So there is a good chance DH is going to win our company sales incentive trip this year (not 100% yet, but good enough that we're talking seriously about it). This means we might get a 1 week free trip to MONACO. The problem is that this trip is exactly 6 weeks after my due date. I wouldn't go without the baby (which is allowed, though might pose SOME problems work wise). Anyway, am I crazy for thinking we can do this? How young was your LO the first time you went on an international trip?
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I wouldn't do it because baby wouldn't be vaxxed yet : (
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I would not have enjoyed that trip at all at 6 weeks pp. c was extra fussy then and I would have been a wreck getting ready for the trip, worried about the flights... Plus I would not have wanted to bring a six week old on the plain and everything for germs.
Can you do it later?
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I would go. I wouldn't be super worried about vaccinations unless I was going to a third-world country. I mean, you take your kiddo out in public here, correct? Not much different (to me, anyway). I might be worried about how stressed out I would be, but seriously- it might be worth it and I would hate myself if I didn't find out. I feel like you might as well give it a shot- if it's awesome, great! If it stinks, well, then live and learn.
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I wouldn't go, mainly for the health of your kiddo. You risk both exposing him/her to sick people (especially on the plane) and then being away from medical care. For example, if a baby that young were to develop a fever, many doctors will want to do a spinal tap to rule out dangerous ailments.
We traveled internationally with our son when he was 5 months.
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@MamaMoose: @mole: I had similar concerns but when I brought them up with my midwife and then my doctor they both laughed at me and said "Go!"
@Foodnerd81: Unfortunately we can't postpone. It's a go or no go use it or loose it situation
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@prettylizy: in that case, if you canceled last minute is there any harm done (like do you have to pay anythibg)? It would suck to miss it but I just would have been so tired and anxious.
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@Foodnerd81: I don't think so.... We'd get cancellation insurance. I know with DD at 6 weeks I was tired but starting to feel better. I'm hoping because this is #2 maybe I'll be even more chill
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@prettylizy: Baby will need a passport. It is unlikely that you will be able to get one that quickly. Although, I see you are in Canada, so maybe the system is quicker than it was for us in the US. Also, the vaccination thing really scares me since you can't vaccinate until 2 months.
At 6 weeks PP, you will likely be a zombie, especially with 2 kids! Personally, I would not have enjoyed the trip with the stress of international flights/sleeplessness+jetlag/around the clock breastfeeding, etc. If you can postpone the trip until your baby is at least 3 months, I think it would be a good idea.
We first flew to Europe when DS was 6 months old.
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I would go! Monaco is frickin awesome! I went once in college!
I was hyper paranoid about germs and airports- I flew (not internationally) with my LO @ 7 weeks old. And since then, no lie, she's probably made 9 or 10 roundtrips on planes. She has never gotten so much as a sniffle. Granted, I used precautions, like hand sanitizer and covering her carseat with an A&A blanket while she slept in it at the airport, etc.
Plus as a salesperson for many years, I know that those President's Club trips are always super swanky and they pamper you:). So I say roll with it:)
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I would totally go. We're moving countries when I'll be 6weeks PP though so maybe don't listen to crazy me
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In that situation, I'd round up the fam and go. It would be a pain in the behind to prep for it, but I wouldn't be able to stand passing it up!
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Can you get vaccinations done at six weeks? We're able to do the first round here at six weeks and that's what we did for our LO. Also, in regards to the passport, six weeks should be plenty of time. Just have as much of the paperwork ready before hand as you can, you can always pay the bit extra to have it expedited. And at six weeks, babies eat and sleep - easiest time in the world to travel, especially as this is your second and you'll be an old pro! I would definitely go, especially as it is to a developed country. You can wear your newborn everywhere you go and it should be a piece of cake. Will your toddler be going with you? That would be the more challenging age to travel with!
ETA: I believe I have read a number of times that the air on planes is actually cleaner than the air in most buildings, I think the germ issues come from all the communal touching of things (bathrooms, seats, trays etc), but that's easily counteracted with a bit of hand sanitiser and some antibacterial wipes if you really want. I wouldn't be worried about germs on a plane, especially if you will be wearing your LO and/or using a bassinet on the flight.
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Monaco sounds cool until you get there, lol. We honeymooned there.
Can you pre register for the passport in any way?
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I actually have a really similar conundrum-- trying to figure out if I can go to a conference in Paris about 7 weeks after my due date! I'm leaning towards no but still haven't decided-- I got some advice here if you want to see more responses: http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-first-take-baby-on-a-plane
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My husband had to go to a conference in Paris when LO was 6 weeks. I debated on going but since he had to be in meetings during the day I thought I'd be overwhelmed so he went by himself and I went to my parents for the week.
If it was a non-work trip I'd have been more inclined to go though it would have been a lot of work, there's just so many naps, poops and eating in those early weeks.
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@MamaMoose: Ditto. For me, no vax = no (int'l) travel.
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@Ree723: Toddler will be staying at home with her grandparents, I don't need to chase two kiddos around the south of France! lol!Passport shouldn't be an issue. You can get it rushed in Canada and we could have it in a week or so, you just have to pay more! lol!
My doc and MW both said that a developed country like France/Monaco should be no concern for not being vaccinated. My MW actually said she has many clients that fly home with 3 & 4 week olds to their home countries (usually in the Middle East) and everyone is fine.
Though it is a 'work' trip, there aren't meetings all day long or anything like that. Like @PrincessBaby said it's pretty swanky and mostly just a vacation with other top performers from our company.
Right now we're leaning toward yes, with the condition that baby and I are in traveling shape. If s/he comes 3 weeks early like his/her sister did then we could be fine. If s/he is late or it doesn't feel right we'll just stay home.
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@prettylizy: That sounds like a great plan. If you do get to go, I hope you get lots of relaxing time!
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@LovelyPlum: I checked out the hotel we're staying at and it looks incredible + we have access to a fancy beach club. Pools and beaches = my kind of vacation!
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@prettylizy: Yay! So glad you're going to (try to) go!
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I think you're smart to go ahead and plan to go, with the understanding that things may not work out and you'll be ready to go if the stars align, but not seriously put out if something throws a wrench into your plans.
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I think it sounds crazy, but I think if you didn't go there would be too many "what ifs", "I wish we went", etc.....better to go and get whatever experience from it, hopefully babes will come a little early!
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Nope. I was still a huge mess 6 weeks post partum and bleeding heavily. But, DS was late preterm so there were other circumstances with our situation. But, I know that a lot of women bounce back quicker than I did and have no problems bf-ing, so if that's you, then I'd say go for it! Everyone is different. I think it'll be a lot of work but your DH worked hard for it and if it's important to you both you'll make it work.
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For free? Heck yeah! Even if I was miserable still, I'd suffer through the flight and then relax at the hotel. But hopefully be recovered enough to enjoy the time there.
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Since I believe you'd have access to excellent medical care in Monaco, I'd lean toward going. This article about traveling to Venice with a 6 week old baby actually inspired me to go to Venice with a tiny DS (he was 5 months old when we went), but I think the principles, and fun, would apply to most European travel with a 6 week old: http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/frugal-venice-family-style/
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I would go! At six weeks we took a trip- weekend to the beach- so not international, but I was ready to get out of town. Maybe after my first LO I would have been hesitant but the second one was so much easier, especially since it sounds like it will be a relaxing vacation.
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