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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think about taking toddler to a hot country?

48 replies

Safari10 · 12/09/2010 15:48

Hi there
I posted this in the Travel section too, but not sure anyone looks in there!
We are thinking about going to Jamaica late this year/early next year. Our daughter is currently 14 months old. Has anyone been here as we are worried about the weather - will it be too hot for a toddler who refuses to wear a sunhat?! There are lots of child-friendly resorts but I can't find much info about the weather ...
Thanks x

OP posts:
twilight3 · 12/09/2010 16:19

I don't think british children can survive any temperature over 26C. Don't go.

MumNWLondon · 12/09/2010 16:37

if you go she'll have to wear a sun hat. its that simple - we took DS1 abroad and it was hot (eg 35c) he just had to wear the sunhat even though he didn't want to. We went shopping before and he choose the one he wanted. he also choose a couple of those UV suits.

belgo · 12/09/2010 16:39

Why not twilight? Will they melt Grin

Rindercella · 12/09/2010 16:40

We took DD1 to Barbados when she was 15 months. She was fine. Lots of sun block, shade and air con.

lol @ Twilight Smile

fartblossom · 12/09/2010 16:44

We took DD to Teneriffe in July when she was 6 months.

We didnt get her in the sun at all (or at least we did our best to keep her out and if she was in the sun it was very minimal ie when we turned a corner on the path and moved her parasol so she was still covered) and applied factor 50, 5 star suncream regularly. She came home as white as she went. So did DS and he was 3.

We also made both children wear hats. I would bribe her with good things if she keeps hat on or distract her while putting hat on so hopefully she will forget its there and keep it on.

fartblossom · 12/09/2010 16:45

Also lots of fluid and cool areas will be needed, but Im sure you know that anyway.

invisibleink · 12/09/2010 16:45

sigh.

There are children born in Jamaica, you know.

She is a TODDLER, you are an ADULT, put it back on her. Thats what people DO in hot countries. The kids soon get used to it because if you are consistent they find that they wont win and will give up. If she continues, well it is only for the duration of the holiday, so basically you suck up having to do it every five seconds for a week or however long.

ShinyAndNew · 12/09/2010 16:48

A toddler can't refuse to wear a sunhat. Get one that ties on! Also you might find she will grateful to wear it when she realises it helps keep her cooler. That's what dd1 did when we took her to Spain at 18 months old and dd2 (3) wouldn't take her hat off in Turkey this year. She would have slept in it if we let her.

Portofino · 12/09/2010 16:52

We've taken dd away every year since she was 6 months old. When they are little you keep them covered up, get a beach shelter, lots of high factor, hat and lots of fluid. Go for a siesta in the hottest part of the day.

Dd is 6 and actually got a bit of a sun tan for the first time this year, as she basically spent the whole time in the pool. We went to Sardinia when she was about your dd's age and loved paddling, digging on the beach and floating round the pool in her swim seat. We just made sure we always sat under an umbrella.

mizu · 12/09/2010 17:35

We took dd2 to Sudan when she was 14 months old. Lots of water and a sunhat and she will be fine.

skandi1 · 12/09/2010 17:37

its no problem honestly! i am writing this to you from Maldives (32c) with my 13 months old DD here (asleep as we're 4hrs ahead)

i worried a bit but she wears sun protection suit things and hats and lots of sunscreen on exposed bits. her naptime at home is 12 till 2 and we are doing that here too so she is completely out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

she's loving splashing in the water and messing about with the sand.

only downside is that I cannot get as much spa time or snorkelling done as pre DD (smile)

ChippingIn · 12/09/2010 18:03

Safari She is a child, you are the mother - if she needs to wear a hat, she wears a hat. She doesn't get to 'refuse' to wear it, it's not an option.

She will be a different child in 6 months. Buy a hat while you can still find a summer hat that will fit her then, make a big fuss of how lovely it is but it's only for when she is on her holiday, put it where she can see it but not wear it - it will be the best thing ever when you get there and if not - tough shit.

Lots of sunscreen even in the shade.

YunoYurbubson · 12/09/2010 18:06

Don't do it.

We moved to the Middle East when our children were 6mo and 2yr old and within the first 48 hours they both melted into little puddles on the sand.

We miss them.

:(

ShinyAndNew · 12/09/2010 18:07

Were they made from ice Yuno?

Mniemmniem · 12/09/2010 18:08

All toddlers melt at over 27.5 degrees, this is why there are no toddlers outside western Europe.

Maybe you could convert a cool box into a pram? >

TechLovingDad · 12/09/2010 18:09

So you decide whether she can go to Jamaica, but not if she wears a hat? Ok, then.

There are no children in Jamaica, they are all born in Alaska and only move over when they develop tolerance to the heat.

quiddity · 12/09/2010 18:11

W Indies are very hot all year round, but might not be much fun if you go in the rainy season, which in Jamaica is towards the end of the year. At least if you're stuck inside watching the torrential rain you won't have to worry about sunburn.

katkouta · 12/09/2010 18:11

Grin YunoYurbubson Im taking my 8mo and 2yr old to Middle East soon, I will pack them in ice to prevent this.

OP like everyone said, they'll be fine as long as you do all the right things. Enjoy your holiday.

HowsTheSerenity · 12/09/2010 18:13

In Australia where we have sun, all children are born as fully grown adults.
This child thing sounds intriguing Grin

Mniemmniem · 12/09/2010 18:13

Tech dad is exactly right- the stork sticks them on a giant iceberg, then the babies slowly migrate south, most babies are born with a sunhat already on, maybe you should see your health visitor about why yours does not?

renaldo · 12/09/2010 18:17

I ve taken my 3 to Jamaica as babies/toddlers in Jan - best holiday ever

ShinyAndNew · 12/09/2010 18:19

The problem is you are all ordering the ice models. I suggest you return them and order the plasticine toddlers. They get a bit sticky when it is too hot, but generally fair well in all weather. The paper models are good in the heat too, but you need to be careful not to get them wet or they turn into mush.

giveitago · 12/09/2010 18:21

Kid will be fine - needs a had needs sun protection.

I've kown people to pack up their 6 month old babies to go live in ashrams in India for a year. They come back and they come back fine.

MisSalLaneous · 12/09/2010 18:22

In defence of Safari, ds hated a sun hat too, and at that age would pull it off his head, even it it meant half-throttling himself with the ties.

When we went to Peru, we had a day or so of struggling with keeping it on, but then realised the trick is to put in on his head whilst sleeping (in backpack in our case) if at all possible. After wearing it for a day or so, he wasn't too fussed anymore.

They adapt quickly, and now refuse to go out without a hat! Hmm

Heat on holiday is different to heat at home, btw - you could go to the pool / beach / hope for a breeze. Go for it.

Mniemmniem · 12/09/2010 18:22

True shiney- also it is VERY important to avoid anywhere with furniture. Particularly tables.

Also worth knowing is that some children (the plastic ones) are liable to streching, some to nearly 3000% their normal size, you should certainly pack accordingly.

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