To take the baby on holiday?

[PartyPlan]

Currently on maternity leave with 8 month old baby and need a change of scenery after a hard time recently. Have checked with DH and he is happy to look after older DC who would be at nursery during the week.

Is it a terrible idea to take the baby on a trip? It would be 3 nights to Spain or Portugal for ease and a quick flight. We live close by a big airport. Can do a few days for about £400 all inclusive. We are having a bigger family holiday later in the year too so DH and other DC wouldn’t miss out in that sense. We can afford this too. Baby is really chilled and goes with the flow for the most part so is a doddle in that sense.

I would love to wander around, sit by the pool and splash with the baby, read a book when he naps, have a glass of wine on the balcony.

Part of me thinks it’s a great idea to get away and another part feels guilty for leaving older DC but I’m not sure if I have blinkers on!

YABU - this is a terrible idea that is bound to go wrong
YANBU - go for it, YOLO

Corpse you have ignored me, why is it mean?

i know this is Mumsnet and no one else is supposed to hold your baby EVER but I have no issue with someone holding the baby while I nip to the loo. He really doesn’t care. He’d go off with the postman. When I travel, I take a big backpack and then a separate bag on buggy with everything I need for the baby. Buggy bag on handle with cards, money phone etc. it’s not as hard as people make out, honestly. I had to collapse the buggy on the train just last night, but DS just lay on the floor on a big muslin for a few seconds.

Agreed.

Really don't understand some of the takes on here. They seem a bit more against the idea of you possibly getting a break, and pretending it's because a small child (who will never remember) will feel abandoned (they wont).

@Skinnermarink huh?

Have a lovely time. Sounds fab

Why would OP be mental? Why just comment ‘are you mental?’ it just sounds really odd.

Oh sorry, I missed the contract we signed where you get to demand things aggressively and I'm obliged to answer them. Could you repost it? Ta.

I do not understand the mindset of those who think this is “mean” on a toddler who will have no idea.

Mum needs and can have a lovely rest/break and some time with chilled baby. Toddler will have lovely time at nursery and with daddy.

Absolutely go and have a lovely time.

@rainbowandglitter I think babies at that age; pre mobile , they nap , can’t wander off, don’t need much if any entertainment bar the simple things are a billion times easier than older babies. From 18 months to 3 years I found travelling really hard with that age group , post 4 years with all of mine is easier in lots of ways and pre one years old with one child was a walk in the park.

So I think it could be lovely , I took my babies everywhere with me pre one as all breastfed and although I didn’t have easy babies, they loved being in a sling so I could wander around book shops, have coffee etc . With one it’s v v v easy.

I think it sounds like a great idea, obviously you don’t get to relax in quite the same way as you would pre-dc but with a chilled baby you’re confident will be happy pottering with you then that’s as good as it gets for the chance for a change of scenery.

If you’re bothered by the balance make sure you’ve got a plan for something special to do with the older child in the following weeks but I wouldn’t be concerned too much.

@CorpseReviver It seems you’re just here for an argument rather than a discussion so I’m not engaging with you further.

Do it! Sounds like a fab, relaxing time .Enjoy!

You are weirdly aggressive. You were aggressive to the OP, you posted a meaningless point and don't have the ability to expand or back it up, odd.

Good point on the heat. I’ll have to double check weather before committing. There’s no point in going if we end up stuck in the hotel.

You want to go and your dh is OK with it so just go. You don't need random people's approval and are ignoring anyone who doesn't agree with you anyway. I wouldn't and my baby is the same age as yours but I have two other children and my son (nursery age) would struggle. If your older child wouldn't then go and enjoy yourself.

Hand on heart, I have never been to the toilet on a plane. I’ve never been on a long haul flight either but it’s never been an issue for me on even a four hour flight. Just go before if you’re concerned.

I have, however, been to the toilet holding a whingy baby with no intention of being put down. 🤷‍♀️

If a baby naps well and fairly reliably you’re probably going to be ‘watching’ them as much as you do at home but in nicer surroundings and options to do different things.

I also wouldn’t worry about conversation personally. Babies attract people to strike up conversations everywhere and I’m sure OP won’t be without her phone or WiFi.

No adult conversation for three days sounds wonderful, quite frankly.

Sounds lovely, why not?

Sure your bigger kid will survive this childhood trauma.

OMG, just do it. Being fair to your DC doesn't always mean things have to be equal.

I can't tell you how much I WISH DC1 had been like that and I would have been off but I couldn't leave the house overnight with him alone he was so bad at nights.

DC2 would have been a doddle but she was born during the worst of COVID and now I have a toddler to corral.

Go, and have a glass of wine for me!

I think some people are mixing up whether they would want to do this and whether OP is unreasonable for wanting to do it. I wouldn't particularly want to do it, but I can't see any reason why OP shouldn't.

Go for it. Sounds amazing

I don't know tbh. It just feels weird that you want to leave one child at home. I can't get my head past that bit really. I'd feel so bad and miss the older one terribly.

But it would not be relaxing with both kids compared to one easy baby.
OP, go for it and make the most of your last few months of maternity leave.

The older one has heaps of fun and quality one on one time with Dad.