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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go on holiday with 5 months old baby

62 replies

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:30

I am looking to book a holiday for Feb 2025 to get some winter sun. My baby would be 5 months old then, she's exclusively breastfed.
Places I am looking at is either Algarve/Canaries or Malta. Will be booking all inclusive. We also have a 3 year old DS.
DH thinks IABU considering baby would be so young to travel with, while I think it would be easier as I will be breastfeeding and it's before weaning and I won't have to keep looking at options to feed her and she will have had lots of her immunisation by then. I am quite tired now as the baby is a month old now and I really want to go on a holiday to have some time to rest and relax in sun next year as I haven't been on any holiday this year due to pregnancy, work etc and want to have something to look forward to.
I am posting to get any opinions on which might be a good option to go to with young DC and also if IABU to go on this holiday.
Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:32

Also, want to hear any experiences of going on beach holidays with a baby.

OP posts:
Radionowhere · 23/11/2024 23:34

You're right, DH is wrong. Your three year old will be much harder work tbh. Algarve will be too cold in Feb. Canaries would be my choice.

Silvertulips · 23/11/2024 23:34

We did, DD was 8 months old and it was fine.

She sat in the shade on the beach. Food was fine as she was weaned.

The hardest part was the flight to the exit as they didn’t get the pram off and it was a long walk with a nappy bag, my bag and the baby.

rayofsunshine86 · 23/11/2024 23:35

It's much easier to travel with a baby that can't walk 😆 You should book and enjoy a good holiday!

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:37

rayofsunshine86 · 23/11/2024 23:35

It's much easier to travel with a baby that can't walk 😆 You should book and enjoy a good holiday!

@rayofsunshine86 haha I knew, I said this to DH that it would be easier now compared to when she's a year old baby.

OP posts:
Snowkitty · 23/11/2024 23:37

Go for it! Keep breastfeeding and it's a doddle, no fiddling about with bottles etc or worrying about running out of supplies if you get delayed. Just don't get stressed about keeping - or not - to your usual schedule for a day or so, it's no big deal. I did long haul (UK - Singapore - Australia & UK - USA West Coast) with both mine between 3 & 6 months. Have a great time!

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:38

Snowkitty · 23/11/2024 23:37

Go for it! Keep breastfeeding and it's a doddle, no fiddling about with bottles etc or worrying about running out of supplies if you get delayed. Just don't get stressed about keeping - or not - to your usual schedule for a day or so, it's no big deal. I did long haul (UK - Singapore - Australia & UK - USA West Coast) with both mine between 3 & 6 months. Have a great time!

@Snowkitty wow, those sound like really fun holidays but quite a long haul holiday.

OP posts:
RBowmama · 23/11/2024 23:40

We did it with our 5m old last year, went to Greece. Absolutely fine! He played/sat in the shade with us/in the pool for a bit then would nap in his pram in the shade. At that age he was napping quite a lot which helped.Was absolutely fine and no difficulties on the flights either. I would recommend getting a travel buggy that you can carry on as hand luggage so you don't have to wait around for airport staff to bring your pram to you, sometimes they are waiting as you come off the plane and other times as PP mentioned you're left waiting for ages which can be difficult to manage.

Printedword · 23/11/2024 23:41

3 year old will be harder work, concept of beach ok for them but expect decamp to beach and stay less than 2 hours then back to hotel etc.

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:42

@RBowmama we are looking at Greece as well but can't see many deals for Feb 25.

OP posts:
MrsAvocet · 23/11/2024 23:42

I'd agree that travel with a baby, especially if they're ebf, is easier than with a toddler/preschooler. Babies are easily portable and at that stage there's not a lot of stuff you need to take with you, plus there is a fairly good chance they'll sleep on the flight. I'd be more worried about your older child to be honest - I found travel more stressful when mine were that age than when they were babies.

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:45

We took our DS to Greece when he was 2 last year, it was a nice experience, he had fun, just hoping he enjoys his holiday next year as well.

OP posts:
Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:46

Most of the places we are looking at weather seems to be 17-18 degrees for Feb, so don't think it would be too hot for the baby but will keep the advice in mind about the shade and buggy for the baby.

OP posts:
PeloMom · 23/11/2024 23:50

YANBU to consider going away with a 5 month. I think it’s unreasonable to expect to ‘rest and relax’ with 2 little kids; but if you figure it out do let me know cause we’ve travelled quite a bit with one and I still haven’t cracked the code.

Noseybookworm · 23/11/2024 23:57

I think it's fine to take a holiday but as PP said, there won't be much rest and relaxation with a 5 month old and a 3 year old!

Malteaserd · 24/11/2024 00:01

Noseybookworm · 23/11/2024 23:57

I think it's fine to take a holiday but as PP said, there won't be much rest and relaxation with a 5 month old and a 3 year old!

By relaxing I mean not have to do cooking, laundry for a week and getting some sun and beach⛱️

OP posts:
Ribidibidibidoobahday · 24/11/2024 00:11

I took an all inclusive holiday after each of my babies were born. Waited till after birth to book and went at 11 weeks down to 6 weeks. As you said easier when breastfeeding. Great when they're not mobile. A lovey chance to not think about cooking and to have a few sun lounger naps. Or maybe even read a book with a baby asleep on top of you (though with a 3yo it'll probably be reading zog out loud).

They're small enough to use a travel set car seat and to carry around in a sling/carrier for walks other beach. Don't be scared of going a bit further for the warmth.

Eenameenadeeka · 24/11/2024 07:39

Definitely vote holiday before baby can walk haha

mindutopia · 24/11/2024 07:42

It’s a great age to travel with baby as not yet mobile or eating solids. I went to Barcelona with mine a bit older and it was great. But I don’t think a beach holiday with a baby is easy. City break, yes. House in countryside with day trips, yes. All day at the beach and pool, no. It would work though if you can split up and one of you spends time at the beach with toddler and other takes baby for a nap/walk.

Bernadinetta · 24/11/2024 07:58

IME, taking a non-walking, non-eating, non-needing the toilet and non-temper tantruming baby on holiday is the optimal time to take them 😂

Radiatorvalves · 24/11/2024 08:04

Definitely go for a holiday. However you may find that the weather isn’t great at that time of year. I’ve been to Corsica and Greece out of season and when it’s blowing a hooley and raining it’s not quite what you’re expecting on a beach holiday. Make sure you’re prepared for that. If you want sun and beach might be worth considering somewhere a bit further.

Amba1998 · 24/11/2024 08:06

No issue at all. We travelled extensively with our daughter from 6 months

i would do some research on destinations though. You’re not going to get much beach time in Greece or the Algarve in Feb and it will be very cold at night. If you get poor weather how will you entertain a 3 year old?

id be considering canaries only unless long haul at that time of year. Greece is May onwards and most companies don’t fly to Greece until then

Donkeyfromshrek · 24/11/2024 08:14

Holiday with the baby would be fine but 17/18 degrees is too cold for sitting on a beach.

Happiestwhen · 24/11/2024 08:22

I would definitely go if I were you. My littlest is now 15 months and no way would I go with her , she'd be eating all the sand 🤣 I went to the Canaries in Feb last year and it was about 25 degrees which was just right. Anything cooler would be too cold imo.

prayerforsun · 24/11/2024 08:28

Malteaserd · 23/11/2024 23:42

@RBowmama we are looking at Greece as well but can't see many deals for Feb 25.

Greece won't be very nice in February. Canaries is your best bet if you want it to be pleasant weather.

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