Longhaul with a 3 month old

[Nuttynortherner]

One of my BFs is getting married in Thailand next year, DC will be 3 months old (if arrives on time!). DH is already super-overprotective, while I'm a tad more laid-back! He's worried DC won't have had all injections, but I'm worried about leaving DC with grandparents while I'm (hopefully) BF-ing. We've given up on the travelling idea and will just stay in beach resort. Midwife said they travel well at that age so said we should probably go. Anybody been there done that? Any thoughts/tips?

big place, Thailand. Where?

I travelled with ds1 when he was 3 months to the middle east (Saudi) he was a dream. He slept in the bassinet most of the way.
Things I learnt:
Don't bring too much stuff. I brought loads! Pare it back.
Put a nappy and a change of clothes in a freezer bag. Just grab a bag to change the baby, in case of poo explosions you have the change of clothes there.
Remember to drink! I forgot and the air stewards kept telling me I needed to drink. I was so hyper aware that I forgot I needed to look after myself.
I'm flying in a couple of weeks with ds1(3 pretty much) and 7 month old so may have more advice after.

I would take GP advice over vaccinations tbh. What would you need to travel there?

Super portable, and we do have all manner of bugs in this country too :).

I did long haul with my then 5.5 month old. It was a good age to fly/travel. Slept pretty well in the sky cot, didn't have to worry about food since she was still breastfed (using bottles and sterilising sounds like hard work overseas), really portable in terms of going out for dinner, and she was quite happy to snooze on a lounger by the pool .

As someone else said, go easy on the packing. Vests are good for day wear but take some layers for air conditioned planes, hotels etc.

I would check re vaccines but the advice I was given for Asia/Middle East was just be sensible. Nothing extra was recommended, be careful about water etc.

If it's main stream with reasonable medical facilities then I'd go!

If you are able or willing to bf I found it made travelling a lot easier at that age (ff also totally doable, but especially in developing countries it is just more work in terms of sterilising and the like).

Hopefully your baby will be calm and happy and portable. BUT in case you have a colicky sensitive screamer like our ds1, I'd consider seeing if you could rent a little villa or suite. The extra room will allow you to disturb the baby less while you chat/eat/read/watch TV in the evenings, and allow one of you to sleep while the other settles the baby. If you are ffing or mixed feeding having your own kitchenette will be worth it's weight in gold with a microwave for sterilising and space for storing half made bottles etc.

Ooh, and definitely invest in a good sling for the plane and in case the journey is unsettling! At that age the manduca could be great, as it will be supportive to carry for longer times but also less warm in the heat than a soft fabric sling or the snug ergo baby newborn liner.

Congratulations and happy travels!

We moved to Oz when dd2 was 3mo. They're great at that age especially when bf. dd2 slept most of it, cuddled up in my arms, she wouldn't sleep in the bassinet provided as she liked to sleep on her tummy and I think the blanket they gave us was prickly. But, she slept, and didn't scream the place down.

They love dc in places like Thailand, so your dc won't be short of attention.

Good Luck!

Thanks everyone! Really helpful tips.
@special: Koh Samui so not exactly off the beaten track!
@middle: think advice is just the regular stuff, so DC may have had one or two doses of the dip/tetanus etc but not the full course til 4 months-ish
@custard: I'd started to look at slings but hadn't even thought about cooler materials (with DC due in Feb I'm thinking warm everything!). We're looking at villas and I think that could be a really good idea for extra space

enjoy!

remember full 24/7 insect protection against dengue fever - no vaccine or cure for that. The mosquito is silent and bites in the daytime too.