JeanH

I think it's easier to travel with an infant than a toddler. If they're fed and comfortable, they don't really care where they are.

That said, I wouldn't be planning a trip with my baby, when I didn't know where I was going. Not knowing how this group travels, it could be a hassle to have a baby along. If they eat out at fine restaurants, go out at night, do adventure tours. On the other hand, if they lounge around a beach at a nice resort, the baby will be fine as long he/she is out of the sun. And, don't forget about reflected surfaces. Infants can burn on the beach, even without direct exposure to the sun.

MonicaRichards

I would never bring a baby on this vacation. If it were me I just wouldn't go. We were those parents who took our kids with us when we traveled but I always knew where we were going and we were on our family's schedule, not on the schedule of a group of childless 30 somethings. Sounds like the parents (or the friends of the parents) haven't quite gotten their minds around the idea that things must be different now. I think it's often that way when the first in a group have kids. Pretty soon their friends will be in the same boat, but until then I think your son should pass for now. Too hard to travel without the baby (breastfeeding) and too hard to travel with (can't be child-centric and responsive to baby's needs).

suze

I agree with Monica. To me it's not so much about a family traveling with a young baby, it's the entire situation (which is not good imo). Including that the other people don't have kids or aren't brining them, it's an adult group, that they don't even know where they are going, that it's such a large group of people traveling together.

And top if off with the baby still breastfeeding which to me makes the idea of leaving it at home w/Grandma not really an option either. Kind of a rude way to wean a kid!

Joanne_Kenyon

I have travelled with my 3 children since they were babies. Egypty, Africa, Europe, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Skiing and on and on. Oldest is now 11. We had 3 children under 4 years of age at the start.

1. They will need to take all nappies, food and bedding with them. This includes a travel cot, stroller and baby car seat. I have never found hotels reliable on safe cots for babies, (or even how to put them up) and cleanliness sometimes can be a problem. Blankets are often too big for the crib and a choking danger so even own sleeping bag for baby. Might want to make sure room has a bath, unless they are ok with showering with baby.

2. Plane trip will be ok as it isn't too long, USA to Central America, but they will want the stroller to keep the 7 month old off the filthy floors at the airport (and for a sleep in case of delay) and depending on the length of the flight book a seat for baby and put them in the car seat, safter and more comfortable and baby is easier to feed and go to sleep. Whether they can use the car seat at the destination will depend on kind of transport that has been booked, but I preferred kids in car seats even if I couldn't 100% secure them. A 7 month old on your lap - even shared between adults can be very tiring if they decide to stand up and play the entire way. Cribs on planes are only for babies up to about 3 months and certainly not for babies who can sit up. You can't use them in turbulence and often the guards over them are very restrictive only for a small baby asleep not a 7 month old who will sit up and get all tangled and stressed.

3. I have never been happy to have my kids sat by hotel babysitters, I thought I would do it, but in 11 years have never done it, we either eat home (self catering) or early or as the children got older we all went out together. This meant sleeping in at the other end of the day or making time for a siesta in some countries where people eat very late, kids can't burn the candle at both ends and stay happy. Babies don't always conform to your schedule for sleep ins, siestas or even sleeping through the night so get ready to be a little tired.

4. It may be that their group of friends might be happy to take turns with baby, and they will certainly have enough man power to get the stroller over the bumpy bits. But getting a stroller around a tropical country is not always easy.

5. They might not like to put DEET insect repellent on such a young child so they need to make sure they have sufficient light long clothing to protect from bites and a mosquito net, a baby covered in bites will not be a happy or well baby.

6. My experience of having this age baby in a hot country, you will be hot as well because you carry them a lot and baby will be hot and uncomfortable and sweaty. Baby can't stay out in the sun so you will be constantly looking for shade. Baby can't stay in a hot car or bus.

7. If they want to holiday with their friends leave baby behind with Grandma, it will be special for Grandma. If they want to just 'be there' and don't mind spending lots of time caring for baby in a hotel room then they can go, but they might reflect later that they just spent a lot of time...exisisting. Baby sure won't remember it and probably won't be interested in the photos either.

8. Having said all that, I have done it, did survive it, but on reflection would have waited till the youngest was 4 years old (toilet trained, sits in a chair, eats adult food, carries own bag, walks, doesn't need a day nap, drinks real milk and can talk and explain their needs as well as be entertained by drawing or TV for more than 5 minutes).

just27

The clues re destination were a bit off ... they arrived at Isla Mujeres, not Belize. They'd been on that island last year for a few days, so felt comfortable knowing what to expect of the location.

They took a travel cot, car seat, and baby backpack. The baby did fine on the flight, and all seems to be going well thus far. Maybe in a couple of months they'll tell me how it really was!

Many thanks for the insights, suggestions, and cautions.

JeanH

I hope they have a wonderful time. Isla will be pretty easy with an infant. Thanks for letting us know.

suze

Isla Mujeres is a great destination. I think it will be MUCH easier than the others they thought they might be going to. Glad everything is working out.

volcanogirl

Hope they have a great time.

schmerl

BIG difference between Isla and Belize. This will be MUCH easier for them . Glad it all worked out.

hopefulist

Maybe their friends kept the baby in mind after all!

virginiafish

just27-old question--did you stay at Heathrow or venture out when you had the 6 hour layover on the way to BCN? We are faced with a 5 hour layover? should we stay at the airport or run out somewhere? we will be with rolling carry-ons.

Fanjoy

My nephew just recently travelled in Costa Rica for three weeks with his children (8 months old and four years old) and wrote an article recommending how best to do it including flight times and stop overs that could be of assistance. (http://ridingthebuses.com/2011/05/02...in-costa-rica/). Personally, I think it is great to expose kids to international travel.

just27

@virginiafish: we stayed in the airport. My cousin met us, and had planned to drive us around Windsor and/or Runnymead, stop for a drink by the river, and then drop us back off at LHR for the BCN flight. The incoming flight was on time, but it took us a long time from landing until we actually met up with him at arrivals. He thought, by that time, that the traffic in the area would make us anxious about getting back for our flight. So, we sat in a pub in the terminal and visited.

I got a lot of good ideas about what one could do with 5-6 hours, but it wasn't anything like that amount of time, in reality. You'll love Barcelona. Get a tourist bus pass for 2-days and orient yourselves.

just27

@Fanjoy: thanks, I'll check out your nephew's article! My granddaughter apparently was a great traveller, earned the nickname "chill baby," and 2 couples in the group are now considering starting a family ...