Hi all,
My wife and I are wanting to travel to Europe (Rome, Florence, Venice, Positano) next year in June, and believe we might need to factor in having a 3mth old baby (our first child) as part of these plans.
This would be out first child, so we're wondering if the idea of a family holiday is just too far fetched (learning how to be parents + all the travel + being in a foreign country + everything that comes with a new born...).
I was hoping to get some advice/feedback on if others had done similar trips and if it's manageable or just a nightmare? Considering travelling with a pram, car seat, and all our luggage plus all the stairs in Positano... is this just a really bad idea?
travelling is never a bad idea
however, I would wargame the scenarios ahead of time
what happens if its an unexpected Caesar or a difficult birth ? how much time needed for your wife to heal
perhaps baby has medical issues too - is prem in ICU or gets sick inside the first few months - or worse , you hit Europe and now the bub catches or develops a serious illness during travel because the immune system isn't sufficiently developed
both the gynaecologist and paediatrician could guide your options
and understand the division of labour BEFORE YOU DEPART (never thought there'd be a role for writing up all this on AFF but here goes.... the division of labour includes who gets up when the bub cries, is hungry, needs a cuddle, breastfeed or bottle) who cleans the bottles, plates, dummies, feeding napkins, clothes, pram, who makes up the babyfood, who feeds the bub, how to handle sickness of the bub and yourselves, who does the medications (nappy rash, whatever else) who changes the nappies, WHO BUYS nappies, who carts the luggage, who disposes of the wastage, what time you plan to wake up each day and go to bed. drinking of alcohol and so on so forth
we did it twice when the two boys were each 9 months of age.
on 1st trip, we stayed with my sister in Europe, stayed with a few friends and Youth Hostels or flight attendants (always someone under supervision who didn't mind a cute cuddle) but only with the one kinder...
on the second trip, we stayed with US friends but pre-dominantly by ourselves - the hotel drawer became a makeshift bed
its the parents responsibility 24/7 and it needs to be embraced by the both of you - easier said than done)
yes, you take a pram - most airlines will check it at the door - and loads of extra nappies and clothing
there's bulkheads with sleeping bassinets
yes, many things will take more time - running for the train ain't going to happen
you may need to linger longer at food stops and miss out on attractions, exhibitions or events so go easy on the pre-planned activities - you may need to yield for the child - it may be difficult to get a pram up stairways , European cities notoriously deficient on ramps nor lifts - not sure like for example how you conquer the Eiffel Tower, but you're not going to haul a pram up the stairs and in long queues in narrow corridors a pram might be problematic
and couple time - generally bonus if it eventuates
a child will open different doors to the local landscape through their own curiosity and interest in sounds and colours in the surrounding physical environment
you will see things you never would see as an adult
I'm not one to dissuade you from travelling, it will depend on your risk appetite and adventure spirit.
