Tami

Hello <BR>We are taking with us for the trip tp provence our one year old daughter baby. <BR>Can you give me tips for this kind of trip? <BR>Thank YOU

Dr. Dick

Here is the best "tip" you will ever get. LEAVE THE DARNED BABY HOME so you can have a good time. Why upset yourself and everyone around you by dragging along a one year old? <BR> <BR>Dr. Dick

Shelly

Taking a baby with you is obviously less convenient but is very do-able. Thre is no reason at all that you have to leave your one-year old at home if you don't want to. Here's what I've learned from my Eurotravels. 1. Make sure you have a comfortable stroller with a big storage bin for holding diaper bag, change of clothes, a few small toys, insulated drinks,etc. It should also fold up easily and if it has a reclining seat so your baby can lean back when tired or take a nap, even better - have a small blanket to drape over the stroller and block out the sun. 2. We always strolled our son around which is easier than carrying on your back; still, they can't sit still all the time so plan time where they can run around freely. Look for parks and try to have picnic lunches with food from the boulangeries. We put a comfy picnic cloth in the stroller bin, so whenever we get tired and our son wants to run around we take a break. 3. When the baby's happy, you're happy so take along his/her favorite snacks and have a big supply on hand in separte ziploc bags (animal crackers, mini ritz's, etc). Our son didn't always like getting back in the stroller after his freetime so we always gave him a drink or snack as we buckled him in and it worked like a charm. 3. Find out if your hotel has a fridge/freezer. If your child isn't nursing, milk is a big issue. We took our own juices and milk along, froze the ones for afternoon use, and as they thawed they kept the non-frozen ones cold. In the states now you can buy the type of milk that is boxed at room temp. (This is what we use;it doesn't go bad until after you open it. You just have to chill it first. Ask for it at the grocery store and take a supply w/ you if you know you'll have access to a freezer and fridge. Keep drinks in an insulated case, and wash out sippy cups at night and let air-dry so they're ready for the next day. Just a suggestion. You could buy drinks at places like McDonalds or street bakeries (which are common in) but otherwise COLD milk is hard to find in restaurants, non-existant in bakeries and sandwich shops and it's not fun to be looking around or standing in line for drinks when your baby needs one right away. You should know that Europe is not nearly as convenient as America - if you're still nursing, milk is no problem! That reminds me, you can go to McDonalds.com, click on France and the region of Provence. It tells you where the McDo's are located, and which ones have a playland. This is a great place to go if your baby is restless! 3. Other fun things to bring along are bubbles, a small ball for playing w/ in the park, and keep a bag filled w/ new objects & little inexpensive toys they've never seen before. If they start to fuss, it really distracts them! (Do this on the plane too) Go to places like the dollar store or Wal-Mart for little trinkets. Think outside the box. Babies like little, ordinary things like colorful feathers, jingle bells, sparkly beaded kid necklaces. They don't need to be big and take up alot of space. 4. One other tip is if & when your child does take a nap (ours usually doesn't the first 2 days of a trip, but then does the rest of the week after the fatigue catches up to him), that is the time to go to an outdoor cafe and enjoy eating at a restaurant! I hope all this helps and that I haven't forgotten anything. I hope you enjoy your trip and that whatever decision you make, it's one you feel comfortable with. Believe me, if you want your child to experience the adventure with you, it's worth it - just be prepared to put in the extra effort!!

MJ

Not everyone CAN or WANTS to leave their baby home when they travel. I've seen his posts on other similiar threads and it seems as though Dick has made it his own personal mission to discourage anyone from traveling with their child. If you can't offer any positive advice for the OP, WHY NOT ignore the thread entirely.

Dee

MJ, who says that he isn't being positive?

justtrying

Tami, I have no Provence-specific advice, but there is a lot of good advice on traveling w/babies, etc., in general on this site. Try searching (good luck). Ignore the "dicks" (Dcotors or otherwise) on this forum. Just be a sensitive as you can to other travelers.

Dr. Dick

Gee, Tami, I guess I am really wrong. I especially liked Shelly's response about having your ONE year old child sharing the "experience" with you (Caps and " are mine). I'm sure it's a trip your daughter will never forget. <BR> <BR>DD

Dawn

Tami.., don't let a DICK spoil an otherwise great trip you have planned with your family. There is a TON of good advice on this forum, just do some searches. Shelly gave some awesome advice.., and if you want me to e-mail me I will be more than happy to answer some questions (not Provence specific). I have traveld quite a bit with my two year old daughter, and have some great tips!

giveusabreak

I agree with Dr. Dick. Thanks for having the only sensible reply. And in my opinion it was a "positive" reply. At least everyone (the parents & baby included) that won't have their vacation ruined by annoying parents and babies will think it's positive! <BR>

Tami

Thank you for answers and good advices! <BR>We took our baby whem she was 9 month old for a trip tp Toscana Italy for ten days and we all had a great time!!! But now she knows she can do what she want so it will be different. <BR>(I am sorry for the mistakes in my massages I am not American).

J

Does Dick think that there are no children in these countries? Very odd. I traveled as a child and it was a monumental, life changing experience for me. I hope to take my children everywhere I travel and give them the wonderful experiences my parents gave me! Good luck with your trip planning!

Dawn

Tami..., please send me an e-mail. I would love to chat with you. [email protected] <BR> <BR>Talk to you soon!

PB

Tami, <BR> <BR>I live in Provence and just thought I'd add some information that will make your luggage lighter on the trip over. The large grocery stores like Geant Casino, Auchan, Carrefour and Intermarche all carry every essential that a baby will require - every kind of disposable diaper, baby wipe, toys, strollers, etc., as well as sunscreen - which I recommend even in the fall months as the sun is really strong here. <BR> <BR>PB <BR>

StCirq

Tami: <BR> <BR>Also feel free to e-mail me. I've traveled with two kids every year to Europe since they were in utero, including to Provence. I've never regretted taking them - at any age - I just had to learn how to travel differently with them at different ages.

Betty

Tami, have you considered renting a house or apartment instead of hotel or B&B? If you choose your spot well you can see most of Provence doing day trips. You have a lot more room, you have refrigerator and cooking facilities(much easier and less expensive than eating out with baby all the time), you have access to a washing machine, if you or your baby is not feeling well or is just tired it's easy to stay at home without inconveniencing anyone, and you have more privacy (good for you and for others who don't care to be around young children). This assumes that you will have a car. Most rentals are away from city centers. If you would like some information on websites you could check for rentals, e-mail me; I have several. In any months other than July or August you can find suitable rentals for around $400-$500 per week.