London to Thailand with a 4month old

[MrsS1979]

Hi all,

I'm pregnant at the moment and due in June. In October it will be my mum's 60th and as a birthday present my sister, brother and I want to take her on holiday, we have planned this for about two years. We want it to be a hot place so she can go swimming as she loves swimming. My husband and I have already been to Thailand back in 2008 (Koh Samui) but I've been told by some friends who have babies not to be silly and not to take a young baby away, but then I have some friends who also have babies to go for it, and how lovely it will be. My baby will be about 4 months for when we are planning to go.

At the same time as wanting badly to go away for my mum's birthday I am also a tiny bit scared of a longhaul flight. I'm hoping to bf so hoping I won't need to take loads of bottles, but nothing is for sure until the lil one arrives.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Many Thanks
from a nervous Mum-to-be

I'll be really honest MrsS. You are going to get some posts saying yes go for it but personally I wouldn't book up anything until after the baby is born. you have no idea how you are going to cope nor what kind of baby you will have. I couldn't b/f my son even though I had planned to. also think about the jabs you might need and whether s/he will have had all the first jabs before you go. Its a long flight and it will not be particularly relaxing if the baby doesn't sleep. Its a great idea and lovely for your mum but you will want your own space with a newborn not sharing and you will be more tired than you thought possible. please plan it but wait and book nearer the time.

Have to say I agree with advice of op. I have travelled to Thailand several times both pre and post kids. We did not take eldest dd until she was 2.5 so can't really comment on taking a young baby but I agree that I would wait to book nearer the time once baby has arrived. You have no idea until baby comes along really about feeding- whatever intentions are - would be much more of a pia to have to cart sterilising equipment, formula with you etc as even if bf, you may be mixed feeding etc. have travelled long haul when our twins were about 20 months and although they were no longer having much formula, I still ended up taking loads of ready mix for the journey etc which was a good job as plane ended up being delayed for 3hrs on runway-prior to 10 hr flight- and you have to be prepared for all eventualities which you will have more idea about once baby is here.
Also although Thailand is very child friendly, I found the all-inclusive of Mexico a much more relaxing and easier easier experience with the kids- we could order room service whenever etc- esp convenient as you will end up spending time in the room in the middle of the day while baby asleep/keeping out of the sun etc and you don't really find all inclusive so much in Thailand- making it more costly than you might realise when you get there if you end up being more tied to the room due to baby's routine.

Not sure about jabs- think baby will be too young ( not sure whether they will even have had all their routine immunisations by then as well?)

On the plus side it is much easier taking a small baby than a toddler away as not moving about etc!

I think there is also an element of how laid back you are about health and safety etc as it is not exactly up to our standards - how will you travel around- car seats etc etc.

Don't want to put you off at all- just trying to be realistic!

We went long haul to Bali when dd was 6 months old. The flights were frankly a dream- on the way home she slept Singapore to Amsterdam! The Thais, like the Balinese, love kids and will do everything they can to cherish your child. we found it was quite difficult to have a meal and keep dd at the table with us- everyone wanted to help out and cuddle her!
I bf'd so no milk hassles, but the air hostesses were great for heating food and also taking turns for a quick cuddle whenever they got the chance!

We have taken her away every year since- including two trips to Thailand at just two and 3.2. The only slight mishap was in Thailand, when she hurt her arm. The staff at the bungalows we were staying at provided a car and a translator, took us to hospital and generally handled the whole thing brilliantly.

There is no need for babies to have travel vaccines- dd didn't have hers until this year (3).

I would say so long as baby has finished routine jabs then go for it. After all, the Thais have babies too, and they're all fine with being in Thailand!

I wouldn't actually worry about a baby on a long flight (they may well sleep, and they're not yet self propelling - much less hassle than a toddler!)

Health is important: I think you need to get HCP advice on required jabs and timings, for both you (as some may be contraindicated during pg and bf) and the baby. And make sure your itinerary does not include any malarial areas.

This is the US official advice on recommended jabs for Thailand. I should imagine UK advice is similar.

I read it as routine jabs should be done, but if the baby is fully bf, and you are immunised against Hep A and typhoid, then perhaps the baby might not need to be. But I think you need specialist advice - try MASTA.