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Original poster

Potentially Travelling with 1 month old - but going to for formula 1 race in Monza

47 replies

Motherof1and2dogs · 15/02/2025 07:28

Hi all, wasn't sure where to post this as I'm not asking if I am being unreasonable, but more for advice.

So I need an answer by this evening and I am really stuck on what to do. My husbands stepdad and half brother are round later today to book the F1 in Monza for this year, if we book it we cannot drop out last minute due to the cost of it, unless very valid circumstances.

The reason for it being booked for this year is his stepdad has stage 4 cancer and doesn't have very long left from what we know (he is very secretive and does not like to tell too much so we have no idea how long, what treatment he is on etc). We think he is so keen to book it for this year as he might not make it to next year. We are all very close and formula 1 is our thing, we usually get together most Sundays to watch it on TV. Of course if he is really unwell nearer the time and cannot fly or travel then that is on him and out of our control, however I am currently pregnant, due on 16 July 2025, the race is in September 2025 so the baby will be roughly 2 months old. We also have a toddler who will be turning 3 when we go.
My concern is travelling with such a small baby, the baby getting ill, me still healing, especially if I was to need a C section for whatever reason, lack of sleep and going to be very tired, also if I am 2 weeks late the baby could be even younger at the time of travel. My 2 year old got bronchitis when he was 3 months old and was in hospital so I am nervous about baby getting ill etc... just lots of worries and concerns.

I just wanted to see from others what they would do, what they think, have you travelled with such a young baby and it been fine or been hell, would they go/ not go etc.
I would love to go but not sure if committing to it and saying a definite yes is a good idea.
Thank you in advance for all responses, I will do my best to reply if anyone asks questions ☺️ x

OP posts:
Original poster
Motherof1and2dogs · 15/02/2025 07:31

Also forgot to mention, it will be for 4/5 nights not just for the day or night so there is time to relax etc. Also not sure if it's even the place for a 1 month old to be due to the noise, heat if it's hot in Italy in September etc.

OP posts:
TheyAreNotAngelsTheyDontCareAtAll · 15/02/2025 07:33

Motherof1and2dogs · 15/02/2025 07:28

Hi all, wasn't sure where to post this as I'm not asking if I am being unreasonable, but more for advice.

So I need an answer by this evening and I am really stuck on what to do. My husbands stepdad and half brother are round later today to book the F1 in Monza for this year, if we book it we cannot drop out last minute due to the cost of it, unless very valid circumstances.

The reason for it being booked for this year is his stepdad has stage 4 cancer and doesn't have very long left from what we know (he is very secretive and does not like to tell too much so we have no idea how long, what treatment he is on etc). We think he is so keen to book it for this year as he might not make it to next year. We are all very close and formula 1 is our thing, we usually get together most Sundays to watch it on TV. Of course if he is really unwell nearer the time and cannot fly or travel then that is on him and out of our control, however I am currently pregnant, due on 16 July 2025, the race is in September 2025 so the baby will be roughly 2 months old. We also have a toddler who will be turning 3 when we go.
My concern is travelling with such a small baby, the baby getting ill, me still healing, especially if I was to need a C section for whatever reason, lack of sleep and going to be very tired, also if I am 2 weeks late the baby could be even younger at the time of travel. My 2 year old got bronchitis when he was 3 months old and was in hospital so I am nervous about baby getting ill etc... just lots of worries and concerns.

I just wanted to see from others what they would do, what they think, have you travelled with such a young baby and it been fine or been hell, would they go/ not go etc.
I would love to go but not sure if committing to it and saying a definite yes is a good idea.
Thank you in advance for all responses, I will do my best to reply if anyone asks questions ☺️ x

Well if you can get a pair of ear protectors small enough for a 2/3 month old and you are happy to expose it to noise, frenetic activity and the germs of several thousand people, while managing a 3 year old who no doubt requires eyes in the back of your head to manage, then why not?
I think you need to find a gentler memory to form with your FiL

Chypre · 15/02/2025 07:33

Traveling with 1 month old baby is one thing, going to a GP is another. Don’t confuse the two! I would travel to see a relative on a death bed, but absolutely would not take the baby (or myself postpartum) to Monza. Unwelcome opinion - stepdad is dying so it’s his last and only chance, you have the whole life ahead so better skip it…

Zanatdy · 15/02/2025 07:37

maybe just your DH goes. Travelling with a baby is one thing, but going to the grand prix is another thing. I personally don’t think its the place for babies and toddlers, though granted, i’ve never been, not my thing. Your DH should definitely go, when his dad is sadly no longer with you, he will cherish that memory. Up to you I guess whether you’d rather go or just DH goes.

Flexilexy · 15/02/2025 07:37

Nah, I wouldn’t be going. Some people will be totally fine with it but I would find it too much on the baby, but especially with toddler

given the circumstances I’d suggest husband going so he can have that time with his stepdad, and maybe taking toddler with him. You stay home with baby.

Kmward36 · 15/02/2025 07:38

I actually did this a few years ago with a month old baby! It wasn’t monza but we flew to Melbourne for the first race of the season. We took our one year old and brand new baby. I didn’t have a c section but I had a 4th degree tear that was still healing. Apart from needing some support to sit it was fine. Husband did most of the lifting.

it was great! I did breastfed so that made life easier with no carrying bottles etc. we stayed on site but in the pre set up accommodation.

were planning on going to Spa this year with 2 young children and I’m currently 39 weeks. So baby will be a few months old 🤞🏻

handmademitlove · 15/02/2025 07:38

You need to consider the very practical issues of registering the birth and getting a passport. These take time - if baby is late, you will be cutting it very fine to do these things. And that is without considering the issues of travelling with a small baby - how long in a car seat?

Jk987 · 15/02/2025 08:34

It's a lovely thing to do for the step father but I just think it will be stressful and miserable for you and the kids. Add sleep deprivation to the mix - no way!

Let your DH go. Put your toddler in nursery, get family to help with your newborn and chill at home.

Then plan something wonderful with stepfather when they're back.

Girasoli · 15/02/2025 08:52

If you do decide to go I would skip going to the actual grand prix bit (loud and lots of car fumes) and just stay in the hotel.

The temperature will likely be warm but not boiling (mid 20s), and if you fly to Linate you can get the tube all the way to Milano Centrale Station. From Centrale its about 20/30mins on the train to Monza.

(Personally I would probably let the 3 year old go with dad and grandad and stay home with the baby. Although, I did take then 5 month old DS1 to Italy in June and he was completely fine.)

TimeForSpring · 15/02/2025 09:19

I would either send DH on his own, or all of you go, and you have a couple of chilled days with the kids while the racing is on.
If you do take the kids, they need amazing ear protection.

cheezncrackers · 15/02/2025 09:26

You can't take a baby and a toddler to an F1 race - it is REALLY loud and could damage their hearing. The toddler could maybe wear noise-cancelling headphones, but the baby won't be able to. Plus, it's hours of being outside in the heat on bench seating, difficult to feed and change a baby, difficult for them to sleep and your toddler will be bored, hot and miserable. I've been to Monza and it's a long, hot day. Fine for fans, but would be rubbish for/with small DC.

As for travelling so soon after giving birth and having to sort out a passport at very short notice during a peak travel period, well that alone would be stressful madness IMO. Your DH should go with his dad, you stay at home.

crumpet · 15/02/2025 09:29

I had a cs and took dd to Australia when she was I think 10 weeks old. I travelled alone - was fine apart from wishing I had another pair of hands at the other end to manage getting luggage etc.

was a long time ago but I think it was around the 10weeks stage - we were there for a month and am sure she was 14 weeks when we travelled back

GrouchyKiwi · 15/02/2025 09:31

I wouldn't take a tiny baby to a F1 race. We did Silverstone a few years ago. It was 31C and we got the last two seats in a covered stand. There were more than 100,000 people there.

I didn't find the noise to be too bad - modern cars are quieter, IMO, than the early 2000s ones. But the rest of it with a tiny baby and a 3-year-old? No thanks.

Agree with others about maybe you all going to Italy, and then you staying in the hotel with the baby and maybe the 3-year-old while your DH and his SD go to the race. You'd still be close for post-race chats.

It MIGHT be OK with baby etc if you could afford premium seats at the race.

JMSA · 15/02/2025 09:31

Sorry about your stepfather-in-law Flowers
I think I'd say no, but try other more manageable ways to get involved. So a F1 themed get-together on their return or even FaceTiming each other while the race is on.
Your already massive contribution is looking after the children while your husband goes!!

Largestlegocollectionever · 15/02/2025 09:34

I’d suggest DH goes alone and you stay with the children?

NewYou42 · 15/02/2025 09:36

Madness to do this, with a toddler and a new born and recovering. Why doesn't your dh just go. That would make the most sense.

SilvieBear · 15/02/2025 09:38

I’m very sorry to hear about your stepdad.
I’ve been to a few GPs. Monza was the most chaotic in terms of organisation - from the trains at Milan and then back from Monza (both practice and the GP). It’s a fair schlep through the park - so would seem longer with a baby and toddler.
We had particularly inept stewards who seemed to be more interested in organising their nights out than scanning tickets (one of our group speaks Italian!) so the queue in took ages!
And then yes, as a PP says, long days for little ones.
Bloody fab atmosphere though with the fanatical Tifosi!
But I defo wouldn’t do it with 2 small kids (one a few months old)

SapphireOpal · 15/02/2025 09:43

Will you even be able to get baby a passport in time accounting for time to register him/her then apply for the passport? I thought you couldn't fast track first child passport applications but I could be totally wrong!

Sounds very stressful to me. I'd be staying at home with baby and possibly 3yo.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 15/02/2025 09:48

Your DH goes you stay home. Would you even have a passport in time? It's a 3 week wait here to even register the birth. Plus no vaccines at that age and plane.

bathroomadviceneeded · 15/02/2025 09:49

I did a 30-hour long haul flight last summer with DC aged 6, 2, and 8 weeks. It was to visit my DH’s dying relative.

It was hard but I don’t regret it at all.

Baby got first vax the day before we left, and he lived in the baby wrap the whole time. Toddler was the most difficult of the DC, but we just dealt with it.

However, my birth was super easy, recovery very smooth, and my DH is brilliant and hands on. No way I could have done it after a C-section, or with a DH that ignores the DC and looks at his phone all day. That’s key I think.

AnnotherReader · 15/02/2025 09:52

We went to Monza a few years ago, we left our children at home with their grandparents.
It's a long day with a lot of standing/walking - we stayed in Milan so it was standing on a packed train, standing in the queue for the bus, standing on the packed bus, a long walk to the track, queuing to get through security and for ticket scanning, queuing for food, queuing for toilets, then sitting around for a long time waiting for the race to start. It was also very loud.
All fine for a healthy adult but you might struggle at a few weeks post partum and a 3 year old will probably be tired, hot and bored.
I can't remember seeing any young children while we were there.
We really enjoyed the weekend but you would be crazy to do this with a young child and a baby and so soon after giving birth.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 15/02/2025 09:52

@Motherof1and2dogs I would stay home with the kids and let dh go alone. it will be tiring but for a final outing with stepdad he needs to go. you immediately down tools and rest when he comes home or just leave the house and concentrate on the kids when he is away.

BettyBardMacDonald · 15/02/2025 09:54

Jk987 · 15/02/2025 08:34

It's a lovely thing to do for the step father but I just think it will be stressful and miserable for you and the kids. Add sleep deprivation to the mix - no way!

Let your DH go. Put your toddler in nursery, get family to help with your newborn and chill at home.

Then plan something wonderful with stepfather when they're back.

This.

I've attended many, many races. It would be negligent imo to expose a newborn to the noise, crowds, heat, and travel.

AdaColeman · 15/02/2025 09:55

Considering the practical aspects such as registering the birth, obtaining a passport at short notice, and the fact that few babies actually arrive on their due date, those alone would be enough to stop me going.

Add in the noise, crowds, lack of comfort and privacy, looking after a toddler as well as a new born.....this is something I definitely wouldn't be taking part in.
Let your DH go on the trip, while you stay in comfort at home.

madamweb · 15/02/2025 10:04

Your DH goes on the trip, you stay home with the kids and maybe see if a family member or friend can stay and help out.