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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think "wtf?"?

35 replies

eternalopt · 10/11/2015 23:26

AIBU that my first reaction to this story is not "oh you poor things, stuck in a foreign country with a tiny baby", but it's "wtf? You booked a holiday with a 8 week old baby?" (in fact, I presume the baby was actually much younger when they booked it).

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/we-just-want-go-home-10403609

It's a genuine question, as I have not been brave enough yet to attempt the logistics of a foreign holiday with mine, but 8 weeks old seems so little to be taking them to such a hot country, especially given that when I went to Egypt, when I got money from the bureau de change over here, they wore gloves to count it out and warned me that they have to do that as its notorious for having loads of germs, and most people on the trip had bad bellies at some stage (although this was a trip down the Nile rather than to sharm). Little one won't have even finished her jabs yet.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 10/11/2015 23:33

People in Egypt have babies and they don't melt in the heat or immediately die from germs.

If they have proper travel insurance I think people shouldn't be judged for making different decisions about going on holiday to what you'd have done.

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 10/11/2015 23:36

8 weeks old seems so little to be taking them to such a hot country

People in Egypt have babies every day and they cope.

I feel sorry for them. Must be awful to be stuck out there for goodness knows how long. They must be terrified.

AndNowItsSeven · 10/11/2015 23:39

I was a stupid decision to take such a small baby to Egypt on holiday.

Limer · 10/11/2015 23:40

8 WEEKS????

WTF indeed.

And they flew out after the Russian plane was downed. Anything for a cheap tan, eh?

19lottie82 · 10/11/2015 23:58

And they called their child DRAKE??????

Original poster
eternalopt · 10/11/2015 23:59

I should clarify that second reaction was to feel sorry for them, in the same way I feel sorry for anyone stuck out there. But then I went back to wondering what the hell you'd do with an 8 week old on holiday somewhere like that anyway, apart from seek shade and clean!

Of course people in Egypt have babies. That argument applies to every country in the world, but there's still loads of places I wouldn't go with a baby!

However, as I said in my op, I am prepared to accept that I might be being a judgmental heartless bitch unreasonable! Wink

OP posts:
Weathergames · 11/11/2015 00:03

I immigrated to a hot country when DS1 was 8 weeks old ... Is that allowed?! Grin

MmeLindor · 11/11/2015 00:04

My SIL went on holiday when her baby was just weeks old, but only to Italy (we lived in southern Germany). Not sure I'd fly that far with such a little one.

But you know what - I'm thinking, first baby, he's has health issues, they probably wanted a break, and when they booked it, they didn't realise that travelling with such a young baby would be so stressful.

And of course they had no way of knowing that they'd be stranded there.

Weathergames · 11/11/2015 00:06

Emigrated Blush

Original poster
eternalopt · 11/11/2015 00:09

Given that they arrived Tuesday, and were asking if they could come home Thursday, I'd guess that they definitely found it more stressful than they thought it would be!

OP posts:
lexigrey · 11/11/2015 00:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
eternalopt · 11/11/2015 00:16

Wow. organising an emigration with a newbie must have taken work weather. Makes me feel slightly inadequate for congratulating myself being being showered and dressed before 11am in those days!

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 11/11/2015 00:18

I took DD to the Middle East (UAE) when she was 4 months old. I wouldn't have flown with her prior to her inoculations unless it had been an absolute emergency.

Pigeonpost · 11/11/2015 00:39

I don't see any issue with taking an 8 week old baby on holiday, they are so much more portable at that age. I think the reference to the dad's heart and breathing problems are journalist inflated twaddle. The main thing about all this that I don't get it people making such a right royal fuss about the inconvenience of not being able to get home. Yes, I totally see how it is inconvenient but rather that than risk being blown to smithereens on a plane no?

Tartyflette · 11/11/2015 00:52

My DM flew with me to the Middle East on BOAC when I was six weeks old, took hours and hours (this was before jets, turbo-props only) with stops on the way in Frankfurt, Rome, Beirut and then Kuwait. I was the youngest baby to have flown that route then. (DM was about 24 at the time, DH had gone out some months earlier).

No air con in the accommodation or cars at that time and everywhere must have been fly-ridden and covered in sand. We all survived, and my parents stayed there for 20 years.

Original poster
eternalopt · 11/11/2015 01:03

Walesonline aren't known for their great journalism - the missing pram wheels get more column inches and made to sound more of an inconvenience than the threat of the plane being blown up!!

I get that life doesn't stop with an 8 week old, and holidays don't become contrabanned. I also get that if you have to make a journey with a baby you would. What I don't personally get is why you'd choose to go somewhere so far away, so hot and some infamously germ-y. For me personally, I just can't see that it would be that enjoyable although thinking about it more, it possibly could be more enjoyable when they'll sleep anywhere and haven't been weaned yet. Perhaps I just long for the holidays of old, pre DC, when drinking too much and sleeping it off were still on the agenda!!

At least they are stuck in a hotel - An airport delay with little ones - now that would be horrible

OP posts:
Onthepigsback · 11/11/2015 06:48

YABVU. There is absolutely no reason why not yo take an 8wk old on holiday if you want. They are so much easier to bring places at that age. What a lovely thing to do. Very unfortunate they are stuck but if they are the type of people who are fine yo travel with an 8wk old I'd say they will manage fine being stuck there the extra time. It's just annoying for them as it is for everyone who wants to get home.

Bambambini · 11/11/2015 08:22

I took both of mine away to Spain and Turkey at around 2-3 months. It's easier, especially if Bfeeding.

I wouldn't (and haven't) take my children to Egypt because of the terror threat that has been there for decades, not because they were babies.

cleaty · 11/11/2015 08:23

I always remember reading about a new mum who went travelling around countries with her baby from 6 weeks old, including India. The baby was her first, and she planned the travelling when she was still pregnant. Everyone told her she was mad. But she seemed to get on fine. The only thing she said was a mistake was going to a music festival when the baby was 5 weeks old, as she said she spent all the time in the tent with the baby.

There are always people who manage to plan and do things that we couldn't imagine doing ourselves. When I read about this new mum, it was clear she was an experienced traveller and made sure her baby didn't get burnt, and was safe. So I don't see the problem with living differently from how we might choose to.

Only1scoop · 11/11/2015 08:27

Yanbu

They made their choice so need to suck it up.

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 11/11/2015 08:31

People in Egypt have babies and they don't melt in the heat or immediately die from germs.

Yeah. The infant mortality rate in Egypt is 22.41 per 1000 rather than the 4.44 in the UK suggesting that, actually, they do.

I don't think it was the sharpest thing to do - depends on your definition of "holiday" I suppose.

LittleLionMansMummy · 11/11/2015 08:42

Babies are portable and many people will drive for 4 to 5 hours to see relatives and think nothing of it. The flight isn't that long. Also, stomach bugs in Egypt tend to come from unwashed fruit and veg - the baby will either be breastfed or fed with sterilised bottles. Some babies don't cope well with heat but that's for the parents to find out. I don't see the problem and do feel sorry for them. Yabu.

Only1scoop · 11/11/2015 08:42

People in Beirut have babies it doesn't mean I'd be popping there for a mini break with my new baby in tow.

ohtheholidays · 11/11/2015 08:43

I'm surprised they went to such a hot country as it says the father has problems with his breathing and his heart.

GruntledOne · 11/11/2015 08:44

People in Egypt have babies and they don't melt in the heat or immediately die from germs.

Infant mortality rate (i.e. deaths before the age of 1) in Egypt: 21.6 per 1000 live births
Infant mortality rate in the UK: 4.3 per 1000 live births