Are we mad traveling with an 8 month old?

[Flyx]

For context when our baby was 3 months old we went to South America for a family event. We had a fantastic time. Yes the trip was very different than before but overall baby was a joy and the flight was relatively straightforward.
We have another opportunity to go away when our baby is 8 months old and thought we would go to France via the tunnel and rent and air bnb for a week or 2 to keep things straightforward.
Because things went so well at 3 months we are now really tempted to make this holiday slightly more adventurous and try something like Canada or California (air bnbs due to weaning), maybe rent a car and do 3 stops maximum. We see this as potentially as last long haul flight for a long time before the toddler years start. However we are really worried that 8 months is a huge difference to 3 months and this may not be enjoyable. Has anyone any thoughts on travel and 8 months? Is it still worth a go before they turn 1?

I think it’s a good time to go and do this. Much better before they’re fully mobile! Plenty of time for the drives to France, which are lovely too, when they’re older.

8 months will be fine! You’ve already done an epic trip at 3-months old so you can handle anything now. I’ve got 3 young DC and have a lot of travel experience.

Is baby crawling yet? You’ll need to make sure there are enough opportunities to explore and crawl around. Definitely book a family friendly Airbnb. No stairs, check the pictures to see if there are any major hazards, and move everything at baby height up onto a higher shelf when you arrive.

2 out of my 3 still liked the baby sling at this age, so a lot of travelling time was spent walking with them in the sling while I got a coffee. Also lots of long walks with the pram.

The only thing we struggled with was restaurants and eating out, so we always did self-catering.

Have a great time!!

Thank you for the advice! And that’s what we feel, France is gorgeous but always there as an accessible trip with the car. We wondered if this is our last chance for a little while!

Nuttygarlic - I can understand your comment but actually we did the whole flight to and from South America solo (family came a day after us) and then we did our own holiday for 5 days after the family event just the 3 of us with an additional internal flight. It was great! Very different to holidays before, maybe not much relaxing but it’s was really enjoyable.
So family not being there is not the worry, more the difference in age.

These are some great tips re air bnb! Even at 3 months self catering was best as little one liked an early bedtimes And thank you for the vote of confidence towards a bit of an adventure! We are very tempted, hearing from other parents is important though

Why do you think you’re mad? One baby is the easiest time to take your kids anywhere. Before crawling is ideal and then it doesn’t get easier till your youngest is over 8 yrs old. I would squeeze in a few more trips before 8 months if possible.

I took my 8 month old to Morroco on a daytime flight and it was fine. I wouldn't let the plane journey put you off.

Good point.
i suppose it depends who we speak to - people thought the South America trip was nuts but it did go well. People with multiple kids or those who do travel with their kids a fair bit are much more encouraging to go! We just wondered with being on solids and perhaps if baby is crawling would it make a difference. But I think probably as new parents we overly worry about these things and what to expect. I’m sure in a few years time we will look back and think take the trip, 8 months was an easy phase! At least it’s nice to hear some others who have been through it think this

By 8 months many children are already crawling.

Take painkillers for teething. My youngest got her first two teeth on holiday in France. Nightmare.

I should say obviously being on solids and crawling would make a difference! That sounded naive. I meant make such a difference that you would not go altogether.

It’s a great time for travelling. I took my then 8 month old to Spain (Barcelona, not a resort) on my own. Dh had to stay home because older one was in school. It was fantastic.

We did lots of walking, markets, I’d pop him in the sling for a nap, which was just enough time to do a museum. Lots of playgrounds. Afternoon siesta and snacks at the Airbnb and I adjusted him to Spanish time so we’d go for a late dinner and a wander (with churros) before bed.

It was truly lovely. He was mobile but not overly so (still happy to spend a lot of time in the pushchair or sling). And he was eating normal food so he could pretty much graze on stuff from the markets or nibble at my meals. I brought some snacks from home, but there’s obviously loads of kids food/snacks in the shops, just like here.

Also I can’t speak for the French (maybe they aren’t as friendly 😂), but everyone I met was so chatty with him and friendly. People were genuinely so much more helpful and kinder and looked after me because I had a baby with me. I spend a lot of time in Spain, but people definitely treated me differently when I was with a small child than on other trips when it’s just been me.

We went away when DS1 was 9 months to New Zealand. Many people called us mad but actually was amazing!

Yes the jet lag sucked but flip side we were up early at places before it got too hot. We would do drives around nap times OK it meant we weren't stopping to take photos of scenery but meant he wasn't over tired.
We would do lunch out then cook at air bnbs. Would say don't try and move every day we found 3 days to work well. Also get a good walking carrier with a sunshade. We were able to buy a insect net meant for buggies which we put over so he didn't get any insect bites.

Being on solids will be fine. I’m quite obsessive about making all my own organic baby food, but when we travelled we relied on store-bought foods and fruit pouches a lot. They would also try a bit of croissant or something else we were eating. No drama.

We always had bananas with us, and would buy individual serves of Greek yoghurt from the supermarket for afternoon snacks. All my DC were on formula by then, so we also had to pack their bottles for morning and evening milk. We’d either bring a tub of formula, or find the equivalent brand in the country we were visiting. My parents travelled extensively with me and my sister when we were young, and my sister just had cows milk from about 10 months because DM couldn’t find the right formula.

Don't ever stop travelling! We've done 3 week Europe campervan trip with a 7 month old, the following year the same but different direction with a 4 month and 16 month, 2 weeks travelling to 5 stops in Morocco with a 9 month and 2yr2 month, which included a night in a desert camp which was incredible and 2 nights in the atlas mountains, with a full day trek with a mule and berber guide

Next year, we're starting long haul again. 3 weeks to Sri lanka with a 2yr9 month and just turned 4yr.

The holidays until first baby could crawl were soooo easy. But Morocco with a good waller at 2yr2 month and the 9 month crawler/cruiser but not walking was pretty easy low stress too, and we ate out at lots of little local places, stayed little guest houses etc

We took DS to NZ at 9/10 months also and the flight was horrific. He was crawling all around the plane! We had to take him up to the space by the flight deck and let him crawl. We joke about it now but it was brutal 😀

OP you may well be fine at 8 months if your baby is not crawling yet or not crawling too much.

I think this depends on the baby DS1 was massively on the move crawling and cruising. We picked night flights for the first leg and broke it up with a day layover which helped. But the crew didn't mind him crawling about when he wanted as long as they weren't doing trolly service.

OP the other tip I would say is don't try to force them to adjust to what the plane is doing just stick to their schedule and adjust them at the other end.

It definitely depends on the baby, my daughter is nearly 1 now but we’ve travelled with her at various ages and it does get harder as they get older.

3 month old, easy, not mobile, no toys needed really as no interest or ability to play, napping every 90 mins ish, only milk to eat.

8 months (for my daughter) meant crawling and pulling up to stand, so hotels/air bnb is stressful because you either have to follow them constantly or try to baby proof every room which is tricky. It’s also an age for toys & needing to be occupied so factor that in, plus weaning, allergy potential, choking potential, make sure you have plans in place.