I think the biggest risk is health. The way I see it, you have what is now apparently an infant that will turn into a toddler. His immune system is sort of being built right now. You will be encountering different bacteria/parasites along the way, and you will need to consider what sort of action you are willing and able to take if Solomon runs into health issues (as well as yourself).

Over the years, I've come across at least a couple of women on Tribe who travel around with a young child(ren) - it appears to be very doable. I have no idea how to relocate them for you to speak to, but if I come across them I will forward the info.

FWIW: I'd wait until your son is at least 1, maybe 2 before doing something like this, not only for health reasons, but other practical ones as well. And to put it plainly, you are a mother now: just because you want to do something, doesn't mean you get to do it without it having ramifications for your child.

Good luck regardless of the choices you make.

~V~

You will need a passport for your baby. I know, ridiculous, but when you think about it it makes sense - kids don't have ID so this will help with identity and kidnap prevention. I have a co-worker that couldn't believe she needed one for her 2 month old baby (going to see her parents in Canada) and she had to hold off her visit until she got one.

I think it is going to be hard for you. I backpacked for 8 months in Central America and I remember all the times I got off the bus really late and was wandering around in the dark of a strange town looking for food and finding none, the times I had to run for the bus, the times I got ill and could barely care for myself. All of this is going to be SO much more difficult with a young baby. You probably won't be able to stay in a hostel with one so young, because there are noise restrictions at night and you cannot control a screaming baby who needs to be changed or fed. If you don't know what you're looking for... the truth is you might not find it, and it is not fair to your son to put him through hardship or being hungry or hot or tired.

Thank you all for your insight, I certainly don't want to be selfish, or cause Solomon any harm. That's why I've written here. I need the opinions of those more experienced in both parenting and world traveling.

The thought of him getting sick and myself not being able to do anything is terrifying to me. I had a feeling i'd get responses that bordered on angry. I'm still considering this, perhaps I'll go by plane instead. More insight is welcome!!

All of the above taken into account, I've traveled with friends and their boys when each was 18 months. A little older, and we were in a condo in Mexico for over a week, so while it wasn't exactly 4 star, we were comfortable. I remember seeing a couple with their infant sleeping in a restaurant and the conversation pretty much went along the lines of how much easier it is to travel with an infant than a toddler. Infant's needs are fairly straightforward (eat, sleep, poo) while a toddler could be getting into things, teething, etc.

On the other hand, a friend visited me with her 9-month-old and couldn't see how she could travel on her own. She had a stroller, carseat, diaper bag and her bag and it was very difficult getting around with all that stuff. Even a low-maintenance mom has more "stuff" to carry with a baby.

However you decide to do it (if you do it), good luck. I'm sure you're making the best decision for your son. If you manage to raise him in another place for a while he'll be a lucky little boy!

Once I came home from Boston (unfortunately) with sinusitis =(... the flight attendants offered me warm water for my ears. Apparantly that's what they give babies ( :) ) on flights, since they can't "pop" their ears yet. The steam helps them.

People all over the world have lived for centuries. I have such an itch for travel... I would have loved to have grown up (even for a small time) in another country.

Best of luck to you!!!!!!

you want to take a young baby on a road trip through central america and then south america? by yourself? in the hopes of finding some kind of community, but you don't know who or where? i have to say that sounds like a very very bad idea.

from another post on your profile, i have to figure he's just a few weeks old now... he is going to take a lot more attention as he grows older, with food and changing and just general interaction, and doing that with the total unpredictable nature of a road trip, there are just so many things that could go wrong... no, i think it's a very very bad idea.

a baby who gets diarrhea can become dehydrated quickly, and when you're traveling like that, there just isn't the medical attention available... and, as someone else mentioned, should anything happen to you, you have no assistance. when you have an infant, you can't even go pee without having help, particularly if you'll be peeing in some nasty unfamiliar place... where will you put him? on the ground? not to mention that you would be carrying a baby plus gear for two of you. when my daughter was a baby, just taking a flight to the other side of the country without any help was one of the most exhausting experiences ever. there is no respite at all when it's just you and a baby. and in third-world countries, i cannot even imagine.

i have a feeling that your once your body settles back into its non-pregnant state, you might see the idea differently. if you are visualizing moving to a beautiful community in another country, you could start putting feelers out for that. if you knew where you wanted to go, and had some companionship to travel there (by air would be the easiest on everyone), and knew a good environment was waiting, and understood the nature of the place you were going, and had the legalities all sorted out, then that would seem a lot more do-able.

and not that it's my business, but you may have legal issues if he has a father who isn't going with you. getting a passport for a child requires two parent's signatures.

I have to agree with Leslie - don't do it.

<So, I have this notion...>

Sounds like whim. Only YOU can put you on your path. I would make darn sure that this is yours before jaunting about. Many questions you should ask yourself....

Can you handle the language barrier? (How's your Spanish, Portuguese, Italian?)

Can you survive (mentally, emotionally, spiritually) in a (very)different male/female dynamic world?

Can you leave behind your American sense of independence AND entitlement??? It's harder than you think.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. The previously mentioned "developing immune system" for Solomon, and general health risks to you both should be SERIOUS concerns

I also recommend you wait 'til little Sol is 2 or 3. If you have to do it now, leave him with "grandma" or whoever, go on your recon mission, find your community THEN bring you baby.

I recommend waiting as well. If you MUST go:
A road trip will be too taxing. If you want to go abroad, maybe just pick one destination say in Mexico or Brazil, somewhere that
access to first world medicine is nearby, and stay there,
hang out, meet the locals who may make friends with your baby.

I'm neither a parent nor a person who has visited Brazil...HOWEVER, I think it is NOT a reckless thing to attempt. Many countries are waaay more child-friendly than the US of A. imHo planning and discussion with those ( I am sure many) that have gone before you could be very helpful. I love travel so...that I can't bear to think that a baby should be cause to stay home...of course it's less risky to be in one place where you know the facts and quality of the medical resources that are available is preferable. Life itself is a risk...HOWEVER, I consider it risky to NOT travel if you think it will impinge severely on your happiness.

I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavor to travel with your child... I most sincerely do. (and also think that thorough research if not personal contacts in Brazil is essential.)

I can't tell you how many people have attempted to dter me from travelling simply because it isn't something they themselves are truly comfortable.. I am forever grateful for those that have bucked the Americ-centrism and told me to go forth. Travel is an education that I could not , cannot and will not ever give up.

i don't think it's safe to drive through rural columbia anyway right?