Ireland with a Baby

My DH wants to take our DD to Ireland at the end of August to see his mother. DD will be 4.5 months old. I am totally onboard with the idea, it's important for her to meet her "Granny". But, is it
Crazy?

We will be staying with my MIL, which is fine and comfortable and wonderful. I am worried about the flight and all the gear I am going to have to schlepp and the time change and wondering if this is not such a great idea.

Anyone have any experience and tips for traveling international with an infant?

Re: Ireland with a Baby

Do you know where in Ireland you will be going?

We did Ireland & left DS at home (he was like 18 months at the time)

I remember thinking, wow, it could have been a big pain (besides the flight, timezone issues, etc) but also because a lot of Dublin was cobblestone paths, and hard to walk on at times, let alone a stroller!

Lots & LOTS of walking in Dublin

Also, many little towns are on uneven land, and can be hilly....up the hill, down the hill, on a slant. I remember Wicklow to be that way.

Luckily, it only rained ONCE in the week that we were there; it only rained on the first day of our trip. But it was crazy rain.

I'm a pretty relaxed parent, and usually drag DS everywhere. But after a trip to Disney (prior to Ireland), I nixed any international trips, lol.

Don't get me wrong..it's do-able...(most things are), but it just may take extra time and planning, and of course, patience.

Re: Ireland with a Baby

my friend took her DD to Ireland at about the same age to meet her DH's family also. I don't remember her telling me she had any problems, unless she kept them from me. she's been back several times over the past 3 years with her DD and is planning on taking her 9 month old with her this year also.

Re: Ireland with a Baby

Posted by rileysmama

Do you know where in Ireland you will be going?




We will be flying into Belfast and then staying in Derry for the entire time, with the exception on one weekend to Dublin, when we will leave DD with my MIL back in Derry. We'll be visiting friends there.

I can't imagine touring Ireland with an infant. You're right, Dublin would be difficult with a baby and touring Ireland would her would be a nightmare given the terrain!! Thankfully, I have seen most of it already and we will be mostly staying put with her in Derry this time so that DH's family can meet her.

I am worried about the time zone change going there and them coming back and wondering how we're going to get her stuff there.

I guess we can bring her stroller on the plane?

Does anyone know if I can bring her car seat too?

Re: Ireland with a Baby

I fly home to NY with my kids and we find that we don't actually need all of the gear, what we don't have already we borrow from anyone we can, parents friends with grandkids etc and sometimes we buy things.

Belfast is quite a big city (as is Derry) and you can buy anything you need there, diapers, formula etc Boots is a pretty big shop and they are all over NI.

Touring with a baby isn't as difficult as you think, most cities are pretty child friendly and public transport again, is easier than you think with a little one.

I say go for it!

Re: Ireland with a Baby

as far as the timezone, I think it should be okay. Maybe not great, but okay.

Most flights leave around early evening, so you have dinner on the plane & then they turn off the lights to simulate sleep. Then, when you arrive, it's early morning there.

I felt very "off" for two days, but that's because I didn't sleep the night before we left, or sleep at all on the plane (i was super excited)

try to get DC to sip from a bottle during take off/landing. Some babies are soothed by the flight. I flew Aer Lingues & LOVED them...I even saw some people had cribs on the plane!

Yes, u bring stroller on plane but they keep it somewhere else during the flight.

yes, you can bring car seat on plane..that is what she will "sit in'..if you do it this way, you pay for an extra seat. If you choose not to pay for an extra seat, she has to stay in your lap.

Re: Ireland with a Baby

if you fly aerlingus before you book online call the airline and ask for the bassinet seat as you're flying with an infant...since they're all overnight flights the front middle rows are reserved for people with infants and they bring out a bassinet for you to put the baby into if she falls asleep (it's a box but the put pillows and blanket to make it soft) and it's great for a long flight so you don't have baby in your arms the whole time.
aerlingus are pretty good with kids flying. i've gone on my own with my dd at various time over her almost 3years and they're always very helpful.

also since your DH has family/friends there i'm sure you could get a loan of a car seat or if you're renting a car then get one from there.

also i found she adjusted to the time very well since she always slept good on the plane. coming back here is the hard part as it's a daytime flight plus it's a longer flight coming this way.
HTH

Re: Ireland with a Baby

I bought our DD to Ireland on my own when she was 5 1/2 months and it was fine - no problems at all. I have family there so my mom had a pack and play for her to sleep in and I borrowed a stroller from my sister. I also rented a car seat with the car rental but it was so gross I didnt use it but borrowed one from a friend once we got to our destination. I used the baby bjorn at the airport and it was GREAT, I also had a small backpack as my diaper bag and thats all the hand luggage I had.

I returned to ireland with her at 10 months and DH was with me this time - she was older then so more active so it was definitely easier when she was 5 1/2 months.

We are going this month with our now 4 year old and our 10 month old and we are not worried at all about it - if they dont adjust to the time zone I dont stress too much - it is what it is - its not like I have a huge agenda - if we have a late night then I will to catch up on sleep the next day.

I went to galway with DD at 5 1/2 months and did lots of walking with her in the bjorn and the stroller - no problems.

GO and have fun and her granny will love you for it

Re: Ireland with a Baby

We brought ds when he was 11 months and had a great time.

He was great on the flight - we flew aer lingus and got a bulk head seat so there was extra room and a little cot for him to sleep in.

His first day he slept alot but then he was right on track after that.

I would suggest have your mil pick up diapers and wipes for you since they sell Pampers there as well. We borrowed a pack in play from a neighbor so have your mil look into that.

If I were you I would definately go - it is easier to travel when they aren't mobile.

Re: Ireland with a Baby

Thank you all for the tips and advice. You all calmed me down and I am now really looking forward to this trip! Thanks!

Re: Ireland with a Baby

We took DD when she was 3 months and again at 10 months to visit her Granny, cousins etc. We too stayed with my MIL and were able to borrow a pack and play for her. We brought our snap and go so that accounted for the stroller/car seat. Frame was gate checked and we were able to get the infant seat into an overhead bin.
Brought my bottles and a can of formula, only brought enough diapers for the airport and plane and then stopped at Tesco once we left the airport for more. the bjorn was handy too.
We stayed in Carlow but also traveled to Kerry for a wedding and did a day of shopping in Dublin. since she was so little, it was very easy to bring her wherever we wanted to go.

We got the front row on aer lingus..had to call to reserve that row so we could have the bassinet. I will say it was WAY easier to take her at 3 months than it was at 10 months. We did drive around when she was 10 months but we were more stuck to her nap schedule and it was more difficult. and surprisingly both time she adjusted to the time difference within a day! FM me with any other questions!

Message edited 6/24/2010 11:42:20 PM.