Taking a 8 week old abroad..

[PhoebeBear]

I'm currently 32 weeks, due August 8th.
I've just finished work and received a text from my MiL to say they're booking a holiday for October, we were taking about going away July next year when baby will almost be 1 so I presumed she meant October next year.. no she means this year.
She's rang me and her husband has already bought a pram for taking abroad with the umbrella on it. She's booking the holiday tonight! I'm just not sure how my baby will be abroad so young.. also will I be okay? It's Salou so the weather is usually around 22 degrees so not as hot as summer but still very warm. What's your opinion?

I can't imagine it'll be much fun for you or the baby in all honesty, and baby will be having their first jabs around 8 weeks so might be worth checking with your midwife

Definitely not by plane imo- it hurts their poor ears. By car or boat maybe but I doubt you'll enjoy it.

@newmomof1 yeah I thought the same, I think it will be worry for me then enjoying my holiday. Also thanks for pointing that out! I never thought about the first jabs he'll need! Think I'll be having words with her x

Could be tight on passport .. baby arrives late, wait for an appointment to register birth, passport takes a few weeks.. all adds up.

I moved continents at 7 weeks with one of mine. So it's do-able. We got jabs done slightly early as I refused to fly without the first set done. To be honest, that's a very easy age for travel as they mostly sleep. But if you are going to feel you have to stay at your hotel for all naps then that would suck for you. If you'll be happy with baby sleeping in a pram out and about then it should be easy enough.

I'd not do it voluntarily again, but it was pretty easy to do. I felt bad bringing jabs forwards though. And the first jabs can leave them grizzly.

Also, one of my other births (different child, not when moving house) was so horrific I still couldn't walk or sit down at 7 weeks after the birth. It was awful. So if you end up like that, you would really not enjoy the time away!

I hope you don't end up like that though! Good luck with the birth and the decision!

Most women (85%) don’t give birth until past their due date. Add in your post birth bleeding, potential recovery from an EMCS, post birth infections, post birth body, learning to be a parent and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it.

Potential you would have 6 weeks to register the birth and get a passport. That’s very tight and in some places you need to wait several weeks to get an appointment to register the birth.

Depends on your baby my friend lives part of the time in uk part in Madrid her 18 week old has already done 6 flights one to America ... he started flying at 4 weeks ... I couldn’t think of anything worse but she takes it all in her stride as does her little boy x x

@hormonesorDHbeingadick that's what I thought too! What if I go over and what if I needed a c section or something and recovery is longer..

Thank you everyone for the replies! Luckily before we got to speak our mind she rang and said a friend of hers says be careful booking holidays with brexit (really not sure what she means) but anyways that's put her off. Instead we're having a week away at a cottage down the country, sounds more relaxing to me! Phew x 😅

Babies of that age are actually extremely portable, especially if they breastfeed. I flew with a 6wo with my first and it was a piece of cake. Way easier than with a toddler.

It won't necessarily be the best holiday you ever had but the temperature is a non-issue and you'll have help. Most people are out and about by 6-8 weeks or so. I can't promise you it'll all be fine because I don't know how your birth will go but it wouldn't worry me.

Each to their own, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere but home 8 weeks post partum.

I tried to plan a small birthday party for myself when my dd was 6 weeks old - I had friends travel a long way to see me but rather than my nice breakfast and lunch, I woke at 4am to feed the baby, found a blocked milk duct and then spent the rest of the day trying to sort it out. I missed my party and ended up with mastitis!

Op, there’s a few things I’d consider:

1. you might be overdue, so the baby might be 6 or 7 weeks.
2. You might have a c-section and still be healing.
3. If you’re planning to breastfeed, you might still be working things out.
4. You might miss things like HV appointments or GP checks for you and the baby.
5. You might just want to be at home, figuring everything out/napping/feeding the baby.

You might feel confident though, but make this decision for yourself, don’t let someone else dictate it for you.

Good luck with everything x

I was two weeks late, then in hospital for a further week, and had a C section. So I was only really 'fit' 8 weeks after my original due date. I'm actually a huge advocate of taking babies on holiday when they're tiny as opposed to when they're on the move, but that feels a bit soon for me in terms of timing. Car journeys were a bit unpleasant for a good 8 weeks or so and I imagine planes would be the same, obviously I'm not wishing a late delivery and C section on you, but you have to factor these things in?

Do you want to go away in a cottage that age with your PIL? Maybe under 6 weeks should be in their car seat for a max of 30 mins at a time.

@hormonesorDHbeingadick I'd prefer the cottage in the car ride rather than the plane. We can stop off a lot too so he won't be in the seat a lot, just feel a lot more peaceful with this idea- think the holiday would stress me out.

I think it’ll be fine. I went to France when mine was six weeks. The plane is easy and much nicer for the baby than a car because you can hold them. I’d go and enjoy it.

Cottage in the country sounds fine. Problem solved. Have a lovely time.

There is an option (if you want) or saying I’m not up for a holiday then. I’m not trying to push you either way it just that you seem resigned to going in holiday rather than looking forward to it.

I couldn't do it. Although I hardly left the house for the first few months.

I think it would be too hard work. What if your baby got ill?

If you're not a worrier and have your DH and MIL for help then maybe it will be ok.

I flew transatlantic back to UK with DS1 by myself when he was 10 weeks and it was fine.

I would, the smaller the better especially if they're breastfed.

The downsides would be if you've had surgery or if you need to get a passport quickly. That would be my only qualm.

Good luck.