Why You Shouldn't Book Travel for Babies Before They Are Born
Day 16. Today is Baby S's 16th day living on this planet (outside of my stomach anyway), and we are doing our best to adjust to life as a family of four and finding our "new normal". In some ways it has thus far been a little easier than expected, in other ways it is about what I expected, and then, of course, there have been a few "surprises" along the way that have been more challenging. Having to undergo an emergency c-section would certainly go under the "unexpected surprises" category. Blogging with one hand while nursing at 3AM falls under the "about what I expected category"... sorry for any and all typos!
Seriously though, overall things have gone pretty well - she THANK GOD doesn't thus far have the extreme tummy issues that my first daughter did, but she does deal with her own toned down version of maybe reflux/maybe colic/maybe old-fashioned newborn tummy issues. That has meant some 3-4 hour crying sessions, mostly at nights or in the evening, and me being covered with my own milk in various stages of digestion a little more frequently than I would prefer.
I give those details not because I think most of you really want a play-by-play of my 16 day old baby's routine and digestive habits, but to give context to the rest of the post.
In terms of travel, the last 16 days have very much reinforced for me something that I already believed, but didn't 100% live by this time around. That is, unless you are making fully refundable reservations, I do not recommend booking travel for you and your newborn before the baby is born. Yes, this is a family travel site, and yes I firmly believed children can and should travel, but if you book travel for your newborn before they are here you are rolling the dice and hoping for luck to be on your side - at least for the first three months or so.
Technically most US airlines will allow you to fly with your baby once they are at least a week old, but outside of very extenuating circumstances I would not take them up on that offer. Here's why..
You May Have a More Complicated Delivery than Anticipated
Within a week or so of having my first daughter the old fashioned way five years ago I was pretty much 100% healed, not taking any pain meds, and even wearing many of my old clothes again. Naively, I thought I would be that lucky again (perhaps minus having my old clothes fit). However, things can change quickly in the world of labor and delivery, and we went from being very close to delivering baby #2 naturally, only to be wheeled into the OR for surgery. Among other things, that meant a much more involved recovery process since C-sections are a pretty major surgery. The odds of needing a C-section after you have had a routine delivery are pretty low, but obviously it can and does happen without advance warning.
Your Baby May Have Special Needs or Require Time in the NICU
Just like the mom may come out of delivery needing some additional recovery time, the baby may also end up with some unexpected special issues that can't be known ahead of time. As I have talked about before, this was our situation when Little C was born and had to be life-flighted and re-admitted to the NICU at 3 or 4 days old. She had a normal delivery and was born a seemingly healthy baby, but within a couple days had developed some issues that required medical attention. Just like how things can change quickly in labor and delivery, things can change very quickly for a very young infant.
Your Baby Just Isn't Easy
Even if you and your newborn don't have any special medical needs, there are a million ways in which caring for a newborn can be more of a challenge than you expect. Some common challenges are going to be sleep issues and feeding/reflux issues. These aren't life threatening, but my idea of fun does not include traveling when I'm dead tired from being up half the night and then having to deal with constant spit-up and a fussy baby away from home and my washing machine. Having to worry about bothering other hotel guests with a baby screaming at night or in a confined space like an airplane isn't exactly ideal either.
You may have one of those mythical "easy babies" that falls right into a routine, keeps most of their meal firmly in their stomach, and cries only when they need something you can promptly provide, but you might not. I've never had one of those babies and you won't know your baby's temperament until they are here.
We didn't travel with my first daughter until we had almost survived the entire first year of her life, but with baby #2 we had a trip booked for about a month after her due date, largely for work-ish obligations. I knew it might not be easy, but since I had 5.5 years of battle-hardened parenting experience under my belt I figured we could hopefully make it work. Wrong.
A combination of going a bit over my due date, having to have surgery that won't be totally healed by our travel date (which means I can't do the main activity at the destination - swimming), and having a baby that is having some trouble keeping meals in her belly and not having long crying spells, means that the trip doesn't make sense. In fact, it would kind of be a recipe for disaster.
Since I didn't follow my own advice, we now have the privilege of paying change fees for the flights that weren't booked using miles and delaying the trip until things are hopefully a bit more settled and everyone is recovered. I'm not too stressed about this since I knew it was a gamble to commit to the trip in the first place, but hopefully you can avoid some wasted money by not booking trips for the first three months or so of your little one's life until after they are safely born and you have a feel for how things are going.
The last thing you need when caring for an infant is the additional stress of trying to figure out how you are going to make a "vacation" work before everyone is settled into their new normal.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.