Europe with a baby?
Jun 29th, 2000, 07:39 AM
#2
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Please beware: Traveling with children/babies is controversial on this board. Having said that, I just returned from the Netherlands/Belgium with a 6 mo old. I have already posted a couple times on different threads regarding my experience. You might search for baby, child and/or kid to see what I and others have said. If you still have questions, e-mail me with your questions. I'll be happy to discuss the issue with you. <BR>
Jun 29th, 2000, 11:29 AM
#4
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This is the best age to travel with a child. When they are least mobile and can sleep any where in their stroller go for it! Last summer I travelled to Turkey with my 4 month old. She was just great. This really is the age when it is easy to travel with them. My duaghter is 1 year now and won't sit still long enough to go for dinner. Pus, you either pay nothing or very little when they are under 2. <BR> <BR>Get the bulk head seats that have a bassinet so that when the baby sleeps you can take a break. (I've seen other recomend taking the car seat for the baby to sit in on the flight - I believe you have to pay for an extra seat then). I was breast feeding and so flying was a breeze because I would just pop it in as the plane was taking off and landing - so no ear problems. Do be a little careful about how and how many people are touching your baby. My got touched a lot and while she didn't get sick, a small amount of blood showed up in her diaper - the doctor thought it might have been a mild virus passing through her system. <BR> <BR>Do check out what health care is available from your current provider when you are overseas and what you can purchase for your baby while away. <BR> <BR>I found the first night to be tough, she didn't sleep much until I took her into my bed. <BR> <BR>Check with your hotel about a crib - if the baby is not sleeping with you at the moment and he/she does sleep with you during the trip it will be a little difficult switching back again when you get home. My mum actually bought us a folding travel bed. It had a thin little mat in the bottom, folded in half and had a shoulder strap - it was a life saver as a portable crib and had lots of pockets. It was made by Century. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps - enjoy - you will be very glad you went.
Jun 29th, 2000, 03:23 PM
#5
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Oh Boy! <BR>As Jeff said, this can get controversial. <BR>Last time I got involved in one of these threads, someone told me to "bite him" <BR>So, if you draw out the nasties with this one,try to ignore them and don't take it personally. <BR>We never traveled to Europe with our children while they were young (only going for first time next yr.(- ages will be 10 and 13.) <BR>Part of me really wishes we had started younger! <BR>Good luck and have a blast! <BR>Nancy
Jun 29th, 2000, 03:29 PM
#6
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P.S. <BR>My best friend traveled throughout the East (Nepal, India,Australia etc. )with her two yr. old step-daughter,while pregnant.Then from Australia back to Nepal, now with an addition of a four month baby, to pack up their house, and home to the states via India,and France. <BR>And her husband had to stay behind in Australia. <BR>So it is possible to travel with babies. <BR>Nancy
Jul 2nd, 2000, 09:48 AM
#7
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we went to Germany this past December for 2 weeks with our baby who was 4 months old at the time. She slept the entire flight over. She had no problem adjusting to the new time. We rarely had any problems traveling, by car, she was still at the age where she spleeps a lot. We brought all of her clothes in a bag as carry on luggage in case anything happened to our checked baggage. My wife brought a lot of big bibs to keep her clean. The outfits were mix and match. I would recommend that you bring enough formula for the entire trip. (powder) it began a distraction trying to find a matching replacement during the trip. We took enough diapers for a couple days, bought a large package at a supermarket a day later. We tried to stay in small hotels or rooms in private homes. We brought a crib with us. The pack n play, it folds up into a decent size bag. We were never concerned about were she would sleep. We did not bring a stroller but a baby harness to carry her in, this way we could keep her warm by wrapping a coat around her. We also brought our own baby seat with us on the plane for use in the rental car. We used the seat on the way over in an Airbus, but it would not fit in seat on the Boeing jet on the way back. When you tell the airline that you have a baby, we had to pay 10% of our ticket price for her to travel, they will put you in a bulkhead seat with the understanding that the child is an infant. You will need a pssport for her. I think that it is a great age to travel with a baby. She was a great ice breaker, and most people were very helpful in accomadating her. <BR>If you need more info, please let me know. Have fun !
