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AIBU?

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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:
Babyboomtastic · 14/03/2022 10:39

Having a baby means weeks of incapacitation while leaking from every orifice

No, it may mean that, but it may not. I was not incapacitated bar the first 2 days (planned section) and by day 10, was not leaking from any orifice, and when before that i was, well, its no different from periods and I've managed with them all my life.

Some people will be incapacitated. Some people will not. I dont think this is something you can generalise about.

TheOrigRights · 14/03/2022 10:57

@Babyboomtastic

Having a baby means weeks of incapacitation while leaking from every orifice

No, it may mean that, but it may not. I was not incapacitated bar the first 2 days (planned section) and by day 10, was not leaking from any orifice, and when before that i was, well, its no different from periods and I've managed with them all my life.

Some people will be incapacitated. Some people will not. I dont think this is something you can generalise about.

The incapacitation statement was facetious. Read back.
Staryflight445 · 14/03/2022 11:24

I don’t understand the ‘people will help with the baby’ comments.

Colic is horrendous, both my children suffered with it. Horrendous crying for 2 hours straight a night bang on 7pm.

I wouldn’t want to hand my baby to someone else during this time of learning.
You’re still bonding.

coloradoqueen · 14/03/2022 11:28

To a lovely spacious cottage in the summer, maybe. To a cramped caravan in wet Wales in November, not so much.

zafferana · 14/03/2022 11:30

A caravan in North Wales in November with the ILs and a new baby sounds like a unique kind of torture to me! I can just imagine cold, wet, screaming baby, steamed up windows and everyone on top of each other. Bleugh!

Belladonna12 · 14/03/2022 11:32

@coloradoqueen

To a lovely spacious cottage in the summer, maybe. To a cramped caravan in wet Wales in November, not so much.
How do you know it will be cramped though?!
Belladonna12 · 14/03/2022 11:37

@Staryflight445

I don’t understand the ‘people will help with the baby’ comments.

Colic is horrendous, both my children suffered with it. Horrendous crying for 2 hours straight a night bang on 7pm.

I wouldn’t want to hand my baby to someone else during this time of learning.
You’re still bonding.

OP's baby might not have colic though. Not all babies do. That is why it would be a good idea to wait and see how she feels at the time. As for "not handing your baby to anyone else", surely you don't have to be attached to them to them for 24-hours a day to bond? Doesn't your DH ever hold your baby?
CantStandMeCow · 14/03/2022 11:52

Still potentially loads of bleeding at that stage. I’d feel a bit rotten in a caravan.

PainterMummy · 14/03/2022 12:17

I went away to visit family in my home country with an 8 week old and 4 year old. I was very relaxed and I think baby picks up on that. I would not have been able to do that with my first baby.

Greenhippoblue · 14/03/2022 13:19

If it's already booked why do they need to know in September? Can't you just decide once the baby is here?

We flew with DC1 to NI at 3 weeks, she wasn't even registered. It was for a funeral which happened 3 days after my uncle passed so all very last minute - it was totally fine. Baby slept the whole time, everyone got lots of cuddles and to meet family. But we stayed with relatives who had lots of space.

I love caravans, we stay in one for at least a week each year, took DC2 for a week in Norfolk when they were 7 weeks. All good, lovely memories.

HOWEVER - November in a caravan with the in laws at 6 weeks pp with first baby? Not a chance in hell, for me.

megletthesecond · 14/03/2022 13:22

No. Not in a caravan.

I was in pain and needed home comforts at that stage.

KatyRebecca84 · 14/03/2022 13:26

No way.
At 6 weeks I was terribly exhausted and feeding 24/7. I would not want to be in a caravan in November?! It would be freezing! With my MIL .. definitely not! Depends how chilled you are!

sausagesandchamp · 14/03/2022 13:29

In summer, yes, possibly. In November, no. Who leaves the 'warm' caravan if baby is screaming. And what do you do with baby all day in the cold? I probably wouldn't.

AryaStarkWolf · 14/03/2022 13:31

Depends really, how you're feeling, how good the baby is for sleeping etc

hookiewookie29 · 14/03/2022 13:38

I was back at work 10 days after my daughter was born.
6 week old babies are a lot easier than bigger children- and cheaper!

Yamyam13 · 14/03/2022 15:03

Reading all the comments, it’s reminded me thst everyone’s preferences are so different, and experiences.
If you are someone who likes to have people around you, likes to stay busy etc. it may work for you (if your birth & feeding is straightforward). My best friend is like that, even when she’s feeling low or totally exhausted and fed up, she will want to have people over or meet up with friends/family. I’m the opposite! I like to hunker down at home. She is also someone who will make plans even though they are quite ambitious in terms of timing, kids etc and just power through them as to her it’s worth the stress/discomfort, whereas I often think more ahead, am realistic about the scenario, and don’t think it’s worth it!
Depends your personality I think?

RampantIvy · 14/03/2022 16:49

I was back at work 10 days after my daughter was born.

Didn't you get any maternity leave?

CantStandMeCow · 14/03/2022 18:10

@Yamyam13 Totally. I think it can be exhausting for an introvert to keep all that stuff up.

Desmondo2021 · 14/03/2022 18:26

I went to France with a 6 week old and a toilet training 2 year old who ended up having a nasty allergic reaction to something and a stay in a French hospital. That was a fun holiday!!
But yes, absolutely I would.

Heartofglass12345 · 14/03/2022 18:33

I would but it's going to be freezing in the night in wales in November in a caravan. Does it have central heating?

Heartofglass12345 · 14/03/2022 18:34

Look at me not reading the full thread BlushGrin

mizzo · 14/03/2022 18:39

How long would your journey be?
We had a couple of nights with PIL at their caravan when DC1 was about 3 weeks but it was only an hour away from home. It was fine but tbh a couple of nights with PIL faffing was enough.

We had what was supposed to be a week in a caravan when DC4 was 4 weeks old and it was the worst holiday I've ever been on! That was mostly due to ridiculously bad weather and a toddler intent on either trying to deconstruct the caravan or drown himself in the sea between bouts of screaming HmmThe newborn was no bother.

notanothertakeaway · 14/03/2022 18:39

It would be a no from me

Might it be possible to wait and make a decision after baby arrives?

Frenchie8690 · 14/03/2022 18:41

Carribbean resort with nanny service - yes.
Shared caravan in the UK in November - no way.

balalake · 14/03/2022 18:41

I would to visit family, but at their house where I was familiar with everything. No way would I consider a caravan anywhere in November.

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