TravelingSquirrel

Hi there. We're heading to Amsterdam in a few weeks, and I was hoping someone could help us prepare for the trip. Should we bring a stroller on the cobblestone/brick roads? We bought a travel/hiking baby backpack for the trip, but so far, the baby doesn't really like it; and, he won't be able to nap comfortably in it. Any other suggestions are welcome, too.

ginder

Hi Traveling Squirrel, never been to Amsterdam, but we just got back from Italy. We found a stroller fantastic. the terrain at times was tough, but, the less carried on your back the better!! Our daughter was over 3, but it was invaluable. and we found we could carry more things around with us on the stroller. We chose the Mclaren Vogue stroller, it was strong. I would go for a decent stroller, with good wheels and room for a child to recline back to sleep in with a hood for sun protection too. Also if flying by plane, most airlines let us check the stroller right at the gate,which was very practical for us. It was one item that was well worth taking. As for other suggestions: I can only tell you what we brought for a 3 year old, I will be happy to let you know that. One thing I thought invaluable was a little photobook, with our pets photos, family, and house, that she could point to and show others. Our daughter loved staring at the pictures and even showing the pictures to people we met, we included postcards of our state of Australia and animals to show people and gave them away as we went along.
Ginder
Ginder

SAnParis

We have a $20 umbrella stroller that folds up that has (literally) been all over the world. I keep waiting for it to fall apart, but it is now 16 months into the 2nd child, still going strong.

Tulips

Take the stroller! Baby can sleep in it if he's tired, you can put everything baby needs underneath it or hang a bag from it. It will be so much easier to have a stroller. Amsterdam locals use strollers, so why wouldn't you?

W9London

Amsterdam is quite stroller-friendly town. I've done it when my older was less than a year-old. There are cobblestones but not too bumpy, and you don't have to worry about steep slopes or steps.
You can try Baby Bjorn (or whatever those front carrier/slinger is called) but you will likely get VERY sore shoulders.
Agree with other posters that umbrella-types are the best suited for travelling. Good thing is, you don't have to fold them on trams. Just make sure you can fold it easily.

Larry

The streets and sidewalks are mostly paving bricks not cobblestones and depending on how long it's been since they were reset it can be quite smooth or the bricks can get slightly tipped leaving the sharp edge just slightly exposed. I don't think this is much of a problem for strollers but I'd want bigger softer tires versus smaller and harder ones.

Where the streets affect me is in general tenderness of the bottoms of my feet. I've read of tourists who couldn't get out of bed the 2nd day because of foot(sole)pain. I found tennie (trainer) type shoes didn't cut it for me but rather a hard leather- soled shoe was needed.