To take a 5 month old on a girls' weekend to Paris

[Patapouf]

Has anyone done this and has tips to make it less stressful? I know the baby will get nothing out of it but I am not ready to leave him at home with DH for 2 nights just yet and I'm desperate to make the most of mat leave.

Travelling by Eurostar, probably stay in an Airbnb. Planning a bit of sightseeing but mainly mooching about, sitting in cafés and stocking up on skincare and food or maybe not having seen the value of the pound

Friends will be hands on and help as much as they can but I'm very anxious that it will be disastrous. Baby is BF (not going well), but mostly EBM so worrying about the logistics of expressing or BF out and about. I also can't imagine trying to manoeuvre a pram on the narrow pavements. I know babies live in Paris, I did too once, but I'm a worrier.

Can I make this work? How can I pack light?

I suppose my AIBU should really be how can I be less nervous about travelling with a baby?

You just need to decide if you want to free yourself from being so anxious

ODFOD.

It is totally normal for mothers and babies not to want to be separated. The rest of us should be supporting new mothers in doing what they feel is right not telling them they're anxious, what nonsense.

Do you know anything about BF babies?

NoTheresa did you read beyond the title? If do then it should be clear the question is really about travel tips.

do you really think parenting ought to be 50/50 split when a baby is BF and the mum is still on maternity leave?
Nope, so that's why I didn't say that. It's an attitude not a 50 50 split.

Go - have fun! 5 month old babies are portable! You deserve a trip & will be nice for your friends to bond with baby too.

Not really Patapouf. I did have help from DH who also came, but it's very difficult to relax & do other things with a baby in tow. Though I suppose it depends on how clingy your baby is.

Go by all means, but just be prepared that it won't be as easy as you seem to think it will be & you might be lucky

@RockinHippy where have I said I think it will be easy? I think I've actually said the opposite.

The mind truly boggles at how words have been put into my mouth on this thread, i should have started thread bingo

1- you're determined to go
2- you've obviously made your mind up
3- you don't trust DH
4- you selfish bitch
5- leave the baby/ give formula
6- your friends will hate you

Breastfeeding might be a little difficult for 5 months old baby as they can be very distracted by everything. Most of them need quiet and dark places to feed but I know you currently bottle feed him from your express milk so that might work better when you are out and about. I know you have lots of pump but if you could get elvie pump you could just pump as you go feed him. It would be less stressful for you both
I have babyzen yo-yo best buggy ever. Only downside is it’s not very good if the ground is not very smooth. As it has very small wheels it’s not easy to push buggy in rough grounds. But it has million of advantages.
I know you are a bit annoyed MN saying about your friends but I agree some of pp that saying this trip might test your friendship with your friends. It’s going to be very tiring for you and you might get little bit irritated by lots of things.
I found some of pp very annoying like “ give your baby formula” “leave your baby and go” “ you will ruin their weekends”
I have wonderful experience bf with my first and I really struggled with my second and it was a big shock for me. She refused my breast which was heartbreaking. I cried days. During that time I expressed and bottle feed her. I absolutely hate the comment about giving formula. Why would I? Now she is feeding on me but only on my bed , lying down, dark and quiet. But she feeds from me now which is great.I only bottle feed her when I am out and about from express milk.
Please don’t comment giving formula when a mother trying her best to give breastmilk.
OP even to considering to go that trip is exiting. You should go. It will be difficult but it will also be experimental. Your Ds will be just fine even if he gets a bit cranky. It won’t do any harm on him it will just be hard on you. But you still should go. I did lots of travelling with my dc and never regret it even when I was exhausted.

God no; it will just make all the lovely things you can do in Paris that much more tricky. I would express and leave the baby with my dh

Breastfeeding might be a little difficult for 5 months old baby as they can be very distracted by everything. Most of them need quiet and dark places to feed

Sorry, but this is nonsense. Are you suggesting that breastfeeding mothers need to be alone in a darkened room every time they feed their baby? How long for?

Clearly, the OP is going to manage fine (IF she decides to go, which she hasn't!) as she has nice friends and knows the place she's going to.

We fed on the Eiffel Tower right at the top amongst the noise and chaos and we were just fine .

Ohmygot I don't know any 5 month olds who won't breastfeed if they're actually hungry, regardless of how busy it is around them. Yes they can be distracted at times but if they are hungry they'll feed!

@inmyfeelings you win eh

Just came on to say was in Paris on Thursday with DH and DC, heed the warnings about pickpockets, DH got done on Metro, travelling with DC to worry about, making sure you have put your train tickets away, making sure everyone is on train, the right train for your destination, DC questions, so much going on etc etc - we were the typical tourist, he’s kicking himself as has travelled all over several times and always been cautious, wallet taken from his front pocket, hadn’t been there long, he placed it there after checking something, we felt very vulnerable after this as if all eyes were watching us, having said that, even though we lost an hour of our day cancelling cards(which were quickly used by thieves) we managed to have a good day doing the sights, it is a beautiful city. Just be on your guard with baby in tow.

This is ridiculous. It sounds lovely to be in Paris with your baby and hands on friends but it's a pipe dream, particularly with BF issues.

It's a no from me.