N

My husband and I are travelling to Amsterdam and Paris for the first time in early October. We are taking along our 15 month old. Will take along enough baby food and diapers for the 7 day trip. Also a light weight stroller, enough warm clothes, baby shampoo, lotion etc. <BR>Are baby changing stations accessible easily at the tourist attractions? Would appreciate any advise from those of you who've travelled with toddlers to Paris and Amsterdam. <BR>Thanks a lot. <BR>NN

wilma

Why?

Cindy

Dear N, <BR> <BR>Two countries in seven days with toddler. Sounds a little ambitious to me. Any chance you can pick one city or the other (I'd go with Paris, personally) and take things a little bit more slowly? If you are coming from the U.S., it will take a while for the child to recover from the time change. Also, do a search for babies, toddler or children and you'll get lots of nuts and bolts advice. Also, if by "baby food" you mean food in jars, perhaps you could wean the child off of them and then you could do finger foods and cut way down on how much you have to bring. <BR> <BR>Have fun on your first trip to Europe!

Beth Y.

I have traveled with a toddler to Paris. She was a little younger than yours, although off baby food, so we didn't have that issue. I would advise only bringing enough diapers, etc. for a couple days. They have all that stuff in France. <BR> <BR>Although I disagree with Wilma and think that traveling with a toddler can be a blast, I agree also with Cindy and ask whether you are doing to much. Jet lag will mess up the first two days and then you are going to have another flying day in their (or train?) that will only leave you 4 days for touring. Understand that you will have to allow time for naps, regular meals, etc. and won't be able to go out late at night, unless you get a sitter (the nicer hotels can arrange them). <BR>Have a great time. <BR>Regarding baby changing stations, I don't remember seeing any in Paris. Changed her on a lot of bathroom counters, etc. Some places, like the Louvre, had big counters that appeared to be for that use.

nn

Thanks, Cindy and Beth for your replies. For Beth_ Can you be specific about the hotel you stayed at...sounded like a toddler friendly one to me. Also can you get by without a car seat, if you take the metro or the RER? <BR> We are going in early October(which I'm told is not peak tourist season) and plan to take it easy, just take in a few attractions at a slow pace with plenty of downtime for the li'l one.Thanks again for the reply.