Travelling with a 5 month old

[Koalie]

Hi Mums :)

I am starting to plan our first family holiday and am looking for help please? My son will only be 5 months old so not quite old enough for a buggy (he's also very small for his age.) Are you Mums actually taking the pram with the huge bassinet with you on your holidays or is there another option that I've not thought of? Will it not get destroyed checking it into hold? How do you fit it all in the car with all your luggage?

Also, whilst I'm here, any other travel tips/must pack items etc. would be hugely appreciated - this is my first time doing this so will be absolutely winging it as per.

Thanks in advance xx

If he is small use a baby carrier instead of a buggy with bassinet?

Small buggy with a thick liner... Unweaned dc are fab to travel with ime!!

Baby carrier

We took our LO away when she was 4 months old and we just got a buggy suitable from birth and that was fine. She was still on 0-3 months clothes at the times she was a little dot! I think you can take bigger prams if you are willing to pay (usually up to 10kg is included) but absolutely at your own risk when you see how they handle luggage 😂 you also have to remember that you will need to put this all in your transfer so the smaller lightweight buggies are much much easier to deal with when you have a big case. Same for if you want to go sight seeing while there / take Ubers. It's alot easier having a very light weight pram than you can pick up to carry up and down steps etc if needed rather than looking for the accessible access in a different language!! Also if you have one baby carriers are a good send, great for naps on the go and navigating the airport, but if it's a hot country these obviously don't provide shade from sun was the downfall we found.

If it's a hot country I would invest in a snooze shade, an portable thermometer and a pram fan.

Remember babies are born every where! So we just took enough nappies etc to last us the first day, I just bought some when we landed so as not to take up so much room in an already very full case. Airplane changing tables are small and horrible so invest in a good pampers for the flight so your not worrying about having to change. Pack spare outfits etc for traveling.

Good luck and have fun!

@mummumumumumum @PigeonPigPie @Windymcwindyson @YetiSeven
Thank you everyone for your replies !! Gosh, I didn't eve know you could get buggies suitable for newborns - that's clearly the answer so I will have a browse now. I also plan on getting a carrier too :) and now adding snooze shade to the list!

However, just had a thought, how do I travel in ubers/transfers etc. in Spain without a car seat?! x

@Koalie it's absolutely your choice but much like this country it's not a law required in taxi for urban journeys I believe ☺️ Google will prove me right or wrong 😂

A lot of pushchairs can be suitable for younger babies, sometimes with an insert and 5 months is not too far off 6 months. You might want a lightweight one that you can use for later travels.

For transfers you can try to pre-book one with a car seat, take your car seat and possibly clip it to the pram, use public transport only with the buggy or risk going without. We have either gone with bringing our own and hiring a car or getting around by train only as I am not comfortable with a car journey without a car seat. Car seats are the most inconvenient bit about travelling with a baby in my opinion!

Depends on what kind of activity you will be doing. I won't bother with a huge buggy if you will be in a resort.
If you do city or other activities I would take the buggy; the cheaper and smaller travel buggies didn't survive the streets (it won't be destroyed, you can take it to the plane and give them before boarding- you can ask them to give it to you after you get off rather than send it with the other luggage).
You can get a transfer, taxi etc without the carseat.
You won't be able to rent a car or drive without one, but all other transportation will be fine.

I had a reclining buggy, was brilliant for travel