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HELP, How to convince DH that taking an 8month old abroad wont be that difficult

15 replies

CLB1 · 24/03/2011 09:02

So I've been quite lucky and have a holiday every year. This year our DS will be 10months old when we normally go in September and DH is refusing, saying he doesn't want the hassle.
Help, how can I convince him its do able?

OP posts:
stream · 24/03/2011 09:07

I did it with a 4 month old and it was hell.

I'm with your dh, sorry!

GnomeDePlume · 24/03/2011 09:21

We went 'proper' camping when DD1 was this sort of age. It was fun and great to get away. She was no more hassle away from home than at home. We now have 3 DCs and so have been on holiday with both babies and toddlers.

What does your DH think is going to be the special hassle about taking your DS on holiday? I assume that you take him out of the house now?

ChristinedePizan · 24/03/2011 09:23

Children that age are easy. It's when they get a bit older than it's tricky.

schroedingersdodo · 24/03/2011 09:33

What is your DH's plan? To refrain from travelling until DS is 18? If you don't go away with DS, how will he learn how to behave in a trip, and get used to it?

Does your DH expect that when you DC is, say, 8 years old, he will magically turn into a very good traveler? If you are used to travel every year, I would use the "getting the baby used to it as early as possible" as an argument.

BTW, I only have one DC, 11 months, we have traveled quite a bit (both to Europe and overseas) with him and have had no problems at all (of course traveling with a baby is different from traveling by ourselves, but this goes without saying)

CLB1 · 24/03/2011 09:35

Ive been on holiday when my niece was 9months old, and that was fine. if anything it made the holiday more interesting as she was enjoying doing all these new things.
Stream I know what you mean, there was a baby on our flight last year and bless them they were a nightmare, they cried the whole time and I felt so sorry for the parents. Our DS is really good, and a very happy baby and I'm hoping that won't change on the flight.
GnomeDePlume thats what I think the only hassle will be the travelling as I'm thinking of going abroad. But I think it will be amazing to watch him exerience new things and have fun.

OP posts:
jenpet · 24/03/2011 10:19

Both mine have travelled pretty much from birth, but I would look at things a bit differently now. Loacation is crucial. What to take/what equipment will be there when you get there. Timing if you are thinking of longhaul. Activities when you are there etc etc You can make it easy or you can make it hard imho!

Nefret · 24/03/2011 10:42

Taking a baby on holiday isn't such a problem, I took mine both when they were tiny and they have travelled once or twice every year since.

Obviously you have to adapt your holiday to suit your baby but there is no reason why you can't go, people do it all the time.

ZenNudist · 24/03/2011 11:10

Just got back from Italy with 6.5mo ds. It was fine. A short flight helps. He didn't cry at all on the way out. On the way back we were delayed by 2 hours, ended up disturbing his nap to get him on the plane. He got fed up & screamed until I got him to sleep on me.

It wasn't too bad. We booked a seat for him so he had his own luggage allowance. We took a baby gym, a bouncy seat, plus the pushchair & carseat (bought lightweight pushchair to save our expensive heavy one getting bashed about by luggage handlers). We only went for a week (dh was going on business but we took the rest of the family and made a trip of it). Going out for meals at night was hard and as ds didn't always sleep in his carseat we didn't like how tired and grumpy he got. The last night dh stayed in, got room service & I went out with my ILs. We are already planning another summer trip, to a villa, will be much easier. It can be done!!

GnomeDePlume · 24/03/2011 12:20

I agree with those who say plan round DCs. This doesnt mean holidaying in a soft play centre! We find self-catering very easy. That way we can eat at a time to suit small children. When our DCs were small we would go out for lunch rather than dinner. This worked best because DCs were more awake and also restaurants tend to be more relaxed.

We drive rather than fly but that is as much for cost and personal preference reasons (I fly a lot for work so want holidays to be different). This means that we can bring everything we need with us. However, remember, they do have children abroad. You dont necessarily need to take everything with you. Choose your holiday location with care and I am sure you can have a great time.

Having taken DCs abroad since they were babies each year we can think 'next year will be easier' and it always was!

Kiwinyc · 24/03/2011 12:27

We have also travelled extensively (long and short haul) starting when both our kids were 4 mths old. I don't really see the hassle - we had a bit more gear to take with us (car seat and buggy) and the kind of holiday we did changed (self-catering in a villa was easier to begin with).

Travelling with a baby is miles easier than travelling with a toddler though!

gingercat12 · 24/03/2011 12:42

We travel all the time. DS first enjoyed the hospitality of Virgin Trains at nearly 2 months, and flew at 3.5 months. He never knew anything else, so got on with it.

I agree that location is crucial though, and I always planned all the practicalities. (Bottles, nappies, etc.) Last year I even spoke to the hotel manager to make sure there is a fridge, a kettle and a cot in the room.

When you arrive you also have to find the closest supermarket and pharmacy.

DS is now 3, and loves travelling. All his friends know about the various airports and the aeroplanes. He can't wait for the trolley to stop at his seat on the plane.

Obviously it is a very different kind of travelling, but with a small baby your whole life is turned upside down. Why would travelling be different?!

Enjoy!

sandyballs · 24/03/2011 12:45

Easier this year than next when he'll be charging round the plane and falling in the pool Grin

beautifulgirls · 24/03/2011 14:16

The thought is honestly worse than the reality. Flights are much easier than you would expect. Take a push chair and a sun cover for it, plenty of sun cream and sun suits etc to keep the sun off. at 10 months finger foods should be pretty easy to do and if you are not breastfeeding take powder or cartons of formula, plus some sterilising tablets for bottles which you can do in the bathroom sink easily. Travel kettle for boiling water to make up the formula if from powder. Once you have done it once you will not look back.

CLB1 · 24/03/2011 15:21

Thank you all so much for your comments. I have been showing my DH them and hopefully they look like they could work :o

OP posts:
mrspear · 24/03/2011 15:28

a) Make sure the flight is no longer than 3 hours

b) Feed on the way up and the way down - bottle or boob.

c) Self cater with the main meal at lunch in local place with baby then stop at supermarket on way home for tapas style food and wine for when baby asleep Wink

d) don't forget monitor so you can relax on terrace with said wine

South Europe is good bet as they love babies Grin

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