Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
What age is best to take baby on holiday?
Sunny2021 · 26/02/2021 13:41
We want to take our baby to Crete for a week after the restrictions are lifted (if all goes to plan 😬) we can either take her in the last week in June when she’s 7 months or the first week of September when she’s 9.5 mths. What do people think is the easier age to travel with her? Thanks!
Kollin · 26/02/2021 13:44
Ime, the younger the better. People think that's not the case whereas, I've always found, the more they toddle - the harder work everything is.
I don't think there's a massive difference between the ages you've given though, so do whatever suits your needs.
Snowymcsnowsony · 26/02/2021 13:48
We went camping in France for a month when ds was 6 months. He could sit up unaided. Ebf... Slept all night. Perfect..
Took dd at 9 months. Crawled through bushes and round the campsite... Older dc took turns rinsing her under the communal tap on site!!
Her brand new holiday outfits stayed packed and she lived in a few rompers!!
Laeta · 26/02/2021 13:51
I took my LO to Egypt when she was 6 weeks old. So easy, just sat by the pool and popped her on the breast where she was hungry!
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 26/02/2021 14:16
I'd go in whichever month is predicted to have lower temperatures, otherwise you could end spending the holiday in an air conditioned room
(I lived in Cyprus for a couple of years. Like many, we decamped back to the UK for August to escape the heat)
NeedToGetOuttaHere · 26/02/2021 14:41
7 months. I found the cruising around furniture and crawling stage difficult on holiday especially when there were marble floors everywhere.
fluffy71 · 26/02/2021 15:05
Definitely earlier the better. If they are crawling it’s much harder
Cindersrellie · 26/02/2021 15:07
Definitely the younger the better! Go as soon as you can
Twilightstarbright · 27/02/2021 17:44
I'd go for 7 months. 9.5 could be the verge of walking/cruising etc. Also only just starting weaning so less meals a day and either BLW sharing or pouches. We took DS to Marbella area when he was 7m and couldn't crawl but happy sitting, and had some pouches or BLW food from our meals.
AlwaysLatte · 27/02/2021 17:51
We took ours all over the place, starting with Mallorca when my oldest was 3 months (I took him there with my mum whilst my husband was skiing), and other European cities, also took both to Canada when they were smallish babies (about 10 months) and to other shorter European trips. Babies are so much easier to travel with than toddlers IMO. We used to try to book overnight flights for long-haul. The only problem we had was when the youngest's ears were sore, I think he was about a year. He absolutely screamed the place down. But if you time feeding for the time you're descending it helps with that.
MinnieMountain · 27/02/2021 20:27
I know a few people who walked at 8-10 months, so definitely the younger the better.
Whatnameisgood · 28/02/2021 10:00
I agree with those who advise 7 months. Much easier before they’re crawling/walking
newstart1234 · 28/02/2021 10:02
I was going to say 4 years! I guess I’m an outlier 😂
olderthanyouthink · 28/02/2021 10:06
We did long haul with a 9/10 month old, don't do it!!! She was in the 8-10 month sleep regression and she popped through 3 teeth we didn't sleep more than a few hours for the first 7 days or a 12 day trip.
Cruising and walking and food were the LEAST of our problems.
Flights were mostly fine though, did book her a seat so we had more space.
MinnieMountain · 28/02/2021 12:12
I’m with you @newstart1234 but I was saying out of OP’s options.
10 months to 2 years was the worst for flying for us. Age 3+ you can attempt to reason with them.
Pemberleys · 01/03/2021 21:02
Depends how mobile they are. Did longhaul with DC1 at 10 months and it was a piece of cake. DC2 at that age would have been an absolute nightmare.
Khtchkn · 03/03/2021 20:33
We flew to Thailand directly when DS was 8 months. I was so worried about it and even called TUI to see if we could postpone the flight (which they said no). It was literally the most smoothest flight, and the holiday in thailand was amazing. Looking back at it, the only way that the flight went smoothly was because i was breastfeeding at the time. Whenever he cries, the boob always sorted him out! Even the people around us said what a trooper he was. On the way back to London wasn't as great as the first time, but it wasn't bad at all. I definetely wouldn't fly when they are able to crawl/walk as they will not want to sit still for more than 10minutes. But since you're going to crete its not so far. We are going to Corfu and my son will be 2 then and he is much more tolerable. I read once they reach 3 years old it's a breeze
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