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Original poster

3 month old at Christmas - would you travel 100 mins to stay over with family?

191 replies

Pinkcase · 08/06/2024 16:10

It appears DH and I have somewhat differing views… if you had a 3 month old at Christmas, (born via CS), would you have (or been able to have) travelled 1 hr 45 min to stay over with family at Christmas?

Or, should they come to us rather than we go to them?

OP posts:
Doje · 09/06/2024 10:07

We did and actually it's quite nice to! We travelled 5 hrs with our (October born) baby. It means that Christmas feels more special as there's more people to make a fuss and celebrate with. When they're so little, Christmas can feel a bit 'run of the mill' when you're at home and no-one is around (although I know you've said people could come to you).

Go, put your feet up, get people to bring you food and drink and enjoy cuddles with your baby!

PrimalLass · 09/06/2024 10:08

Yes of course - if I wanted to. No if I didn't.

Babyenroute · 09/06/2024 20:22

crumblingschools · 09/06/2024 09:35

For those who traveled hundreds of miles with tiny babies did you factor in the health advice when travelling with them and time in car seat etc?

This is why we chose to get the train with our 8 week old to visit family at Christmas. It was a 5 hour train journey but 8 hours in the car and we decided we would prefer to cuddle and feed the whole way rather than over use the car seat. It was very relaxing but think driving would have been stressful

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BingoMarieHeeler · 09/06/2024 20:23

Easily, that’s under 2 hours and I would have a lovely meal cooked for me! Yes please.

GiantRoadPuzzle · 09/06/2024 20:24

Well we’re planning on doing a 3hr 30 min journey with a 3 year old and newborn anywhere between 5-9 week old at that point.

Original poster
Pinkcase · 28/10/2024 17:57

Well, baby is here and interestingly, DH has done a complete 180 and has declared he has come round to my way of thinking and declared there is no way we are travelling over Christmas (😁). Not because of the travel per se, but:

  • The amount of stuff that would be required, it’d be a right faff to pack and unpack the car and, quite frankly, we’re not sure the car is big enough for it all - and that there I would be enough space for everything at the other end
  • sometimes when we are in the car, DD starts screaming and crying inconsolably. ☹️ It’s bad enough when we’ve only travelled ten minutes away from home, but the thought of having to drive along on a motorway that might be thirty minutes away from a services simply doesn’t bear thinking about.

So, we’re hosting!

OP posts:
OliveTheaBough · 28/10/2024 21:18

Definitely yes for the baby.

whether the parents can stand it is another question 😂

but seriously, yes, no problem

Powderblue1 · 28/10/2024 21:32

3 months PP, I'd spend the day exactly how you want. You deserve to spend it how you want with your new baby. There are pros and cons to both scenarios.

Ponderingwindow · 28/10/2024 21:37

I see you got a car screamer like me. We rarely left the house for the first year because where we lived required traveling by car to get anywhere. We took lots of nature walks.

I think I might have been the only person to advise that a Christmas trip might not work depending on your baby’s personality.

You are on the right track if you are adapting and working together to meet your child’s needs.

enjoy your first Christmas.

GoForARun · 28/10/2024 21:47

Yes, completely fine.

Go and take your chance to sit about and be fed and looked after! Lie in in the mornings and go to bed early. Have a holiday!

Original poster
Pinkcase · 29/10/2024 07:56

@Ponderingwindow Yes, a car screamer who also is ‘Velcro’ and doesn’t like to be put down - to think of the money we spent on a crib, a moses basket and a bouncer - all unused..! Thank you for your well wishes 😊

OP posts:
Overthebow · 29/10/2024 08:00

Yes I’d go. Babies are at their most portable as newborns. I’d take the opportunity to have someone else do the hosting whilst you sit and have a drin and nice food.

MaltipooMama · 29/10/2024 09:29

Ah congratulations op on your healthy delivery! I voted with you the first time around, there was no way I'd have wanted to do that journey at Christmas so I'm glad you're now both in agreement! Have a lovely first Christmas with your little one!

Stretchedresources · 29/10/2024 09:33

No. I needed my Home comforts and bathroom. With DC1 I'd only just finished painkillers at that stage.

lemonmeringueno3 · 30/10/2024 20:51

I'd rather do the trip than host tbh but glad it all worked out for you.

That sort of journey would be a day trip for us, but I think that's because we have family all over the place and very few of them have spare rooms. So if it's less than 2 hours away, it's a day trip!

CooksDryMeasure · 30/10/2024 20:54

I would rather do the trip than host for sure.

but at 6-9 weeks old we took DD from London to Orkney to Cornwall so we are probably just mad.

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