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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How long after birth should I wait before going on holiday...?

21 replies

vickyy · 28/12/2007 14:10

Hello

I'm planning a holiday with myself, DH, baby, and my parents. It'll be a cottage in the UK and my parents are happy to help with babysitting etc.

Thing is, it's my first baby and I have no idea what I'll feel like about going on holiday when the baby is small or how realistic my plans are. Due date is 3 April, and we had been thinking about going away toward the end of June, so baby would be around 10-12 weeks old. Is that too early? Would it be better to wait till August/September when the baby is a bit older - or might that actually be more difficult?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

JingleBelgoHoHoHo · 28/12/2007 14:13

I would have thought that would be ok.

wilbur · 28/12/2007 14:16

I would think that's okay, esp since you are taking willing grandparents (if they are not going to be willing and helpful and fun to have around, don't take them!). I would say though, don't saddle yourself with too long a drive - so if you are in Hull, don't book a charming cottage in Cornwall. you will certainly still be tired so convenience is what you'll be after - a shop nearby, somewhere to push the buggy easily, or take a sling if you like walking and you're in the country.

morningpaper · 28/12/2007 14:17

I think you'll be fine, as long as you break up the journey a bit - a sling would be useful for trips to beaches and shops etc. Good luck.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 28/12/2007 14:19

i went on holiday when dd1 was about 4 weeks old. it was fine,. but i took waaaaaaay too much stuff for her lol.

JingleBelgoHoHoHo · 28/12/2007 14:19

yes a sling is a good idea, and it's always easier to travel with a small baby if they are exclusively bf.

colditz · 28/12/2007 14:22

A cottage in the uk should be ok. By 10 weeks you should have a fair idea of what you are doing, day to day, and what you will need.

claraenglish · 28/12/2007 14:27

Message withdrawn

ceebee74 · 28/12/2007 14:32

We took DS to Cornwall (and that was a 5-hour journey for us) for a week when he was about 10 weeks old - and there was just me and DH. It was absolutely fine - no different to being at home really (not sure if that is a good thing or not).

Trust me, it is far easier when they are that age as they will just go wherever you want to go without any fuss - took DS away to a cottage this year (he was 14 months then) and it was much harder....he didn't want to go in his pushchair, didn't want to go in the car, wanted to destroy explore the cottage we were staying in etc - I am sure you get the picture

christmosschops30 · 28/12/2007 14:34

Oh will be fine especially in a cottage as you will have your own facilities.
We took ds when he was 8 weeks to Ireland, did flight and stayed in hotel (made bottles up in hotel bar every morning then they stored them for me )

Enjoy!!!

lennygirl · 28/12/2007 14:36

Message withdrawn

LuckyStarOfBethSalem · 28/12/2007 15:21

How old would you say is the youngest you could take a little one on holiday and still enjoy it?

Same idea - Little cottage or something like that.

whichwitch · 28/12/2007 15:43

Hi - We took our DS to Cyprus at 11 weeks - stayed in a hotel - and had a really enjoyable time - everyone was very kind and supportive. I wish you an equally happy and relaxing break.

LIZS · 28/12/2007 15:47

Think it depends on your idea of enjoyment ! Pre-child concepts may have to be adapted shall we say , politely. I found that at 6-8 weeks ds was fairly portable and I was sufficiently out of the new baby haze of feeding, exhaustion and confusion to be aware and start to appreciate things beyond just getting through the day. We managed weekends with family and friends at that point. However it would have been more stressful with dd at that same stage, we managed a trip with her at about 10/12 weeks

Pheebe · 28/12/2007 16:32

Think you should be fine by then. We just took DS2 away for a week to visit family for xmas at 3 weeks old. admitedly he's our second which does make a difference in terms of knowing what to expect but by 10 weeks you should be in the swing og it

Make sure you get a cottage with a washing machine and tumble drier (you don't want to be hanging round for stuff). We were formula feeding but here's a list of what we took for bubs:

travel cot
1 sheet
2 growbags
monitor
Normal stuff in nappy changing bag
Combined bath n hair wash
1 extra pack of nappies
4 bottles
steriliser
milk
4 bibs and 4 muslins
4 days worth of clothes
Pram and pram blanket

He was much easier to cater for than his 3 yo brother! Have a lovely time

Pheebe · 28/12/2007 16:36

Although of course bfing should be encouraged and I'm sure you will if you do end up formula feeding you can get these individual formula pots (tomee tippee ones, boots and toys r us sell them). we measured out the water into sterile bottles, the powder into individual pots and just mixed them as needed through the day (no need to keep anything cool). That way we didn't have to worry about going back and washing n sterilising more bottles during the day. Almost as easy as bfing

LOVEMYMUM · 28/12/2007 16:58

Am also pregnant with no. 1 due end Feb.

I would think that you would be ok in a cottage in the UK, esp with your parents to lend a hand.

The only thing i would be unsure of is flying before LO has had all their vaccinations.

DH is attending a family do in New York in June and I'm not going cos of a fear of infection of LO on the flight (and if my LO is like me, she'll get tonsillitis or an ear infection the day before the flight anyway!).

funnypeCOOLYULEiar · 28/12/2007 17:08

We went to cyprus when dd was 3 months. She was fine, agree that it's an easy age to travel (she was our second, though)
I did nearly kill my mum though.Repeatedly. Do you get on very well with your parents?

nooonit · 28/12/2007 17:31

We went away to Scotland when dd was about 10-12 weeks. Think it was the easiest and therefore most enjoyable holiday that we've had with her to date! As everyone says feeding is alot easier at this age and as long as you can cope with taking all the stuff I'm sure you'll have a lovely time! I trailed so much stuff with us - looking back not sure why we didn't buy things when we got there!

KelaS · 28/12/2007 19:06

Can I ask if people here think I am insane for thinking about taking my LO to Florida at approx 8 months. I am due in about 3 weeks, and my best friend is getting married out there in Sept and I really want to go. We would be staying in a self catering villa rather than a hotel, which I assume will make things easier, but this is my first, so not sure what to expect. For now, I have told my friend that I want to go, but won't be able to tell her for certain till a few months after baby is born and I see how we are getting on. But am I crazy to even contemplate it??

Haylstones · 28/12/2007 19:13

We've travelled LOADS since dd was born- our family are 400 miles away. First time I went on my own when she was 5 weeks and we were fine ( i was exclusively bf though, which IMO made it slightly easier). We went on a self catering family holiday when she was about 4 months and it was absolutely fine. As you would have family with you I would def go for it! Incidentally, I'm due again in 8 weeks, dh's friend getting married 4 weeks after that and atm we're planning on going- it's 350 miles away . (This plan may change if baby doesn't change from breech position though...)

Swedes2Turnips1 · 28/12/2007 19:20

18 years.

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