traveling with an infant

Hope4better · December 2013

I am 24 weeks pregnant with my first baby, due April 18. My FIL told us at Christmas that he'd like to plan (and pay for!) a family vacation to Riviera Maya this summer. My initial reaction is that it would be crazy to travel to Mexico in the summer with a 3-ish month old baby. (We're located in PA, so it would be a 3-4 hour plane ride). Then I started thinking that I really don't know what it's like to have a baby yet, and maybe I am overthinking. Of course, if we planned the trip, we would get travel insurance so that if baby was sick or too fussy at that age to go, we could back out. What do any of you think? Has anyone vacationed with babies that age? The positives that I can think are that he will still be small enough that he won't be bored, teething, need tons of toys, and it will be summer so he hopefully won't have a cold or any of the yucky, germy sickies that are going around this time of year. Negatives will be that I feel like I'd have to lug a ton of stuff (probably true at any baby age), it would be really hot to have him outside there, and babies are unpredictable in general. I don't want him to get sick on the plane. I've heard some people say that at 3 months they've settled in to a nice routine where mom and dad know what they're doing and baby sleeps a little more regularly, and it's before the baby needs solid foods, is mobile, can throw tempter tantrums, etc. The more I think about it, the more I feel like it would be worse to wait a year and do it when he's that age. Am I crazy for considering this? I don't want to be naive but I don't want to pass up the opportunity for a free family trip to a beautiful resort if I'm being overprotective. Any advice from any moms out there?

AKbadwolf · December 2013

Hell, I'd go. We are traveling with a 5 weeker this time. Just make sure you drink good water, and schedule for naps and stuff (be it in the room or on the go). A lot of people who aren't used to traveling with LO's aren't used to having to plan naps and regular breaks in the day.

Have Fun!

jnnfrrose6 · December 2013

We travelled with DS by that age (not out of the country, though, but by plane). It was definitely easier than when he got older. A friend of mine got married in May in Mexico and her sister was a bridesmaid. She came with her 2 month old son and as far as I could tell, didn't have trouble traveling with him. It helped that she was traveling with family and had additional support, but it's definitely doable. One thing to factor in is a passport. I'm not 100% sure the rules for a child that young, and it you may just need the birth certificate, but make sure you know in time to get it taken care of whichever it is.

As far as gear, baby stuff is tiny, so while you need extra changes of clothes, they don't take up a ton of room. Diapers will get used as you go, so you'll obviously have less coming home than going, and if you are able to nurse, then no bottles needed. You'll want a pnp. I saw other families at the resort with babies and they would get a cabana for the day and set up the pnp under it so LO could nap outside while everyone else was hanging out by the pool.

Piper1Chapman · December 2013

Personally, I would not want to take a trip like that with my baby because I would rather make a vacation like that an adults only vacation

YOu are really going to get a variety of answers here, some people are okay with a trip like that with a 3 month old, others are more cautious. A lot of it depends on your baby, and sleeping and eating habits. I would rather wait until the baby is here to plan anything concerete if it were me.

FemShep · December 2013

I would do it! I've traveled by car and plane with babies from 3 months on. You probably won't need to bring your pump, or might be able to get away with a hand pump. See if you can rent a PNP, car seat, stroller, etc, at your destination. Wear your baby! It makes traveling so much easier. It really will be easier at such a young age than when LO is older. Have fun!

this+gamer+chick · December 2013

I saw women with newborns on a cruise I went on, and they didn't look like they were having much fun. They were also getting mad side-eyed when their infant was screaming and everyone else had to listen to it. However, if the trip is paid for, I would definitely go! Downside is also having a screaming infant on a plane.

elittler · December 2013

Some car rental places allow you to rent car seats with your rental car, and some hotels have pnp or cribs available for you to use while you stay. Those would be my two big items to bring, so id call ahead and see if they have those available. Otherwise, bring your car seat and since the baby's still so little you can make them a little bed on the floor (or in bed).

I would much rather travel with a three month old on that sort of vacation than with my two year old!

MelissaShimkus · December 2013

We are flying to FL from Tx for my oldest daughter's nationals softball and the baby will only be 2 months the flight is only hr 1/2 so not bad. Scared tho LOL

Only thing I would be scared about going to Mexico is the medical care if u needed it. Does the trip have to be this summer?

buganne · December 2013

I'd do it. I'll be taking my 5 m/o with me to San Diego in October (albeit an easier trek :-)).

Check with your resort--we stayed at one that actually had a US board certified MD in their urgent care (very cool I thought) and a doctor on call for people. I'd also run it by your pediatrician to see if there are any infectious disease concerns (a summer one that comes up a lot is measles--more in Europe than MX) and make sure his vaccines are up to date.

Also, if you are a bottle feeder, make sure the resort provides plenty of bottled water for you to mix formula to prevent infection from local tap water. Even if it is filtered, there are potential hygiene concerns.

Have fun!!

Smores730 · December 2013

We traveled with my DD at 3 months and I agree it's easier with them being that young. They still have that newborn nap anywhere mentality and don't need solid foods, a chair to feed them in, toys etc. Since they're that little, people are more apt to sympathize on the plane if they get fussy. It's older toddlers, I find, that people sneer at.
We brought our infant carrier (carseat), a PNP, and wore the baby instead of a stroller. Aside from milk, clothes, diapers whatever, it's pretty easy... just pray they don't poop on the plane. Changing them in those tiny bathrooms with no counter space is awful. And if they're taking a paci, make sure it's clipped to them; they fly.

IveGotWhateverItIs · December 2013

I would go for it. I travelled with my DD when she was 7 weeks. I was alone going to visit family and it was probably the easiest trip I've ever taken with her. Since I wasn't travelling internationally my fears were mainly the flight. I checked my bag with DHs help, wore a back pack with necessities and then had a diaper bag in addition to that. DD was on formula so I brought the ready to feed. I wore her in the Bjorn and gate checked the stroller and carseat. If you have DH or family with you this will be even easier. She slept most of the flight but took a giant dump mid flight and I had to maneuver myself in the teeny tiny bathroom to change her. Really no big deal. You will be a pro by 3 months.

As for the international part of it I'm not much help. I would make lots of phone calls to the resort with my concerns and be prepared.

I do agree with you that doing this trip with a 15 month old would be a nightmare. They can't sit still and need naps and constant attention. Babies are easier when it comes to travelling IMO. They just go with the flow and sleep through most evertything.

And I will add that people on flights are more forgiving if it is an infant crying rather than a toddler.

bhead81 · December 2013

Traveling with an infant really isn't too hard at all. DS is an adoption so we lived in a hotel for the first 2.5 weeks of his life and then had a 8 hour car ride home. We also had to travel a couple times before he was 4 months back to CA for adoption things. My only concern with travel would be medical care outside the US. I would be hesitant to go just for the fact that it is out of the country.

One thing to keep in mind when traveling is if you check or gate check a car seat your are risking huge damage to it. While it isn't considered "crashed" it is considered questionable history and the damage that is most concerning you can't see. Think of what happens to your luggage...same thing and worse can happen on a car seat. I always pay for a seat for my child and will not gate check a car seat.

MrsNole · December 2013

Go and have fun! I'm of the mind set that my kids go everywhere with me.

PinkKEL9 · December 2013

I would SO do it if it was paid for! My cousin is getting married next December when our LO will be 6 months old. I am in the wedding and it is several states away. That will be our first time flying/traveling with LO. Hopefully it will all workout.

cchild101010 · January 2014

I would do it!! We are going to Switzerland from Los Angeles when baby is going to be 4 mos. maybe I'm more adventurous because my parents took me to china when I was 3 weeks old and I had spent time in the NICU. They got a doctor's permission. By the time I was two years old I needed a new passport because they had toted me along on all of their adventures. They said I was easy, slept everywhere and it was fun to see me explore new things. I look forward to doing the same with our LO.

allrightmeow · January 2014

Do it. We plan on traveling, baby flies free.

biglewzer · January 2014

Don't forget to apply for a passport as quickly as possible (once the birth cert and social security card arrive).

dragossoul84 · January 2014

I wouldn't but, DS 1 had colic we were sleeping so little I don't even remember the first few months. I 2 old have been miserable on a trip with him like that. However it really boils down to the personality of your baby

ASmallWonder · January 2014

Do NOT rent a car seat! That's my big takeaway. First, baby needs to be in a carseat for the flight in order to be safe. Peanuts are strapped down - babies should be too because runway accidents are very real and very dangerous. You're moving at a higher rate of speed than a car and babies are always in car seats in cars so planes should be no different. Renting a seat is mega dangerous. They don't guarantee they'll even have the right seat for you (I know people who were given a booster for an infant and told "oh well, that's what we have). You have no idea if the seat was treated properly. It's akin to giving your baby medicine from someone on the street who just handed you a bottle with no label but promised it was infant Tylenol, kwim?

pigtails1031777 · January 2014

I wouldn't leave the country.
I've traveled with 3 months old and it's easy but with in this country. I wouldn't leave it with a baby.

rainydayluck · January 2014

MrsNole said:

Go and have fun! I'm of the mind set that my kids go everywhere with me.

This exactly. DD has been flying several times a year since she was 3 months old. One of our trips was to Japan. I would go in a heartbeat.

alicatand · January 2014

rainydayluck said:

MrsNole said:

Go and have fun! I'm of the mind set that my kids go everywhere with me.

This exactly. DD has been flying several times a year since she was 3 months old. One of our trips was to Japan. I would go in a heartbeat.

I third this! Granted, I will be a FTM and am naive and clueless, but DH and I are huge travelers. We know it'll slow down and be different when baby is here, but we want to travel with him from the start to get the hang of it. We'll be doing our first domestic trip when baby is two months and we have a trip to Spain we're toying with taking when he's four-ish months.

I actually just got back from Riviera Maya and DH and I were talking about what it'd be like with a baby and we'd totally try it. I think if you stayed at an all-inclusive resort and planned to hang there most of the time to relax, it'd be great! Easy to pop back to the air conditioned room for naps - and they have cabanas and things you can stay under so babe is always in the shade. Also, if you're going with family - if you and DH wanted to pop out on an excursion, baby could stay with a grandparent for a couple hours just fine. Another plus - bottled water is unlimited!

Do it

.

FemShep · January 2014

I wouldn't leave the country. I've traveled with 3 months old and it's easy but with in this country. I wouldn't leave it with a baby.

Just out of curiosity, @pigtails1031777 why would you not leave the country with an infant?

laurakaz13 · January 2014

Momtobe2912 said:

I traveled with a 5 week old. My concern is seeking medical care outside the country if needed. I do have to admit I found the trip as a whole a ton of work, and am not certain I would do it again. Flying with a car seat (can you use yours from here in Mexico?), a stroller, cooler for pumped milk, pump, having a proper freezer for milk ect to be really tough. That could have been just me though.

I also traveled with a 5 week old, then again with an 8 week old and have traveled with DD about 15 times, including two international trips since she was born. We travel a ton for work and she comes with at times.

I would go to Mexico with a 3 month old. A 3-4 hour flight will be easy. I would ask your doc about immunizations and make sure LO has some before you go. I would also find out about the closest hospital just in case. But that's it. Hope you can make it!

Oh and DH and I do not do lap kids. We always buy a seat for DD. As an infant, she just slept in her car seat in her own seat during flights. She never every screamed or fussed. I just fed her during take-off and landing.

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