Trips abroad with 5 to 6 month old baby

RaiderHammer

Just looking for some feedback from anyone who has taken a short city break with a 5 to 6 month old baby, maybe Paris / Rome.

Also planning long haul holiday to Asia when baby is around one year, so will need to be fully vaccinated for that one. I assume the baby can have all the main holiday vaccinations before one year old?

And these vaccinations are not really required for a shorts visit to Paris / Rome.

Any help and advise is much appreciated.


Thank you.

Delree

How fun would this really be?

DigForVictory

Any Catholic country in Europe - they're much more family friendly (& have more fun maternity clothing.
Asia? Ulp - I'd wait a bit longer? Earache on long flights can be gruesome for All On Board.

Hollie84

I haven't had any experience taking a baby abroad, reason being is because short stay or not I couldn't do it, its hard work being at home with a baby never mind somewhere completely out of their comfort zone, u cant forget anything, pram, milk, foods, nappies etc etc is it really worth all the hassle? yes its lovely to travel but why not do somewhere closer to home??
We had our first family holiday abroad September, my two were 3 and 6 at the time and it was great, they were able to feed themselves and get themselves dressed, it was what I called holiday.

Obviously this is just my opinion you will do as you please but it really would be worth having a good think about, baby would have to be on your lap on the plane, might not like that feeling of flying and be crying and screaming the whole way which is other travellers worst nightmares, well it is mine. My eldest wasn't keen on the flight and feeling of it and got upset on take off and she is 6.

Doshwaster

I'd also be wary about taking babies to Asia. They won't remember anything of the experience and will just be as happy on the beach at Skegness. You don't know how they will cope with the heat, humidity or local food/water and many Asian cities aren't very pushchair friendly with uneven pavements and bad traffic.

Personally, I'd save your money by holidaying at home for a few years then go further afield when the children are old enough to appreciate it.

RaiderHammer

Thank you for the replies. I should have mentioned the visit to Asia will be to visit my wife's parents and family which will be the first time they will see the baby. That's why we are keen to visit, not ideal I know but we really must do it. That is also the reason why we were thinking of a short break somewhere for a test run.

lcbjcomc

We took our daughter to an AI in Mexico when she was just 6 months old. Yes it took a lot of planning but we had a fantastic time so don't necessarily be put off flying long haul. We took everything with us even powdered milk as she wasn't eating solid food and all within 2 x 20kg luggage allowance.

Our daughter didn't need anything extra in terms of vaccinations to what she already had as her normal injections. Not sure if there would be anything additional for asia. We used insect repellent wipes all over and she didn't get bitten once.

Dunroamin

I'm afraid that I don't think that either Rome or Paris are ideal destinations with such a young baby.

bylromarha

Don't listen to all the killjoys! Travelling with a baby just needs a little extra prep. People do it all the time for all sorts of reasons.

Not sure how good a prep run in a European City will be for a tour to Asia tbh. V different places.

For the European trip I suggest you get a good sling to take. A 5 month old will be far easier to transport around the cobbled city streets of Rome or the metro in Paris if you sling them than pushchair. Do take a pushchair tho. Invaluable in the airport and for lazy evenings strolling around where baby can drop off. You can take minimum nappies/weaning stuff as they'll be options over there for easy purchase.

Asia is a different kettle of fish. I presume your wife knows the area well-grew up there? She'll know what resources you'll easily find out there. Consider milk too...don't know if you're breast feeding, but you will have to take enough supplies of powdered milk with you if not and watch the contamination of water when making bottles.

Yes baby will need vaccines. Your gp can advise on this.

And be very prepared for the plane. There are many threads on here on how to keep babies amused during long flights. They may be a dream on the plane, may be a nightmare, you'll never know til you do it. FWIW we took our then 15 month old to New Zealand. We prepped for the worst on the plane and he was a dream. Cried a few times, but was his normal happy chirpy self for majority of the flight. Slept well, ate the airlines food-worse bit is trying to change nappies in the teeny toilet with the even smaller fold down table!!!!!

Which part of Asia you off to?

Mr_Wang

Check my website:

http://www.thesummerholidayofalifetime.com/babiesyoungchildren.html

Obviously_the_best

I don't care where you go, as long as you arent on the same flight as me!

Seriously though, Rom would provablybe a nice idea, or have you cosidered Venice?

Just please, for the sanity of other passengers, please don't take an early or late flight.