London with a 4 month old?
 

Just soliciting your thoughts: we haven't been to Europe since 2013. My husband and I have been to London before.

This is a big year for all of us as we are expecting our second, long-awaited child. My firstborn is 9 years old and his best friend moved to London almost 2 years ago. The family has been inviting us to visit to reunite the boys. We originally thought we could do it, but, with multiple life changes, it hasn't happened yet. The friend's family is coming back to the States at the end of August.

I am deciding whether we can swing a trip to London this summer. The newborn will only be about 4 months old. Is it worth it, in your opinion? We would probably go for a bit over a week, not more, due to work demands. We would try to rent an apartment. Does it sound like too much of a headache?

Thank you for all your thoughts!

Our friends are offering their place as a place to stay for all of us. I am not sure how comfortable that will be but we can probably swing it for a short visit. A week at most.

It really depends on how eager you are to go and how realistic you can be about traveling with a 4-month-old. There are loads of people on travel boards who advise never traveling with infants or even toddlers. I hauled my own all over the world from the time they were born and don't regret it. The main thing to remember is to plan the trip around the child, not around you. Same thing you'd do at home, IMO, so not exactly difficult. And leave plenty of time for R&R.

I, too, have traveled with a young child, and, of course, it can be done. But, if the purpose of the trip is to reunite the kids, and the kid in London is returning to the States this summer, I don't see the point in making a week's trip there since they'll soon see each other here.

The point is not to reunite the kids but for us to go to London. The kids will be fine, it's more of a life enhancing experience for us, the adults. Thanks for your thoughts.

It's certainly possible to travel with small kids but I would be really hesitant to commit to travel with a baby that hasn't been born yet. You have no idea of how the child will deal with travel, if it will have colic or ear infections or some other issue that will make the trip hell - or will cause it to be canceled.

Agree if your son's friend is coming home this summer I would wait for that.

I travelled with an infant. The trick imho is to have an apartment so you can have a space where he is not asleep and to plan around his schedule, if he has one.

IMO travel is easier w/ an infant than a toddler. I see no reason to not do it.

But -- how large is their house/apartment? Unless it is very large, and if it isn't a deal/budget breaker, I'd consider renting our own place instead of trying to squeeze in w/ the other family.

Or maybe your son can stay w/ them and you/DH/baby in a nearby flat or hotel/

What part of town do they live?

They are in Camden Town, close to the Zoo.

There is a very nice Holiday Inn (better than most HI's) right on the canal at Camden Lock if you do want to stay in a hotel.

Great views of the canal/lock/boats/market

I'd say go for it.

As you say, it's a life-enhancing experience for you and your new arrival will be a big part of your lives, so you may as well get used to travelling as a foursome as early as possible if it's something you plan on doing lots of in the future.

Someone upthread mentioned planning everything around the baby, but when my wife and I travelled with our two when they were still in nappies and requiring bottles etc. was to do the exact opposite and make them fit in around us.

A changing bag can be taken anywhere and from experience, cafes and restaurants in London are usually more than happy to heat up bottles or provide receptacles of hot water so you can warm them up yourself if needed.

It may be a squeeze staying with your friends, but one massive upside will be having built-in babysitters. Even if you and your husband can only get out for an hour or so in the evening, the pleasure of having some time purely with the one you love, particularly with a new baby, is worth almost anything in my experience.

One thing I found particularly hard when travelling with my two when they were young was being in an amazing place, but basically being a prisoner in the hotel or rental flat from around 8pm every evening and feeling like I was missing out.

Camden is a great spot, your 9 year old will undoubtedly love the zoo and you'll all have wonderful memories (other than the youngest of course) of the first family holiday you had as a team of four, rather than three.

Jay, janisj, and everyone else,

Thank you so much for your advice! I almost talked myself out of it but you infused me with more confidence and joy of life. I will ponder the implications, but as someone said upthread, the baby hasn't been born yet. I can't even buy him a ticket. so, we shall see...

I'll join the chore.

Our first 'big travel' was when our son was 11 months old (11 hours flight, and I was alone, my son fell asleep ... 30 min before landing - I'm still tired, but the rest of the trip was great - and the kid loved it).

I fully agree that babies are much easier to travel with than infants - at 4 monhts old, they sleep whenever they feel like it, get easily fed, etc.

We took hotels.

Mvg

We will revisit the idea once we are back to normal (if that ever happens, the new normal). I appreciate all of your input. Thank you!

OK, our circumstances have changed. The friends are staying in London for another year which gives us more time to plan a trip. For various reasons, we want to make this trip happen, despite logistical difficulties. Even if we see the friends here in the States, we are determined to see them in London to have that experience together.

Timing is the issue. My 9 year old is off from school until September. The baby is doing well and I feel more confident to travel with him.

We just need to pick a timeframe that works for all of us. Now we have the 2016-2017 school year to plan this trip.

What is the best time to go to London? Spring? September?

>>What is the best time to go to London? Spring? September?<<

Doesn't really matter at all. There are advantages to both but either would be a great time to visit London.

Sooner the better - you've already been advised that traveling with a baby than with a toddler. After the summer, your baby will start transitioning to a toddler, and will be harder to control.

Good point -- easier to corral a baby than a toddler w/ a mind of his own :)

Yes, great point BigRuss and janisj.