Going on a cruise and leaving my 7mo behind

My second son is 7 months old and my husband and I are going on a 40th birthday cruise for a week, leaving this weekend. We booked and paid for the cruise before I knew I was pregnant and I have been looking forward to going, but am really starting to freak out as the time to leave nears.

My mother-in-law and her sister are coming to stay with our two sons in our house; I have an abundance of expressed breast milk in the freezer for him and all of their routines and information typed out so everything is organised but I am feeling physically ill at the thought that my little man might get really worked up when he realises I am not around.

It's too late to cancel or change the cruise without losing all of the money we paid, so I won't ask if I'm doing the right thing by going as I already doubt that I am (even though hubby and I desperately need some time for us) but I'm hoping someone has some experience with leaving their bub at around this age and can tell me how he/she faired.

My second son is 7 months old and my husband and I are going on a 40th birthday cruise for a week, leaving this weekend. We booked and paid for the cruise before I knew I was pregnant and I have been looking forward to going, but am really starting to freak out as the time to leave nears.

My mother-in-law and her sister are coming to stay with our two sons in our house; I have an abundance of expressed breast milk in the freezer for him and all of their routines and information typed out so everything is organised but I am feeling physically ill at the thought that my little man might get really worked up when he realises I am not around.

It's too late to cancel or change the cruise without losing all of the money we paid, so I won't ask if I'm doing the right thing by going as I already doubt that I am (even though hubby and I desperately need some time for us) but I'm hoping someone has some experience with leaving their bub at around this age and can tell me how he/she faired.

You could surely take him at no charge? Not sure if that was what you are after though?

You could surely take him at no charge? Not sure if that was what you are after though?

If its a P&O cruise you must be over 12 months to cruise.

If its a P&O cruise you must be over 12 months to cruise.

Yes it's P & O and we tried to book him but all passengers must be minimum 12 months old.

Ohhhh you poor thing, try and relax I'm sure He will be fine, you have to leave them at some stage it's just unfortunate that he isn't a few more months older, I remember stressing out when I left my dd for the first time she was just under 6 months old and only for a few hours, I had a friends hens night. Anyway cut a long story short she was absolutely fine for her daddy she had him on his toes ( now he knows how I feel everyday!) I think when they are breast fed yu worry so much because you have that extra bit of closeness. Im sure your bub will be fine. I think it hurts us more than it hurts them. If anything it might do you both the world of good.



Xxx

Hmm I'd probably go but wouldn't leave my son with my MIL! lol as long as you completely trust who's looking after them then he'll be fine smile

Im sure he will be better than you think, although it is really scary leaving them. Has he had much to do with your mil? Does he like her when you guys are around? Im sure he will be fine and he will also have his sibling to play with.

Thanks for the info. I get on very well with my MIL and the boys adore her. They see her a lot and I'm ver comfortable with her and what she'll do so that's one relief. Not long to go now - and I'm sure you're all right and that he'll be better than I think and I've worried for nothing.
Cheers everyone!

Hi there,
Only you know the deal here. You know your 7 month old and you know your babysitters. You have to trust yourself and your choice. Its normal to be nervous, but if you have genuine reason to be concerned then you still have the option of changing it. You can either sell your tickets, get your dh to go with someone else or give the tickets to somebody as a present. You always have a choice as hard as it can be. If you go on the cruise but are going to spend the whole time distraught, then why go? There are plenty of other things you and dh can do that don't require leaving him for that length of time. Sure you may lose some money, but better that then you and bubs having a miserable week. Its ok to not do it if thats what you want, its ok to do it if that is what you want and bubs is used to being left with your babysitters!
Only you know the answer to this one. All the best with your decision!
xxx

Thought I would give you all an update. We set sail last week and after an emotional afternoon we rang the boys the first night and they were fine - didn't miss us at all!
We made contact as often as we could while we were away and our 7mo didn't cry or miss us at all! MIL and aunt did a great job and even cleaned for us while we were away. Even better news is that we resumed breastfeeding upon my return with no hiccups at all.
Thank you all for your advice and opinions.