I'm traveling to Europe with a one year old, need advice, please see additional comments.?

Question

Traveling from the U.S., would you suggest bringing a pack n' play/car seat, etc. Any tips for traveling and packing light (if that's even possible) with a one year old? We are going to be in London, Paris and Venice, any reccomendations for family friendly places to stay or things to do/see?
Please serious answers only, I don't need to hear about how you hate kids on planes, etc.....I'm asking for real advice from real parents who have made a similar trip with small children. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

i don't know venice - but paris and london both have magnificent parks. you can just take your child out in a stroller (or similar) in either and walk past beautiful lawns, ornamental gardens, and ponds while getting most of the feel of a great and historic foreign city.

the embankments along the sides of both the thames and the seine are also wonderful places to sightsee with a very young child.

any child under four is always going to be bulky, but you can easily get basic baby supplies in any european city. the only thing you might consider is giving your child a little practice in adopting to unfamiliar drinks and foods. when my youngest daughter was three months (and my eldest only six years old) we went as a family to live in central africa. we had always encouraged our children to be adventurous eaters. faced with a country where the children they met at school snacked on nshima and kapenta, we were very glad we'd taught them that.

Answer 2

I would definitely take a car seat and buy the baby its own seat on the plane as that is an awfully long trip for you to be holding the baby on your lap. A pack n' play would be beneficial I would think as it could be used as a crib in a pinch as well as a place to put the baby when you are in the hotel room to keep it off the floor and confined in an area so not to get hurt. I would also take an umbrella stroller with you as a way to getting around without having to carry the baby everywhere. Just know, that there is a very real possibility of having to pay extra for taking more than 2 pieces of checked luggage per person. The car seat would actually be considered a carry on, as could the stroller if you rolled the baby down the jetway and into the plane, carrying the car seat.

When reserving your seats, request the bulkhead seats as there is more leg room in the bulkhead as well as some area for the baby to get down and move around a little bit during flight.

As for traveling lite with a 1 year old, I don't think it is possible, unless you want to spend the majority of your time doing laundry.

Best of luck to you and I hope you have an absolutely wonderful trip to Europe.

Answer 3

The carseat laws are different here. If you are renting a car, just rent a car seat with it. Sometimes they don't even let you take them on the plane anyway.

Pack and Play? Too big, too complicated.

Bring one toy and one book for trains and planes. Any more than one and you will lose it and not read it anyway. Besides, a one year old is more interested in staring at people and interacting with you than just stuff.

Definitely bring a simple, cheap umbrella stroller that folds up easily.

Always, always, always bring babywipes. They clean up everything.

In Paris, there is a wonderful playground you have to pay for (but it is worth it) in the Les Gardins de Luxembourg, but even children can't walk on the grass.

http://www.cottontimer.com is a blog written by an American mother who lives in London and she has tons of ideas.

I live in Europe, but I am from Canada and make several long trips a year with my kids and it is always a positive experience. Once you get into the habit, you'll manage just fine.

Answer 4

I would try to pack as lightly as possible, because dragging a kid and a ton of luggage across Europe is exhausting, especially if it is hot!

Maybe you are going upscale and will have your hotels launder clothes for you, but if not, laundromats in Europe take much longer than in the US and do not always have easy use instructions, even if you speak the right language. Bringing clothes that you can wash in the sink overnight and wear the next day are fantastic. Jeans can be worn several times without washing, but are very heavy. I bring a few basic pieces that are easily mixed and matched, and then buy a colorful scarf or new clothes while travelling. When you are travelling, no one knows you wore the same skirt yesterday!

Kid's clothing in Europe is ADORABLE and can be wonderfully handmade, so I would highly recommend buying cute things that will remind you of your great trip.

My parents took me to Europe when I was 3, and my mom still talks about how great the cheapie lightweight umbrella stroller was for the trip. You need something that can go over cobblestone and brick streets.

I think the carseat stroller combo could also be a good option. http://www.skymall.com/webapp/skystore?process=prodDisplay&action=&pid=101887706&partner=M53

Make sure to have toilet paper/wipes with you, as many bathrooms have no paper. Also be prepared for toilets that are just a hole in the floor.

Poor Venice has flooding issues, so be very careful with water on the ground as the canals are also the sewage system, so if they flood, guess what?

I haven't tried it, but am considering buying this for our next trip, as I think this travel tent bed looks very cool. http://comfortfirst.com/p-27954-kidco-pea-pod-indooroutdoor-travel-bed-bassinet.aspx

Have a great time!

Answer 5

I think the best way to travel with a 1 yr old is to take a "backpack". If you have a Babies R US, REI, or some type of camping store my husband and I recommed buying a Hiking "backpack" that you can put your child on your back and NOT worry about the stupid, bulky, heavy stroller that you have to lug around your entire trip. We now have 2 children and have made many airplane trips to see family in Mexico City and the "backpack" has been the biggest blessing. The child loves being in it since he/she can look all around, if she/he gets tired they fall asleep and the padding all over the pack will protect their face from getting marked. Some of these packs have an additional hood to clip onto it, so in the event it is hot then there is shade for the child and if it raining then will keep you child dry. As for weight, the are resistance to it up to 40 lbs. Our oldest loved it and now the baby is having fun.
Good luck on your trip!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Be prepared for anything. When I took my little one year old to Europe, I took 5 cans of formula and two big bags of diapers. I never let her drink anything different for fear of getting diarhea. Only bottled water and sometimes I would prepare some fresh juices for her. And thank goodness she never got the diarhea. Second she was not potty trained, which was great for me. Not having to worry about letting her go to dirty bathrooms was a relief. But I ran out of diapers on the last 2 days and bought some diapers there and she got a rash right away. Take your thermometor. Medicines that she has taken in the states. If she gets a sore throat you have your pain med and your antibiotic. And take something for diarhea, just in case. And don't forget the antihistimine, for bug bites or any allergic reactions. Make the trip as easy and comfortable for the child and you will have a wonderful time. And don't forget the stroller. A must.

Answer 7

In case you get to go, try a place called Ancona in Italy. Its on the Beach. Am very sure you and your one old will love it, because people are very freindly, And your kid will have Avery good interaction with other kids. Tell me what you think when you come back.

Answer 8

Please don't sit next to me on the plane!