AIBU to take an 8 week old on holiday to Spain? Poss pfb...?

[HopingforHols]

DH and I regularly go on holiday with another couple and have done for years, works great. We are all currently planning a trip to Spain for a week in a villa in few months' time.

At the time of the holiday our friends will have 2 DC, 3yrs and 6 months.

Our first DC is due in the next few weeks and will likely be around 8 weeks at the time of the holiday.

AIBU to plan to take an 8 week old on a totally not necessary holiday? This is my first and haven't a clue what to expect. Will me and DH enjoy it or will everything just be too new and we end up stressed? Will we have to take loads of baby stuff on the plane with us and would we be better just setting off in the car to somewhere in the UK or France maybe, where we're a bit more in control?

Please help. I don't want to be pfb, but I do want me and DH to have a good first holiday as a little family. What age is the earliest you would take a pfb on a plane to Europe in late Spring?

Thanks

[wigglesrock]

I took my youngest away at 12/13 weeks to Ibiza. I found it easy enough, I formula feed so I just brought enough formula, use microwave steriliser bags - bought nappies etc over there. I would have went when she was a bit younger. It was easier at that age then when we first took dd1 away at 11 months.

[maybebabybee]

It's an individual thing, isn't it? I don't really like travelling at the best of times so I wouldn't go with a small baby. DP and I are due our first in March and we won't be going abroad with baby for a good few years. I like holidays in England so I'm quite happy with those for a bit.

But it's totally up to you, isn't it :)

[Anotherusername1]

I didn't take my son overseas until he was 1. We went away to Scotland by car when he was 6 months old and had a great time. There's no way I would have gone away before that though.

I think you need to know if your baby is a good sleeper before you go away. Rooms in holiday resorts are not always very well insulated!

[witsender]

I'd wait and see. You may have a horrendous labour, they may have awful colic...you just don't know. All being well, of course there is no reason not to go with good insurance.

[Claireshh]

I totally would. You will have your partner and friends there to help. You won't be on your own trying to do house stuff, cooking etc. I think it's a brilliant idea.

[lorisparkle]

It is so difficult to predict how you and your DC will be. When I had DS1 we went on our first 'holiday' when he was about 3 months old and I was terribly pfb (rang up ferry company about whether they had life jackets, took the baby bath!!!!) With DS3 things were very different. We went when he was 6 weeks old (with a 4yr old and a 2 year old!) and I had had a c - section. The sling was invaluable and I was bf so it was fairly easy and we had a great time. He went everywhere and was even bf on the top deck of an open top bus. With friends who have young children they should be very understanding and helpful. However we did not go on a plane and did not go out of England but people have babies in Spain all the time!

[loosechange]

I would in hindsight.

We took DC1 to Italy when he was 19 weeks and sleep aside it was great. Sleep would have been equally rubbish in UK though. The journey was much easier than the trip across the UK to visit the inlaws when DC was 10 weeks.

DC suckled the entire flight there and back and was in baby heaven.
Take a couple more outfits for your hand luggage than you anticipate you will need - we got through three pre take off.

[BarricadesBabe]

Agree completely with others saying babies easier to travel with than toddlers. We live abroad (in Europe) so twin DDs flew from v early age for regular family visits.

Worst part with babies is pram, car seats, etc. - in our case times two plus mammoth double buggy! - but babies themselves were absolutely fine. Also no need to consider entertainment, etc. when you get there as babies obvs just don't care.

It got harder when they were toddlers - still huge amounts of luggage, plus tantrums, etc. - but now we actually enjoy it. DDs are happy, fuss-free travellers and I'm sure it's a lot to do with the fact that we started so early.

[ingeniousidiot]

I would wait until after the birth to decide. Baby might be 10 weeks or only 6 weeks old by holiday time and that can make a massive difference to how you have recovered depending on the birth. With ds1 I had a shit cs, major blood loss and infections and could barely walk more than 50 yards in the first 3 months. Ds2 was so much easier and a much faster recovery, and by 6 weeks was out and about (driving was an issue before then) and feeling fine.

[Provencalroseparadox]

I did it when DS was 10 weeks and it was lovely. Not difficult at all just took a little extra planning in terms of what to take and getting passport quickly

[MoonDuke]

DS1 - I physically was fine when he was 8 weeks. He had severe reflux and threw up over himself and us many many times a day and barely slept. We didn't fly with him until he was 15 months - he was sick enough without traveling!

DS2 - he was a dream at 8 weeks (slept well, BF well), I was seriously ill with complications after the birth.

Up to you really, no one can tell you how well you/the baby will be, only what their experiences were.

I used to travel loads pre-DC and was pretty gung-ho about it. DS1 knocked me for six - his reflux was so bad even a pram trip was hell on earth, let alone a car trip.

[Nan0second]

We did! Took pfb age 8 weeks on villa holiday to Portugal. Took one of those pop up Travel bassinets and a sling. Took buggy and car seat but shouldn't have bothered with buggy as barely used it.
I was post difficult c section and baby had awful reflux but it was still fine (we too travelled a lot pre baby).
Breast fed so no extra kit... Just fed baby continuously on plane which kept her quiet whilst I ate a whole packet of biscuits which kept me quiet too

[Notso]

I wouldn't but then I don't really, really love going on holiday as much as lots of people do.
We went to PILs caravan when DC1 was 5 weeks and it was such a faff we only stayed one night instead of the 4 we were supposed to.

[vvviola]

At 8 weeks with DD2, I got on a plane with her and DD1 (just turned 4) and flew to my parents. DH couldn't come with me. It was a piece of cake. We emigrated to the other side of the world when DD2 was about 5 months.

I'd consider DH and I pretty intrepid travellers (and the DC too as they haven't much choice )

At 8 weeks with DD1 I got in the car to visit a friend a 20 minute drive away, burst into tears and couldn't go.

It really does depend on the baby, your birth and how you feel (DD1 was slightly early, a bit of shock and had a few days in SCBU; DD2 was a very quick birth, 5 days before her due date and slept and fed like she'd read the manual we won't discuss what happened when she hit 6 months)

If you have easy going friends and won't lose too much in the way of deposits etc, I'd say wait until you see how you are getting on after the birth and make a call then.

I'll tell you though, travelling with kids is amazing. I took my two to Japan this time last year at 7 and 3, bringing them to placed I'd lived and visited before. Seeing it through their eyes was amazing.

[2016Hopeful]

I probably wouldn't make any definite plans until your baby is born as an emergency cs or lots of stitches might mean you don't really feel like a pool holiday for a while (sorry don't want to be gloom and doom). It is also very hard to know how you will feel emotionally about it all until the baby is there. Some people are happy to go out here there and everywhere with babies while others feel more relaxed being mainly at home.

However, with a good birth and healthy baby eight weeks is probably a good time as you will be over the initial birth pains and you will have mastered breast feeding (if that is what end up doing). You might be ready for a break, especially as it will be with friends who have young children so will be understanding.

[ppeatfruit]

Of course SOME babies sleep in planes and other certainly DO NOT. You may have one who hates being forced to be on your lap in a little seat belt. YOU MAY NOT!!!! I wouldn't do it.

I remember our DD1 at 2\3 months who was on show at my mum's for the first time , she had been perfect almost since she was born but decided to throw a wobbly for HOURS (well it seemed like hours) In my dms house. It was all new to her and she didn't like it!!

[Schwabischeweihnachtskanne]

I think you're right to leave it.

I've travelled alone all over the world, and we went to Italy when DC3 was 4 weeks old, but I don't know if I'd have wanted to be away from home and dependant on air travel, or to be sharing a villa, at 8 weeks with DC1.

Its the fact its your first baby - you just don't know how you'll feel, and asking other people is a bit like asking them how long a piece of string is, because birth and how hormones affect you for several months post partum and breast feeding, and of course babies (sleep, collic, feeding, whether they are happy to be put down or to go in a car seat...) vary so much that one woman's experience can be almost unrecognisable to the next woman...

[Hufflepuffin]

I took my PFB on holiday when he was 3 weeks old, it was in this country and we had the car but honestly it was fine! We took literally everything with us but didn't use much, I think you'd be fine on a plane, as long as you can wash baby clothes there. (Maybe even hand washing would be fine?). Depending on your airline you should get two free pieces of child luggage. So I would take a lay flat stroller as one, possibly car seat as the other (or hire one). Get a sunshade (like a snooze shade) for the stroller and then you have somewhere for the baby to nap in the shade. We had the baby bjorn bouncer (second hand) and it folds super flat so you might be able to get away with that in the bottom of an enormous suitcase or as a piece of checked luggage (in a bag?). The pop up bassinet would be a good idea.

If you have to use formula it will be a titch more complicated but you can get sterilisation bags that go in the microwave or just take some tablets and a suitable box with you.

Honestly you will be fine! I would try to get a villa with washing machine, dishwasher and microwave (in case of bottle feeding).

[DramaQueen38]

we took pfb to visit family friends in Norway at 10 weeks. They had a 6 week old, and we had a lovely time.

It's only a short flight and if you are exclusively breast feeding, it's very easy and provides a break for you all. Assuming you have recovered from the birth of course.

[Artandco]

I would and have. Used maternity time both times to travel extensively. Both mine breastfed, co slept and went in sling in day so only had to take some extra clothing and nappies.

If they don't sleep at night it doesn't matter , it's not like it would make a difference if you stayed. Your friends also have two young children so they expecting a week of nightclubbing

[Janeymoo50]

Sometimes it's easier the younger they are (think not having a squirming wriggling 17 month old on your knee on the plane). You can get nappies locally too. Plus if the other baby is only 6 months, plan with other mum what to take between you (shared baby toiletries etc, as long as both happy with the brand). Local pharmacies will also have any needed baby things too.

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

Probably easier with a baby than a toddler.

Pack his usual things... Nappies, wipes bottles if used.

Take plenty of pale baby grows (no gaps for sunburn, reflects sun, keeps him cool)

Babies can (on most airlines) take a pushchair/carseat/carrycot. Two items.

They go in the hold. So take a sling to carry him to baggage arrival!

The other family will have kids with them, so most activities will be planned around them.

At a few weeks old, he will eat when hungry and sleep when tired. Won't be affected by jet-lag, different house or most things!

Put as much as you can as hold luggage. Then you can concentrate on carrying baby, not juggling stuff!

If possible, put a cheap pram in a pram bag. When we flew, they were not careful with prams! Bouncing them off the carousel...

At 8 weeks, sleeping in the pram on a day out is ideal!

[DurhamDurham]

We took our youngest to Cyprus when she was 12 weeks old, she was easier to look after than her 4 year old sister. No problem at all, I was still breast feeding her so I didn't have to worry about hygiene. I remember it being a really chilled holiday for me as I sat in the shade nursing her while my husband ran around chasing after our four year old.

They're grown up now and don't want to come on holiday with us anymore.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I wouldn't commit myself to a holiday at 8 weeks post birth. You won't know how you are going to feel. If you go 10 days over your due date and have a emergency CS you might not be up to travelling. If you are a week early and have a easy VB then you could be fine. I couldn't have travelled 8 weeks after my emergency CS with DS1 but would have been fine 8 weeks after my VBAC with DS2.

We travelled to North Africa when the DS were a few months old to visit DH's family. We only took the bare minimum as things like nappies can be bought when you arrive (take a couple of days worth). It is definately easier before they start getting too mobile.

[Schwabischeweihnachtskanne]

Don't hire a car seat - if you're away for more than a few days you'll pay almost as much as the price of buying a new one, plus it'll be the most basic possible plastic shell and probably look as if it's had a fair few knocks so you won't be 100% sure it hasn't been in a crash with a previous renter...

I'd take a car seat and use a wrap style sling because that is what suited me - but that's because I have already had 3 babies, if it was DC1 I wouldn't know what would work for me or my offspring (I nearly crippled myself on our first holiday with DC1 trying to use a Baby Bjorn with a chunky 6 month old - don't do that) :O

What -I wouldn't want to be doing with an 8 month old, regardless of whether it was DC1, 2, 3 or 6... would be sharing a villa. Privacy and a TV to veg in front of on a comfy sofa can suddenly seem a lot more important when you are breast feeding and possibly still not comfortable in your own post baby skin.

I wouldn't commit or pay non refundable travel expenses til about 2-3 weeks after your baby is born as its DC1 - is that a possibility?