[Denversafari]

I have a dilemma. We have a *big* family trip planned for September that would take us from Colorado to Europe (Greece, Italy, Croatia). Originally IL were supposed to travel with us, but MIL thinks the trip is just too long for her, so they've bowed out. This means DH and I will be traveling alone for 2.5 weeks with DS who will be 13 months at that point.<br><br>
MIL says we are crazy to even consider taking a baby on the trip with us and that we should just leave him with her. I can't possibly imagine leaving baby for 2.5 weeks (not even considering the implications on breastfeeding). Are we nuts to even think about taking him with us? Should we just cancel the whole trip and eat the non-refundable portion? Has anyone else traveled internationally with a little one?

 

[Bitter Green]

We travelled for 7 months with a 3yr old and our then 2 month old. It is definitely doable. Babywearing is key!<br>
Good luck <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[leanbh]

i'm travelling on my own for two weeks with our dd come the end of february. dh is meeting me in ireland, but all the travelling will be just me and her to the east coast and then to europe. i was a little intimidated, but i know she'll be fine!<br><br>
good luck!

 

[mommajb]

I travelled internationally (alone) with my 2 yo and 3 mo and two more times in the year and a half after that. Pack well, pack lightly, and babywear. That said, it depends on the child nad your tolerances. If your babe is happy on the go as long as you are there it should be great. If you have a child that needs a consistent environment to do things like sleep it may prove more difficult.

 

[Denversafari]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. We babywear and have from birth, so that part should be easy.<br><br>
He is constantly on the go now -- I had to go back to work full time at 5 weeks. He's with Grandma three days a week, at the sitter's two days a week, and at home the other two. He goes everywhere with us: out to eat, to the park, to the zoo, to the mall, sometimes to work, to friends' houses, etc. He is a very active baby, extremely curious and likes environments where there is a lot going on.<br><br>
We've already been on one 2 week trip to visit relatives on the east coast and he did incredibly well. He sleeps in an Amby baby which is very portable, so no sleeping issues because he was in his own bed (and right next to mom and dad).<br><br>
Should I worry about jet lag? How does this affect babies? Do you think it would be easier to try to find a direct flight from Colorado to Europe (longest part of the trip first, probably at least 8 hours in the air), or from Colorado to the east coast (4 hours) stay overnight and then on to Europe?<br><br>
Any other concerns about food/water that we should think about when we get there?

 

[Denversafari]

Let me know how it goes, and any things you learn from the trip that you wish you knew before you left. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[mommajb]

I would just barrel through with as few connections as possible.<br><br>
As far as jetlag, the rule of thumb is 1 day per hour of change to recover. It didn't affect my littlest one much at all and I found my toddler was up at generally odd hours for about half as many days and then just fine.<br><br>
I hope you have a great trip! and <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/Welcome.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="welcome"> to mdc