steviegene

I think everyone is overreacting. I would guess the people responding are either not parents, haven't been parents in a long time or are parents to only children.

Babies are amazingly sturdy and flexible. The mere fact that you are spending so much time researching this shows that you aren't stupid enough to leave a 2 month old out in direct sunlight for 6 hours to dehydrate and die. I have three kids under 5, two of which were born in the summer. They wore sunscreen and spent many of their newborn days in a bouncy seat in the shade watching me do yardwork. At two months they were oblivious to cultural changes, food changes or time changes. They slept a lot, breastfed when hungry, and spent an amazing amount of time perfectly happy sitting in their carseat bucket. Personally I'd rather take a 2 month old on vacation when they are so flexible than a 6 month old who is starting to develop a schedule (you'd have to work around official naptimes, meal times, etc).

Don't worry so much!
Go & enjoy yourself as much as you are able with a 2 month old.

blamona

Fished, the Dungue Fever was about 6 years ago or more, and not a single tourist/ vacationer got it.

A million people travel through TCI every year, and you're talking about something that happened years ago?

As for taking your child, just make sure no dehydration. (including you if nursing)

Babies are born on islands all the time and survive, so you can always look at it that way.

Dungue Fever is such a non issue

Kristidavis

I think taking a baby is fine. I just don't think it's much of a vacation, haha You seem responsible, I'm sure you wouldn't do anything stupid.

eastave

We traveled with our daughter when she was 8 weeks. We went to the mountains though, not the beach. It wasn't as relaxing as a vacation without her, or with her now, BUT the relevant comparison is is it better than what you would be experiencing at home with an 8 week old. It sounds like you will have lots of space, and that is key.

fishee

The husband and I are still worried about the Dengue and opting for Paris this time around. I'd be stressing out the whole time trying to keep mosquitoes off him, whether or not it's rational. The 3 people who had it in TCI last month were all from the Bahamas but there is a lot of inter-island travel so it's enough to get my parental radar up. It's kinda funny how we all have different thresholds of danger, I feel I can keep the baby out of the sun and keep him cool but can't control mosquitoes.

I'm sad as no trip would have been as relaxing as staying on Grace Bay. Thanks for the link JeanH -- my pediatrician repeated what your article states.

thanks for all the input! we will shoot for provo this December!

Odin

Pity to give up the Caribbean for Paris, personally that option seems a lot more stressful. They do have mosquitoes in Paris and probably where you live too. Don't travel mosquito nets exist anymore?

blamona

THERE IS NO DUNGUE FEVER OUTBREAK IN TCI!

There are no inter island travels with many travelers. Many make the mistake that TCI belongs to Bahamas and that it's considered inter island! Seriously? Although close in geography, worlds apart in structure, facilities, and everyone has to backtrack to Nassau or Miami to get to TCI. It's not like someone can take a ferry, etc.

Maim has the same chance of getting a traveler with Dungue fever. Actually Paris does too, anyone from Caribbean can travel there that might pssibly have it!

I've been going to TCI for almost 20 years. I've never seen a mosquito at the beach. (and they love me, seen plenty in Bahamas). There are No See Ums at dusk or after rain.

However, you're waiting until December is actually smarter anyway, as it will be much more enjoyable for the baby anyway! (and fir you, as you can play with baby on the beach instead of being in a room all the time while they're napping)

By the way, you'll probably spend tons of time in Paris in the room too while they're napping. And there are Mosquitos, and it can get hot there too! So consider everything.

JanieMac

I travelled from Ireland to the West Coast of the USA with my 12 week old baby, a big robust child. I knew I was arriving to a baby-friendly situation and lots of help at the other end. However, I did not get the assistance on flights that I had been lead to believe would happen and he also became very dehydrated, despite plenty of feeds and extra boiled water. He was quite ill by the time we arrived and I was distraught for the second half of the journey.

My conclusion was that his little system was not yet up to the strain of pressure changes and conditions on long flights. I made a 48 hour stopover on the return 3 weeks later to much better effect.

As for babies and beaches, I am all for it and have had great experiences as long as we were well-prepared. A good umbrella, a baby pup-tent and when a bit older, a blow-up pool all made it possible. My baby was nearly a year before we attemped the beach holiday, but it was good. Even better when holidaying with friends with a baby so we had more options for time to swim or take a short walk. Lots of bottled water and a cooler. We were loaded down with gear, looked like campers but it was lovely.