reposting with new title - please help!!!

We're planning a trip to Turkey but not sure when... we have a 6 month old baby and were thinking to go in March 05.
What is the weather like at this time of year? are we better off postponing to May?

Also, is it easy to move around and tour Istanbul with a 12 month old? Is it easy to take a stroller to the major sites, on the ferries, at the museums, shopping, etc.? How about taxi riding with a child? Should we bring a car seat? or should we hire a guide with a private car?
Also, do tours allow children or babies with strollers?

We want to make this work by taking our baby with us, so please give us any advise or suggestions on traveling with baby.
Also, please advise on the weather during spring time, as we can't go in the summer.

thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

I would suggest that Spring is the best time. I used Pacha Tours (they have a website, are based in New York and exclusively Turkey) for a tour in 1996. They also arrange private tours which might work for you with a baby (or at least for part of your stay). Check a weather site for the average weather in March. My thought for another trip is May (I went in July and it was incredibly hot).

If you're only going to Istanbul I can't imagine it wouldn't be easy with a baby. I also would imagine that pushing a stroller around might be a tad bumpy but would want one in a museum, mosque, etc. I don't think a taxi would supply a car seat so you'd have to carry one. Aren't there strollers that combine to carry a car seat?

What you might want to do is check with various tour group sites to see which one fits your criteria. But, again, if Istanbul is your only destination, don't worry. I do hope you're also going to Cappadoccia - the most amazing place on earth.

The weather is hit or miss in March -- sometimes it's absolutely gorgeous and springlike, other times it's overcast and cloudy and just generally not nice. April tends to be better, and May is almost invariably perfect.

As for taking your child -- surprisingly, a lot of doors open when you have a small child with you. Turks dote on children like you wouldn't believe, especially babies. Most museums and sites around Istanbul, including the mosques, are relatively stroller friendly. I say relatively because a lot of the sidewalks are badly paved and extremely bumpy. With ferries you should be fine with the stroller, although I don't recall seeing a lot of Turks who use strollers, so they might wonder what you're doing.

In taxis, most of the time the seatbelts have been disabled, so you wouldn't be able to put a carseat in anyway. For my money, it wouldn't be worth the hassle. A private car might be easier, although it would be a more expensive option.

As for the tours allowing kids, it's probably best to call around and ask. But definitely bring your child, as you'll see a completely different side of the Turkish culture when you bring a one-year-old into a restaurant and watch the waitstaff coo over your baby, for example.

thanks for the good advice. yes, i think april or may would be a better option. i'll look into tour groups that offer private cars - didn't think of that before..
any other advice is appreciated - especially if you've traveled to turkey with a small child before. thanks again!

Hi Laderaranch !
As stated above Turkey is a child friendly country ( look at population of 65 million
Pavements may not be up to european standarts always so even stroller might be difficult sometimes. A Maxicosy tipe of seat which you can cary and in the same time use as a seat might be better option. Or a cangoruu which you can carry on your chest.
May sounds better for milder weather.
If your budget is not limited I would definatelly suggest a private tour for conveniance.

Should you need assistance further please do ask.
Regards

Murat