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Taking a newborn abroad

192 replies

mlhs4198 · 24/01/2020 21:06

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. Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
feliciabirthgiver · 25/01/2020 06:40

We took DD to Spain to stay in family villa when she was 9 weeks old. It was a lovely trip, a great way to bond as a family and the rest, sunshine and extra pair of hands really helped my recovery.
Don't forget to get a shade for the pram (you can get 100% UV mesh ones which are great) and also UV pop up tents which make great cost for the beach. We didn't really take her swimming (although it was lovely gentle exercise for me) but she turned into a water baby as she got older and she's now a fabulous little traveller. If you still feel like it after the birth then definitely do go, it is perfectly doable even if not everyone would want to do it.

pisspants · 25/01/2020 06:59

I was living abroad and ended up back in the UK to have my baby. I planned to head back to the country I was living in asap after birth and ended up going back after 7 weeks. I have just looked at the passport. We got the passport when she was 5 weeks old, then must have booked the flights after that.
Looking back I dont really know how I did it as it was a 10 hour flight on my own. At the other end I had a 5 hour bus journey also! but it was to get back to my husband and what was home at the time.
So it is definitely doable but I wouldn't have done it without good reason and also i hadn't booked anything until I knew we were both ok.

Orchidflower1 · 25/01/2020 07:00

Morning op- regarding the passport. Are you and the dad and grandparents all British passport holders?

I ask because my lovely friend had to wait and fill out more forms as dad is Dutch and UK passport holder. It stopped them taking their baby girl to meet his family when they hoped. They obviously got one in the end but it wasn’t just a quick job.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

BlueWonder · 25/01/2020 07:03

I had to take my DD to a family wedding abroad (similar climate to Canaries). It was scheduled just three weeks after her due date. I wanted to stay at home with baby while the rest of the family went but MIL was insistent we came and booked flights 6 months beforehand (knowing I was pg and didn't want to go!).

In the event DD was 2 weeks early, so 5 weeks old when we travelled. But a lot of stress beforehand as she was very ill just after birth and we spent 2 weeks in neonatal unit. Consultant gave her the all clear to travel about a week later (three weeks old). Said no problem taking her on flight. Just to bf on take-off and landing which I did. I would still rather have not gone but lots of family pressure (huge rush to get passport, we had to get appointment and go to passport office).

For the trip, we borrowed a more solid carrycot for our pushchair base and bought a really good parasol. All fine whilst away, except no changing facility on plane! Don't underestimate how long it takes to get ready and go anywhere if this is your first. Might be tricky on a holiday with others. This was not my first so a bit easier for me.

I did not think of taking her in the pool even though most of the time was spent poolside under a big umbrella. About 4-6 months is better and they can regulate their body heat much better by then. Also the water hygiene.....you don't know what chemicals they use in the pool, how well it is tested and so on. Holiday swimming pools and hot tubs can look fine but harbour all sorts of bacteria. I wouldn't risk a baby in that until their immune system is stronger and they're less likely to startle and gulp mouthfuls of water down into their lungs. Bacteria in the water can also cause nasty rashes. Just not worth it. Otherwise, have a great trip!

smeerf · 25/01/2020 07:19

I'm planning to go to Turkey when DS is 3 months old. Based on experience of DS1, that's the absolute earliest I'm going to feel well enough to go. I should be able to get him vaxxed in time and even if there's a massive wait to register his birth like last time, I should be able to get his passport sorted in time.

We'll be surrounded by DP's family so loads of help. I'm really looking forward to it. He'll be able to swim too! Any chance you could postpone?

roundtable · 25/01/2020 07:29

OP- I flew with both of mine at 5 weeks to stay in another country for a month each time as dh had to travel with work.

Emergency c section the first time and I was stiff but fine. Dh did the carrying/lifting. Those 4 weeks with dc1 was idyllic. No interference or expectations. We just lay in bed or went for little walks. Same thing for ds2 (another c section) and the flights were fine but the stay was horrendous! Keeping a toddler entertained all day whilst trying to look after a newborn while dh was at work was difficult. Slightly different though as you won't be on your own. So from my perspective - go for it. I would say that bubble time with ds1 was magical.

Practically wise, I did a lot of research before travelling. Order baby things like nappies, calpol creme, formula etc at the Boots past passport control. They'll bag it all up for you and then you just collect it and pay once you've clear ed customs. Makes life so much easier.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time indoors/in shade. It won't be like a typical holiday, you'll have to listen to you and your baby's needs as their skin and you might be delicate.

Request a bassinet if they do them on the plane. We were long haul - I'm not sure if they do them short haul but it's worth asking.

Slings are great for freeing up hands for carrying luggage. I've travelled a lot with one on the front and one on the back!

I took travel system, travel cot (I am funny about them sleeping on a not new mattress) and slings. As well as all the general baby paraphernalia.

Can't think of anything else but good luck. Hopefully it'll be a lovely bonding experience for you all.

Cuckoobananas · 25/01/2020 07:45

I had to take two flights when dc was 6weeks old, although i didnt book flight until we had got the passport and we got an appointment to register the birth within 2 weeks. However with DC2 it was just over a month before they had an appointment to register him. I found doing the poassport online was much quicker.

I BF on take of and landing and had DS in a sling so i had my hands free and he slept the whole time (one 4hour flight and one 2hour). Not sure if it has been mentioned but you can order stuff from boots and click and collect from the boots once you are through passport control, that way it wont count as your baggage allowence.

Good luck OP and i hope it all falls into place.

happydays00 · 25/01/2020 07:45

I'm not really too sure why you even asked for advice to be honest, you clearly don't want to hear anything other than "it will be fine".

I took DC1 abroad when she was 3 months old and it was fine, but really it was no better than fine. I had forceps in theatre and lost 2 litres of blood and had recurrent infections afterwards. I had grand (naïve) ideas of lazing about by the pool feeding, the vitamin D helping my recovery, pushing the pram around the cobbled streets... in reality, it was just hard work. No sleep, spending a large portion of the night trying to keep a screaming baby quiet, missing home comforts.

With DC2, he spent a week in NICU, I had a c section and once we got him home I chose not to leave the house for 2 weeks. Despite a much more stressful birth and start I enjoyed it much more this time as I didn't put pressure on myself to be up and about within days of pushing a baby out.

I wish I'd posted on here before I booked the holiday with DD because when we went again at 6 months that was a great trip!

Continentalmama · 25/01/2020 07:55

Hi flew alone with my 5 weeks old to visit family in another country. No problem at all we both had a great time.

Sling on the plane, I actually just fastened the baby seat belt around it so didn't even take baby out as she was sleeping, also feed on take off and landing. If you are bottle feeding you can get pre made up cartons which are very good for travel days as don't have to mix the formula but are more expensive.

Have a look at the yoyo pram it's the one we have for travelling as we travel quite often and it's brilliant, you will need the newborn add on though.

Passport, we got ours no problem it took about 2 weeks, when we applied 18 months ago a Uk passport for a baby doesn't require the infants eyes to be open so it's much easier to get I would just send off for it ASAP.

2 adults and one baby I think you'll be fine and have a lovely family break! The only thing I'd be worried about is if you baby has colic or some other condition that means hours of screaming, but you know the resort well and I'm sure if you have to push him around in a pram every evening at least it will be lovely weather doing it!

Last note is it's not recommended to put sunscreen on under 6 month old so they really will need to be well covered and in the shade instead.

Sorry if all these points have been covered I didn't rtft but just wanted to add some positivity as seems like a few people are trying to put you off when in reality you never know! My DC was a great sleeper (bad eater 🙄) and a holiday at 4-8 weeks would have been absolutely fine for us however I have friends with babies who it absolutely wouldn't have worked for.

DappledThings · 25/01/2020 08:02

I would have been fine taling both of mine on holiday at 6 weeks. I have no experience of bottle feeding so I don't know how much more difficult that would be but if breastfeeding goes well then that's not an issue at all.

That will also.make the flight much easier. Sucking helps them with the change of ear pressure during take off and landing and it's much easier to stick them on the breast than time a bottle.

I would make sure you have a stretchy wrap too. Mine were too small for my structured carrier at 6 weeks but a stretchy wrap is brilliant and will help loads with getting through the airport etc.

MsChatterbox · 25/01/2020 08:10

No I wouldn't take the baby swimming. I would if it was indoor and heated. Babies can't wear suncream until 6 months. Have a look at something called a snoozeshade, they're really great.

LynetteScavo · 25/01/2020 08:13

Will baby be okay just 5 mins at a time in a wetsuit?

No, because at that age your baby will have no idea if it's in a bath or a pool, and will will gain nothing from from having swim nappies and sun hats etc shoved on them.

I personally wouldn't fly with an unvaccinated baby unless it was necessary , and I definitely wouldn't put them in swimming pool water.

I haven't travelled abroad with my own DC at that age but I did used to work as a nanny in Spain. I wouldn't take a baby that age outside between 12-4 in 30'C. For me, there would be no lounging by the pool because I'd be inside with the baby. I personally wouldn't put sunscreen on a baby that age either, just keep them completely out of the sun.

Levatrice · 25/01/2020 08:20

This won’t be much of a holiday you do realise this? Until kid’s are about 8 years old it’s not a holiday for parents it’s just extra stress?! And as ex crew I can assure you this is inaccurate “ loads of people fly with young babies” 4/5 month+ yes; NOT newborns. In Years of flying I saw maybe 2 babies that were weeks old. There is a reason for this. Baby might catch all the bugs under the sun from this unnecessary travel what’s the point in the exposure? Go when baby’s 5 months and sitting up ( and before crawling) you will have a much better time I assure you! Also post section some people have clexane for up to 10 weeks so Imagine having to deal with that on holiday? Third degree tear reviews, postnatal 6 week check etc etc. Your dead set on going but you have a whole lifetime to go on holiday just delay it Crown Confused

Nuttyaboutnutella · 25/01/2020 08:27

Sorry if this has been addressed but genuinely curious, are you even allowed to fly so soon after a C-section? I'm thinking with the risk of wound opening back up, infection, etc?

mlhs4198 · 25/01/2020 08:36

Morning all! Lots of replies overnight. It’s great too hear from people who have done this and had a fine experience. Also glad to hear from a couple who have done this and had a not so good trip. Will definitely keep all your tips and advice and hindsight in mind.

@Nuttyaboutnutella must admit, wasn’t something I thought about originally (silly, I know) however nhs website states you may have to wait for your 6 week check. But I’m guessing that obviously depends on how well you get on afterwards. Of course if I am struggling we won’t be going. Doubt I’m going to get the elective anyway, MW telling me it’s probably going to be a no and family members also trying to put me off. Again, will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Again thanks all for the wonderful advice. As long as all goes to plan and we are both fit and healthy we will definitely go for it and report back on our experience. Definitely will not be looking to take baby swimming, what a learning curve - much more to come I’m sure Grin

OP posts:
StealthMama · 25/01/2020 12:47

Op is there a particular reason you wouldn't just move the holiday for when baby is say10 weeks old, as that way you get to deal with all possible issues, deff sort passport, get through 4th trimester and be more certain to have a nice time?

It's like 6 weeks or nothing? 10 weeks and you'll be more organised, less hormonal and confident in the trip.

KaptenKrusty · 25/01/2020 13:38

@SmileCheese lolz why is I selfish? The baby was happy sleeping in the sling most of the day - could feed whenever he wanted - lots of relaxing - slept in a camper van in Moses basket! Baby couldn’t care less where he was once he was with mum ! Glastonbury is very kid friendly there is a whole kids area with proper facilities to change and hang out in the shade!
Holidays and festivals with a baby may not be for everybody- but there’s no need to be so judgemental about other people who do things like this with a baby - there’s nothing selfish about it!

ScotinSpain · 25/01/2020 14:30

I'm more of a lurker than a poster, usually, but I really felt the need to comment on this thread. @mlhs4198, I'm going to go completely against the grain and say there is a grand possibility that you will be ABSOLUTELY FINE!

I live in Spain and I flew back to the UK with my first baby, alone (!) at less than 9 weeks post-partum. I know a mother who travelled with a 2-week old, because she had to. I waited until 9 weeks as I had prior commitments here but ideally, I would have liked - and would have felt completely able - to go as soon as the baby's passport came just before he was 4 weeks old.

The passport was delivered within 10 days of doing the online application from Spain in the height of summer, with a Spanish birth certificate and documents from a non-British father. I would imagine a simple application from within the UK would be even faster.

The flights were fine both ways. Because I was alone, security at the airport was a little tricky, but in both countries staff and other passengers were falling over themselves to help me. The baby is now 6 months old and I have flown with him several times - the first flights were by far the easiest as, like you have already said, he slept and ate the whole time. Now, he's throwing himself around and shouting a lot so it's more stressful!

Living in the sun, it is easy enough to keep baby in the shade most of the day. I keep him under two forms of shade while outside, e.g. buggy with hood up under a parasol, and inside in a climate-controlled environment during the hottest hours. We've taken baby away to hotels near where we live and again, I found it easier and a bit more relaxing when he was tiny because he couldn't move of his own accord! Also, if you have family around who you trust to take him away for a couple of hours, there's no reason why you can't relax and sunbathe a bit too.

The doctors here said I could take the baby swimming whenever I wished and I didn't need to wait for immunisations. With regards to the pool though, that's where I do agree with other people. Although he's a real waterbaby now, he was not a fan at all of the unheated water when he was tiny. Still, like a PP said, the baby will very quickly let you know how he/she feels.

Spain is not a third-world country. You can buy nappies, formula and everything you need here at very similar prices to those you would find at home. As far as I know, the risk of diseases while un-immunised is not significantly higher or lower than in the UK.

The disclaimer, I suppose, is to have watertight travel insurance in the event that you or the baby were to suffer from complications following the birth. I don't see any harm or shame in making the plans - if they don't work out, they don't work out.

I firmly believe that parents should do what works for them and their family. Many people were shocked that I travelled so soon and have done so frequently since, but that is just how our life has panned out. I respect that not everyone would be comfortable doing the same.

You do you, and let them do them.

anothermamaa · 25/01/2020 19:27

Wow I can't believe how rude some people have been on here. Why do people need to be so hostile? She's asking for people's experiences! As the OP says if she's not feeling up to it she can just cancel.

OP I think it's really beneficial to think positively during pregnancy and visualise it all going smoothly. This may not happen but why not expect the best? Worst case scenario you cancel the trip.

I travelled to Italy for three weeks when my DS was 8 weeks old and it was lovely. We spent a lot of time mooching around where we were staying and by the pool in the mornings and early evenings, ate nice food, relaxed in a beautiful place. It did me so much good. If you have support where you are going all the better! Days at the beach where more challenging so we tended to stay put for the most part. DS loved to lie under the palms next to the pool gazing up at them.

I will say I would have struggled before 4 weeks. I lost a lot of blood so was low in iron and very tired, but I felt like a new woman after a month. Is there any way you could book it for 8 weeks after? That would give you plenty of time to sort everything. I'm sure if you were organised and felt ok you'd be able to to it in less though. Will DH be able to help you with the passport / admin? We did a fast track online and it was pretty smooth. You can just take a photo at home, no need to get a professional one done.

Italy is very baby centric so we were able to get very sensitive sun block etc out there.

Flying with a tiny baby is incredibly easy IME...he just slept the whole way. Good luck and hope you enjoy your holiday !

NearlyBaked · 27/01/2020 14:03

If you do fly with a baby, take a couple of changes of clothes for them and also some for you in your carry on bag. Something about the air pressure makes for explosive nappies and they are also more prone to puking all over you!

firstimemamma · 27/01/2020 14:14

Enjoy your holiday but at 4-8 weeks I was still finding my feet (with the baby, my postnatal recovery and breastfeeding) and wouldn't have coped with any kind of foreign travel until 4 months (even then probably would have really struggled) due to cluster feeding exhaustion. I had a very straightforward delivery and baby.

duckme · 27/01/2020 14:18

I think you'll be fine. Sure, newborns come with lots of luggage but there will not be an easier holiday with him/her until they are about 10 years old!
The immunisations don't cover things that are likely to be caught from a pool so I can't see that that would make a difference. My Health visitor told me to take my son swimming. Obviously the cold water will be an issue, but you'll be able to tell if your baby is uncomfortable. Most babies/toddlers don't last longer than a few minutes in normal pools anyway. Foot paddling may be a better option than having to cart wetsuits and things around.
Enjoy.

yogo · 27/01/2020 14:19

There was a 6 week old on the flight to Costa Rica I was on in the summer. Slept the whole way. On the flight home it was 8 weeks and did the same. His parents said they'd had a good time but no sun cream and mosquitos were a pain. They had enjoyed it but said it wasn't exactly a holiday.

I wouldn't put it in the pool due to ear and tummy bugs, but I'd go if you don't mind watching and just enjoying family time.

dressingfortv · 27/01/2020 14:24

Unless you absolutely had to I think it's incredibly selfish to take a baby that's not had its jabs on a plane.

My family all had to wait until ds was four months and immunized before we flew with him to meet them.

And lo and behold flying over he got the flu.

Risk is all relative and for most people it's to high a risk and they put the welfare of their child before going on bloody holiday. Hmm

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