How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

and, where did you go? How did they handle traveling? Any do's or don'ts for choosing a vacation spot?

We're planning our next big trip (although, wont book it until after the baby is born) and have decided on a cruise to Bermuda. It leaves right from NY. I wanted to avoid flying somewhere just b/c it seemed so much more involved. The baby would be about 8 months old at the time of the trip, and the cruise seemed like low maintenance compared to other options. Am i fooling myself to think that it won't be *too* overwhelming to travel with a baby at that age? We want her to get used to it right away!

Just looking for a realistic perspective from some btdt moms! Thanks!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

8 months but it was in Montauk & it was a nightmare because he came down with a 103 fever.

I don't think that's the typical reaction so I'll give you my two cents on it.

At 8 months your child is likely starting to crawl, sit up by herself & probably not walking. It's the perfect time IMO to go away on vacation.

No-nos for me would be any place with water issues in the environment - specifically Mexico. While you can go there & be totally fine, infants can dehyrdate quickly. There was a post about Mexico within the past few months where many of us spelled out the same issues.

A cruise is fine but I think I'd feel a little trapped in terms of supplies. You'd have to figure out bottles if you're not nursing, baby food & the amount of diapers. I'm sure you'll be in port somewhere but I'm sure the minute you're on land, looking for diapers/supplies isn't going to be something you want to do. As long as you're prepared, you'll be fine.

My normal worries about medical care having been in that situation aren't so strong because you have medical training.

I'd say you picked the ideal trip at the ideal age.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

3 months...we spent a week in Nantucket.

ETA - We took DD to Beaches Turks and Caicos when she was 8 months old and it was great! She was a great traveler...did well on the plane and really was very easy.

We had to pack a lot of extras, that was the only issue. The only thing we took with us was the Maclaren to buzz around the resort.

Message edited 3/20/2009 7:23:25 AM.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

We took our DS on his first vacation at 3 months old! We went to NC and drove 12 hours (stopping often) Although our DS slept a great deal ~ he is a great traveler! We do have a bunch of travel plans this year (flying on a plane) and I think I am more nervous now that he is bigger.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

8 months... we went to disney... and then at 1 yr we went on a cruise.


If you need any cruise advice with the baby let me know. i actually had over packed for cadence and never ran out of food

Message edited 3/20/2009 7:09:00 AM.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

He was 6 months and we went to Maine during April of last year. He was great traveling in the car and on the vacation. I would definitely make sure you bring a baby carrier like the ergo baby or Bjorn. This helped us when we were sight seeing at a lighthouse that had lots of rocks. It also when we took a walk on marginal way which is a windy pathway along the coast.

Then we went back in August when he was 10 months.We spent all day at the beach and h had so much fun. It was great because the day was warm and the evening cool.

We are going back to Maine this April and My DD will be 5.5 months nbd my son 18 months. Can you tell I
like Maine?!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

We took Jacob on a cruise when he was a year and a half.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

DS was 6 months when we flew to Florida to visit my grandparents. The plus side was that I had DH, my mom and my dad on the plane with us so there were many hands to pass DS to. He did great. He started crawling when we were down there so that was exciting.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

10 wks old-we had a family trip planned at Disney before we knew we were pregnant. It was the first time she met my family. We BF during the flight and had no troubles with flying. Using a sling really helped keep her comfortable and made traveling easier for me

We also took a long weekend to see my parents out of state at 5 months. We got stuck in the airport for 10 hrs so keeping my patience was more difficult than keeping baby happy. My motto is "have baby will travel."

We're going to FL for a week in May when she's 9 months. I think it'll actually get harder in same ways as she gets older.
Good luck in your travels!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

Kailey will be 8 months when we take her to Florida this summer :)
Glad to hear it went well with al you ladies and your traveling.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

John was 4 months and we went to Vegas, had no problems

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

At the rate he's going....he'll be 25!!!!!

haven't gone with him yet....but by ourselves yes...

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

at 8 months we went up to canada and DD loved Niagara Falls.
It's the perfect age to take them traveling since they usually can't go off running anywhere and you can keep them contained but they're still so aware of everything around them and you can see the excitement on their little faces!!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

We're flying to Miami next month and will drive down through the Keys and stay in Key West a couple of days and then back to Miami and will stay in South Beach with some friends. DS will be almost 19 months. I'm hoping he's a good flyer and that he's cool throughout the drive. I'm preparing all the videos NOW! LOL

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

When DS is 9 months old, we'll be going to Jamaica to an all inclusive. We can't wait!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

I am a big believer in traveling early on!

Jack was on a plane at 4, 8 months, and a year to my parents vacation house in Savannah.

At 13 months we took him to Italy!

Your vacations will never be as relaxing but you will just enjoy them in a different way! I say go for it!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

Posted by neenie

and, where did you go? How did they handle traveling? Any do's or don'ts for choosing a vacation spot?

We're planning our next big trip (although, wont book it until after the baby is born) and have decided on a cruise to Bermuda. It leaves right from NY. I wanted to avoid flying somewhere just b/c it seemed so much more involved. The baby would be about 8 months old at the time of the trip, and the cruise seemed like low maintenance compared to other options. Am i fooling myself to think that it won't be *too* overwhelming to travel with a baby at that age? We want her to get used to it right away!

Just looking for a realistic perspective from some btdt moms! Thanks!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

Ds was 9-months when we took him to Greenport, LI and 10 months when we went to Florida on a plane.

I think the hardest part was knowing what to pack. With a cruise, I would be concerned about water supply - so I would make sure to pack a ton of safe water. Otherwise, it should be a great vacation for all of you.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

Our first real vacation was to Dutch Wonderland in PA. DS#1 was 2 and DS#2 was about 6 months. We left on a Tueday afternoon to avoid a lot of traffic but coming back was so so. We went for a long weekend.

We stayed were there was a pool - which was great and the restaurants we went to were Kid friendly" so that took some stress off of us.

The only thing that happened was that we didn't bring tapes or a DVD player so on some down time or before bed DS#1 wanted "his show". The best we could get was Cartoon Network and some of those cartoons at night are not for 2 year olds. Or, he had watched Familiy Guy... Not to self.

I was nursing DS#2 and was a little worried how he would do in the pack and play but we brought his blankets and tried to put him in a corner so he would hear so much. He woke up a couple of nights but we expected that. I was nursing so that took care of the bottles. I also kept up with his feeding schedule the best I could to avoid any meltdowns (for a six month old).

I think a cruise with an 8 month old would be fine. just make sure to use lots of sunscreen since you'll be on the water. They will also probably have a wahsing machine just in case and they really sell just about everything on those cruises.

We had a blast and look forward to another vacation in 2010. Have a lot of fun, I would love to go on a cruise.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

6 months and we took him to Florida.

He was awesome on the plane (both ways) and amazing in the hotel. It was a great age because he could only sit up, not mobile yet.

We bought most of the stuff when we got there (diapers, wipes, baby food, etc). The only thing we brought with us was the travel system and infant base for the rental car.

Happy travels!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

We don't really do a lot of 'vacations' - but we took Robbie when he was just shy of a year to the Catskills.

Noah's first vacation was when he was 4.. we went for a ski trip to Vermont.

Both times we drove - which made it easier for me to pull over in case of emergency bathroom breaks, urgent hunger or general 'I need to stretch my legs' crankiness.

My best friend has been taking her kids upstate 3-5 times a summer since they were infants and she has just become a pro. I think you will be more than fine!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

Kaylie is going to be 11 months old when we go to Montauk this summer....can't wait!

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

10 months - almost 11 - we went to Florida - he was great and actually took his first steps there!!!!! He was a lunatic on the plane, but that's the Cai-dizzle....

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

12 weeks- long weekend in Chicago
7 months - Las Vegas
12 months - Vermont

DD will be 21 months when we go to Las Vegas this summer and I am already dreading the flight. We got her her own seat so hopefully that will help or at least give us more room to spread out.

Message edited 3/20/2009 9:29:05 AM.

Re: How old was your child when you first took them on vacation

8 months old. I thought the plane rides would be a nightmare (Jacen doesn't sit still well and can't fall asleep just anywhere) but he did GREAT on them. Slept most of the time. I just turned him on his side and ssshhhed him for 15 minutes before he fell asleep.

However i don't know that i'd bring him on a cruise. No specific reasons, but i'd be nervous about that. Plus for my ds, he had a hard enough time sleeping in the PNP and adjusting to that. Also sometimes my ds gets freaked out with a lot of people or really loud noises.