ezvalet

Hi everyone,

My husband and i are really dying to get back to nyc this spring, since it has been over a year since we have been there...but we now have a six month old little boy. We are wondering if anyone has done this trip with a baby. We are thinking that if we go this spring while he is still small,

ezvalet

sorry cont:

it may be easier than when he is a toddler. We cannot stand the thought of not going until he is older...i would love anyone's opinions. We really do not hit the night life, or fancy rests, just mainly taking in the atmosphere and some shopping.
Let me know if you think we are crazy.
Thanks
Mel

mosie

Not crazy - in fact, I think taking an infant might be easier than a toddler, since they tend to stay in their strollers, and nap while in motion more often. Go and have fun - but take the smaller umbrella stroller, like the maclaren so you'll have more maneuverability!

NYGirl

One of the nice things about NYC is that you can really take a baby anywhere! In the spring there will hopefully be plenty of warm days when you can sit at an outdoor cafe and enjoy people watching and the baby will love being outside and all the goings on.
Central Park will be full of flowers and the zoo will probably have babies of their own! On Madison Ave is a place called EATS, you can pick up some (expensive) but very good sandwiches and a drink and take them into the park where you can sit on a bench and have a picnic. There are lovely playgrounds, some excellent for very small tots.
Museums are happy to have children as long as they are restrained and don't do what my son did walked right up to a statue and held on to it!! [Yes I am a terrible mother and lucky he managed to grow up so well]
Soho/The Village is good for browsing and shopping, a nice and relaxed atmosphere. The Chelsea Flea Market is fun on a Sunday, everyone has their children with them.
If you want I will post some of my fav restaurants but only if you wish.
Have a great time in NYC!!

ezvalet

Thanks so much for the reassurance. I think we will have a great time. NY girl i would love to hear some of your fav eating spots! How will a stroller fare on the sidewalks? Will everyone want to kill us or what? I did'nt pay much attentin when we there in dec 2001 to strollers and babies, oh how life changes!

joebob

the best way to do NYC with a baby is in a baby bjorn (do you know what that is?, it basically holds the baby on your chest facing forward) the babies love them (I think because they feel secure and also feel like an adult because they have the same view as you do) I used to walk around boston all day long with my daughter in it with nothing more with me than a bottle and she had no complaints and was perfectly content. NYC would be perfect this way because so much of it is walkable. If anyone has a problem with you taking your baby somewhere (which they probably won't) you don't want to be there in the first place. take them and have fun

MFNYC

It's doable. I've lived in NYC for the entire lives of my children (now 11 & 14). The main limitations would be attending theater and eating at better restauarants. Other than that, you can take him with you to most places.

gail

Regarding stroller and will everyone hate you. It depends if you have a reasonable stroller or a SUS (sports utility stroller) - you know the ones I mean - huge, more wheels than any over-the-road truck, gorilla sized arm rests and 6 cupholders. An umbrella stroller will be more practical as you can fold it up and use front or back pack when more appropriate.

NYGirl

Hi
regarding strollers, there are so many people with babies and strollers here that you will be just one of the crowd
If the baby is too big for the Baby Bjorn maybe a backpack? in adddition to the stoller I have seen families in St Patricks Cathedral with small children and a baby on the dads back, I always think the baby has the best seat in the house!
Fav restaurants (especially with little ones)
Serendipity. My kids grew up in Serendipity! The waiters are kind and cheerful to kids, the food is kid friendly, the hustle,bustle and decorations will keep the little one busy.
Most Italian restaurants in the city-Italians love children and we never ate in one where the waiters weren't especially helpful.
Same with Japanese. Penang on Columbus Ave is Malaysian, they are kid friendly.
Luna in Little Italy, the waiters used to ignore us and talk to the kids
Il Corallo in Soho, on Prince St. They are very nice to children. Across the street is a place called The Cub Room-great brunches, lots of babies there then.
The Restaurant in Saks Fifth Ave is always hopping with moms and babies.And good food! Ask for a seat by the windows.
Carmines is good, on the West Side, noisy and full of children.
I can't think of anymore at this moment, must need more coffee! Just suffice it to say that NYC is full of babies and they can go anywhere you want, except those really dressed up and low lit places that are obviously adult eateries..but as new parents, you will not be that into going to those places for a while anyway
Have a great time!