Anxious about holiday with my 5 month old

PeacefulTime · 2024-09-15T14:06:15+00:00

This may sound stupid, please be kind. I love my DD so much and can’t imagine how things were before she was here. Recently I have to consciously push away horrible thoughts about things that could potentially harm her and sometimes these worries bring me to tears. We booked a holiday to Spain a while ago, and will be going in a couple of weeks. She will be just over 5 months old when we go. We planned it to be fairly easy as far as holidays with babies go - we’re not too far from the airport and have plenty around us so we won’t need to travel while there. We (DH, DD and I) did center Parcs a few weeks ago as a kind of ‘trial’ and feel it went well. My parents can be very fixed in their opinions and not very tactful. Recently they have said that they don’t know why we booked a holiday with her being so young and keep talking about the things she could catch on a plane and things like this. Normally I would pay no attention but it has really affected me, especially with me already being overly anxious about her health. It’s got to the point where I’m feeling really upset about going and starting to regret booking this. I’m not sure what kind of advice I’m looking for really. It might help to hear from people who have traveled with a baby recently and have positive experiences?

Tipster100 · 15/09/2024 15:37

There was an AMA a few days ago from someone who regularly travels with a small child. See if you can find it. Some useful info there. You'll
Be fine. X

Tipster100 · 15/09/2024 15:39

Have managed to find it.

My 3 year old has visited 32 countries AMA www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/5164760-my-3-year-old-has-visited-32-countries-ama

Nonametonight · 15/09/2024 15:40

Have a great holiday.

Keep an eye on these anxious feelings - if they're escalating or affecting your ability to do normal things it might be worth chatting to your GP about postpartum anxiety.

DelurkingAJ · 15/09/2024 15:41

Perfect age to travel. They won’t get cross that they can’t wander around the plane, they can sleep while you’re out for dinner, weather will be pleasant but not too hot. Sounds glorious!

MaltipooMama · 15/09/2024 15:50

Our little one was about that age when we took him for the week to Majorca, it was an absolute breeze, he was happy chilling out and people watching, short flight which went well as we took toys and snacks on for him. Honestly loads of people say it's the best age to travel as they're not wanting to get down and run around all over the place! You'll be fine, hope you have a great time

Persiancarpet · 15/09/2024 16:02

It'll be fine. I went Spain with my dd that age. The downside is that her first tooth came through on the first morning but otherwise it was great. I had a 2 hour siesta with her at lunchtime (I was bf) and DP sat by the pool. Later on in the day he'd take her for a walk and I'd sit by the pool.

We were all inclusive so meals were buffets and quick. In the evenings we went back to our room, dd slept and we brought drinks up from the bar and we watched films on our laptop. (Dd suffers with fomo so there was no chance of her sleeping whilst out in the evening).

Take calpol with you (i think you need to buy it from a pharmacy in spain), take plenty of nappies and change on clothes for the plane (just in case of accidents or delays.plus nappies are cheaper in UK).

Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 17:18

Tipster100 · 15/09/2024 15:39

Have managed to find it.

My 3 year old has visited 32 countries AMA www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/5164760-my-3-year-old-has-visited-32-countries-ama

Thank you, this is such a useful post / thread x

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Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 17:20

MaltipooMama · 15/09/2024 15:50

Our little one was about that age when we took him for the week to Majorca, it was an absolute breeze, he was happy chilling out and people watching, short flight which went well as we took toys and snacks on for him. Honestly loads of people say it's the best age to travel as they're not wanting to get down and run around all over the place! You'll be fine, hope you have a great time

That sounds lovely, DD also loves people watching at the moment which is great that she’s so easily entertained. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 17:36

Persiancarpet · 15/09/2024 16:02

It'll be fine. I went Spain with my dd that age. The downside is that her first tooth came through on the first morning but otherwise it was great. I had a 2 hour siesta with her at lunchtime (I was bf) and DP sat by the pool. Later on in the day he'd take her for a walk and I'd sit by the pool.

We were all inclusive so meals were buffets and quick. In the evenings we went back to our room, dd slept and we brought drinks up from the bar and we watched films on our laptop. (Dd suffers with fomo so there was no chance of her sleeping whilst out in the evening).

Take calpol with you (i think you need to buy it from a pharmacy in spain), take plenty of nappies and change on clothes for the plane (just in case of accidents or delays.plus nappies are cheaper in UK).

Thank you for the advice! Sounds like you had a lovely time. I’ll remember the calpol! :)

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Bemusedandconfusedagain · 15/09/2024 17:50

I get the impression from your post that your parents can be quite negative people,and often rain on your parade, so it's understandable that this might have rubbed off a bit and be giving rise to these fears, particularly now it's combined with wanting to protect your precious child.

But it will be totally fine. You're going to a country that is no less safe than the UK and had a good health care system. An airplane has better air filtration systems than UK public transport, and I don't suppose they'd be freaking out about you getting on a bus.

Go and have a wonderful time. The sunshine will be lovely and it is a great age to travel with babies.

Grannyinnwaiting · 15/09/2024 19:02

DD was in Spainvwith her 2month old recently - no probs and I also travelled with her trans atlantic when she was 3 months. Have a great holiday and ignore the parents

MaltipooMama · 15/09/2024 19:03

@PeacefulTime aw then she will be absolutely fine! I think you'll all have a great time, she will love it in the moment and have some lovely photos to look back on from her first holiday ☺️

Changeiscomingthisyear · 15/09/2024 19:05

I imagine baby/toddler groups are more germy than a plane. Lots of babies will have older sibiling who going to nursery, school and after school clubs and have no concept of personal space or hygiene. Have a lovely holiday.

Changeiscomingthisyear · 15/09/2024 19:07

5 months could be teething time so I would pack iburofen and anbesol liquid in hand luggage. I always travel with spare clothes for me since kids as they seems to spill some thing on me rather than themsleves.

Kitkat1523 · 15/09/2024 19:14

It will be fine….,we took GD age 5 months to Spain…..we took all her formula as ready made just for convenience……no food to consider as she was not yet weaning……she was non mobile which made life so much easier….she slept in a travel cot…..we kept her in the shade mostly…..she had a few dips in the pool….she slept in her pram most evenings so easy to take out with us ….the flights were only 2.5 hours and were fine…..honestly it was no more hassle than taking her on a uk holiday…go for it….and enjoy

Scottishskifun · 15/09/2024 19:16

We took DS2 to Menorca when he was 4.5 months old absolutely fine.
Tips I would say have a rechargeable pram fan (needs to go in hand luggage), take a few foam click squares with you as most floors are hard and it gives you a space to put toys out, do nappy changes etc. The large muslins are also handy.

If Formula feeding then take it with you and double check the mineral water (there is infant symbols on them) if its too high in natural salts for babies.

Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 19:40

Bemusedandconfusedagain · 15/09/2024 17:50

I get the impression from your post that your parents can be quite negative people,and often rain on your parade, so it's understandable that this might have rubbed off a bit and be giving rise to these fears, particularly now it's combined with wanting to protect your precious child.

But it will be totally fine. You're going to a country that is no less safe than the UK and had a good health care system. An airplane has better air filtration systems than UK public transport, and I don't suppose they'd be freaking out about you getting on a bus.

Go and have a wonderful time. The sunshine will be lovely and it is a great age to travel with babies.

Thank you for this, the bus comparison really helps to put some of my more irrational fears into perspective.

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Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 19:53

Changeiscomingthisyear · 15/09/2024 19:07

5 months could be teething time so I would pack iburofen and anbesol liquid in hand luggage. I always travel with spare clothes for me since kids as they seems to spill some thing on me rather than themsleves.

So true! Thank you

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Original poster

PeacefulTime · 15/09/2024 19:55

Scottishskifun · 15/09/2024 19:16

We took DS2 to Menorca when he was 4.5 months old absolutely fine.
Tips I would say have a rechargeable pram fan (needs to go in hand luggage), take a few foam click squares with you as most floors are hard and it gives you a space to put toys out, do nappy changes etc. The large muslins are also handy.

If Formula feeding then take it with you and double check the mineral water (there is infant symbols on them) if its too high in natural salts for babies.

Great tips thank you, I hadn’t thought about the hard floors!

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