Would you go on holiday (in the UK) with an 8 week old baby?

[mogwai]

Okay so we have a four year old daughter who's starting school in September and we have a baby due in June.

We feel our little girl needs a break from home/nursery before going to school so DH has booked some time off work (end of August). We did go to Spain at the end of February but it wasn't warm enough to use the facilities on the complex.

I would really like to go away somewhere by the sea (we live up north) but don't fancy Wales or Yorkshire or anywhere north so it would have to be Dorset/Devon/Cornwall. I've found a few properties online (flats and houses with 3 bedrooms) that would suit and are available.

DH thinks I'm crazy to consider going on hols with an 8 week old baby. He bases this on a holiday we took in Somerset when DD was 8 months old, but (a) it was March and freezing cold, (b) we had to carry loads of equipment, (c) It really upset her routine and (d) we now have an enormous car!

My argument is that small babies are much more adaptable and need less equipment (no large toys or feeding equipment).

I will conceed, however, that I've forgotten how tired you are when they aren't sleeping through the night.

I think we might as well be in a house near the sea than in our own house if DH has a week off work.

What's your opinion?

And here's a link to Gitcombe: www.gitcombe.co.uk/

thank you!

When I was six weeks old, my parents took me and my 4 year old sister on holiday to Cornwall (from Kent). I am happy to say that I survived unscathed - although the Grannies on both sides of the family were scandalized and didn't speak to my Mum for weeks aparently

We did it when my DS was 8 and DD1 was 3 weeks old. Went to Cornwall,but stayed in hotel,previously went Self-catering.

Alot to be said for both really,I enjoyed the "no washing up" etc. and eating a meal not prepared by me,and hot, in the hotel,but would've been just as easy in self-catering.

We found DD1 very upset by change of scenery etc. but after horrendous night,she settled very well,and like you say she was very adaptable.Being "newborn" she slept well after her feeds,so spent most of holiday asleep.

we went to a wedding in scotland with DS1 when he was 10 weeks old
It took some planning but instead of going as fast as possible to scotland we took 2 days about it, stopped in family friendly little B&B's made sure we had the national trust hand book in the car so that if we needed a break from driving we could stop somewhere other than motorway services (this would perhaps be more important if you have a 4 year old)

Go and have a fabulous time, 8 weeks old is still quite portable

the idea about the NT handbook is brilliant.

you lot are brilliant!