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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you take a 6 week old on holiday?

218 replies

MamaFoxToBe · 13/03/2022 18:41

I'm currently pregnant with my first baby and due in mid September. Went for a meal with the in-laws today and MIL said they've booked a caravan in North Wales for the first week of Nov and they'd love for us to join them. She said she would even watch the baby in the evening if we wanted to go off and watch the entertainment etc.

I can't imagine wanting to go away six weeks after giving birth, let alone leaving the baby that early! And surely they don't want a screaming baby spoiling their sleep while they're on holiday too 🤣 I'm just thinking it's a lot of hassle with such a new baby but she seemed really keen for us to go too even though she did say she'd understand if we said no.

OP posts:
DirtyDancing · 13/03/2022 18:59

First born no I couldn't have done it. At 6 weeks my mastitis was terrible and I was hallucinating. He wouldn't sleep & I was still recovering from my vaginal tear & birth.

Second born perhaps, she was a bit easier but I was knackered.

In summary no I personally couldn't

PiesNotGuys · 13/03/2022 19:00

Yes I would and have.

One DC was camping at five weeks old.

I left one DC overnight at six weeks old.

It’s OK to do what suits you though why not leave it till closer to the time

LethargeMarg · 13/03/2022 19:01

Practically it's doable but emotionally I would have hated it. As others have said you'll want your home comforts and you'll be knackered. Things like baby baths will be awkward in a caravan and laundry for young babies can be pretty constant which isn't easy in a caravan .

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 13/03/2022 19:01

I mean, I don’t fancy a caravan at any point, but having a small baby isn’t the reason.

I happily took my DC away at that age, and did long haul overseas before they were 3 months.

On MN i repeatedly see women talk about not being able to get dressed, not having brushed their hair or drink a coffee still hot for months. I read about women who are “bleeding everywhere”, crying all the time, sitting on the sofa unable to leave their baby for ten mins.

That’s absolutely fine that that was their experience. I will say that that is not the experience I have had at all- you may feel like those women, or you may not.

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 13/03/2022 19:02

Again- all this “you will want your home comforts and you will be knackered”.

OP might be. Or she might not. I don’t presume she will be absolutely fine like I was, I don’t know why posters (not just this thread but 100s like it) assume OP will definitely be like them.

Original poster
MamaFoxToBe · 13/03/2022 19:04

They've already booked the caravan and they want us to let them know by the end of sept if we'll be joining them or not.

OP posts:
Feeellostindirection · 13/03/2022 19:04

Went to a works Xmas do in London with dp (live up north) when my first dc was 8 weeks old and left them with dm, who was perfectly capable of looking after them. Had a brilliant time and slept without being woken up which was a real treat. Took second dc to a holiday park in UK when they were 2 weeks old (dp stayed home as had to work), with family, didn't leave them to go out this time for a night out as was still recovering from the birth, however did enjoy the break and was nice having dm and ds around to take the baby for a few hours here and there. Go for it and enjoy it, supposing you feel well enough.

Rainbowshit · 13/03/2022 19:04

I took DD to Rome when she was 8weeks old. They're so portable at that age. Much easier than when they get to 6months

Original poster
MamaFoxToBe · 13/03/2022 19:05

Thanks all for the replies. I think it's probably going to be a no, especially as I'm hoping to breastfeed but I will see how I'm feeling closer to the time and depending on if baby is early or late, how the birth goes and how I'm managing with it all.
I also hadn't thought about how cold a caravan in Nov would be so thanks to those who mentioned that.

OP posts:
Deinonychus · 13/03/2022 19:05

I took my second baby away to a villa holiday at 8 weeks old - my thinking was if I was going to be sat around breastfeeding I may as well do it around a pool and in the sunshine and it was fab, DS1 had a lovely time too.

Not sure I would do it in a caravan - will it be relaxing? Will a small baby wake up other people/family members and make you stressed?

Blossomtoes · 13/03/2022 19:07

It might be fine or it might be horrendous. This side of the birth you can’t tell. My first wouldn’t have woken anyone up, he was sleeping from midnight to 6am at six weeks. And, yes, I’m well aware I was lucky but you might be too.

waitingpatientlyforspring · 13/03/2022 19:10

We went to centre parcs with 8 weeks old and 21 month old. It was great. Didn't leave kids with in laws as they were too little and was breastfeeding but it was nice to be away and spend time together.

PerfectlyImperfectIsMe · 13/03/2022 19:11

A bit different as it was my parents not my in laws but we went away for a few days when our eldest was 12 weeks old. We had a lovely time as he slept in the pram a lot while we wandered round where we wanted to go. They had to put up withh nights feeds and stopping somewhere every 3 hours for a feed but they didn't seem to mind!

Although we did go and stay with my in laws when our eldest was about 8 weeks old too and that was also fine!

BakedTattie · 13/03/2022 19:11

A caravan, with your in laws? Hell no.

A lovely luxury hotel maybe. But no way a caravan.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/03/2022 19:12

I went on a caravan holiday also in North Wales with my six week old twins. Also their siblings age 2,3,9,15 and my older daughters friend. Had a lovely time.

Imjkrowling · 13/03/2022 19:12

We took our six week old baby on a five night European city break from the uk. He was still up feeding in the night and I was still recovering from a section. We took it easy and had a great time. A tiny baby is a lot easier than a toddler when travelling.

PhileasPhilby · 13/03/2022 19:12

I did this with both dc - think dc1 was 4 weeks & dc2 2 weeks when we first went on holiday (he was late so was supposed to be 4 weeks too!). It worked for us so I don’t think it’s crazy but if you don’t want to, then don’t. I really liked the extra support of people around to help out, do all the cooking etc.

Peanutbuttercupisyum · 13/03/2022 19:13

With a second third or fourth etc, yes. You have to entertain the siblings anyway and it means you’ll have another pair of hands. With a first, it sounds more effort than it’s worth xx

Orangestars738 · 13/03/2022 19:16

My dc3 is 5 weeks old and I would happily go on holiday right now. But no way to a caravan where I’d be sharing with the in-laws!

TheSnowyOwl · 13/03/2022 19:19

Very young babies are incredibly portable and easy to take on holiday. It’s once they are toddlers that holidays are much harder work.

VampireMoney · 13/03/2022 19:21

Took my 3 at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 9 weeks respectively. Stayed in a caravan with my parents and in-laws. It was fab!

Staryflight445 · 13/03/2022 19:22

You wouldn’t want a newborn in a caravan during winter.
I wouldn’t have been able to go after the birth of my first, she also hated not being in our arms so the travelling would’ve been hell.

Second- I could’ve gone but wouldn’t enjoy it. It takes a good 12 weeks I’d say to settle down hormonally and feel more yourself.

nancy75 · 13/03/2022 19:27

For a once in a lifetime holiday somewhere hot I might consider it, for a freezing week in a caravan? Not a chance!
As many others have said your 6 week old might only be a 4 week old - my Dd was 11 days late

GettingItOutThere · 13/03/2022 19:27

god no not in a caravan!!

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 13/03/2022 19:28

Didn't even think entertainment was on in November!!