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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take a newborn on holiday/a plane?

31 replies

NorthernQuarter · 28/09/2016 19:21

Newly pregnant with #3. Way too early days yet to be thinking about this properly but just thinking of what if's etc for our plans next year.

Would you be wary of taking an 8-12 week old on a plane to a hot (European) country?

Previously taken DC#1 when 6 months old and that was fine & DC #2 when 9 months old. Have BF two babies successfully so don't foresee needing to pack formula etc.

I'm not a sun bather so lots of shade/cool places for me and baby. DC#1 & #2 are a fair bit older.

Am I being naive thinking it would all be absolutely fine Grin

OP posts:
Ausernotanumber · 28/09/2016 19:23

I honestly think you'd be grand as long as DP/DH is prepared to chip in and pull his/her weight with the grunt work of parenting.

Coz it's shitty to be left doing everything and trying to feed a baby and do all the normal stuff with no nice bed and no dishwasher. (Yes, he's an ex😜)

Original poster
NorthernQuarter · 28/09/2016 19:26

DP does pull his weight Smile , step dad to older two but is excellent and hands on. I have this fantasy of me sitting with babe in arms, cool drink and him fetching me ice lollies Grin

OP posts:
ateapotandacake · 28/09/2016 19:26

We took our DS at 16 weeks and it was the best time: he slept most of it! Wasn't bothered at all. We pre booked front seats together and had nice neighbours but it was your easy really.

NavyandWhite · 28/09/2016 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsSnow · 28/09/2016 19:30

We took 12 week old around Ds1 around Croatia. I would say do it 😀

trixymalixy · 28/09/2016 19:30

I took DD to Italy when she was 8weeks old. Easiest time to take them when they're that little!!

OhIfIMust · 28/09/2016 19:32

Just got back from France with 8 week old and 3 yo brother. We had the best time. I say go for it!

Original poster
NorthernQuarter · 28/09/2016 19:32

Other DC are 7 & 11. Very well behaved and we will be going with my sister and my parents for our annual holiday.

ateapot lovely to hear of your positive experience Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
NorthernQuarter · 28/09/2016 19:33

Yes I was thinking a baby might be easier! DC1 wanted to crawl everywhere at 6 months and was awake most of the day by that age.

OP posts:
NavyandWhite · 28/09/2016 19:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 28/09/2016 19:39

I think it's be lovely.
The main thing is you'd have to get the birth registered and passport sent off and back within 8 weeks which might be tight depending on time of year.
Unlikely but when DS was born at 35 weeks we were told to avoid air travel for 6 months. This only applies if premature or any injections for lung development. Like I say unlikely but thought I'd mention it.

FurryGiraffe · 28/09/2016 19:41

I'm currently in Italy with DS1 (3) and DS2 (18 weeks). DS2 has been fab. Absolutely fine on the flight, and has been fawned over by everyone he meets and loves all the attention. They're very portable at this age, especially if EBF. He is beginning to cast envious looks at my gelato though...

Rollonbedtime7pm · 28/09/2016 19:52

We took an 11 week old DD2 to Spain this summer, with her 3 and 6 year old brother and sister.

The journey was the worst but because we were outnumbered but kids were too small to carry all their own stuff! And also had to carry the baby of course! As yours are a bit older, this might not be such an issue.

We were lucky as DD2 is a pretty good sleeper so napped lots and was OK in the night - I am skipping going abroad next year when she is a toddler! Best time to go when they are portable but stay in one place! Grin

Original poster
NorthernQuarter · 28/09/2016 19:52

Good point abbey about the passports/birth registration, will have to bear that in mind!

Navy we go to Greece every year and stay with our friends who are locals Smile

OP posts:
Artandco · 28/09/2016 19:54

Of course. Poor ds2 was backpacking with us in Vietnam at 10 weeks. He has survived rather well

NavyandWhite · 28/09/2016 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

buckyou · 28/09/2016 20:01

We just went to spain with my in laws who have an 8 week old and she was fine. She settled better there than at home!

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 28/09/2016 20:04

Go! DD2 came to Canada at 5 weeks & DD1 to Florida at 13 weeks.

itsawonderfulworld · 28/09/2016 20:06

Given the choice, I wouldn't personally take a baby younger than 12 weeks on a plane, because of potential ear drum problems and the risk of catching illnesses from the recirculated air. There are lots of germs floating around on planes and a newborn's immune system really isn't geared up to deal with that. This isn't a hard rule and it's obviously up to you, but we were in a similar situation and deliberately delayed our first holiday with the baby until he was 3 months old (even though that meant less warm weather).

justaweeone · 28/09/2016 20:12

We took Ds now 13 years to Cyprus when he was 3 months
We also had a 5 year old
Fab holiday with no probs
Self catered apartment
I worry more now that they are teenagers and the eldest is at uni !

MidniteScribbler · 29/09/2016 04:25

Just make sure you prebook seats Wink

greynunu · 29/09/2016 04:42

I flew UK to NZ on my own with DS when he was 3 months (4 months for return flight). I was dreading it but it was absolutely fine, he slept most of it. Make the most of it while they're so portable and sleepy! I found once they're mobile to about 2.5 years the most difficult period to travel.

NynaevesSister · 29/09/2016 04:54

I did the same trip to NZ with son when he was 2 months. We stopped for a week in Hong Kong to visit family and it was 40 degrees on two of the days we were there! It was quite simply the easiest time to travel with them.

Ear drum soreness/problems are easily averted if you can feed them for take off or landing, or give them a dummy to suck on. I was feeding son a mix of BF and formula, and I have him formula at room temperature. For the plane I took the ready made formula (at Heathrow you can order these with Boots in duty free so you don't have to open them).

If flying from Heathrow don't give them the bottle too soon. I discovered it can take as much as 20 mins to taxi to the runway!

VioletBam · 29/09/2016 04:55

We flew to Oz from the UK when DD was 2 months. It was nerve wracking but no issues whatsoever.

buttfacedmiscreant · 29/09/2016 05:02

We took youngest DS at about 12 weeks on a longhaul (earliest we could get passport) and the flights were uneventful and easy (breastfed) apart from the problem that he threw up several times every take off and landing all over me and him. I had some spare clothes for him and one spare shirt for me. I arrived wearing I

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