Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Good morning everybody!

I am expecting my 1st LO in June and my family is attempting to plan a family vacation for next year, probably around February or so- so LO would be 8 months. Most likely some kind of cruise and I'm not sure what to do.

I am hoping to BF, but I don't know for sure if that will work out and if it does, if I will still be BFing at the time of this vacation. Also, is it realistic to take a baby on a cruise ship? I just don't know what to expect...

Anyone take an 8/9mth old on vacation? Is it realistic/doable? Or should I just back out?

TIA for all advice!!

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

It will honestly depend on the baby.
At that age, there was no way I would enjoy myself on a cruise or any vacation with my DD.
She was still not sleeping through the night, she was fussy, cranky, just an overall horror.
Yet I know plenty of babies who are great at that age.
It really is a crap shoot.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

I took my daughter at that exact age. She was 8 mths, turning 9 mths on the cruise. And I was pregnant again! It was a fantastic trip, but there are some things you can do to make it easier. Get a big room if you can. We brought her pack and play and had a nice size room where we could easily fit it. We had a little terrace. With a baby, there isn't much going out at night except strolling a sleeping baby around the ship, so it was nice to be able to put the baby to bed, and for DH and I to hang out on the terrace at night. PLus, a baby can't go in the pools on the ship, so it's nice to hang out in the room a little during the day.

I was also breastfeeding, and had every intention of nursing for a year. But, when I got pregnant again, my milk supply dropped, so at 7 mths I had to start supplementing. We ran out of formula on the cruise and there was no place to get it--especially the one she was on. So, if you need formula by that point, bring plenty. Also bring plenty of baby's favorite foods. You can definitely get special food made for the baby, but i liked knowing i had her food just in case.

It was also easier for us to plan late dinners. We would feed baby first, and stroll her around and she would fall asleep. Then we'd take her to dinner while she was asleep. (some nights, not all). We could have a longer, more relaxing dinner that way.

Research the excursions and make sure you pick ones you can do with a baby. Even just going to the beach is fun with a baby. We had a beach day, trip to a zoo in belize, submarine ride, and a trip to a butterfly garden. She loved them all!

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

We have a time share in Aruba with IL's. WE have our own room, which is nice.
DS1 was 8 months old when we first went and it was great. Only problem was he JUST started crawling right b4 we left and I was grossed out at the thought of him crawling all over a hotel floor.

DS2 was 7 months when we were away last month and DS1 was 2 1/2. Trip was great.

Honestly, that age is a good time for vacation b/c they're not on the run. Both my boys were STTN then. No issues. We got a crib for the room they provided, bought babyfood there and it went well.
I did FF so it was easy to pack powder. Airlines do allow you to bring water bottles if you're traveling with a baby.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Okay I love cruises to give you an idea of where I'm coming from.

I think the answer really is - It depends there are many factors you have to take into consideration before I would make your decision.

Here is my take.

What cruise line will you be sailing? disney? RCCL? Celebrity? Some lines are easier with a baby than others. Additionally some have in cabin babysitting but others won't have it for an 8 month old if that is something you are interested in. At that age some lines have a nursery area you can go in and play with your child for a limited time - Celebrity for example has a toy box of leapfrog toys you can sign out and bring to your room. Will you have a balcony?

Will you have A LOT of help? Will someone be willing to watch the baby for you to go to meals? If you bring the baby to the dining room who will be willing to leave when the baby gets fussy? Can you eat early while your family watches the baby and then they go to late seating dinner while you take over or vice versa?

Are you okay with the fact that the on 95% of the ships and lines the baby will not be able to go into any of the pool. While there are a few ships and lines that have splash areas for the most part children must be potty trained to go into the pools.

Will you be flying or driving? If you drive to the port you can take a lot more of what you need with you - flying will limit what you can bring.

I'm a big fan of cruising but I think vacations where you rent a house/condo, go to disney or an island resort would be easier than a cruise on you.

The big issue is that you don't know what your child's disposition will be like. Until the baby is here you won't know if they will be easy going, active, a crier etc. I know my girls were very active and a cruise would NOT have gone over well with them at 8 months. We just did our 1st cruise this past August when they were 2 and 4. It was a lot of work. It was great fun but they would not have done well at 8 months (also DD#2 got some motion sickness). We are going again this year so don't get me wrong when I say it was work - it was still a lot of fun. Some babies are very easy going and others just aren't. Unfortunately you won't know what you have until the child is a few months old.

One major thing you want to consider. You are thinking of sailing during the height or Noro virus time. Will you be prepared if your DC gets Noro on board? Not to scare you - as you can get that at any mommy and me class, the store etc. But you will be stuck on a ship and while they do have a medical center they are more used to treating adults and older children rather than infants.

I would make sure to get excellent cancel for any reason trip insurance. This way if something changes or you decide it isn't for you then you can cancel last minute.

Now having said all the above. If you have family who will be willing to let you go to meals (even if you are willing to eat in your cabin or go to the buffet if you can't make it to the dining room every night), don't mind not being able to take the baby into the pools (some people bring small blow up pools like the duck bath and use that for their child to play in). You can have fun. You can put your child in their stroller and take nice walks on deck etc.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

SO much great advice, thank you all!!! There are so many things you all mentioned that I really would never have thought of

I'm gonna have to do some research before we commit-- hopefully it will work out. My parents live in FL, so they already have limited time with the baby so I know that they will be super helpful during the whole vacation and probably want to be with the baby the entire time... I'm def more hopeful now for this cruise to work.

Thanks again!!

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Been away with both dcs and both were around that age at some point..

I would definitely do it again!

They are not mobile t that age...so I find it easier

They sleep in the troller so you can enjoy your dinners!

Just takes extra planning and extra packing!! But drf do-able and a lot of fun!

Message edited 3/27/2012 12:00:26 PM.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

we took DD#1 when she was 6 months (we went for 10 days to jamaica AI) then at 11 months to Puerto Rico for 5 days, at 16 months Poland and Egypt for 3 weeks,
we did a cruise when she was 20 months.
IMHO I wouldnt do a cruise with a LO like that; our cruise was so packed and honestly it didnt feel like a vacay vacay - we made the best out of it but it was annoying.
But i definetely recommend a resort - we relaxxed so much; DD slept most fo the time but at the same time loved being in the water chilling out (in the shade ) :)

we plan on taking another vaca when DD#2 is born,,, we are hoping to go when she is 6 months bc i think thats a good age and DD#1 will be 3 :)

ETA: i went on 2 cruises and im definetely not a "cruiser"

Message edited 3/27/2012 12:19:34 PM.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

I am taking my DS to Florida when he is 4 mons and then to Disney in November when he will be about 10.5 months.

I figure the more he is used to traveling the better he will be. Everyone I know that traveled with their kids young have no problem with them on trips. As far as BF I don't think that would factor into my decsion. It will probably be easier than lugging formula with you.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

I wouldn't skip out on a 'family' vacation b/c I had a baby - I say bring him/her !! Both of my kids slept are GREAT sleepers - You may have the easiest going baby EVER

DH and I took Sean everywhere from a very early age - the only thing we haven't done yet with the boys is fly - but otherwise, they've both been very adaptable and great with going on vacations

Message edited 3/27/2012 12:20:00 PM.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

We took my oldest DS away at 9 mos and it wasn't great, TBH. He had already been away at 3 mos and 4 mos so it had nothing to do with not being used to travel.

He had already started crawling and was MISERABLE bc all he wanted to do was go go go - which is difficult at say the pool and the beach

If you have a say in the timing, I'd err on the earlier side - 7-8 mos - rather than later - 8-9mos+.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Posted by Leeners

We took my oldest DS away at 9 mos and it wasn't great, TBH. He had already been away at 3 mos and 4 mos so it had nothing to do with not being used to travel.

He had already started crawling and was MISERABLE bc all he wanted to do was go go go - which is difficult at say the pool and the beach

If you have a say in the timing, I'd err on the earlier side - 7-8 mos - rather than later - 8-9mos+.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Like everyone else has said, every kid is different. That being said, we started traveling when DS was 10 months. It was tricky because he was crawling, but it was fine. With DS 2 he was only 3 months when we started taking him away. On one end it was so much easier because he slept most of the time. On the flip side, he didn't sleep though the night yet. But you deal the same as you would at home. If this is a family trip you would like to be a part of, then I would personally go ahead and book it.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

We took our 6mth old to a resort in mexico that had a kids/baby nursery camp program. We would leave him there for nap time and it was very convent and a great trip.

However, we did take our 6mth old (2nd child) and old DS to Beaches resort...BEST vacation ever...we are hooked. So so so so good for kids and babies.

We just returned from a cruise kids are 3 and 2. It was terrible. So non kid friendly. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone until kids are potty trained and can swim well with swimmies.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Oh just want to add...many if not all cruises don't allow kids who are not potty trained in their pools...but resorts do...something to consider...might be a tease to have a pool and not be able to go in it

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

Posted by Leeners

We took my oldest DS away at 9 mos and it wasn't great, TBH. He had already been away at 3 mos and 4 mos so it had nothing to do with not being used to travel.

He had already started crawling and was MISERABLE bc all he wanted to do was go go go - which is difficult at say the pool and the beach

If you have a say in the timing, I'd err on the earlier side - 7-8 mos - rather than later - 8-9mos+.

Re: Mom-to-be needing vacation advice :-)

We took our 8mo to Hilton head, SC for a week (I was BF) & had NO issues at all!!! I had a 3+yo too.

ETA: she loved the water, pool, & just started eating table foods. I don't see why a cruise would be an issue.

Message edited 3/27/2012 7:14:51 PM.