Taking a newborn abroad

[mlhs4198]

Hi all,

Just looking some advice. Pregnant after a MC last year, currently 15 weeks - all is going well. Due 19th July. First baby.

We've booked a holiday for the start of September, Gran Canaria. Baby will be anywhere between 4-8 obviously depending on when baby is born.

My question is, will I be able to take baby swimming? Don't think immunisations will have been done by then but I've read elsewhere it's okay? The pool is outdoor and unheated however the weather will be about 30C. Will baby be okay just 5 mins at a time in a wetsuit?

Further to this, would just like to know if anyone has any experience of taking a baby this young abroad? Any top tips of things to take or general advice is very welcome. Starting to worry that we should have waited till baby a little older.

Thanks.

No sun cream on a baby that young. Don't be stupid.

Just so you know you can't put sun cream on a new born baby, just need to be kept in shade xxx

Seriously ignore all the naysayers, he was my first and he got his passport when he was 16 days old!

I couldn't even get a birth certificate until DS was older, so while getting a passport within 16 days might be possible, it's equally not and it's a bit of a risk.

@nespressowoo how rude and unhelpful. As you can see that has already been addressed. I didn’t realise, as I stated this is my first and I’ve a lot of learning to do. It is something that I would have looked into closer to the time. Not stupid, just not had the experience yet. Thanks

@littlehelpneeded thank you x will ensure got proper sun covers and plenty of shade for baby :)

We took our daughter at 4 months and it was pretty easy. However, public pools are breeding grounds for bugs and I wouldn't risk swimming with a newborn who hasn't been immunised (am a nurse,also had to avoid pools for exactly that reason with my son post chemo). I also had an elective section,lost 2.5L of blood and almost died...unfortunately recovery was pretty hard,so it doesn't always go to plan. I couldn't have thought of anything worse than trying to get packed up for every eventually with a baby that young...and would have waited a few more weeks. But fingers crossed all goes to plan for you,if your baby isn't late/you get a passport/have an easy delivery and recovery then sure it'll be fine!

It's a terrible idea to take a four week old swimming. Ffs what are you thinking?
Anyway, I doubt even you will be swimming because as you say, you'll be feeding or you'll be sitting beside the sleeping baby...

@han01uk oh wow, that must have been terrible. Obviously if anything like that happens then the holiday will be cancelled, no chance of risking my health for a weeks break. Yep that’s the plan, as long as everything goes fine, I’m sure we’ll have a great time as others have said. Thanks x

@horehound as I’ve said, maybe that was a bit of a naive question - just over excitement to have a holiday with my long awaited LO . God, why are people so rude and abrupt on here - I obviously have a lot to learn

I did it after 6 weeks (had section) and it was fab :-)

Best time to travel is when they are tiny. We have no regrets, and I could have happily gone weeks earlier, but waited for my six week check for insurance reasons.

You can tell it’s your first 😂

No, I wouldn’t do it. For a million reasons that when you have had the baby you will understand why. But you seem to have made your mind up despite the majority of people saying it isn’t the best idea so Good luck

Like I said, bet you’ve missed my post lol.

Some things to consider are milk allergies, colic and different common things babies can have. Also infections after c section. Problem is you can’t plan for it.
I was literally like yourself and bought all the gear but had no idea.
This tiny, crying little life will just want peace, food, love and comfort. I wouldn’t dream of dragging them through and airport, chances of germs, even a bad cold is horrible for a new born and dangerous as what if they stop feeding, lose weight, then become dehydrated.

Once he or sure is born hopefully you’ll put them before a holiday.

Whatever you decide, wish you luck.

Yep, You do have a lot to learn!
Can't believe the babysitting comment either. I hope you aren't just going to dump your baby. You is all your baby needs.
I am worried!

It seems to be a fashion these days to be determined for a baby not to change your life.
It will!

a whole series of people suggesting it’s a bad idea for your baby and you saying you don’t want to hear it. Just end the chat.

Yes I agree with the past few commenters.

Once you've had the baby, the penny will drop.

The thing is, there's a reason the majority of folk are saying it's a bad idea. Op doesn't want to listen. Strange.

It sounds like you’re set on doing it whatever advice is given. A holiday will feel very unimportant when you have a tiny baby. You do sound like you have very little experience of newborns or what to expect post partum. Obviously that’s not your fault but it might be a good idea to think about some of the issues raised. People aren’t trying to be unkind I expect most are struggling to phrase thing tactfully.

Ignore the negative comments ! It will be fine!!
I live abroad so will be taking new born on a plane fairly quick after it is born and will be flying quite regularly back and forth & we will be taking baby on an 8 week trip around South America at 3months as DH has a sabbatical to take from work !!

Heaps of my friends have travelled with small babies, last year my best friend took her 1 week old to Glastonbury - it was all absolutely fine

You can relax on the holiday - and it be nice to get away :)

Enjoy x

Do you know what OP one of my big regrets is that I didn’t go on holiday for a last hurrah holiday before our baby was born . I think you are putting a huge amount of pressure on yourself and the baby in the first few special weeks of learning to be a mum. Flying with babies and children is challenging enough let alone with a newborn. The risks of a new born baby contracting an infection on a flight are high. My advice would be to reschedule the holiday to before you become parents. At the moment you should be able to cancel or change holiday plans with very little financial penalty. One other thing to consider is that you will need medical insurance for a newborn and how much that will cost at such a young age. If you carry on with your holiday plans I sincerely hope that all goes well with your birth and that there are no complications. Good luck with getting an elective section for a first baby 2!

my best friend took her 1 week old to Glastonbury - it was all absolutely fine

Wow I can't think if anything more selfish.
As if a baby wants to be at a bloody music concert surrounded by drunks and folk taking drugs let alone loud music.
Changing shitty nappies in a tent.

The thing I think about people who do that kind of shit is that they are so ignorant and selfish they only think about themselves and not the needs or feelings if their baby.

OP- where are you planning to buying a wetsuit for a 4 week old from???

I took my youngest abroad when he was 7 weeks old. He was fine. I would be more worried about the c section.

last year my best friend took her 1 week old to Glastonbury - it was all absolutely fine

That is quite possibly one of the most selfish things I've read. When you have a baby you should be concentrating on their needs rather than travelling to a music festival and sleeping in a tent.

We took our 10 week old on holiday including a short flight, flight was fine, she mostly fed. Get a baby carrier like a stretchy wrap for the airport.

An unheated pool won't be suitable at that age. You would need a pool heated to 35 degrees C. But babies can swim prior to vaccinations.

It's a fairly easy age to travel at as they don't need much especially if breastfeeding.

Passport took 3 weeks to arrive so that would be the main worry. Also too young for suncream, and being constantly in the shade could get tiresome.

Loads of people were catastrophosing about my plan to go at 6 weeks, but honestly, it was a great holiday. Baby was my second, so also had a toddler, but it was honestly lovely. And it still felt like a proper holiday, with day trips, beach trips, strolls around, the pool.

Whilst some people obviously do take a whole to recover after birth, or find it tricky, that's by no means everyone's experience. Just make sure you take a baby sling, strap they baby on, and go and enjoy your holiday!!

And if you need to cancel and can afford to, that's fine.
Alternatively, book a last minute break when the baby is born and you know whether it's manageable.

Btw, loads of people (and I mean LOADS) commented on how brave we were going away with a newborn. I was just confused - the baby was zero trouble. The toddler on the other hand was far more effort. Go when they are young!