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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you take four month old to a far away island holiday ?

35 replies

meui · 05/08/2022 16:41

Or is this unreasonable ?

I'm thinking Caribbean or somewhere like that. Or Mexico.

It's too risky right, in case baby should get sick ? Or is that silly ? I would feel safer with a European destination - Spain, Italy, France and maybe Greece. But no islands, just mainland.

Or is that ridiculous ? I'm thinking in case baby gets sick, it's better to be near bigger hospitals, so not on an island.

OP posts:
Bunnycat101 · 05/08/2022 16:55

I personally wouldn’t have fancied the flight at that age to do long haul. You just have to be realistic when travelling with babies and small children that it is not a holiday as you’ve previously known them. I took my eldest away to Europe at 11m and 2. 11m was hard but did get a chance to chill for a few hours as she was having good naps. Villa might be easier than hotel if you’ve got a baby that likes cot naps. Because of covid my youngest didn’t go on holiday until she was 3.

I always travel with thermometer, calpol etc. If you’re thinking 4ms you’d want to think about timings re vaccinations. I wouldn’t want to go on a plane until the 16 week vaccinations had happened and would ideally want to wait at least at week in case of irritability post jabs before flying.

NewIdeasToday · 05/08/2022 16:58

I wonder what you’d actually do once you’re there?

I love spending hours on Caribbean beaches and swimming in the beautiful sea. But that’s not really practical with a small baby that you’d have to keep out the sun.

SeaToSki · 05/08/2022 16:58

The Caribbean counts as short haul for us! You are very close to the major hospitals in Miami, and that is where you would be transferred if you needed expert care (and they all speak English which is helpful). Why dont you look at the BVIs. Lovely Islands, very child friendly and very used to Brits visiting

GrandSlamFinalee · 05/08/2022 16:58

Some of the best hospitals in my country of origin are on islands, not the mainland. As long as there are decent facilities and quick access to some basic healthcare, I would go wherever. You don’t need a research world-leading hospital on your doorstep every time.

Alfenstein · 05/08/2022 17:00

How is Mexico a far away island 

You're being ridiculous

MajorCarolDanvers · 05/08/2022 17:03

I would not have enjoyed a long haul flight with a baby. They sit on your lap the whole way.

I did mine to at 10 months to (DS) Menorca and (DD) Turkey.

I am not sure why you are worrying about islands. Unless you go somewhere really remote. The Balearics, Canaries etc all have hospitals on the islands.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 05/08/2022 17:06

Sounds gorgeous, I’ve got an eight month old and I’d do it with her at 4 mths but not with my first baby as he was refluxy and going Ireland to UK for Christmas at 4 mths was bad enough for getting carobel.

Odile13 · 05/08/2022 17:08

No I wouldn’t. I didn’t feel ready to go anywhere far afield with my baby at 4 months. That’s just me though, other people don’t worry as much and are more laid back, so it depends what your personality is!

Saracen · 05/08/2022 17:49

Unless you are somewhere really remote, you'll be able to get to a good hospital.

I think 4mo is a good age for travel, before they are so mobile that long-haul flying is a huge challenge.

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/08/2022 18:03

Some places have exceptional healthcare (Thailand) some don't (the UK Shock) so you go where there is good healthcare.

GoingBacktoSchool123 · 05/08/2022 18:12

Mauritius is an awesome place to go with a baby. They love kids so much they practically begged to carry my DC from the plan. Babysitters galore to give you some relaxation time. Have a look at Anahita resort as a start.

I don't think the water in Mexico is drinkable so worth thinking about if you are formula feeding. Or maybe it is when boiled?

Blaggertyjibbet · 05/08/2022 18:21

I took mine on just such a holiday at 3 months. It was amazing. At that age they sleep loads, so the plane ride is fine, and they already have a weird sleep schedule, so jet lag doesn’t really affect you because you are already waking up around the clock. Getting away to a nice resort was absolutely wonderful and made us feel human again. The worst time to take kids on a long haul trip, imo, is around 16 months-2.5 years age bracket. ‘Lap infants’ who are super active, generally unreasonable, and whose happiness relies on a schedule are the WORST with jet lag and sitting on a long haul flight. <speaks from bitter experience>

Bernadinetta · 05/08/2022 18:25

With regards to the journey, I took DD1 to Canada (3 connecting flights) to visit family at 4 months- it was waaaaay easier on that trip than the subsequent ones at ages 2 and 5. She couldn’t move anywhere, couldn’t run around, no toddler meltdowns, was tiny and light to carry around airport in a sling, breastfed so didn’t need any snacks, solids etc and she slept on me loads.
Can’t comment on remoteness of location.

Newusername3kidss · 05/08/2022 18:40

Took our 2nd baby when he was two months old to Jamaica (older brother was 2) and he was an absolute dream. Slept most of flight and then on holiday just chilled!! I was breastfeeding which made it super easy. Wish we had done long haul with our first but we were too nervous so I get it as it sounds it’s your first baby

StiggyZardust · 05/08/2022 18:54

We went to Mauritius when DS was slightly older. Really easy, he slept for most of the flight.

NewYorkLassie · 05/08/2022 18:58

I wouldn’t but not due to health concerns. The jet lag will destroy you. I got so sick of getting up and 4am every morning on holiday, they never managed to get onto Caribbean time in the 7 days we were there. It also seemed to completely fuck their sleep so if yours is a good sleeper I wouldn’t risk it.

Algbu6 · 05/08/2022 19:08

If you have a good baby most of the time I would do it. Around 19months to toddler stage is the absolute hardest to settle a baby on a plane. I had this issue with DS to Jamaica going was a nightmare and coming back was not as bad but it was not great!

DS also had pain in his ear when we went to DR ... the hotel reception were fab I phoned a pharmacy and was asked some questions and I paid for antibiotics around £35. The service was fab... much more efficient than UK... I'm grateful I managed to them so quick and DS perked up the next day or so.

If your going with someone of a group... you could take turns with DC.

nounderwire · 05/08/2022 19:13

I would think it's a great time to go to a place like that with a baby! If they don't have any major sleep/reflux issues I imagine they'll be chilled and will snooze their way through the holiday

YukoandHiro · 05/08/2022 19:20

Have you had the baby yet? The prospect of a long (or medium) haul trip might seem very different when they are here, depending on temperament/needs etc.
I did my first family trip to Derbyshire when eldest was 7 months and frankly that was more than enough (and not enjoyable)

Immaterialatthispoint · 05/08/2022 19:25

i took mine at 12 weeks to the Far East, island hopping. It was amazing. Yes, she was actually unwell at one point, but we saw a fab paediatrician the hotel found for us, got some cream for her rash and that was that. Far better than we would have had here- when did the nhs send a paediatrician to your own house at 1 hours notice for a rash? It cost about £50. Including the cream.

awwbiscuits · 05/08/2022 19:38

I took mine to Morocco at 8-9 weeks old. Not as far afield but still about 4 hours. It was really good and took the fear of travelling away.

HungryandIknowit · 05/08/2022 19:38

I probably wouldn't bother going anywhere too hot with a baby because of the hassle of keeping them covered up and out of the sun. Otherwise, provided there's decent healthcare within a reasonable distance I wouldn't worry about it.

Original poster
meui · 05/08/2022 22:00

YukoandHiro · 05/08/2022 19:20

Have you had the baby yet? The prospect of a long (or medium) haul trip might seem very different when they are here, depending on temperament/needs etc.
I did my first family trip to Derbyshire when eldest was 7 months and frankly that was more than enough (and not enjoyable)

Yeah I've had the baby. We've also already been away short haul, which was fine !

I'm thinking short haul now, because of our toddler who's going to kill us on a ten hour flight.

OP posts:
Original poster
meui · 05/08/2022 22:01

NewYorkLassie · 05/08/2022 18:58

I wouldn’t but not due to health concerns. The jet lag will destroy you. I got so sick of getting up and 4am every morning on holiday, they never managed to get onto Caribbean time in the 7 days we were there. It also seemed to completely fuck their sleep so if yours is a good sleeper I wouldn’t risk it.

Very very good point

OP posts:
MumofSpud · 05/08/2022 22:18

My DS took his baby to Mexico when she was 4 months old - I was a bit Confused at this idea but agree that a long haul flight is easier with an immobile baby!
But on his return he said that they might as well have gone to Spain etc as they didn't see much of Mexico!