What age to take baby abroad

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Hi all. My Wife is keen to book up a 10 day break to Greece next summer, by then our Baby girl will be 16 months. I am a little reluctant to book up something as I think 16 months is still a bit too young to go abroad away from the ease of home comforts. Not from a safety point of view, but just generally how much attention our little girl is still likely to need at 16 months and we may end up not really enjoying the holiday and just becoming frustrated (sorry don't mean to sound like an ogre). My personal view is we should stick to breaks in the UK for a few years just for the ease of having things you need ready at hand - small things like knowing most places have baby changing facilities.

It's our first Baby so keen to get some views/opinions on when is a sensible age to venture abroad from people's past experiences. Be honest!

We first took our son to Crete when he was 9 months. He loved it. Lots of swimming pool, beach and exploring. We went again when he was 2.

Get in as much travel as you can before you have to start paying for them IMO! Under 2 they can sleep in a travel cot which is free and they can sit on your lap on the plane for which you only pay nominal taxes for in Europe. Are you generally quite an anxious person? Worrying about baby changing is just an odd one, you just get a mat and do it on the floor, exactly the same as you would at home with a toddler. As long as you adjust your expectations a bit compared to pre kid holidays you’ll have a nice time. Small kids generally love a beach or pool and whilst you won’t be going out bar hopping, a nice dinner with baby snoozing in the pram followed by wine on the balcony whilst they’re in bed isn’t unrealistic. I’d book the holiday!

We brought our first dd abroad at 14 months and it was fine. We then had two more children close in age, 3 under 4 so we holidayed in our own country for a couple of years. When youngest was three we started going abroad again.

We had a great holiday abroad when DD was 15 months. She loved it and still had 2 good naps a day so we had plenty of relaxing time (buggy by the pool or in the bar depending on which parent was watching her). All inclusive was great as we could give her lots of different things to eat. She was happy splashing in the pool, beach and generally just tottering around. Much easier than now when she wants things to entertain her rather than to run around a rock in a circle!

My parents to me to Yugoslavia (obviously it was a fair time ago!) when I was 6 weeks old.
It was fine.

A child that age is fairly portable, you should actually travel as much as possible at that age for the discounts alone. Also no siblings.

It’s easier than you think and plenty of travel gear for that age group too

Ours was 6 months when he travelled abroad for the first time. He was fine, and it was relatively easy. Much easier to travel with a baby than a crawling/walking toddler!

@LakeShoreD

Get in as much travel as you can before you have to start paying for them IMO! Under 2 they can sleep in a travel cot which is free and they can sit on your lap on the plane for which you only pay nominal taxes for in Europe. Are you generally quite an anxious person? Worrying about baby changing is just an odd one, you just get a mat and do it on the floor, exactly the same as you would at home with a toddler. As long as you adjust your expectations a bit compared to pre kid holidays you’ll have a nice time. Small kids generally love a beach or pool and whilst you won’t be going out bar hopping, a nice dinner with baby snoozing in the pram followed by wine on the balcony whilst they’re in bed isn’t unrealistic. I’d book the holiday!

Exactly.

DS came on his first short haul flight at under three months, I think just after he’d recovered from his shots, and we got his passport. He was certainly in France, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Spain and possibly a few other countries before we had to start paying for seats for him. We weren’t doing anything particularly child-centric, he just came along for the ride.

Took DS at 4mo and again at 13mo.

You do seem a bit anxious and rigid about things. You really don't need that much stuff for one baby. You just get on with it, like all the people with babies who live in whatever country you're going to.

My first travelled abroad for the first time aged 6 weeks. Piece of piss. The younger they are, the easier really.

To be honest - your thinking is not out of place. We have travelled with toddlers, even moved countries. And it’s not that it was not lovely BUT did they enjoy it more than going somewhere by car? Not really, they can’t remember the first few holidays at all. Did I enjoy them?
Not really. Couldn’t really have cocktails when breastfeeding, constantly walking around and entertaining little ones. And it is lovely of course - but it would have been as lovely in the UK.
Now they are older, it is a pleasure to travel - if we could.
If you really want a break for yourselves, I’d say invest in babysitter. Otherwise small trips are also great and hold off some of the money and itching feet until it is easier to travel and your toddler is older.

It's absolutely fine to take a 16 month old abroad - I went abroad with DD when she was 9 weeks! Admittedly to my parents' holiday place which was familiar and where I had support but honestly a baby doesn't have to tie you to home, we travelled plenty with both kids in their first 18 months. Yes, you have to pack a few more things but it's not like a massive challenge in any way and you can still have lovely holidays.

It's easier with babies/toddlers abroad than preteens & teenagers imo
Greece have child citizens so I wouldn't worry too much 😂

Took DS to France for a short break when he was six months old, stayed in a nice chateau and it was relatively easy apart from all the gear we had to pack into the car. (Didn't need a lot of it in the end, eg travel cot).
We were in Ireland for his first birthday , that was fine too.
France when he was about 18 months, ditto, and quite often thereafter too. He was a good traveller on the whole.

First flight, to Italy, at around 2. No problems at all apart from the car seat that came with the hire car!

I took mine when he was 22 months (but I’d only had him four, so a very new parent) and it was fine, he didn’t need masses of stuff, I did pay for him to have his own seat on the plane.

The first flight abroad I took with my son was to New York when he was 4 months old. Lanzarote when he was 10 months old, Australia with him when he was 16 months old. Much easier to do it when they are young.

Took DS for a week in the South of France when he was 10 months old. Bought nappies there, took some formula, coke water sterilising stuff, sun hat, sun suit, swim nappy and sun cream. Took a stroller. It was all fine. Accommodation provided cot and high chair. DS sat on our laps for the flights.

We first took DC1 away at 8 weeks. The only thing that has stopped us travelling overseas with small children is covid.

That said, I wouldn’t bother for a weekend break and I would carefully consider anywhere with a significant time difference.

I think some of your concerns are valid OP. We took DS to Italy when he was 9 months and it was quite stressful - he wasn't walking but he could crawl really fast and there was an unfenced pool at the property. Not the relaxing break I'd hoped for!

The smaller they are the easier it is! I've traveled a lot with mine, and by far the easiest trip I ever do was London to Australia with a six week old.

My friend was taking her dad abroad for six months. She split the duties as it were.with her dh so they could both enjoy down time
Even when she was walking the following summer it was fine. This was in Greece. I'm not really sure what modern comforts you are referring to. Everything you need you can get in other countries unless you are staying in the middle of nowhere.

Going away with kids can sometimes be challenging, but you might as well go somewhere sunny. Being in the UK doesn’t make it any easier tbh.

DS1 went abroad to Greece when he was 6 months and DS2 went to Thailand when he was 3 months! 16 months isn't too young, you'll be fine!

Also breaks in the U.K. - you are still away from your home comforts and don’t have the guarantee of the weather!

We took DD#1 to France when she was 7 months old. We drove, had a night in a hotel part way, then self-catered. It was no harder than at home, as the place had a high chair and a travel cot.