https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 11:14:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2706123 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 15:08:40 +0000 pinkcupcake 2706123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would! I'm pretty flexible with my kids - I make sure thy sleep and nap on time but I'll adjust if we are out (he's really good at napping on me). Flying is so much easier when they're that little. It's harder when they're mobile. I travelled extensively w my first and it was awesome. Got harder when she was 2ish and developed opinions and thought everything was "boring" and whined constantly ;) </p> <p>As soon as vaccines are taken care of, I would have no qualms! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2706044 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 01:29:39 +0000 christi70 2706044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely go! The good thing with Costa Rica is you shouldn't have too much trouble with jet lag. Dealing with your own jet lag plus a jet lagged baby can be brutal! Our one year old is a world traveller, starting with a 14 hour flight from Asia to Texas when she was 6 weeks old. We did the same return flight at 3 months old. She basically slept the whole time! Now that she's one, she requires a lot more attention on the flights and doesn't sleep as well. Take advantage of the newborn stage and get some travel in while you can! Just keep expectations realistic and go with the intent of having some relaxing family time. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2705295 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 20:04:56 +0000 pachamama 2705295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The thing for me is I like to enjoy my vacations and with babies, there is very little relaxation and quite a bit more stress. We went with a 6mo to Cape Cod and it was hard and pretty unenjoyable. We are trying again and going to Florida with our 15 month old soon and I don't see it as a good time for me as much as an "experience" for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704999 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:12:18 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2704999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say go for it! I think it's so much harder to travel with toddlers than with a non-mobile infant. I wish we would have done more of that instead of waiting until they were older. Now, if it was a 12 hour car trip, I would have a completely different opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704932 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 10:21:49 +0000 JenGirl 2704932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: Manuel Antonio will be a great option! It's a fairly small park (by CR standards) but it's the most popular among locals. This is where most Ticos (Costa Ricans) go to vacation. Lots of great things to see in the park and a small but bustling town around it. I saw more sloths in one day in Manuel Antonio than I saw in the other three months I was in Costa Rica combined! And look into a night hike. A night hike is one of my favorite things to do!</p> <p>You can definitely get away with not having a car if you'd prefer to just shuttle from San Jose (though you'll still need to bring your car seat). Though you could probably handle a car, if you want. There's a good road that runs along the Pacific coast, so you'd be on good roads almost the whole way between San Jose and Manuel Antonio. It's more the central mountain regions that are hard to navigate. But it's also cheaper, to shuttle and not rent a car, so that's another benefit. Just be sure to stay relatively close to the park. There are a bunch of restaurants and some shops in walkable distance. And several nice beaches. </p> <p>For day trips, the closest city is Quepos. A bit farther north is Jaco which has a very surfer dude vibe, or south is Dominical. really, it's hard to find a place in CR that isn't nice to visit!</p> <p>I'm sitting here debating about a stroller. My first instinct was to just ditch the stroller and take a good carrier. But I know how much I appreciated being able to let my son sleep in his stroller when he was little, so I might take it. But only if it's a sturdy kind that can handle rough terrain. Wouldn't need to be super intense, but I wouldn't want to take an umbrella stroller, if you know what I mean. Most places won't have paved sidewalks, but packed dirt paths. So also think about if you'll be going during rainy season (I actually like rainy season) because things will be more muddy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704632 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 16:26:33 +0000 annem1990 2704632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: Wow, great info. Thanks!<br /> I was thinking of staying in Manuel Antonio. We would hire a shuttle to take us there from airport. Normally we are all about renting a car and exploring, but I think for this trip we won't have one and take it easy. Maybe we'll take a day trip somewhere if we get there and it seems doable.<br /> I feel like there's a lot to explore in the park if we want, but if we are home bound because of baby, just sitting on the balcony and watching the monkeys will do :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704621 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 16:19:03 +0000 JenGirl 2704621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an experienced traveled who actually lived in Costa Rica for a semester, I think you can totally do this. </p> <p>On travel with babies: Honestly, I think 3.5 months is a pretty easy time to travel with a baby. You're hopefully past the crazy new "oh my god I have a baby" phase. If you're breastfeeding (which is much easier if you plan to travel) then it's usually a lot easier at that point. And if you're unlucky enough to have a baby with colic, it would hopefully be resolved by that point. Night sleeping stretches hopefully stretching out (but this is pretty variable). But they're still napping a lot and not mobile :wink: </p> <p>We took my son to Ft Lauderdale when he was 2 months and to Tampa when he was 5 months and they both went great. We did a lot of laying by the pool, walking on the beach, doing stuff we like to do (zoos, food tour, etc), going out to eat. You definitely can't do as much, and need to be more flexible, but it's totally manageable. You just need to have reasonable expectations. Our son napped really well in his stroller or in his carrier at that age. And even if we were still going through rough parenting stuff, I figured at least we were doing it somewhere fun. If you can have a good vacation just hanging out, taking care of your baby, wherever you are, then I think you'll be set. </p> <p>I highly recommend a good carrier, a good UV protective sun hat and a long sleeve/long leg UV swim suit (and cloth swim diaper) </p> <p>On travel to Costa Rica: Look into vaccines and if you can get what you need by that time. Talk to your pedi, they may be able/willing to do an alternate vaccine schedule, if needed. Most of Costa Rica is pretty safe and the water is generally safe to drink. Their healthcare is also pretty good and it's nationalized (I had to take my mom to the ER when she came to visit). There is a huge tourism industry, so lots of good options. Have you thought about where, specifically you want to go? One thing I will say is that a lot of the roads in CR are pretty rough. Once you get off the PanAmerican Highway that runs N/S you're often on dirt roads that wash out. So, if you're going to rent a car, DEFINITELY get 4 wheel drive and bring your own car seat and be sure you know how to install it properly. And get a GPS (most of the car rental places have them) because the signage is awful. On the plus side, the people are generally very friendly to tourists, so you can always ask for help if you get lost. </p> <p>Hope you have fun and feel free to let me know if you have any questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704523 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 14:50:49 +0000 DesertDreams88 2704523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My only concern would be sun exposure and the fact that I had a baby who wouldn't nap unless he was in a dark room, swaddled, with white noise (or, lightly covered in a stroller).... and at that age, LO was still napping 4 times a day. I would reconsider location and maybe save Costa Rica for when the kids are little and can have fun playing on the beach, in the waves, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704480 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 14:12:00 +0000 youboots 2704480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a 2 week trip with our 8.5 month old and it was great. We could have done it earlier without a problem. As long as you have low expectations about sleep and activities I vote go for it. If you could wait a few months I would do that. I feel like a routine and travel is easier once baby can sit/eat some pouches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704475 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 14:08:26 +0000 Anagram 2704475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3 months is an easyish time to travel with a baby. The only thing I would worry about in this particular trip is Zika. I don't know if it's in Costa Rica in January, but I would check that out since studies have shows a Zika virus in a young infant can cause damage to the brain--but also, it's just really awful (flu like) and the rash is very uncomfortable. I actually know someone in real life that got Zika after going to Mexico last year...she had a fever for like 5 days and a full body rash that she said was horrible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704473 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 14:06:51 +0000 Beehive 2704473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: I'm in the "go for it" camp! I've never done a beach vacation with DS (we always do city vacations), but we also love to travel, and having kids has not stopped us from traveling just as much as we did before kids. In fact, in a way it's made our trips even more fun - it's great to see different places through our son's eyes. He's 4 now, and we did our first international trip with him at 5 months. Our next challenge will be trips with two, since we have a newborn now - looking forward to that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704470 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 14:03:47 +0000 MrsSRS 2704470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Book it. I had one really hard baby (preemie, reflux, food allergies, never slept, colic, etc) and one easy baby, and at that age that kind of trip would have been fine with either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704454 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:33:28 +0000 jhd 2704454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to be negative, but I would purchase travel insurance so that if something unexpected happens you can reschedule or get your money back. Maybe you do that already, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704453 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:32:17 +0000 annem1990 2704453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: Good points. I think the varying responses could be just enjoyment of travel in general. Ive been on vacations with family and friends who I can see have great stress (not even with kids!). Being out of one's element is frustrating for some.<br /> I absolutely love the planning, packing, etc. It'll be more to think about with the baby, but most of these comments seem to point to the fact that you never know until you try. Looks like I'll be booking and hoping for the best. Thank you all!! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704452 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:31:41 +0000 erinbaderin 2704452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think as long as your expectations are low, which it sounds like they are, go for it! We took our 4 month old to England for 10 days and it was much easier than I'd thought it would be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704445 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:20:25 +0000 KayKay 2704445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: we just got back from a ski vacation with DS, who is almost 3m, as well as DD1 (almost 5y) and DD2 (almost 2.5y). it was great! i think as long as you have low expectations about being able to *do* things, you'll be fine. yes, you'll have to keep him out of the sun, and no, he won't be doing a whole lot in the pool. but you'll still (most likely) have fun in a new place! even better if he is still an on-the-go napper and/or loves the carrier :)</p> <p>we've travelled quite a bit with all of our kids and have only had one truly terrible night where DD1 wouldn't sleep/was crying/etc and DH ended up driving her around in the rental car for an hour MOTN to get her to settle :) that one night was miserable but even that trip was worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704443 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:19:58 +0000 MrsSCB 2704443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had our first flights when my son was four months. I was nervous but they went great, both ways! Each way was about 3.5-4 hours. No tears at all. He mostly nursed and napped. One thing that I found extremely helpful was bringing the boppy. That saved my arms and gave him somewhere to lie on. I just shoved it in my carryon. It took up most of it, but I had the diaper bag as my extra carryon item (instead of a purse) so I still had everything we needed for the baby plus some magazines and my kindle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704442 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:18:04 +0000 PawPrints 2704442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a little surprised at all the cautionary comments. I think it sounds like you have thought a lot about this and have very realistic expectations. You should definitely do it. As you already know, it will be a very different kind of vacation than you've had in the past, but since you are clearly the kind of person who needs travel to recharge your soul, so to speak, it is clear it will be worth the effort.</p> <p>We took DD to Kauai when she was 3.5 months old, and the trip happened to coincide with the absolute lowest darkest point of my post-partum depression/anxiety (after I had been diagnosed but before the pills had time to kick in) and it was the best thing I've ever done in my life. Having that time to get away from our normal routine and be in a beautiful place to bond with DH and DD was total bliss and I think it really helped (along with the meds) to jumpstart my recovery. Sure it was challenging, since we were having challenges with feeding and it's always tough navigating baby's naps and bedtimes especially when traveling and changing time zones, but you make it work and it's FINE. </p> <p>We dressed DD in long-sleeved rash guards and a sun hat and sunglasses and used a little bit of EWG-approved sunscreen and stayed under sun umbrellas and trees when we were on the beach. We brought a little baby beach pop-up tent and set DD up inside it and it was perfect. </p> <p>Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704432 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:05:58 +0000 Littlebit7 2704432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd definitely do it. Not to scare you, but I'd say travel gets much much harder between 1 year to 3 years. Totally doable, but just harder (infants require you to bring more stuff, but toddlers require...more of you). So I'd do as much as you can while your LO is little. Flying just gets harder, the logistics of finding a place a kitchen and meals are a little more important as they get older, they are more mobile so taking that into consideration when finding baby-friendly spaces is just another layer. And jet lag is seriously a bitch as they get older.<br /> That said, we still travel a bit with our LO who is 2. We go skiing twice a year (cross country flight), we've been to the carribean several times, we do long 8 hour + road trips to the beach. But we've stopped our ski trips to europe for now. Jet lag + skiing and a over tired kid just doesn't sound fun. </p> <p>Even though its not advised, I'd bring the least harmful baby sunscreen you can find with you. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, reflected sun is inevitable in those places, and a little sunscreen and no burn is better than no sunscreen and a burn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704431 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:05:46 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2704431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a big traveller, but I will say that adjusting expectations over going places is the biggest thing that changed for me pre-baby and post-baby. I have resigned myself that any vacation or travel we take until my son is in his teens or out of the house is NOT a vacation, but rather doing the same things we do at home in a different place where everyone is crankier and more exhausted than usual ha. I think he's pretty easygoing in general, but the packing stuff, being in unfamiliar surroundings, schedules, lack of sleep, etc. Has become so much work and stress that we have decided to avoid travel or long trips until he is older and we are less bound to his schedule, and that he can appreciate it! As an infant I think the worst things to contend with were feeding issues, sleep deprivation, parents mental health, stuff to pack, and as a now 2 year old it's the schedules, overstimulation, tantruming, etc. That it's just not worth it until he's older. I would try it because how will you know? but have zero expectations like others and yourself mentioned (I hope it goes well!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704422 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 12:59:28 +0000 snowjewelz 2704422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like the younger they are, the easier! It will depend how you are feeding the baby; if you just breastfeed, then it's easy! I'd get LO used to taking naps in a carrier/wrap so you can just baby wear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704383 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:41:44 +0000 annem1990 2704383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitlanc: @lilyann: Thank you so much for the experienced advice!! It's reassuring to hear from people who've done it that while it's not perfect, it's worth it. Doctors were okay with the vaccination schedule and everything for you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704366 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:17:13 +0000 caitlanc 2704366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it! We flew from Colorado to Florida for a week in the Keys when LO1 was 8 weeks and it was great! Flying was (relatively) easy since he was just interested in eating and sleeping and keeping him covered and out of the sun was much easier than I had anticipated.<br /> Honestly, I miss flying with an infant when compared to flying with toddlers... And those two years where they ride free as lap infants go fast. Take advantage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704361 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:14:09 +0000 lilyann 2704361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took DS2 to Mexico on vacation when he was 3 months old, we had a great time and just had low expectations-he mainly napped on the beach under a large umbrella or cabana. This year we will be taking LO3 to Mexico on vacation around 2 months old and we cannot wait. I personally think it will be harder to travel with our 4.5 and 2.5 year old than the baby. The memories we have made are worth any struggles we had to overcome. </p> [attach=2406/17/om59f9.600x600.mexico2014.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704360 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:06:43 +0000 annem1990 2704360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Good point about the vaccinations. I will definitely check with a doctor about that. </p> <p>I'd plan on using bottled water for formula if we go that route. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704359 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:06:00 +0000 sauerkraut 2704359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say go for it! My LO was just getting really interested in being in new places at that age, plus not getting into the stranger anxiety yet. I first traveled with her (plane trip to NYC) at 5.5 months, and she was a dream on that trip - really excited to see new people and places, slept on the plane, was just generally really happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704358 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:05:45 +0000 catlady 2704358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not do it, but that's based on my own experiences. My LO1 ended up with so many dietary sensitivities that I couldn't eat at a restaurant for a full year while I was BFing her. Plus her sleep from 3 to 5 months was so bad that I really consider those months to be some of the darker times of my life. 3.5 months can be easy or tough, depending on your baby, and it's impossible to predict. My LO1 was sleeping in 2 hr stretches at that point and I would have been just as miserable on a vacation as I was at home. My LO2 is a much better sleeper (he is 3 months now and can do an 8 hr stretch at times), but he just went through a sleep regression last week where he was waking every 2-3 hrs. Plus neither of my kids sleep/slept well on flat surfaces like a pack n play as little babies. </p> <p>That said, if you are a more go-with-the-flow type of person than I am (or better with sleep deprivation, or think your baby will be a good sleeper), than it sounds like a nice trip, and babies that age are certainly more portable than they are as they get older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704342 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:47:27 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2704342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a great idea! Agree with your husband that if you have a fussy LO at least you'll be somewhere nice. I love the distraction of travel while dealing with the monotony of baby care. FWIW we still travel fairly regularly post kids and the only reason we've taken less trips recently is because we moved to a high cost of living area and it hasn't been in the budget. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704331 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:40:08 +0000 ShootingStar 2704331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I think a trip like that will be tough. A baby that young can't get a lot of sun exposure or chlorine exposure, and sunscreen should be extremely limited. So the beach and pool will be tough. And even hanging out on the balcony, you have to make sure baby is covered at all times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-infant-1#post-2704328 Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:36:27 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2704328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's doable but whether it will be enjoyable depends on what kind of temperament your baby has, how they're sleeping, etc. My two both traveled at 4 and 2 (&amp;4) months and it went pretty well, but with the first I think it was much better at 4 months than it would have been at 3, and wth the second he was way easier on the plane at 2 months (slept!) than at 4. But that's part of it all, learning to roll with the punches. The only thing that would make me hesitant would be dealing with colic which *should* be over by 3.5 months. </p>