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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take one year old to New York

127 replies

CleverQuacks · 14/03/2021 16:38

For a minute imagine Covid isn’t an issue. I have always loved travelling and have a list of destinations I want to see as long as my arm. Covid has made me realise that life is short so i have decided I want to see one new place every year.

New York is top of the list so I am considering booking for next year. The problem is, I have a baby who will be 15 months old. I am a single mum with no dad involved so I don’t have anyone who would look after him. I think I would be fine taking him with me. It would be an adventure. But my mum and sister say I am crazy.

The reality is I don’t want to wait til he is 18 and independent before I see the world so we are going to have to get used to travelling together.

I don’t drink alcohol and not into partying. I mainly want to see the shops and various museums and landmarks. Also eat American food!

Am I crazy?

OP posts:
RhodaDendron · 14/03/2021 16:41

I don’t think you’re crazy - city breaks can work well with small children if you’re prepared to take it fairly slow! Stay in one place (road trips can be a bit tough on them), take the right equipment, be aware you won’t be getting much of the nightlife and you should be ok.

GrumpyHoonMain · 14/03/2021 16:42

It’s fine. If you plan to just go as far as manhattan-brooklyn you can pretty much walk everywhere with a decent lightweight pushchair. If you feel you might use the underground then I’d recommend a sturdy baby carrier.

WorraLiberty · 14/03/2021 16:42

Errrm there's a massive difference between 15 months old and 18 years old.

If you think your adventure and sitting on a plane for 8 or 9 hours will be ok for him then go for it.

Otherwise there's no benefit whatsoever to him at that age, so you might (or might not) want to start your adventures a bit nearer to home and build up to flights further afield.

GrumpyHoonMain · 14/03/2021 16:43

I plan to take my 15 month old to new york and tokyo as soon as I can. But realistically he’ll probably be older than 2 then which might make things tricky, particularly in Tokyo.

waterlego · 14/03/2021 16:46

Sounds fine to me. I would avoid going in August though unless you and your baby enjoy very hot, sticky weather!

Seriously79 · 14/03/2021 16:46

Having been to New York myself many years ago, I couldn't imagine doing it with a toddler in tow.

Could your mums and sis have her for a long weekend so you could go alone/ with a friend?

Changechangychange · 14/03/2021 16:47

It’ll be fine.

I would try to splash out on premium economy/business though, and pick your flight times carefully - we flew to Toronto with a 15mo, and you need as much room as possible if they don’t have their own seat. 15mo is old enough to want to toddle about, but not old enough to watch a tablet, so you may find it feels like a very long flight. DS was still napping at that age, so thankfully he ate most of my meal then dropped off for a bit.

MiloAndEddie · 14/03/2021 16:48

There’s a world of difference between 15 months and 18!

Of course you CAN do it but personally I wouldn’t.

I don’t find 15 month olds particularly like museums Wink

Madmarchlockdown · 14/03/2021 16:50

Much, much better to go at 15 months when still able to go in a buggy.

The met museum is brilliant with small kids.

Be prepared to do a lot of walking as getting up and down to most subways is hard. Bus is better. Bring a sling/carrier and a maclaren style umbrella pushchair.

You would be better buying him his own seat though on the plane.

Fairyliz · 14/03/2021 16:52

Sorry but I think the flight is far too long for a child of that age.
They may behave beautiful/fall asleep for most of the flight.
Alternatively they may scream all the way, quick the seat in front and want to run up and down the aisle.

We had this from the child behind us on a two hour flight and it was a nightmare would be horrendous on a long flight to NY

blue25 · 14/03/2021 16:52

I wouldn’t do it. We go to NY a lot & it’s great with older kids or partner/friends. A baby would be stressful.

Also, our flights are always full of business people, groups of friends or couples. A screaming baby on the flight won’t go down well & will make it extra stressful for you!

Boopear · 14/03/2021 16:53

I agree with the PP - you should be fine. It's really only when they get above 2 that is gets a bit expensive/it really would be a lot less enjoyable as an experience as it really is all about their needs rather than yours.

I'm the same as you though - a LP who loves travelling. You don't have to wait till they are 18 though (although I appreciate this is child dependent!) I starting taking DS on the more exciting holidays when he was 10 (ish.) He was old enough to appreciate it and could provide a decent level of company! He's now coming up for 16 and we have great fun planning adventures - was meant to be Japan this summer, but looks like the Covid gods may be against us on that one... [sad}

Thecazelets · 14/03/2021 16:53

I took a 6 month old to NY - it was fine. Flight isn't that long. We took a lightweight buggy and did a lot of day time walking, museums and eating in Manhattan. I wasn't on my own though, and 6 months is probably easier on a plane ( although he slept not a wink on the way over in the 'sky cot' thing they provided, he did sleep all the way back). Frankly babies are exhausting wherever you are so you might as well be in NYC.

Fivemoreminutes1 · 14/03/2021 16:54

Yanbu to take a 15mo to NY. I’ve got a friend who lives in NY and she’s always posting pictures of her and her dc out and about around the city.
Yabu to think you’ll be spending your time in museums and shops. When I went to NY many years ago, I spent a whole morning in MoMA and the afternoon and early part of the evening in the Met. I made the most of every minute because I knew it was a once in a lifetime trip and I wouldn’t be going back. I wouldn’t have been able to appreciate it at the level I had, if I’d had my DC.

Rysimo · 14/03/2021 16:54

I took DS1 to Boston at 18mths, just the two of us. We had a ball. Do it and thoroughly enjoy yourself.

abricotine · 14/03/2021 16:56

Wait! I took a ten month old but he has two older siblings. It was still hard. Not the easiest town to find good food with a stroller in tow. And the subways aren’t easy to navigate with a stroller and two of you. There really isn’t much he will enjoy and it will be a struggle for you too taking him everywhere. Spend your money doing something fun and relaxing for you both. Flying is hard at that age - it’s the worst when they are on the move but can’t be plugged into the tv! But even if the flight can be managed with snacks and a few toys, your destination will be super hard work. Sorry.

Enidblyton1 · 14/03/2021 16:56

Well you don’t have to wait until 18 Grin

My DC were brilliant fun in New York a couple of years ago when they were 5 and 8. We did museums, zoo etc
Would have been a lot less fun with a 15 month old - so I’d wait a few years.
But it depends on the temperament of your child to a large extent. If he would be fine on a long plane flight and the sort of child who is happy to spend hours in the pushchair while you walk around seeing the sights, you’ll be fine. My second child would have been happy to do this - my first definitely not!
If you want to see a new place every year I’d do places nearer to home until he’s 5 or 6, then travel further afield.

JessicaPeach · 14/03/2021 16:56

Go for it! We took our then 5yo in oct 19 and he loved it, would have been so easy with a lightweight pram when he was younger. I nearly took him again on my own in feb half term last year but was too worried about covid. Sort of wish I'd gone for it now as who knows when we might get there again.

londongirl12 · 14/03/2021 16:58

It would be fine to take them, but I personally wouldn't. New York has so much to see and do, I couldn't imagine doing it with my toddler. So many museums and galleries, cool places to eat. To experience it properly, I think it's for adults or (older children)

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 14/03/2021 16:59

Thank you. Seems a bit of a mixed bag of responses. I am itching to book it but maybe I should wait to see how Covid pans out this year. My baby currently is very chilled and laid back but obviously that could all change in a year!

OP posts:
Sunshinebunshine · 14/03/2021 16:59

I went to seattle... So even longer flight... With a 7 month old and travel loads in Europe. Think got to 16 flights in his 1st year. Think its easier when they are younger. With a 15 month old you cannot do everything you want but it will be great.

loveacupoftea18 · 14/03/2021 16:59

Do it, I took my 9 month old and it was great. I know she won't remember it but we have amazing photos and I loved being there with her.

abricotine · 14/03/2021 16:59

Boston would actually be a much better choice - smaller, easier to navigate, great kids’ museum, more welcoming generally.

JulesM73 · 14/03/2021 16:59

We did it when our DS was 15 months old and made sure we got bulkhead seats so got the cot for him to sleep in. He was great on the flight and loved it when we were there, everyone was great with him. We went to Central Park, the zoo, FAO Schwartz, the Met, the ferry, up the e pure state etc and I remember him loving it all. Do it.

Ellpellwood · 14/03/2021 17:03

New York, on jet lag, with a nearly toddler who may not be sleeping through and nobody to give you a nap if you need one. Not a chance I'd go!