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?

Honestly it completely depends on the baby. I would have been fine doing this with mine, but you may have a baby with colic, or who doesn’t sleep, or issues with feeding etc. Maybe don’t commit 100%.

I went on a hen do when baby was 7 weeks and then stayed at a cottage after with DP. It was really nice! They're small and portable at that age and just feed and sleep (she's 21 months now and it seems a distant memory 😵‍💫)

I managed this with my first born. Not Scotland but we went away at 6 weeks for a family event. It was 4.5 hours drive and we managed.

As long as feeding is going well - bf or bottle feeding - it's an easy age to be away.
Double check your pram carrycot as some you can use for sleeping in.

You are ment to stop ever 30mins with newborns in a car seat. I would also make sure you had most supptive car sear. 3 hrs is a long time for baby to be in car seat

The only thing with the train is you need shedloads of stuff with a baby and trains tend to be packed around Christmas!

So hard to say. If you have a lovely compliant baby who is happy to go in a sling/pram/cot/car seat then I'm sure it will be amazing. But could be a different story if baby likes to keep you on your toes and last nerve 😆

I think it's doable is baby is nearer 8 weeks. I went up on the train from London and stayed over Xmas when my baby was 8 weeks and it was absolutely fine. Train was a bit easier though as I could feed him over the journey

It depends on so many things. If I were you I'd decide once the baby's here. Best laid plans and all that...

Pre baby I'd have thought it possible. Post baby I was exhausted, DH was exhausted and the thought of being anywhere that wasn't my own home was the worst thing I could think of.

After a tear and stitches I had to be careful with the shower. Five weeks in I was too tired to want to get properly dressed half the time. I hadn't quite managed to get into the routine of making sure my hair was done or a shower had happened etc. Being around anyone other than DH or my parents would have made me feel worse.

If you have a C Section then the travelling will be uncomfortable etc.

It sounds lovely, so go if you think you'll be ok. But make sure you can cancel.

I could not have done that with either of mine. I was a sleep deprived mess at that point.

I couldn't have done this with my ds1 because I had to have an episiotomy which didn't heal. A long car journey like that would have been hell. I didn't feel myself until I was about 4 months pp.

With ds2 i would have been fine, i was right as rain after about 2 weeks.

I certainly wouldn't commit to anything

Yeh, 5 weeks after my C section I was still in pain and obviously not suppose to drive until 6 weeks after. Don't make firm plans yet ... just wait and see how things go.

I had my first six months ago. I too had plans to take a trip about six weeks in to visit family. It did not happen.

I didn't feel physically well and mentally was overwhelmed by everything. I could barely leave the house for the first month (complications from a tear).

Book something cancelable if you like but don't commit!

We spend our holidays driving 500miles from South East England to see family in Hebrides. 3 kids and a dog, they're all so used to it. Youngest we did it was 3 months. Really easy when little as they just sleep. There's a small chance you or your baby won't be well enough after birth, but I'd plan anyway and then adjust if needed. With my 3rd, my c section scar took 2 months to close properly. I couldn't have travelled as had infections and many appointments.

My ds4 was unplanned and we already had a holiday booked. He was 8 weeks old I think. Was an absolute nightmare and I've not been on holiday since.

Nah my body was broken 😂

As others have suggested I think definitely get something with a cancellation policy to give yourself a get out clause if you need it! For me five weeks in I was still bleeding after severe tearing whilst in labour and in pain when I walked and I really wouldn't have been able to face that! Hoping that you have a really straightforward delivery and fingers crossed that you will be absolutely fine for that trip, as it sounds lovely! But please do give yourself the option to change your mind if you need/want to 😊

Second baby this would have been a breeze, easy birth. First was quite traumatic and it wasn’t a C section but I remember struggling to walk for weeks. I couldn’t have pottered round a Christmas market at 5-8 weeks post partum.

i wouldnt book anything and wait to see how it all goes and book last minute

Whereas i alao had uncomplicated births although some stitches. I didn't find driving an issue at all. Did a 2 hour round trip with nearly 2 day old DS to collect his sister's from their grandmother on Sunday night. He was born on the Saturday morning.

Eldest DD I was out for a birthday meal when she was 5 days old

So I wouldn't write it off but see how u feel near the time

Travelled further with both mine at a younger age. Great for your child to learn to live your life. Doesn’t matter where you are tired so may as well be seeing some sights.

You’re right op, it is the easiest age to do this. They sleep a lot so hopefully will sleep a lot of the journey. It would be much more shit at 6-12 months. You will get the worse case scenarios here but generally 5 weeks postpartum most women will be feeling normal (ish)!

It'll probably be totally fine. Any of my four would have been easily fitted into this plan. BUT I had easy births with good recovery (even the c section) and they all fed well. You can't guarantee that eithe of those will be the case.

My take is, by all means plan to do it, but man it clear that you may want to back out if circumstances are anything other than ideal. It's not in your control how easy your recovery is or how high needs your newborn will be.

We did a 3 hour drive with a newborn a few times. Each time took 6+ hours 😬 So as long as you're willing to accept it will be a looooong day, you'll be alright!

Assuming all is well with birth & baby, I’d go for it. My daughter is 4 months old now but we went away for a staycation when she was 6 weeks old and had an amazing time, we were tired but would be just as tired at home. We’ve taken her away a few times since then and also been fine! You do have to pack a ridiculous amount of stuff into the car but it’s worth it (or was for us) once you get there. We were of the opinion we were going to be shattered anywhere, may as well be somewhere pretty! Plus she will sleep or not sleep anywhere at that age, I did a lot of baby wearing but we still had an amazing time x