty portable!

Why do you say that, @piintheski? Our older daughter loves nothing more than a bucket and spade on the beach, and DH and I are looking forward to a change of scenery.

iPad and snacks will definitely be loaded up, thanks @Roselilly36!

That's reassuring, @Coffeeandchocolate12!

OP posts:
piintheski · 08/10/2023 08:26

RedPandaFluff · 08/10/2023 08:23

@Businessflake - thank you, I had no idea about the effect of altitude/pressure!

I was thinking it would be okay, @EnolaJ - I am breastfeeding, so no bottle faff, and babies seem pretty portable!

Why do you say that, @piintheski? Our older daughter loves nothing more than a bucket and spade on the beach, and DH and I are looking forward to a change of scenery.

iPad and snacks will definitely be loaded up, thanks @Roselilly36!

That's reassuring, @Coffeeandchocolate12!

great! but why drag her all the way to Turkey? there are many much closer beaches, easier, shorter pleasanter journeys and nicer for 4 year olds?

But I am not sure why you are asking, as it sounds like you have made up your mind. Just go if you have decided. Have fun.

Caspianberg · 08/10/2023 08:38

It will be fine. We just spent 2 weeks at a family friendly hotel in Croatia. With 3 and bit year old, so 4 year old similar.
It was half board so easy meals. Ds played in the pool and on beach each day, and it had a nice indoor play area for some indoor time when hot. Also had indoor pool with kids super shallow water play. Lots of families had tiny baby as well as a 3/4/5 year old who they could watch safely.

No beach tents in sight though. If you book a family friendly hotel then the beach areas we had lots of umbrellas and some beach sun beds with canopy plus lots of trees so easy to find shade.

there was also a baby room with kettles, baby food, steriliser, washing machines etc if you needed. And baby cot, bouncers and other stuff free to hire if you needed. So you could travel very light.

Try an Austrian kinder hotel as well. Lots cater well for children and babies. With clubs, pools, bikes, classes

Original poster
RedPandaFluff · 08/10/2023 11:27

@piintheski absolutely there are closer beaches however breastfeeding a baby on the beach is going to be much more pleasant if the weather is warm and sunny, which is more likely in Turkey than in Spain/France in November.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedPandaFluff · 08/10/2023 11:28

That's great, @Caspianberg - exactly what we're hoping for!

OP posts:
gotomomo · 08/10/2023 11:41

If breastfeeding it will be a breeze, just take light cotton/muslins to protect them from the sun when in the pushchair/front carrier, avoid hottest times of the day, go with the flow. I traveled with mine a lot far easier before they can talk back and complain!!!

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 08/10/2023 11:53

I wouldn't do the beach, i would do a hotel with kids pool. At 4yo you should be able to sit on the sun loungers next to kids pool with baby sleeping in pushchair and 4yo playing in kids pool whilst you watch

BerriesNutsConkers · 08/10/2023 12:05

Easy with a 3-month-old b/f baby............it's when they start moving about it gets harder!!!

Changethetoner · 08/10/2023 12:11

Young babies need to be protected from the heat and the sun. Be prepared.

greglet · 08/10/2023 12:16

We took DS to Ibiza when he was 4.5 months old last year. It was great! His sleep was crap at the time but it was no worse abroad than at home, and at least we got to enjoy some sunshine.

We stayed in an aparthotel so we had a bedroom and a separate sitting room with a kitchenette and a balcony. It meant we could go out for lunch and then put DS to bed in the evening and relax on the balcony with loads of bread, cheese, jamón and wine 😁

greglet · 08/10/2023 12:21

To add: the hotel had a pool but it was unheated so too cold for DS. We spent a lot of time on the loungers round the pool, though - they had some massive ones like four poster beds with full canopies and curtains, so it was easy to keep out of the sun. We did go to the beach a couple of times and he 'paddled' in the sea (we mostly took it in turns to sit with him whilst the other swam).

anon0007 · 08/10/2023 12:41

I've been taking my kids away since they were tiny babies. It's been fine.

If you're going abroad take calpol because you can't buy it in supermarkets - pharmacies only.

We bought a little inflatable boat to go in the pool if it was cold.

Took ds away when he was 6 months old and dd when she was 3 weeks old. Ds was bf and dd was formula fed. Fine both times.

fearfuloffluff · 08/10/2023 12:46

We went on October Portuguese beach holiday when dd was 9months, it was miserable.

Hot, sweaty, pool unheated, beach too far and sand really gritty and uncomfortable. Food not that great, high chair had no scraps, few children anywhere so fel self conscious.

Ended up co sleeping on a mattress on the floor and counting down the hours left. Same shit, different place.

It could work or it could be miserable!

Kissmas · 08/10/2023 12:57

Turkey won't necessarily be hot in November. It's easy to travel with babies whether they're breastfed or bottle fed.

Making up a bottle of formula isn't rocket science 🙄🤣.

Whentwobecomesthree · 08/10/2023 13:05

We just did a beach holiday with a 2.5 year old and 3 month old. The 2.5 year old loved it. The 3 month old was a dream. It's a great age as they still sleep a lot and they sleep anywhere and can't move. Don't have to worry about feeding them food etc.

We were in Greece and they both (unintentionally) stayed largely on uk time) but it worked well. Could go out for dinner and not have to rush home for bedtime. We took the big pram with the carrycot and the baby slept in that when out and about during the day and overnight.