To think it's cruel to take a 9 month old baby abroad

[Cherryblossom90]

Recently been on three week holiday abroad with DH and 9 month old baby to see our extended family.

Baby was fine in terms of sleep, eating etc but due to hot weather abroad she was stuck in doors with me/DH/other family member for most of the day. She seemed just gentally miserable not her Usual self at all (more quiet and clingy, mainly) she's been back to usual self since being back. I really regret going actually even though the adults had a nice time I feel it was a bit selfish and I feel we shouldn't have gone.

Just curious how others justify taking a baby abroad on a long plane journey, to a hot country when it's so unpleasant for the baby?

Am I being unreasonable to think it's cruel to take a baby abroad?

."..until she is old enough to be reasoned with ..."
I think you might be waiting a long time.

By the time my mother could reason with me, she was too old to be reasoned with.

I can be assure you that by 4 years old, when they move like lightening, drop naps, actually refuse foods that are new and delicious and constantly shout 'mummy watch this' you'll realise babies on holidays are so much easier than actual walking/talking children!

So in summary it’s cruel to allow children to see new places, eat new foods or meet new people - family included.

Ridiculous. Went away several times with DS when he was 5 months, 7 months and 13 months. He loved it. They're not hot in the pool or under the umbrella in a nappy. Had a fan on the pram and umbrella.

You'd do better to wait until they're old enough to be shoved in the kids club and then travel somewhere with a good one.

I still cant reason with my 6 year old over holidays and why they are different to being at home !
Doesn't stop us going away tho. You just have to make the most of the phase you are in.

I took mine a couple of times a year long haul as I lived overseas, no problems at all. I don't see the issue

LOL. At 3 or 4 it will be much more difficult to reason with her about most of that 🤣🤣🤣

No - but they’re used to the range of leather they’ve experienced so far - no way I would have taken a young child to a hot country.

OP, we took DS2 at 6 months to euro camp in northern France and Disneyland Paris- that was great.

Abroad is quite a big place.

I took DD to Sydney when she was 11 months old. It was fine, even though she was going through a phase of taking off hats and socks and throwing them away. I went through at least three sunhats while we were there. I just got a parasol to cover the pushchair and was assiduous with the sun block.

Lol we've been away with my 6 month old for half his life so far.. due to staying with family abroad and another place. Lots of babies are brought up in hot countries and kids are adaptable. They don't know any different. It's far from cruel. But if it doesn't work for you, that's okay, just don't do it. I think 4 years is a good age if that's what you prefer.

Cruel? Jesus Christ.

But it wasn’t time alone as a family. It was a long haul flight to a hot country doing the rounds of different relies. (Her DH’s relies). I’m sure OP and baby would be perfectly happy on some of the lovely holidays PPs are describing. The baby would have got nothing from the trip, a 3 or 4 year old might get some enjoyment and memories.

OP, is DH’s home country seasonal or is it hot all year round? If seasonal, if you go again, you could make it a cooler time of year.

Further details are in the OP. Don’t just go by the thread title!

@CecilyP completely agree, I said that in my first post. My second was in response to not having a holiday until the child is 3.

HeadNorth · Yesterday 09:20
I think cruel is a strong word, but it certainly isn’t for the baby’s benefit. Yes, babies live in hot countries, but if you are a pale skinned Celt used to chilly Scottish summers going to the Med is going to be a struggle

Being pale skinned and growing up in a cold climate doesn’t mean you will struggle in hot weather

I hate the cold climate of the Uk and actually thrive in 40 degree +

If you want a 3 or 4 year old to be better with ‘new foods’, warmer weather and travelling you’re best off getting them used to it from an early age tbh. My two year old eats most things and thrives on holidays!

Took mine at 6 months to the med, the following years before he started school Australia, Mexico, Rome, Spain. He was portable and as long as he had someone keeping an eye on humidity and shade he was fine. I am always careful to book where I know there is a Dr even now at 8.

That pre school time is golden. Don’t waste it worrying. Be sensible and all will be well,

Yes I think it's pretty cruel if they're not used to the climate.

I've seen people take babies to all sorts of miserable places recently. Shopping centres, supermarkets, in a pram walking alongside a dual carriageway. They're so overstimulated and often screaming.

Aspierational So how do people shop if you can’t go to a supermarket or shopping mall for years. Are you saying everyone with a child under 3 should stay indoors

My babies went abroad from about 2 or 3 months old. I justify it because they have always been perfectly happy on holiday, and really enjoyed them in fact as they grew older (certainly by 9 months). They don’t mind the heat (obviously we stayed in the shade quite a bit, but not indoors), loved swimming in the pool, and enjoyed the trips out and about. All babies are different, and perhaps yours was upset by the change in location and routine, but lots aren’t so no I don’t think it’s cruel at all. My boys are a bit older now (preteens) and love looking at the photos of themselves on holidays when they were vagaries / toddlers. The only time we’ve left them behind is skiing hols when they were under 3, as they couldn’t learn to ski really so we left them with grandparents.

Eh?
WTF?
Ds2 was tiny when we went on holiday to Ibiza. Santa euralia. Good time had by all.

You sound neurotic. Kids adapt. Go again. asap.

My babies loved being on holiday. The heat never bothered them and they adapted well to new places. My dm’s home country was a particular treat as they love babies there. In restaurants mine were often swept off with the server to meet other baby loving members of the team while we were left to enjoy an adult meal! Many Caribbean countries are similar.

I’m still not sure if we were just lucky or if it’s because we took them both away as soon as possible but our holidays when the kids were small were wonderful.