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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a six month old skiing?

50 replies

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2013 21:45

I'm not going to ski this time, but my family, husband and 3 year old (ski school) will...

They're wanting to go to Norway over new year when my daughter will be 6 months.

Is it just too cold for her? Is it selfish to want to go on holiday somewhere she'll be uncomfortable perhaps?

My parents are hiring a chalet for the whole family / friends group but my children will be the only kids going.... My DH is totally okay with this and wants to book our flights right now but isn't 6 months to young?

OP posts:
MacaYoniandCheese · 28/08/2013 21:48

No. They have babies in Norway too. I live in Canada and all my babies were born in January. I took them out for daily walks and they were all fine.

You might get (literal) cabin fever though Grin.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2013 21:51

I know!! But I want to be a good wife to DH as he's taking is to Florida next summer Grin

I don't mind not getting to ski, last time I did it I was 3 months pregnant with DD1 (didn't know!!) and was knackered and miserable!

OP posts:
hettienne · 28/08/2013 21:52

Sounds a bit boring for you, but it's not going to hurt the baby.

CoteDAzur · 28/08/2013 21:54

I took DS skiing when he was 8 months old.

He thanked me by coming down with chicken pox the day after our arrival Angry

Choose the resort carefully, though. You aren't supposed to take them above 2,000m iirc.

CoteDAzur · 28/08/2013 21:55

Or was it 1,500 m?

SeaSickSal · 28/08/2013 21:57

I have seen some competitive parenting in my time but claiming your 6 month old can ski takes the biscuit.

forevergreek · 28/08/2013 21:58

I would go. We go every year and they have been tiny at some points.

If dh, friends and family going surely you could ski also if you wanted ie dh ski morning, you afternoon etc

Just make sure both children well wrapped up, and either take or hire a buggy push able in snow.

We have always used baby merino thermals which have kept them warm, and wash well and have been past down to ds2 then friends.

Not many places do ski school from 3 where you can leave alone though, most from 4 years

exexpat · 28/08/2013 21:58

I did a weekend's skiing with DD when she was 3 months old and exclusively breast fed - there was a little crèche at the bottom of the lifts soi left her there (mostly asleep) for an hour or two between feeds.

I'm guessing from your OP that childcare is not available (though couldn't your DH do an hour or two with the baby so you at least get a chance to ski?) but the cold certainly shouldn't be a problem. Baby-size snow suits are cheap and cosy, you can carry her round in a sling, and she might even enjoy being pulled around in a toboggan or grabbing and eating having a little play with the snow.

Sleepwhenidie · 28/08/2013 21:59

Provided you won't get bored/resentful not skiing then it will be great.

Cote I've never heard that about babies and altitude Confused? I think altitude can certainly affect little ones more (be prepared for changes in sleep patterns OP, could be good or bad Smile) but never knew about above a certain height being bad for them.....

Liara · 28/08/2013 22:02

You'll be bored out of your brain but your baby will be fine.

But yes, I heard that above 2000m is not good for babies too. Usually the base in most ski resorts is below that level, so should be fine, but worth checking.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2013 22:03

I'm sure DH would watch the kids at some point but is super into skiing whereas I'm pretty rubbish so I'm just predicting how it will end up Wink

So literally lots of layers / snowsuit and she'll be fine?

I haven't looked specifically into ski school but if not she can play in snow etc... I thought they could start from 3, but it was a guess.

OP posts:
NMM · 28/08/2013 22:08

We took DS to Serre Chevalier (France) when he was 6 weeks old and again the following year. Absolutely no problem! Checked with GP before we booked and she thought it would do us all the world of good...and it did! Go for it - but bring lots of books/iPad/something to entertain yourself. DH and I took it in turns to ski mornings & afternoons - worked fine.

CoteDAzur · 28/08/2013 22:10

Nobody claimed a 6-month-old can ski Hmm

Most ski resorts in France will take children from the age of 3 into age-adapted schools called Piou-Piou that are part of ECS (Ecole de Ski Français). DS started skiing last year several months before his 3rd birthday in a Piou-Piou.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 28/08/2013 22:15

Just make sure you aren't left holding the baby morning noon and night whilst everyone else gets into the après ski. As long as your DH pulls his weight and you get to enjoy some grown up time at the ski resort it should be OK. But you don't sound that convinced that you will - and what's with all the "I want to be a good wife" 1950s talk.

DoJo · 28/08/2013 22:18

What if a husband wants to be a good husband - is there an appropriate decade for that?

Ericaequites · 28/08/2013 22:19

People in La Paz and other places over 2000m have babies, so I can't see why altitude would matter if the child is healthy.

SeaSickSal · 28/08/2013 22:21

Cote it was not said in seriousness.

CoteDAzur · 28/08/2013 22:37

That is where those babies are born, Erica. That is also where their parents live. Those people are adapted to that altitude. We are not.

My babies were born by the sea. Doctor said it would be a good idea to choose one of the lower-altitude resorts. We ended up going to Megève which is about 1300m iirc.

Kiriwawa · 28/08/2013 22:46

I took DS to Morzine (and up to Avoriaz) when he was 8 months. He wasn't very impressed by the snowsuit and looks cross in all the photos but seems to have survived. We've been skiing a couple of times since then and he largely enjoys it (but does hate all the equipment faff but then I do too)

exoticfruits · 28/08/2013 22:49

I took my son at 10 months- he was fine.

trixymalixy · 28/08/2013 22:51

It'll be fine. Just make sure you get some time for yourself!

JellyTopicecreamisthebest · 28/08/2013 23:03

Here in Nz some one place does a interchangeable lift pass if you have a child 3 or under. That means one can ski and the other can look after the children. They might do something similar. porters ski NZ

Sleepwhenidie · 28/08/2013 23:57

Oh and be prepared for ski school to not work out for your 3yo. It is very young to start, especially if they end up in a class full of kids speaking French. 3yo likely to get cold/bored/tired very quickly and hate it, although it depends on their character of course. We tried with DS when he was 3.5 and wished we'd waited a couple more years! I think it's a bit different for children who live closer to a ski resort and can get used to it with short, regular sessions from a very young age.

firesideskirt · 29/08/2013 00:03

val d'isere (1800m) with my baby at 5 months... he was right as rain. Hope you will get a few mornings out, else it will be quite dull for you.

livinginwonderland · 29/08/2013 07:13

YANBU, it'll be fine :) My parents took me skiing when I was about six months old and there a photos of me with my mum at the Schilthorn revolving restaurant in Switzerland and that's at 2,970m. I'm alive and a massive skiing fan today!

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