3-month-old to Kauai?
 

Hey all,

We've been going every year for three years. This year we'd be taking our 3-month-old baby if we went. Are we nuts? We're going to be first-time parents, and this year we're taking my parents to celebrate their anniversary. They've never been there. ARE WE NUTS? I keep hearing it's easier to take a 3-month-old than a toddler. We don't do extreme sports or anything, more just swimming and snorkling...plus my parents would be along for babysitting and helping out. Anyone have any experiences they'd like to share?

Aloohaaa,
Just don't go between Dec 29th and Jan 19th. ;)

sorry....couldn't resist. :)>-

You're a meanie! ;) We're hoping to raise a quiet, obedient infant. HA HA

:-?
I seem to recall MY Mom saying that around 52yrs ago!
Hope you have better luck! >:D<


We do admire people who have the "umphh" to take their kids traveling no matter what age (the parent's or the kid's) since neither one of us did much traveling when we were younger.

I always thought Kauai was pretty kid friendly but as a "returnee" you probably know that.

Ahhhhhhhh....301!

We took our daughter to Maui when she was 4-months old, and have no regrets (which we cannot say about our European vacation when she was 15-months old - now fondly referred to as the vacation from hell ((6)) ) You are absolutely right -much easier with infants than toddlers. From 4-9 months we flew from LA to Maui, to Boston and to Cabo with no problems. When she started walking, a 1-hour flight to SF was torture.

At 3 months, they are very portable in their little car seats. Having Grandma & Grandpa along to help out will be a huge bonus, also.

I say, go for it and have fun! However, please be prepared to get slammed on this board for daring to suggest taking a baby anywhere.

We'll be on Kauai in August this year and, unlike Kal, would not mind a bit if you're there the same time ;) .

156 ((r)) (all the other Kauai-bound posters seem to doing this countdown thing)

These types of questions never cease to amaze me. Why wouldn't you rather have some alone time with your spouse?

I guess that I am just one of the lucky ones.....

Paul, some of us actually like our children.....

Normally, I would agree that taking a baby is much easier than taking a toddler.
However, you said that you're taking your parents to celebrate their anniversay.
It doesn't sound like much of a celebration for them if they're going to be babysitting.
Is there another set of grandparents, or aunts and uncles you can leave the baby with so you get the quality time with your parents?

We left our 9 month old for two weeks (with my parents) when we went to Europe with my in-laws.

My folks were thrilled to have that alone time with the baby and we were lucky enough to have quality time with the in laws.

Babies are easier, but what if the baby ends up with an ear infection, or worse..RSV or something like that.

I'd opt for leaving the baby at home..for their comfort level and yours.

Happy, dh and I are first time parents too (daughter turned one today). We've done a couple of small trips with her: one trip when she was a couple months old and one at 8 months.

She was a lot easier to travel with at two months than at 8 months or now. At two months she would sleep in her car seat. I don't think you're too nuts. Of course, I'm pretty new at this parent thing, too. :)

I can't imagine grandparents who wouldn't be thrilled to be going to Kauai for the first time, and having the added pleasure of sharing the experience with their child and grandchild would make it all the more special.

Leaving the infant at home would place a huge burden on whomever's taking care of him/her. Shared babysitting on Kauai would be a treat for any grandma I know.

If the pediatrician says okay, go.

When our first son was 2.5 and our second son was 8 months, my husband had a conference in Hawaii. He was very excited to attend because it was the only state he had not been to...I couldn't imagine letting him go to Hawaii without me. I also couldn't imagine leaving #2 son who I was still nursing nor could I imagine leaving the older son behind with the grandparents.

So, we took our sons, as well as my parents as an anniversary present and to help out. Hubby had envisioned he and I cruising around Hawaii in a convertible having a romantic time. He still laughs about how his romantic vision turned into a rental minivan with his kids and in-laws. We all had a lot of fun.

The baby did develop an ear infection in Hawaii. Our hotel (on Maui) referred us to a great local doctor, and everything was just fine.

Yes, my sons can't remember this trip, but they love hearing about the trip and seeing the pictures. They are now 7 and 9, and the time is flying by...the cliche that they grow up so fast is so true. Husband and I have a list of places in the world where we want to take them, and we're now cutting down the list because we only have 9 years until oldest one goes to college.

Go to Hawaii with your new baby and parents. I think after 3 months with a newborn, you will love having a getaway to Hawaii. Take lots of video and pics to show the baby later.

We took our child to Hawaii at 7 mths, no problems, not a peep on the plane and had a wonderful vacation. We went again at 17mths and he was quite a challenge on the plane! Infants are definitely easier in confined spaces! Just be sure to check with your dr. first about any potential ear problems before the flight. Be sure to spend the extra bucks get your baby his/her own seat and bring the carseat on board. Make sure that it is one that fits on planes. Umbrella strollers are great for travel. And by the way, if you do need a doctor, they do have them in Kauai! We went there when my son was 4 and thought that he had an ear infection. Our condo office referred us to a pediatrician (the office receptionist's dr. when she was a child). He was very nice and we felt very comfortable with his care. You will have a wonderful time and great memories of time with your parents and child.

Take the baby! It would have killed me to leave a three month old behind! Plus, your parents will love to watch the baby a couple of nights. Mine would.We took our daughter to Hawaii when she was 15 mos and she was fine, she's 12 now and wants to go back and see what she can't remember!LOL. I think you will have a good time. Hawaii is the US, so if you need a doc or medicine, you should have no problems.

Thanks everyone for your responses!
If we go, we're taking the baby. I agree with the posters who say this will be an amazing experience for my parents to see Kauai with their grandbaby, and a wonderful family vacation for us. We happen to be a family who enjoys each other's company. I would never leave an infant that young with "someone else" to care for while I go on vacation. Over a year or two old, maybe. Thanks so much to the parents who shared your experiences, gave specific advice on what to take, etc. and especially for your words of support! That's exactly the information I was looking for. God bless all you parents out there...and especially those so willing to support a new mom. :)

happybluesky -
I took my eldest son who was 2 months old at the time to the Summer Olympics in Atlanta! We had ordered our event tickets 18 months in advance...who knew a baby would be on the way?! Anyhow, 7 of us (6 adults and the 2 month old) drove from Virginia to Atlanta in one minivan.

We all somehow survived the trip and still laugh about it today.

You will have a wonderful time.

We went to Hawaii, we took an umbrella stroller with a top/canopy to keep sun off the baby. We also had a pop up tent that baby slept in on the beach. Look at the SUN STOP'R® KWIK CABANA™ http://www.sensationalbeginnings.com/

We kept the baby in the hotel room for the afternoon nap during peak sun hours. My dad was always happy to have nap duty as it gave him time to relax with a good book in the airconditioned room with his beloved grandson.

Don't let other posters scare you. You can do this trip, and you will have many wonderful memories.

We are taking our adult kids, and a 14 mo. old grandchild to Kauai in Aug. to celebrate our Anniversary. It is a pleasure to have the baby along. Last summer she went on vacation with us too, and it was so easy when they are in the car seat and a few months old. We love to baby-sit. It will be more of a challenge this year if she is walking, but I think it is a great time for the family to vacation together.%%-

If your parents are going with you, you will have help if you need it.

Don't be afraid to travel with an infant. It will be different, but children who travel from a young age tend to turn into very good travelers, as opposed to those people who refuse to go out of their own state because they think it's too difficult. Of course, those are often the same parents who put dvd players in their cars! Heaven forbid a child might learn how to sit quietly or look out the window and see a change of scenery! ;-)

More great advice! I'll look into that umbrella stroller for sure, thank you!
You guys are so great. Sounds like more people think it will be fine, and a great memory for our family. I am blown over by your support & for sharing your stories here. Thanks so much. I'll definitely do a trip report if we go.
ALOOOOOOHA!

When my daughter (and 1st child) was two months old, we travelled to the Bahamas from Pgh. We went with some friends who were pros at travelling with children of all ages. My friend said travelling with an infant is easy, and she was right! My daughter is now 2 1/2 and has travelled many times in her young life and she is a "pro" at it. Restrictions on travelling with a baby were (for me) .... not able to do activities like in past va-ks, due to full-time nursing ... pretty much was with my daughter the entire time. Guess what!? I did not even mind! Having your parents along will be a great help. My parents love time with my daughter and would not care if it was during a birthday, anniversary or any type of celebration. If you are lucky and have parents like mine, they will cherish the moments. Just be sure to ask if they mind keeping an eye on your baby and don't assume that they will. I am sure they would be happy to play the grandparent role and watch the baby while you and hubby maybe go on a snorkel outing or even just dinner alone one night. Kauai is wonderful .. went there 8 years ago for honeymoon. Such a relaxed island. Pack it all up and head off to paradise is my vote!