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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

weekend away with a 6 week old - are we totally insane?

56 replies

Anothermrssmith · 14/08/2013 20:24

We've just booked a weekend away in February at a lodge a few hours away with 14 of our friends. Our first born, who we're taking with us, will be about 6 weeks when we go!

We all grew up together in a small town and are that group of friends who despite being scattered throughout the country and not seeing each other anywhere near as often as we would like are incredibly close. As we've all gotten married the partners have been welcomed into the group as well and we love them as much as the "core group". Next year is the first 30th birthday and for the last few months, before I found out I was pregnant, we were talking about booking a massive lodge at a resort for us all to stay in for the week as a surprise for the birthday boy. We've now booked it and the only concession hubby and I have made to having a baby is that we're staying in a separate 2 person lodge instead of the big one that sleeps 16!

Everyone knows I'm pregnant and we made sure that people were happy for the baby to come with before it was booked (there's no way I'm leaving the baby with one of our mums for the weekend at that age but we're the first couple to have kids) and while I'm looking forward to it now the deposit is paid I'm starting to think of the practical side of this, ie we're going on holiday with a 6 week old! I don't really know what exactly is worrying me, the lodge is only a two hour drive away in a well known resort, I know we wont be partying as hard as the rest of them but that doesn't bother me in the slightest, there's just a bit of me that thinks it will be a disaster.

Anyone any experience/advice they can share about holidaying with a newborn that will settle my mind (or not, I want to be prepared for impending disaster as well!)

OP posts:

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MortifiedAdams · 15/08/2013 00:08

I did it, it was bloody marvellous! tea and toast on tap. Baby snoozing in the bouncer in the evenings. Ililled about the house during the day with dd while the walkers and climbers were out in the snow. Pure joy.

The following year she was 1 (+6wks), and it was good but not as simple.

This next one, she will be 2 (+6weeks) and I will be 36 weeks pregnant. Am.very much looking forward to a week sitting on my bot while dd has lots.of. friends and family.on hand to play with.

janey1234 · 15/08/2013 03:32

I've got a six week old sleeping on me right now. We went away last weekend (3 hour drive) and it was absolutely fine, so I would do it

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 15/08/2013 04:10

We're going away in our caravan next weekend and ds3 will be 8 weeks, it'll be fine! Much better than last time we went as I was so uncomfy being pregnant and hardly slept.

The list if stuff we need is quite long but it is anyway with 2 others.

StuckOnARollercoaster · 15/08/2013 04:30

I had to do an overnight trip at a similar age and it was a good experience. We had difficulties with weight, feeding and sleep at the start so it's not even that I had a dream baby, just that most of these had settled to a manageable level by 6weeks.
People are very understanding so make the most of it, even in a worst case scenario that you and baby are tucked up in bed then get you friends on a rota to come and check on you in your lodge that you are supplied with food and drink and that they can cuddle the baby so you can go to loo, have a shower, eat some food etc.
Oh and we thought the guidelines for car seats was 2 hours, one direction we pushed it and she actually had a nice sleep for 2.5 hours, on the way back we did a stop with a feed and nappy change in a services car park. Ps have pillows/bedding in car for a very comfy feed!

BonaDea · 15/08/2013 04:33

I couldn't have. It was starting to get better by that point but probably not better enough for the hassle to be worth while. The baby would be absolutely fine but you will be shattered and only just starting to get organised. You are unlikely to have much fun while away with so many others.

If you are not short on cash, why not book it and see how you feel nearer the time?

clabsyqueen · 15/08/2013 09:58

I think you plan to go as it gives you something to look forward to but expect not to. Especially as you will be induced at 38 weeks maybe sooner. The chances of some breathing problems in your baby are slightly higher and there's nothing a few days in an NHS hospital to knock the wind out of your sails (I'm in that boat now for exactly that reason and missing my best friends wedding. Glad I didn't spend a lot on my outfit) If you end up not going you won't really care cos if you're anything like me you'll be crying on strangers in street about your sleep deprivation (I would have been terrible company with 6 week old baby)

Awakeagain · 15/08/2013 10:15

You'll be knackered, possibly still bleeding, suffering from sleepless nights ........
But surrounded by some if your favourite people in the world who will probably be happy to watch your baby for you for an hour while you have a quick snooze
Also if you are staying in a lodge I guess you'll be based there (not loads of going out?) so you can just have a great chill out time

GrumpyKat · 15/08/2013 10:17

We took dd away to a hotel when she was 7 weeks old. It was a great decision and we had a really relaxing time. It also helped us realise that life does go on after you have your first child and that we could make plans to do whatever we chose. babies are incredibly portable, make the most of it!

BeCool · 15/08/2013 10:22

Oh you will have a ball - great you have separate accommodation! So you can take some alone time when you need it. I travelled around the world with a 6 week old, and lived on a small remote island (just me and baby) without electricity or running water or shops or anything until baby was 5 months old (just to show how easy life can be with a new baby). Newborns sleep loads and like lots of cuddles. They actually can be very portable and accommodating.

If your are BF then it will be even easier as it should be well established by then and you won't have to faff about with sterilising, heating bottles etc. just boob & go!

BeCool · 15/08/2013 10:25

yes a sling will be useful and some kind of portable bed rather than a cot - so you can join in with the others with baby asleep close by - I used a great carrycot that came with the buggy. It had a proper mattress and was suitable for sleeping in.

It just means baby can sleep in familiar environment, but you can move them around to suit what is going on, and keep them close.

Lagoonablue · 15/08/2013 10:29

Took Ds at 6 weeks but only me, DH and DD went. Don't think I could have coped with other people too.

I was still a bit sore, struggling with breastfeeding and up all night! It was no picnic.

See how you feel nearer the time is the best advice.

rockybalboa · 15/08/2013 10:44

I am currently away on a week long holiday in the UK with 3 DC including 5 week old DS3. Tbh it's not that different to being at home and its the older boys (4 and 2) that mean we don't stay out late. The baby just fits in wherever. It is mildly annoying dealing with a baby on a beach but you're not going to have that problem.

Gooseysgirl · 15/08/2013 11:00

Plan to go and see how you feel at the time. We went away with DD when she was 8 weeks and it was fine, we had a busy nights but still enjoyed ourselves! If you end up FF you will need to bring all the bottles etc which is a bit of hassle. Also, don't worry about the baby being in car seat for too long on the journey, as a one off it really doesn't matter IMHO (and I checked with my cousin who is a paediatric physiotherapist first as I was worried about it for our first long distance drive with DD).

MrsHoarder · 15/08/2013 11:09

You'll be fine. All they need at that age is milk and cuddles.

You will have a baby in yours/your DH's arms all weekend, but that's no different to at home. You may be less able to pitch in with meals/not drinking etc, but as long as your friends can cope with that then it will be fine.

SaucyJack · 15/08/2013 11:11

It'll be fine at that age. Tiny babies are actually much easier to take with you as they don't really know or care where they are as long as they're fed and there's somewhere to sleep.

Just pray you don't get a colicky one.

sameoldIggi · 15/08/2013 11:11

I would worry most about none of your friends having had babies. Are they generally keen on the idea of children though, or will they be expecting you to act as if they baby isn't there almost?
Surrounded by living friends cooing over your baby =good.
Friends expecting you to stay up all night drinking = bad.
I would agree a few things with your dh first, are you happy for him to be away from you a lot? Can you talk to him if you need him to miss out on some group activities, or get up early in the morning to take the baby while you sleep?

sameoldIggi · 15/08/2013 11:12

That should say, loving friends, not living ones!
If you were surrounded by not-living friends (zombies perhaps?) that would be very bad indeed!

oscarwilde · 15/08/2013 11:17

I had an emcs and took an 8 week old to a wedding (necessitating a short flight out of UK) weekend away with my first DC. DH was best man so it wasn't an option not to go. The biggest hassle was spending the day in the passport office !
I felt fine at 6 weeks - tickety boo in fact. Could have used a lot more sleep but it was a lovely weekend away and it's really nice to have lots of photos of our DD at that age with our friends.
DD2 was a vbac with forceps. I was in quite a lot of discomfort for 12 weeks.
I would say, definitely plan to go. Plan to spend the weekend sitting around feeding and not hill walking. Don't commit yourselves to any additional level of spend in case you have to cancel and your friends are not keen to pick up the extra share (catered meal etc)
Check that you will have access to a microwave - you can buy microwave bags for sterilizing bottles, soothers and expressing stuff. It's a lifesaver to be able to travel without fussing about steamers and changing milton tablets.
At 6 weeks you will be over the worst of your first time mum shellshock and if you are lucky you'll be feeding every 3-4 hours by then. You'll have tons of friends who will be more than happy to do some cuddling while you eat a meal with two hands (which will be a treat by then)
Some friends just bought a Jane pram? Never heard of it before but it looks great - the pram section also doubles as a lie flat car seat which is totally inspired and you may be able to use it as a travel cot for the weekend if it is safe to do so. Worth checking out.
One last thing - while the chalet by yourself is a v good idea its worth planning to have the baby nearby while you eat and hang out in the evenings. Not really an option to have the baby in another building. Check that the heating situation is good in the chalet, that you can control on and off times yourselves and make sure that the owners understand that you will need it to be about 20 degrees. It will be a hateful weekend if it is freezing and you are stressing about your newborn getting sick. The Gro bag people make babygro's with extra thick sleeves which are worth looking out for.

BurbGirl2013 · 15/08/2013 14:57

AnotherMrsSmith- am in almost totally same position! Due start December & we'd booked-(before we knew I was P but don?t honestly think it would have made difference) to go away with 6 friends to Cornwall over New year?s. We're still set on going, although only mum in group has expressed concern that I'll be ok to still go.

I?ve no idea of the massive impact of a baby BUT I do know myself generally. If I?m ill I go stir crazy kept indoors and hate the thought of missing out on a special/big occasion or celebration. I know if we pulled out I?d sit at home and while feeling elated at our baby and having him/her there with us, I?d feel sad at not doing anything on Nyears and knowing we could have been in a stunning cottage with close friends celebrating.
There is 1 large room (with en suite) there further apart from the others, the owner thinks won?t carry a baby?s crying to the other rooms? It has a terrace right outside it so if baby cries in night hopefully I can sit/feed out there for a bit, while wrapped up obviously. I think fact you are even staying in a different lodge to the rest is even better and means you totally have your own space, so perfect!

Ours is A cottage surrounded by fields and all we want to do is go on walks (or they can while I sleep with baby!) chill and have lovely dinners & celebrate on Nyears. The journey is 2.5 hrs but as others say, you can just make sure you have enough stops along the way.

Obviously we can't look into a crystal ball and know how we will actually feel in reality, but I very much plan on going ahead and think there can be a bit of an OTT freak out reaction of all things to do with babies etc., so sure you'll be fine & love it when the time comes too.

MumnGran · 15/08/2013 15:03

Way easier with a 6 week old, than a crawler or toddler. I wouldn't think twice, as long as you have a car which will hold the equipment.

However, as you are the first person in the group to have a baby, do be prepared for the reality that no-one will understand the issues which are looming large for you.
The best way to deal with that is to understand where their heads are, and smile benignly when they don't understand why you head for bed at 9pm !!
On the upside ....sounds like a lot of girls there who may be broody enough themselves to give lots of help with winding, rocking and pram pushing

RosesInTheRain · 15/08/2013 15:11

I couldn't have done- I still wasn't comfortable sitting down even, and was struggling both physically and mentally with a traumatic birth (forceps and 3rd deg tear). But I can see how if you've had an easy time of it (and a laidback baby) it would be worth it and even enjoyable... certainly far easier than taking an older baby/toddler away.

freelancegirl · 15/08/2013 15:12

I did a long weekend in a hotel by the sea when DS was 5 weeks old, after a cs, and it was great. Had to paxk quite a bit and was glad of own space in the room but otherwise it was brilliantly they are very portable at that age. I took a Moses basket in a stand but ended up co-sleeping for months and months. The only thing is prepared for maybe not being able to join in all the social things like late nights etc but am sure it will all be lovely.

MrsBungle · 15/08/2013 15:14

I went to a wedding 6 hours away with DD when she was 6 weeks old. It was fine. We went on a family trip with around 30 people in adjoining barns when DS was 3 weeks old - again absolutely fine.

I just took myself off to my room whenever I needed quiet time with the baby or to try and sleep.

maja00 · 15/08/2013 15:17

We went away for a week with friends when DS was 8 weeks and it was easy. Just took the buggy/car seat and a sling - boob, sling, baby in our bed, no problem. I don't remember being particularly knackered at that point either.

pommedechocolat · 15/08/2013 15:27

Couldnt even contemplate it with dd1. Dd2 could do it and did do it but didnt enjoy it.

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