AJ

Make that 6 week old.

martha python

I can't help wondering if all the people who think KC hasn't talked this over with her pediatrician aren't also the sorts who love to offer advice on diet and exercise to pregnant women ("I can't believe you're eating/drinking/doing that").

KC

AJ - so nice to have your encouragement. We have travelled a lot with our older two - IMO the only way to teach them to behave in public is to take them in public! I didn't mean to invite such a firestorm by posting - it's just that this is my first trip to London and I wanted to hear from others who have been there with children, in part so that we can avoid any situations that might unduly inconvenience others. So nice to hear a voice of support!

Monica Richards

To all the people who say that children aren't out in Europe, I want to know where you've been visiting. We've seen children (even teeny tiny babies) in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy. If you like to travel and you have kids, it seems obvious to me that you would just take them with you! Life doesn't stop because you have children, and children are definitely part of the population whereever you live. Most parents remove their child immediately when it gets fussy, so in general, I haven't seen many problems with taking them traveling.

Bart

I am profoundly disturbed that anyone would defend taking a child anywhere like this. I believe that when you have children, you do not have the right to travel on public transportation. You are just ruining it for everyone else (the public). I agree with Charlie – there are NO good babies!. I just wish the airlines and hotels understood this. <BR> <BR>I think stayhome had the best point. What can you hope to teach a 6 week old baby about Europe that you couldn’t teach them at home? <BR> <BR>Don’t take this wrong, but it is irresponsible people like this who have children and think that their lives just go on as usual that make me SICK! <BR> <BR>Do the right thing and change your mind about the trip. <BR> <BR>Bart S. <BR>

dan woodlief

I am profoundly disturbed that anyone who has travelled can have such a closed mind. I am not saying it is a great idea to take a 6-week old to London, but to make statements about not allowing children on public transportation, etc. is to put it simply - ridiculous. Those with children make up a large percentage of the "public" too. Children themselves are part of the public for that matter, and as such, they have rights too. Yes, believe it or not, babies can differ as much as adults. They all cry sometimes, just as all adults moan and complain sometimes; some just do it more than others. It is important to consider your own child's manner, the rights of other "rational" travellers (ie., those who don't dislike being around children regardless of how they are acting), and the well-being of the child. If all those considerations are met, then go...

martha python

I am profoundly disturbed at the frequency with with otherwise sensible souls completely lose their senses of humor once the talk turns to parenting. You aren't helping the good fight by missing the jokes. <BR>Think: famous Barts. Bart S. <BR>

Keith

Sometimes it is important to take kids overseas. I give the following example. My family lives in Australia and we live in Canada. We have a 6 year old and a 12 month old. We have a trip home planned in November and are taking both kids. My family has been waiting, demanding even to see the "new baby". So of course we are not going to leave him behind. <BR>We know it is an incredibly long flight, and we will be bringing a sack load of toys and games for both kids, plus snacks, drinks etc. We know the baby will cry from time to time and we can only hope to have some understanding neighbours. we have asked for the "Family Area" which I believe is near the back, behind a bulkhead with a bassinet for the baby. <BR>I agree with some of the posters that the baby might not get anything out of the trip, but we think it is important for families to get together. we would have liked to delay the trip until our 12 month old was older but I had some frequent flyer miles expiring this year, and we are not sure when we might get the chance again. <BR>So I ask of all those naysayers, just have a little patience of young families, there might be a very good reason they are travelling on the plane with you (medical treatment, reunions, funerals, emmigrating, work commitments etc) <BR>Oh and one other thing, if your children have tubes in their ears - both of ours do because of reoccurring ear infections - they do not have a problem with changes in cabin pressure, it doesn't bother them a bit.

Bart

Every time (and I do mean every time) I have ever flown near a child, my trip has been completely ruined. I was even thrown up on by a child when we went through excessive air turbulence. Completely unacceptable. KC, I am sure your child will have only the most vivid and precious memories of this trip. “Look dear – here’s a picture of me cleaning spit up off of all the other passengers.” Or “here’s one of me changing your diaper in your seat - again.” <BR> <BR>The mere thought of a new mother brazenly breastfeeding her child on a plane makes me shudder. What are other passengers to do in such situations? As a man, I’m not sure whether the proper response is indignation, arousal, or hunger, but I do know that it makes me extremely uncomfortable. <BR> <BR>If you are, as you so proudly claim, “breastfeeding” this child, could you find a wet nurse & leave the baby at home where he/she belongs? <BR> <BR>Bart S. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Norb Loncar

As a university maintenance employee, I can comment on the viability of transporting babies in public. We have seen numerous times where the mothers not only show no remorse nor apology, but are atypimatic towards those of us that don't travel professionally. If mothers would simply regard views, more lofty than their own, with less indignation than we show them, we may very well have travelling experiences to show for it. Take my advice as a university maintenance employee - don't take your babies anywhere you wouldn't want to see someone else's baby. <BR> <BR>Norb Loncar.

Reginald Valc

My wife and I are accustomed to seeing babies in public, so my feelings are not from lack of experience. We have found that people usually shy away from babies in public due to feelings of insecurity of how to address the parents. In the cold Northeast US, we try to greet the mother with a "knowing" nod and if it's a father, we simply look with a leaning towards the ordinary. Most of the time, the parents are okay with this. How can you tell me they're not??? Look, if you don't have a kid yourself, don't ask me to sympathize with the parents. Most of my kids are already in their teens, but we still take them with us in public, sometimes. If we are meeting with people in a social situation, we prefer not to have them along, as they can be embarassing when misbehaving towards strangers. <BR> <BR>Just try to act normal when you see babies. They don't bite (although mine did, once) and the mess they usually create in public places is easily cleaned by the custodial staff. <BR> <BR>Reggie

Steve Carter

For parents travelling with babies, perhaps you should consider giving the baby a bath BEFORE you travel. Most people think babies need to be bathed every day or every other day, but we have found a baby can go nearly 6 weeks between baths. (Not many here in London bathe very often.) Most people in the US bath their dogs more often than we bathe ourselves! <BR> <BR>One other thing. Don't complain about European's odor. The water svaings alone justify our infrequent bathing. Besides, we have many public fountians, should one desire to bathe without using water they must pay for. <BR> <BR>My advice? Travel quietly, wear a derby when taking the small ones and stop wasting so much of your American water! <BR> <BR>SC

JoAnn

The fact that KC have to ask, should give her a hint that taking a 6-week baby on a London tour is probably not the brightest idea.... <BR> <BR>Also, I happened to notice that, in Europe, not a lot of (apparently) locals take babies (not even toddlers) to tourist sites. <BR> <BR>KC, do yourself, your husband, your baby and other travelers a favor; go to Disneyworld.

Valerie

I just came back from London last week as I was there for only 6 hours on a layover. I can say that as an adult, I was very uncomfortable. I rode the Tube (subway) and was left standing, squashed between people coughing and sneezing on me. I was jabbed and shoved coming on and off. I cannot imagine having a baby in my arms during all of that! Nor even in a stroller with the rush of people and the doors closing and "the gap" I must mind. Then there is the steep, steep escalator I thought I would fall down with smell of bus diesel that nearly chocked me as I came out of the tube. Then I nearly got run over by a car on the street for not looking to the right as I am used to looking to the left. This being my 15th time to London! I caught a cold on the flight over from the bad airline air. I realized that traveling takes a toll on the human body. I can only imagine how uncomfortable a baby would be. I also wonder if a 6 week old baby's lungs are developed enough for airplane air and city street exhaust pollution. I would really like to know if a Doctor would agree to this trip. Have you ask him/her?

jim

Was that Bart Simpson? His post wasn't that funny. Now Steve's on the other hand showed some humor.

angel

Keith -- Am glad you are taking a 12 month old to visit grandparents. But in no way does this compare with taking a 6 week old to London. <BR> <BR>SIX WEEKS OLD, for God's sake. <BR>

ilisa

I can't believe this is still going on. KC did not ask if she should take the child, she asked for advice on travelling with babies. We don't know the reason KC is going to London, and frankly, it's no one's business. Also, why do people keep asking if KC has checked with her doctor? Give her the benefit of the doubt. The point made that children do not belong on public transportation is one of the most ludicrous statements I have ever heard. I sincerely hope that what a joke. Believe it or not, for many people, public transportation is the only mode of transportation they have. I ride the metro into Washington, DC every day, and can tell you that young babies ride it all the time with no problem. It is only a very close minded and intolerant person that would have children kept away from the public, and assume that all people have another alternative by which to transport their families. Weren't you a child once? And as for the man who is offended by breastfeeding, get over yourself! Breastfeeding has been occurring since the beginning of time. Most women are very discreet about it, and keep their breasts well covered up. Where do you go that women are brazenly flaunting their milk-laden breasts in your face?

jackie

KC, <BR> <BR>When we took our 10 week old to Grand Cayman 14 years ago (to visit family) the doctor recommended Seldane for his ears. A year later studies linked Seldane to crib death. Skip the drugs if you can. Also make sure you request one of those baby cots that lock into the bulkhead for your baby to sleep in. And then make sure they actually seat you at the bulkhead! It's great to have your hands free for just a short while even. And, this should make me really popular, it's a great place to change the baby's diaper. Have a great trip!

Kerry

Just requesting a crib does not guarantee that you will receive one. Personally I would be terrified of having a tiny baby ripped from my arms during times of severe turbulance. I always travel with my seat belt loosely fastened after hearing horror stories of adults being severely injured by unexpected clear air turbulance. While you may be restrained by a selt belt baby could easily be flung from your arms. Have you considered paying the child fare, thereby ensuring a separate seat and take a child car restraint that can be anchored by the seat belt.

Peg

KC, we have travelled OS with our daughter since she was a couple of months old, she's now 25 and is still travelling with us,although now she has us staying at youth hostels!!!!!. Travelling with an infant we found we spoke to and saw more of the locals than whenever travelling by ourselves. The greatest help was a back baby carrier, this way there was no problem with a stroller on stairs etc. Good luck and enjoy. Peg.