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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Taking a buggy on holiday?

25 replies

Rpj16 · 07/01/2016 19:03

Was not sure whether to post this in parenting or travel as its a mix. We will be taking a road trip to spain in June with a 7 month old baby. Lots of stop off points on the way and over night stays. I feel a cheap buggy would be very useful, however other in RL have suggested its pointless and we should just take a babycarrier. Im all for taking a baby carrier, but who knows if the baby will like being 'carried' all the time. I think a cheap 2nd hand or even borrowed buggy will be ok, and fold away small into boot.

What have others done when traveling a long distance with a baby under 1?

OP posts:

Avebury · 10/01/2016 16:24

I would definitely take a buggy. Not only is it somewhere to dump the baby - and stop them getting too hot and making you too hot but it is also useful for carting stuff around etc. Buy something relatively decent like a maclaren and you'll get years out of it.

dementedpixie · 10/01/2016 16:30

I would definitely take a buggy that reclines so there is somewhere to put the baby when you don't want to carry them.

Original poster

Rpj16 · 10/01/2016 19:24

Thanks for the replies - I thought it would be a good idea taking one. I think people coming with us are concerned about space. But it will be so much easier!

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Tiredandtorn · 10/01/2016 22:29

Definitely take a buggy!! i used a carrier/sling in Spain last year when do was 5 months. It was hell. No personal space, so hot all the time, she didn't nap properly at all = terrible nights too. awful. Please take a buggy!

Bonywasawarriorwayayix · 12/01/2016 17:01

Buggy all the way. DS hated sleeping in his carrier. Plus buggies are easier to shade. You could take a sling for if you're going anywhere really busy maybe?

FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy · 16/01/2016 21:52

Not cheap, but take a look at the Babyzen Yoyo pushchair if you think you will travel regularly. It folds down very small (OK to be hand luggage on a plane small) so takes up very little room in the car boot, so you might find it very useful in general!

I would not consider travelling without a pushchair! It is a pain to be carrying all the time unless you are used to it and have only ever carried (and it sounds like you haven't).

Original poster

Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 22:33

That babyzen looks so nice!
Yes, we will def be getting a special light push chair. Might check ebay for that one you recommended between now and the departure!!
We'll take a sling too. Buggy is nicer for baby isn't it - can sleep more during the day!

OP posts:

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 16/01/2016 22:37

Baby will be hot, and so will you of your walking any where - we hd a very cheap £15 one from Argos that did the trick - and chucked it before we came home!!

Just a thought!!

Original poster

Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 22:39

I was looking at Argos earlier sally. What one did you get and was it important to/did it lie flat?

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ThoughtfulPenny · 16/01/2016 22:44

Absolutely take one. I seriously wouldn't consider going on holiday with a baby without one. We bought a zeta city for £30 on Amazon, great low sunshade, lies flat and easy to push. It was worth its weight in gold!

Original poster

Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 22:53

oooh that's a good contender!! wonder if it will stay on sale for a while. £30 is pretty good for price!!

OP posts:

westcountrywoman · 16/01/2016 22:58

Yes take a buggy. It will be boiling in Spain in August and a 7 month old will struggle with the heat at the best of times; it would be 10x worse in a sling (for both of you). A buggy will allow much more airflow and is easier to keep in the shade. Get one that lies flat so the baby can have a good stretch / kick around after being in the car a lot. Something like a Mountain Buggy Nano will fit in the footwell of the seat being occupied by the baby in the car, so won't need to take up boot space.

westcountrywoman · 16/01/2016 22:59

Sorry, June not August. Either way, it'll be hot!

Samantha28 · 16/01/2016 22:59

Are you mad ?? You MUST take a buggy , if that is what your baby is used to . 7 month is huge , hot and heavy to carry unless you are doing it daily at home .

As others have said , get one that reclines flat so you baby can sleep it in . What are you doing about a car seat and a cot for overnight ?

Can I ask, without wishing to offend, if this is your first baby ?

Samantha28 · 16/01/2016 23:00

Oops x posted

Original poster

Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 23:13

Hi Samantha - yes it is my first baby. I am of the very strong opinion that a buggy is the answer, and will be insisting we take one otherwise we don't go - I feel reinforced by the advice offered in this thread too! . All for taking a sling too (for here and there use) but, it is ridiculous not to consider taking a buggy isn't it!

(there is a back story, we are travelling with others in a very big vehicle who I suspect don't want the baby to take up much room)

We'll take our own car seat, and a travel cot if there is not one provided. I might even go ahead and buy a little baby tent and a whole load of accessories and toys to go with it. It is my first, so inexperienced, but I think we'll need to take a lot more stuff than is expected (?!)

OP posts:

Original poster

Rpj16 · 16/01/2016 23:15

just to add - everyone is excited about this trip, and all want to baby to come, I think people are just not thinking logically as it has been30+ years since they travelled with a baby. (Sorry if that comes across as rude to any grandmas)

OP posts:

Iggi999 · 16/01/2016 23:20

Check your car seat fits in their car, and bring the instructions about how to install it with you!

Samantha28 · 16/01/2016 23:30

I don't think it's rude at all and suspect that you are right re GP . And it's a bit harder to " fight your corner " when it's your first .

It's easy for GP to have a romantic idea of strolling around the med in a floral dress and straw hat with a contented baby sitting on your hip . Or relaxing on a balcony watching the sunset with a glass of sangria in your hand.

Which is great if you have happy contented baby who sleeps well and loves the car seat . And will happily be passed around to everyone while you relax too . Less great if she is clingy , hates the car seat or conversely sleeps all the day in the car while you are driving and is up all night when you get to your destination .

I would imagine that the one things that will make the biggest difference over now ( assuming that your baby is now 8 weeks old ) will be that BF will be very easy by then. I've had a slightly older baby in Greece in a hot summer in July and he ate very little solids there , despite doing so at home. It should be cooler in June of course .

GP will have to accept that baby comes with kit and that's that .

Littlemissjt · 16/01/2016 23:46

I'm away just now with a 5 month old and I couldn't manage without my buggy. I brought my own icandy one rather than a cheapy as it reclines. Although a sling sounds good it's good to be able to put ds in buggy and push him to help him drift off for a snooze.

Enjoy your trip!

Samantha28 · 16/01/2016 23:53

Or even have granny push him

Where are you little miss ? < jealous >

chanice · 16/01/2016 23:54

I took a pram and a baby carrier to Morocco and ended up leaving the carrier there. I used it once and got a massive backache it was nothing like using it here. The streets are different its hotter. Defo take a buggy.

Original poster

Rpj16 · 17/01/2016 13:37

Either my maths was shit in op or serious baby brain. Baby will be 5 months old in june . Not born yet. just waiting. due tomorrow!
We have a heavy duty push chair, but will get a lighter cheaper one. Are you somewhere hot littlemiss? I'd love a holiday right now. Or a spa day and sit in sauna - not happening at 40 weeks pg!

OP posts:

Samantha28 · 17/01/2016 20:21

Don't worry, pregnancy brain is just as bad . Hope you are keeping well . Don't get too anxious tomorrow , remember only 5% of babies arrive on their due day . Enjoy the peace and quite while you can

itsmeyouknow · 04/03/2016 14:17

i second the advice about getting the babyzen yoyo. I have a bugaboo and felt a bit sick getting a second pram so soon, but it folds down into hand luggage size and is amazing. It even folds down its handle so you an tuck it under a table when in a restaurant - my friends forgot the baby was with us as she was sleeping in it under the table. Its worth a look!

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