Am I mad to consider this with a newborn?

[Planningatrip]

We’re wondering if it’s going to be feasible to go up to Scotland to see family this Christmas, and make a little weekend out of it perhaps and potter round the Christmas markets. If we did this we would be staying in a hotel/AirBnb for 2 or 3 nights and so would need to drive up in order to fit our pram and travel cot in. It’s a 3 hour drive, so we’d obviously have to stop several times.

Our baby could be anywhere between 5 and 8 weeks old, depending on when she’s born.

Naively I’m thinking this could actually be the easiest age. Yes we’ll be tired, but we’ll be tired wherever we are. Planning on breastfeeding so hopefully shouldn’t have to worry about bottles and the likes.

AIBU to think about it? Do I need a reality check?

Can't see what the issue is. It is only 3 hours but make sure you stop ever hour so you can walk around for 10 minutes.

I vote definitely go for it it sounds lovely! Just be prepared for the journey to take a bit longer for stops and feeds. We went to Spain when my baby was 8 weeks old and it was a lot easier than now at 16 months, we also did caravan trips from 5 weeks in our caravan and have great memories of this. As you’ve said you’re tired wherever you are so may aswel have a nice trip alongside the newborn madness xx as PPs have said look for a hotel with a cancellation option just Incase you aren’t feeling great post-birth but hopefully all goes well and you have a lovely time away

Go enjoy while you can, see your friend and family go enjoy the lot have back up bottles plenty food the drive is amazing we left at 2am drove through the night no traffic no jams just a really soulful drive

We drove on holiday from London to Devon (a longer drive than you're planning) when my youngest was 9 weeks old, and his brother and sister were 8 and 5 respectively. Honestly, it was not a big deal. We shared a four bedroom cottage for two weeks with friends who had daughters aged 7 and 5 and twins aged 5 months. Babies shared a room with parents, girls shared a room and my son had a room to himself. The weather was not great but we had an excellent time.

We went to Scotland with our 11 week old and a toddler. We flew up and hired a car from the airport. A friend leant us an ‘egg’ car seat which is padded polystyrene so very lightweight and fitted in a large hold-all. Family managed to borrow a pram and travel cot from one of their friends. It’s definitely doable if you’re up to it. Good luck.

I couldn’t breastfeed (boobs would not work at all!) and we just took breaks every hour or so to get them out the car seat. To be fair one twin was incredibly colicky which she finally grew out of when we had gone. Had it been 6 weeks earlier it may not have been possible. But it was a great trip!

Do it!
we went to Mallorca with our 6 week old and he was no trouble

My only point would be regarding newborn in the car seat for too long this would just need to be thought about. Other than that not naive at all life goes on.

I think that's fine..we did a similar length trip when my daughter was about 5 weeks old. We used the basinet from the buggy for her to sleep in so didn't need extra bits. And fortunately I could bf her which made things a lot easier.

Totally doable. We did a full 3 days at the commonwealth games in Birmingham. 5 ish hours from home. Our child was less then ten weeks. Tiring. But fine. Manage your own expectations and schedule. I suggest following the Instagram account of ‘thetravelmum’ she is currently travelling with a small baby and an older child. She has great tips and inspiration. You are only limited by your imagination 💭

You won’t know how you feel until nearer the time OP, so book something with free cancellation and see how you go. I took three year old twins and a 12 week old to Majorca for two weeks and we all survived, although I wouldn’t class it as a relaxing holiday.

NB you don’t need to bring your own travel cot. All hotels have them and a lot of AirBNBs do too. Just check before booking.

Would you consider going by train? You can move around more easily, cuddle and nurse baby.

ive taken train and husband has driven with all the stuff, and I find that most relaxing way to do long journeys

I'd say totally doable, the only thing is we were had a terrible witching hour(s) from 5-7ish which was just miserable. I might have found being in an apartment or flat more distressing for fear of others hearing. But life definitely goes on and they're very portable - and sleep a lot - at that age.

I’m Scottish, lived down south when I had my babies, and drove home with both when they were less than 2 weeks to be with family. Totally easy, totally doable, and that was with one being EMCS, the other a VBAC.

At 5 1/2 months we did long haul to St Marteen via Antigua.
Also had our DD used to going out to restaurants from a few weeks old
So I definitely think it's possible she is as is her DB used to travel and has always behaved in restaurants without the use of technology. I'm a firm believer in routines but also ensuring from a young age they are used to fitting in your world with ease and confidence

I think you'll be fine. I travelled with mine from about 3 weeks. But if you have csection it might be a bit harder. But they are light to carry, relatively immobile and nutrition is easy if bf

I personally couldn’t have, I was much more anxious than I expected. The thought of travel at 6 months (now) is still too much. But everyone is different and you might be absolutely up for it :) just my experience xx

I did Bromley to Bournemouth with my first baby when he was 6 weeks old. He slept for most of the journey, we only needed one stop, and it was absolutely fine once we got there (except I did have a grandparent on hand to help) However don’t expect to see/do much while there, the longest we managed away from
the house with a bottle fed baby was about 1hr 20 mins….
Good luck OP!

No get yourselves up here, you'll be more than welcome 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and wee love babies 💙 Itll be a Canter with the wee one 🥰

No, get yourselves up here 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 You'll get a warm welcome and we love babies ❤️

I think it could be fine but I’d only book it if you have a cancellation clause, just in case. We took a 22 month old and a 11 week old on a self catering holiday to Devon (6 hour drive) and it was absolutely fine! Breast feeding would definitely make it easier and more convenient for you and by 5 weeks you’ll have the hang of it by then! Good luck and hope you make it 😊

No get yourselves up here, you'll be made more than welcome. And we love babies Xxx

I think you’ll be fine. We took DD1 to a wedding overnight at 5 weeks - we weren't actually that tired as it hadn't (yet! 🤣) been months of sleep deprivation, and all the stimulation gave her the longest unbroken stretch of sleep she’d ever had! I wore her in a sling for a lot of it which kept her comfy and content. Would never have booked it with DD2 but I think naivety actually did us a favour in encouraging us to go for it, and it was fine! Only thing I would say is be wary of assuming BF will be straightforward/established/exclusive - literally anything can happen even if you’re planning in EBF so I’d plan for bottles just in case (if you’re organised it’s not that bad!) xx

you will be fine, I did a 5 hour trip when my son was 4 weeks old and he woke several times during the night so I was shattered 😂😂 obviously you need to keep stopping to get baby out of the car chair but yes go for it. And as you say apart from lack of sleep (dependent on baby) I’d agree this is an easier age before the demanding toddler stage. Good luck and congratulations 🙌