Travel advice

mckcak23

Ok so I saw that a lot of people have written about wanting to continue travel once they have their baby. I'm totally in that boat as well. Currently DH and I go on one big trip a year with some small ones mixed in. Our general big trip is a cruise in Feb with my parents and a ton of friends. I have gotten mixed opinion on if we should go in Feb 2017.

For reference I am the type of traveler who does not make HUGE plans for my vacations. I'm completely fine with sitting and reading in warm weather. I am a super pale redhead so I avoid sunlight at all costs and normally spend the first day of the cruise finding the best shaded nook of the boat to read/play games. If the mood strikes us DH and I will get off the bot and just walk around, generally find a local reasturant to try the food/ local beer and just hang out.

So my question is. how soon did you travel with your babies? Do you think a cruise at 7/8 months with help of family and friends is crazy? How soon do other moms plan on traveling?

PugsandKisses

My kid went on a cruise at 6 or 7 months. It was awesome.
Just remember, you can't buys diapers, wipes, formula.... on board, so we had to pack so much extra. But that was ok and still worth it.
We will be taking another cruise on 2017, most likely spring or later.

carrieandr

My parents took me on a trip on their 30 foot boat when I was two weeks old. To this day, riding in that boat puts me to sleep. 

carcrashheart

I would cruise every day of my life if I could. However, I'm petrified to take a child on board. I envision them falling overboard somehow. Will it happen? Probably not. I know a few that have taken their kids on cruises and been fine. But it scares the crap out of me. We went to the beach when our oldest was 11 months and we learned just how not relaxing it is to vacation with a child. Our kids won't nap anywhere so we were going back inside for naps, taking turns who stayed inside during that nap, working dinner out around a kid who could turn fussy in an instant. It was fine, but not amazing. We haven't traveled since. We'll be going on vacation this summer, so the kids will be three and 20 months. The part I hated the most was getting there and back. We don't fly. Despite being a pilots daughter I'm afraid to fly. So we drive and there's just no easy way to drive long distances with kids. We left at 2am on the way there and he was miserable from 7am-4pm even though we stopped often. On the way back we left at 7pm and drove straight home. He slept the entire time. But we were exhausted from getting in at 5am and the kid being back up at 7:30am. I'm not sure what we will do this summer. Suck it up, basically. We're going with the IL's, so at least vacation should be a little bit more relaxing. Just remember that babies can't wear sunscreen until they are six months old. People travel all the time with kids, so it's whatever you want to do. Just keep in mind it won't be like how it used to be. As long as you're prepared for that then it doesn't matter when you go. Have fun!!

chanfa

Hey guys, if you are planning on travelling I would highly recommend checking out this article. I am not sure if you guys have heard of the zika virus issue that is currently affecting Brazil and a lot of other countries. 

https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/17/health/hawaii-zika-baby-microcephaly/

Right now, the CDC recommends those who are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant to NOT travel to the select countries in South America. 

More info here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/s0315-zika-virus-travel.html

PugsandKisses

@chanfa while yes, this is true. OP was asking about traveling with baby, not while pregnant.

chanfa

@PugsandKisses
oh man, totally misread this thread. Sorry OP!

stillcozy

I love this thread I was wondering the same thing! I had a couple people try to scare say don't do it it's terrible but to hear people who have done it and had go well is nice to hear. I would expect there to be some extra complications but I think the extra help on hand is nice too!

sboston06

We are planning to do a small trip in September or so. Likely someplace we can either drive to or take the Amtrak to. From the Boston area, we have considered Portland, Maine and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (if the Pats are playing the Steelers at a good time). This will be done while I'm still on maternity leave (within 12 weeks of delivery) and is kind of to test the waters and see how we do with traveling with the baby. 

Definitely check the cruise line policy, as I do think there is an age limit on some cruise lines.

I've also heard that it's easiest to travel with a baby at that age because they're not mobile and getting away from you quite yet. Although they do require a lot of "stuff"!

PhoebeJune1984

I love me some traveling! I would totally do the cruise with a baby. I am going to agree with the previous poster and see what the age minimum is, because the cruise that we were going to go on (many moons ago) had a minimum age requirement (I can't remember exactly, but I thought it was 5?).

My due date it 7/24 (but I will go a week before then due to RCS), and our first trip is 8/20. I am more worried about dealing with my husband and stress from him, than I am traveling with a few week old baby and our four year old. When we are in a hotel, he panics when there is crying because of the people on the other side of the wall, and starts getting worked up, which then stresses me out, and makes it all worse. He doesn't know, but instead of booking a hotel, I'm booking a house through vrbo or airbnb, so I don't have to deal with him panicking about waking the neighboring people.

mckcak23

In case anyone else is looking at cruising I also wondered about the age limit-- we generally cruise on celebrity and it is 6 months. You cannot use the babysitting service till 12 months. (Honesty I wouldn't be comfortable with a babysitting service anyway but that is due to my line of work and being a tad over protective). @Lindsayleigh1989 everyone in real life thinks I'm crazy. I realize I'm a ftm and don't know a lot, but I can't see why it would be completely off the table.

Depending on my work situation we may go to FL in sept during my maternity leave as a trial trip. My aunt has a time share there in a 3 bedroom apartment, but that all depends on if work lets me take more than 8 weeks. (I don't hit one year of employment until 8/31 so I don't qualify for FMLA)

Taymiller

We traveled a ton! It was way easier on the plane when he was 2 months to now at 18 months. Travel lots! It is fun!

PhoebeJune1984

Taymiller said:

We traveled a ton! It was way easier on the plane when he was 2 months to now at 18 months. Travel lots! It is fun!

Agree. We did a 3,000 mile road trip to CA and did stops along the way (including Disneyland) for DD's 1st birthday and again for her 3rd birthday. It was so much more enjoyable when she was one! We didn't have to stop for potty breaks because she was in a diaper, she took long naps in the car, she had no concept of time or anything. Age three, totally different. Having to stop to go potty all of the time, needing to be constantly entertained, fear of the unknown before rides at Disneyland....and she spent the 16+ hour drive home, saying she didn't like the trip and wished we would have just gone camping in a tent. She even asked us just to find a store, buy camping supplies, and go camping before we got home. We still had a lot of fun, but it definitely wasn't as fun (or as easy) as when she was a baby.

stillcozy

Does anyone have any tips for plane travel for soothing I know ear popping or the lack there of can make kids really fussy has anyone found any helpful tips?

rakel88

We are planning an international flight when baby is around 3 months, so my family in Europe can meet the baby when it's still a baby. To be totally honest, I'm not really worried about it. I'm excited!

@Lindsayleigh1989 I read somewhere that feeding them on take off and landing can help alleviate the lack of ear popping.

Taymiller

Lindsayleigh1989 said:

Does anyone have any tips for plane travel for soothing I know ear popping or the lack there of can make kids really fussy has anyone found any helpful tips?

Pacifier, boob or bottle on take off and landing.

Eta: it was easy to get him to get on take off but the pacifier saved us on landing because after only 2 hours he wasn't hungry.

Also I thought I would care if he cried on the plane, like I would be embarrassed, I truly didn't give a shit about anyone other than him. The fear of traveling with a baby is way worse than actually doing it. Also the sound and feel of the engine is the best white noise machine ever. My kid falls asleep on almost every flight.

We have also done several roadtrip including from Colorado to Michigan. As long as you start travel early I don't think it will ever be a problem. Travel lots ladies! It is fun!

whataboutscience

We traveled with DD. We did a road trip when she was 7 months and it was fun. We drove a few hours each day and took lots of breaks. If I could do it again, I would take a 5 month old baby before they start solids because all the extra baby food is a pain. Most cruises require the child to be at least 6 months though. If you had help from family, I think it could be fun. If you don't have any help, IMO a vacation with a baby is not a vacation. We still did it and enjoyed but we came home so exhausted. We would probably still do it again even, but you have to have completely different expectations.

givemepenguinss

Vacations with babies aren't vacations... they're adventures. As a few other mamas have said, you just need to manage your expectations and it will be fun!

jenkeale

We took DD to Hawaii at 7 months and she was great on the plane. @Lindsayleigh1989 Pacis and nursing made it easy on us.

She LOVED the beach and we made so many great memories. It was definitely different bc I didn't have any alone time with DH, so we decided we're taking my mom next time so we can have a few dates alone, but also enjoy our family time.

We also did a 10 hour road trip when she was 10 months and with lots of stops, we had no problem.

The only issue is like @PhoebeJune1984 said about her DH and hotels. We get the same way, so it's nice to have a more private space.

Croscrew

My DH has red hair so our DD came out with red hair. Needless to say, I put sunscreen on earlier than 6 months because I cannot stay away from the pool. We took DD to Hilton Head this summer and I would definitely call it an adventure. I don't think I would call it a vacation, but my parents, brother and SIL and my sister were there so we got plenty of empty handed time. I don't imagine us going on a vacation without them anytime soon. While it was still different because there was no falling asleep in your chair with your feet in the water, there was still plenty of chair time but just while watching a toddler.

born2run911

We found it so much easier to travel the younger DD was. Under 6 months all she needed was sleepers, boob, diapers, wipes, passport and somewhere to sleep. The older they get, the more sh*t they need. We have a 21 hour road trip planned already for a wedding July 30 weekend. Crazy? Yes. However it's a really important wedding to both of us, and we have lots of family where we are headed.

We took DD to Jamaica for a wedding at 6 months. I think Feb 2017 will be a perfect time for a cruise. They will be old enough for sunscreen which is nice to not have to be totally sheltered. And they will be able to have some table foods which is also nice.

xc1148

Lindsayleigh1989 said:

Does anyone have any tips for plane travel for soothing I know ear popping or the lack there of can make kids really fussy has anyone found any helpful tips?

As someone mentioned, boob/bottle. Also depending on when you go, I would try to time the flight during baby's sleep or nap time. We fly all the time and my daughters only bad flight was a 3pm. Early morning or nighttime is my recommendation! 

xc1148

I think a cruise will be great with a 7 month old! Lots for you to do while baby sleeps, and you'll have family to help. 

MrsRo731

Totally agree with @givemepenguinss - just keep your expectations in line. You'll have family with you which will be awesome, though. My only hangup with taking small kids on vacations is that you put out a lot of money and then it doesn't really feel like a vacation; just my personal opinion. I took DD to the beach this summer and it was so much work. She didn't sleep well and I had almost no time to myself. I think it will really depend on your child's disposition, though. Usually at that age they're pretty calm but you never know if they'll be colicky.

SaraC381

@Lindsayleigh1989  We traveled from Atlanta, GA to Oregon with a layover in Seattle with a 1 year old and a 3 year old.  The little one slept the entire way.  Traveling back to ATL at night was great because they could stay on schedule with sleep...we took the redeye.  However, our trip to Oregon started in the afternoon.  The first leg was great.  Then we had a 4 hour layover in Seattle which was fine until the 3 year old started getting antsy.  The last leg of the trip from Seattle to Medford, OR was supposed to start at 11pm.  We got on the plane and immediately had technical problems...the door wouldn't seal so we couldn't take off.  The boys were sleepy, and plane lights were on, and they started getting fussy.  I had one guy turn around and start to give me the evil eye....I just dared him to say something to me.  I was irritated as well after that long day.  I would say if you're going to take a plane, try to get a nonstop flight!  When they were awake for take off and landing, the little one got a pacifier and the older one got fruit snacks to chew on.  If you bring bottles, double check regulations.  I just brought the powder pre-measured and bought bottled water after going through security to use.  

SarcasticCupcake

I took DD on a 6hr (each way) road trip by myself when she was 7w old- I just had to stop a couple of times more than I had planned but she did great in the car.  I took the stroller with me when we stopped so that I had everything that I needed with me without having my arms super full, that made it really easy on me.  

We flew with her at 9 months and that was not as bad as I thought that it would be.  We had tubes put in about a month before our trip, so we didn't have to worry about her ears.  ** That isn't why we got the tubes, btw.  She had a month long ear infection after having several previous infections, I just wanted to clarify that!**  I recommend baby wearing, that will make it much easier.  I didn't and should have.  Also a tip- you can check your car seat and stroller for free on most airlines, so check into that!  Just make sure for the flight that you have lots of snacks, plenty of formula if you aren't BF, and toys to keep your little occupied.  We had everything on hand but she slept most of the time! 

whataboutscience

I posted some experience earlier but wanted to add. I hear a lot of people saying their kids slept the whole time in the car, plane, etc. I don't know if it's because DD was colicky or what, but even after the colic had passed she never learned to nap on the go. If she's exhausted she can manage a 30 minute car nap max. When we did our road trip at 7 months she seriously only took 2 or 3 30 minute naps all day so we had to find other ways to occupy her. Both times she dropped a nap was on vacation or out of town! Don't know if that's because she was too interested in what was going on, but we could never get her back on her old schedule.

Puddles03

We took a 5 hour plane ride when DD was 5 months old and went to Mexico. She want super mobile yet so it was awesome! We bought spf shirts and spent most of the time in the pool keeping her temperature consistent. It was awesome! I BF her up and down and no ear issues. Our plan is to take our DD who will be almost two and our just over 3 month old in October. I don't plan on stopping travelling. We also do 8 hour car rides to our parents a few times a year. We have to make a couple stops but I think the sooner you travel with them the more use to it they will get.

PhoebeJune1984

SaraC381 said:

@Lindsayleigh1989  We traveled from Atlanta, GA to Oregon with a layover in Seattle with a 1 year old and a 3 year old.  The little one slept the entire way.  Traveling back to ATL at night was great because they could stay on schedule with sleep...we took the redeye.  However, our trip to Oregon started in the afternoon.  The first leg was great.  Then we had a 4 hour layover in Seattle which was fine until the 3 year old started getting antsy.  The last leg of the trip from Seattle to Medford, OR was supposed to start at 11pm.  We got on the plane and immediately had technical problems...the door wouldn't seal so we couldn't take off.  The boys were sleepy, and plane lights were on, and they started getting fussy.  I had one guy turn around and start to give me the evil eye....I just dared him to say something to me.  I was irritated as well after that long day.  I would say if you're going to take a plane, try to get a nonstop flight!  When they were awake for take off and landing, the little one got a pacifier and the older one got fruit snacks to chew on.  If you bring bottles, double check regulations.  I just brought the powder pre-measured and bought bottled water after going through security to use.  

were you guys flying to Medford to get In-n-Out?

SaraC381

@PhoebeJune1984   You know, I have never had an In-n-Out burger!  My mother-in-law lives in Grants Pass.  We were there for my brother-in-law's wedding.  

dolewhipper

My uncle just traveled to Italy from NYC with his LO when he was 10 weeks old. They wrapped him and did the babywearing thing and he was fine. I was on a flight on Monday and a couple was traveling with their 4 week old and 2 y.o. The 4 week old barely made a peep but the 2 week old needed more attention than they were giving him. 

PhoebeJune1984

SaraC381 said:

@PhoebeJune1984   You know, I have never had an In-n-Out burger!  My mother-in-law lives in Grants Pass.  We were there for my brother-in-law's wedding.  

HAHA! I live in SW Washington and we were going to drive down there (today actually!) for a burger. But my husband ended up needing to reschedule his dentist appointment and today was the only day they had that worked for his work schedule. So no In-n-Out for me.

TiffanyRickF

I think it depends on your baby. DS (now 4) was a sound sleeper and not fussy when he was awake just a happy guy. We would take him anywhere, crowded resturant, friends houses, cruise, roadtrip, baseball game.. our friends that had kids would comment they wish they had been able to continue there social life to the same level we had. That being said being pregnant again i am nervous maybe this baby wont be as easy. Especially since my mom gave me a speech after i found out I was having another boy go "not expect a baby as easy Logan was the exception not the rule". So i say play it by ear see how chill baby is, with Logan we didnt "baby him" like we didnt make everything silent when he slept, he drank room temp formula. I think those two factors made him more flexible and laid back. We took Logan to Gatlinburg (14 hr road trip ea way) at 6-7 mts and it was great. We packed a pack and play for sleeping, stroller, diapers, formula and we used the drop in bottles and liners so we only had to wash nipples. It was amazing trip