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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask who's taken a baby on holiday and is it terrible?

125 replies

Lalalalalandy · 17/01/2022 22:18

Have the opportunity to go away this year in July when DC will be 1.5.

It's to Greece so would be hot but I'm not a massive beach/sunbather so no problem keeping in the shade.

Anyone done similar with a similar aged child? I want to go but at the same time am wondering if it would be a nightmare at that age?

I wouldn't be alone, would have family with me.

OP posts:

Thehop · 18/01/2022 12:17

I love going on holiday with mine as babies!

Genegenieee · 18/01/2022 12:42

I didn't enjoy holidays hugely with kids from when they started walking, to when they stopped having tantrums!

DD1 challenging holidays from 1 year, but fine by 2 years and 4 months. DD2, nightmare from 10 months until about 4. In both cases I'd have said 16 months to 20 months was the worst - no let up from charging around after a child who was either hellbent on wandering off or running at full pelt towards swimming pool / sea!

Best with extra pairs of hands! I am still glad I went but not my best holidays by any stretch

INeedNewShoes · 18/01/2022 12:52

DD and I had our first holiday when she was 16m. It was lovely actually and a long way from being a nightmare. She was excited by all of the new different stuff (the travel and staying somewhere new) and at that age was very portable so we could do our usual walking around town, having meals out etc. and she was content in the buggy. She thought the sea was brilliant but it was very much short, sweet trips to the beach rather than spending hours there.

Top tips would be a good SAFE sun shade for the pushchair (beware using anything the restricts air flow as it'll get dangerously hot under it very quickly) - we used an umbrella.

Take some sachets of calpol as paracetamol is sold differently outside the UK and you don't want to be reading dosage instructions in a foreign language (unless you speak it of course)

Expect to need to be back at your accommodation in the heat of the day and take enough entertainment for DD.

WakeUpLockie · 18/01/2022 12:58

Greece is nothing, you’ll be fine!! It will be great. As long as you’ve got a pool.

ticklishfingers · 18/01/2022 13:07

When ds was a baby it was all fine as we liked travelling a lot but then from crawling to toddlerhood it was a bloody nightmare. I was literally like helicopter following him around and pulling him away from the pool and just going round and around the hotel where he simply just wanted to jump in the 2m pool.

I went to mostly all inclusive hotels where there were food always available and ds used to love watermelon slices so when he kicked off, instead of finding a supermarket and buying a whole damn watermelon and trying to cut it where no else would eat, the hotels would have a wide selection of these always available and any other snack that would be available to distract him.

For activities wise, I used to take him to the hotels park , kids pool, indoor play area so the actual holiday was just about him. Did I get any benefit from it? No, apart from a change of scenery and swapping shifts with DH where I could sunbathe and swim for a couple of hours, have a reason to dress in nice summer dress and do makeup and just gradually tan and not worry about cooking. These were the only enjoyments I had.

City breaks were the worse although all the countries we have been to had excellent local parks and ds loved mingling with local kids but we were never able to do usual museum visits, it was generally a city stroll with the pushchair after we tired him out in the park. You get used to it I guess to lower your expectations for a amazing instagram like holiday 🤷‍♀️

DisneyMillie · 18/01/2022 13:08

We’ve holidayed with dd1 and dd2 since they were 5 months - all over - I took an 18th old dd1 to Disneyland Paris on my own and flew on my own (dh got different flight) with both girls to USA when oldest was 7 and youngest 18 months with no problem. Lots of snacks / books / stickers and a charged iPad and all was fine.

I think it depends on what you want from a holiday - I personally hate “relaxing” holidays - tried it once - we both were going potty after 2 days by the pool. So for us we’re road tripping / looking round museums / churches / theme parks etc with an hour or two in the pool each day. Early to bed and early up suits us too and we’re not bothered by drinking in bars etc. I can see if I was someone who liked to sunbathe / drink I might have had different feelings.

We’ve always had brilliant holidays with kids - they love walking round looking at things / new food / swimming etc etc

ticklishfingers · 18/01/2022 13:15

Also I used to calculate how many nappies I would use a day and then multiply that by what if he caught a bug and had diarrhoea or got his nappies dirty or wet and simply needed a change as I didn't want to be wondering around supermarkets finding the usual ones we use. I would also pack 2-3 days worth in our hand luggage in case the luggage didn't turn up. And to be honest, every holiday we have been to the main large supermarkets were miles away and small shops wouldn't sell his size or the have the brand we normally use.

Towards the end of our holiday, ds luggage would get lighter and more space would be available as we have used his nappies so there would be space to buy presents

I would also pack calpol, thermometer and the usual stuff we would normally keep topped up home in case he was ill. I also used to buy toys and buckets and spades and leave it with the hotel for other kids to play with as I didn't want to take it home.

Polyethyl · 18/01/2022 13:17

When DD was 7mo we went to Italy to see the Etruscan tomb paintings. (I think not many babies have been in quite so many tombs!)

Virtually every restaurant we went to (all in rural areas) my DD was swept out of my arms by the waitress with cries of Bella Bambina! DH and I were able to eat enjoying each other's adult conversation and with both our hands free to hold our cutlery. Then DD was returned to us when we called for the bill, having been spoilt rotten by the restaurants' grandmothers and lapped up the attention. Everyone happy. Large tips given. Happened several times.

Want to have a lovely holiday, with a beautiful baby? Go to rural Italy.

Dogsandbabies · 18/01/2022 13:19

Three children here. Never stopped going on holiday. The first was when DD was 4 months. This summer will be the first with three. The little ones will be 3 and 9 months.

We have always had a lovely time and enjoyed our holidays.

Thetigerdrankmywine · 18/01/2022 13:23

It was easier taking babies and toddlers abroad than it was taking a 2 and 4 year old to Cornwall.

We learned our lesson.

Did ai until kids would reliably eat decent food, then sc in Greece all the way. Just let the kids use devices on the plane. As they got older, they had a bag with snacks etc in, so they didn't even need to bother me. I always sit on the opposite aisle to the kids, so they're their dad's responsibility on the plane

NoLongerTroels · 18/01/2022 13:24

I took Dd who was 2 along with her one brother who was 10 and my mother to Spain, had a great time. She used to stay awake till midnight and sleep late then take an afternoon nap in the pushchair. None of it planned by me, she just fell into that routine, but managed to jump right back to normal times once home. I thought it was great at the time, but realise not all toddlers will adapt like that,

Whoopsies · 18/01/2022 13:26

I took ds1 to Egypt when he was 18 months, it was fab! We really enjoyed it. I would definitely have taken ds2 away by now if it wasn't for covid!!

Caspianberg · 18/01/2022 13:37

It’s been fine tbh. Ds is 1 1/2 so all travel during covid as well, and it’s not been an issue.
2 weeks flight and road trip to visit family - so 4/5 locations over the 2 weeks

A couple of short flights within Europe. Usually to a city.

Long drive the last few weeks. Stayed in x2 hotels and one villa.

All a holiday, all better than just staying at home. We booked whatever we could to suit ds better ie better flight times, hotels with space and facilities to suit.

Isaw3ships · 18/01/2022 13:42

Travelled with both kids from a few months old,
always had a great time.
Depends what you want, if your the type to sleep on a sun lounger all day, and drink in the evenings then you’re in for a shock.
But if you’re happy to adjust to early mornings, instead of late nights, to family meals at odd times, a drink in your room or balcony rather than out in a bar you’ll be fine.you just need to take things at the kid’s pace but we’ve always had great holidays with our children, including long haul.

Volhhg · 18/01/2022 13:46

I took my then 4 year old and 1 and a half year old to Greece in August once. She sat on my knee the whole flight, it was fine. I think that's an easier age because they still nap and mine were happy to sit in the buggy whilst I wandered round. I do like hot countries and hot weather in general.

Isaw3ships · 18/01/2022 13:46

When you’re with young kids you end up having experiences that you wouldn’t normally as adults, and you get to see things from their POV which can deffo be interesting.
You also get to spend a lot more time in the pool!
I’ve found that we get to know locals more with kids in tow, as people
Tend to talk to them and engage with them more than with adults only.

Isaw3ships · 18/01/2022 14:21

Should have added that we always went self catering when kids were little, and still mostly do now. Just found it cheaper/easier to do things at our own pace …

gogohm · 18/01/2022 14:59

Look mine on lots of holidays, at 1.5 we did a 2500 mile road trip around the sw USA, following year i backpacked with them

MissAmbrosia · 18/01/2022 15:03

We took mine from 4 months old to France/Italy/Spain and it was mostly lovely. Always did self catering and drove more than we flew - but she would always sleep on a short haul flight. Gentle sandy beaches/decent kids pool were the main criteria. We would take it turns to paddle/build sand castles whilst the other sunbathed. Nice lunch and then an afternoon nap - in the buggy or in the apartment. Evenings we would play by ear whether to eat in or out. When she was tiny we would get her ready for bed, pop her in the buggy and go for a stroll and a drink. If she was happy we would grab a meal out, if not we'd get a pizza or make something. When she was older she was usually happy to eat with us and take part in whatever entertainment was on offer. Kids clubs from about 5 or so for a couple of hours. Normally would have to drag her out of the pool.

Holidays only became difficult when she hit about 13, 14 as then she would be bored, or hot and less keen on the kids clubs. So we stopped doing beach holidays and did more city break type things. I miss the lazy pool days.

TheNoodlesIncident · 18/01/2022 21:27

We took our DS to Greece when he was very young, although I think a bit older than yours. We brought a screen/tablet with CBeebies for on the plane, as well as a few new interesting toys and we didn't have any problems with him at all.

He wore a t-shirt at all times even in the sea, so we took plenty of those as we got through a few/couple every day. We ran out of nappies but every supermarket had Pampers. At that age everything, even the mundane, is totally engrossing to little kids; even the ramps and wall lights kept him happy. Like your dc, he just loved being out and about, seeing the scenery. There are swing parks around often, he greeted those with joy. He'd grown out of mid-day naps but we usually sat in a restaurant with a leisurely lunch through the hottest part of the day (or else were in our apartment for then).

Our apartment block had a pool but we didn't use that as the beach was close by, and the water was a lot shallower and better for toddlers. We had a little inflatable pool float like a car and he loved being in that.

The Greeks generally adore babies and DS had people cooing over him all the time, I've no doubt it will be the same for you.

GrandTheftWalrus · 18/01/2022 21:53

We are taking our 2 dds to the canary Islands in September. I'm looking forward to and dreading it a bit at the same time lol.

DD1 will be 5. And dd2 will be 16 months

Shitandhills · 18/01/2022 22:35

1.5 should be fine, although the journey could be uncomfortable as will be on your knee on the plane. My 2 year old had croup on holiday in Spain last year and it was scary and draining, but actually I think having other people there meant we got off lighter than we would have at home...

user2908143823142536475859708 · 18/01/2022 22:38

My kids have been on holiday from 3 weeks old. It's fine as long as you pack what they will need. The rest can be bought when you're away. It will be fine.

MerryMarigold · 18/01/2022 22:41

Do it!

Took ds1 aged 6 months to Crete. Had best time

Took twins agreed 6 months to Turkey. Had best time.

Took twins aged 1.5 to Sri Lanka. Had best time!

They are very relaxed in the sun and warmth. Will love pools and afternoon naps (either in buggy or with you!).

UndertheCedartree · 18/01/2022 22:44

As long as you don't expect a pre-child holiday I've found it fine going abroad with babies. You say you will have family. Will they help out? If so even better!

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