Paris with a 7 months old baby???
 

Bonjour!
I'm considering going to Paris with my boyfriend and my 7 months old baby boy. But, I don't know if it's a good idea. Is Paris baby friendly? I would be there in early May for 1 week. I just want to enjoy walking around, going to café museums etc.

I've never travelled with my baby so please I need some advise.

Bonne journée!

Mapi

There might not be the same facilities for babies so much like baby changing areas in restrooms for example. I've never travelled with a baby and personally I wouldn't travel with a baby who is 7 months old. And I suggest you consider renting an apartment and not a hotel room.

I suggest you first travel with the baby to a nearby location, so you can experience all the packing, carrying, etc that is involved..then figure out if you can do all that -and- travel internationally, sightseeing, etc. Not saying it can't be done, but you should have a good feel for the amount of work it may involve.

You can enter phrases like "paris and baby" and "paris and infant" in the search box to read other people's experiences.

Please look under my name, we've done it, no biggie, perhaps our prior experience can provide some helpful insight.

Just realize that if you are only going for one week, you will just get the baby switched over to Paris time and then have to switch him back.

A friend of a friend took their baby to Ireland and the baby got very sick, so they had to take him to an Irish hospital. Then they wouldn't let the baby fly home because of his ear infection. The mom had to stay an extra two weeks before it cleared up enough for the two of them to fly home.

Of course it is doable, but would you have a lot more fun by yourselves? Is there someone you can leave the baby with?

Wait a few years before you visit Paris. Your baby needs your attention a lot more than you need a visit to Paris.

Again while it is doable you will not know how it'll be until you do it. My cousin and her husband travelled with their 1 1/2 year old to Paris last Feb. They rented an apartment and saw many sights as possible and even experienced seeing snow in Paris. Her toddler adapted well and did not get sick. I consider them to be lucky that all worked out well. As I said before, I personally would not have done what they did. My son was 8 when we travelled to Europe with him. He has been prone to getting colds and so it was no surprise he came down with a cold just before visiting Paris. I must say that it's challenging to travel with an ill child even at 8 years old. On the other hand, travelling with him at that age was great as he could enjoy the sights.

For many of these prior posters (who I am certain don't even have children) don't let them disuade you. I can state from experience that many more doors were opened for us in Paris simply because of our daughter. As far as the time change, she never really adapted. We did things based on her schedule. As I stated in a previous post, I believe she has slept on every park bench in Paris. She still remembers riding the merry-go-rounds, which is what she equates to Paris. It is very child friendly, I would, however, suggest an apartment...just so you have space to spread out during naps, etc. A hotel room can get pretty crowded for a 2 hour stretch. If you have specific questions, please ask.

SAnParis, yes, I said I have a child. He's now 16. And while I said that my cousin and her husband had great success traveling with their toddler, I don't think it's always going to be successful traveling with a baby! You are fortunate your baby did well on the trip.

mapi, here is another thread about a couple who took an infant to Japan. Looks like they managed quite well:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34736225

Anselm

I think this is something only you can really decide. I traveled with my kids all the time, even as young as 7 months, but we stuck with travel within the U.S., and nothing more than a 3 hr direct flight, until my oldest was 4 and the youngest 1, because the 4 yr old was colicky and lots of difficulty until we found the right formula as an infant and I wouldn't have imposed that crankiness on others on a plane, hotel, anywhere!

Then, when they were still under age 6, I was lucky, and could bring my mother or a sitter with us so we could go out some nights alone and even allow the babies a 'day of rest' with someone else sitting in the hotel/apartment. There were times we didn't have anyone with us, but they were still enjoyable, and doable, just different. My second baby was easy, he'd go anywhere, sleep anywhere, eat anywhere.

However, babies are everywhere, and mothers walk them around, go to cafes, etc. Paris has lovely parks and outdoor spots. The questions I would ask myself, before taking a 7 mth old to Paris for one week, are questions like these:

Is my baby flexible? Am I? Does my baby have to have her naps in a quiet place, in a crib, or can she sleep anywhere, anytime, in a stroller, etc and not have it throw her schedule into such a tizzy that she is cranky and fussing all the time.

What are the expectations of my boyfriend and I for our week in Paris? If it is just enjoying walking around and stopping in museums and cafes, then go for it. If you are looking for romantic evening strolls and dinners, you need to think about that, and if a vacation somewhere that is a destination geared for adults w/ little ones, that maybe offers some in-house sitters, might bring you more of a little of both.

That being said, if you are game - go. Even when we traveled in the U.S. with the infants, you can do it and travel light. A collapsable stroller, the usual baby bag, and you are off. Also, I like your boyfriend. I like any guy who would take the love of his life and a 7 mth old to Paris !! So my guess is he would be also be flexible, helpful and game.

Travelnut gave you good advice, there are many posts on here on how to travel with a baby (not just to paris) full of helpful hints for flying, transporting, etc. Especially to first ask your pediatrician, and I never went w/out the usual stock of baby first aid kit, - benadryl, tylenol, thermometer and my notes on what they'd had or not had (shots, specific ear infections, etc)

As far as them getting sick and changing the schedule, it can happen no matter the age, that is life. On a trip to Florida two years ago my 22 year old had a major sinus infection when we landed, with no prior warning, and we had to stay an extra four days before the doctor allowed her to fly home. On that note, I would recommend you get travel insurance on the remote chance you have to change flights, stay longer, etc. There are many useful posts on this forum about that also.

francophile, it was not your post to which I was referring. In addition, I believe there are many places that are not suitable for children to begin with. Las Vegas for example. That being said, I just feel your best info comes from those people who have done it, not merely those w/an opinion about it. I don't post on the 'cruise' board because I don't do cruises, nor do I intend to, for the most part. I am only encouraging mapi to listen to those who have the personal experience of doing it. We have been fortunate, we're about to go to the Carribbean w/our now 3 yr. old & 9 month old & I don't think our younger son is quite as adaptable. We'll see.

Mapi -- I can't imagine a better age for a baby (before they can walk/run away from you!) to travel.

I'd definitely go if your kid is good-tempered and travels easily (and if you don't know, try a test run somewhere nearby for a long weekend if you can).

If you don't already have one, I'd get one of those Baby Bjorn baby carriers. One of my best friends went with her kid to Paris at 6 months and had a lovely time. Her son often napped in his carrier, and he was happy to go where she did...

Jules

I have a 19 month old baby as well as another one on the way. We live in Michigan and I've taken my baby to Florida and Grand Cayman as a 6 month old, to Los Angeles by myself when she was 9 month old, to North Dakota at 9 months, and then again to Florida as an 18 month old. I have also been to Paris with my husband alone when she was 11 months, and to Ireland alone when she was 14 months.

So I am very qualified to know the limits with my own baby. Every baby is different, and only the parents can know how that baby will travel.

My advice is that going to Paris with my husband alone was absolutly wonderful. Even if the trip is not designed as a romantic retreat, you are in Paris for goodness sake and it is romantic. That would definitly been spoiled by the baby.

If you take the baby, the trip is going to now be mostly about making the baby comfortable. If you are okay with that, then go. But a baby that age is not going to be scared for life if you leave him home.

And another person pointed this out on another thread. How much of the baby's caregive are you? Are you and your boyfriend 50/50? Or are you more like me and my husband 60/40? Are you going to be mostly responsible for this baby? Are you going to be up all night when he is awake?

I'm just trying to get you to see all the possible problems so you can decide if this is something you really want to do.

Mapi - Where do you live? If it's NY then the flight isn't too bad but if you're flying from the west coast, I think that's too much to expect of a 7 month old baby. Flying is very hard on their ears.

My opinion would be to leave your baby at home with your parents or someone very close to you and your baby or go at a time when your child is older and would beable to enjoy Paris. I just think it would be a hardship on your child.

Mapi,

My husband and I took our first child, now 3, to Brugge, Luxembourg, and Paris when she was less than 4 months, to Ireland at 13 months, and to Germany with our second child when he was 7 months. We had been on several multi-country, see everything European trips before they were born so we were familiar with the basics.

I feel compelled to say that Paris was a stretch for us as first time parents with such a young child, even as experienced travellers. We ended up on the Metro at rush hour once and did not venture there again - the crowds on the Metro really frightened me with the baby. You really need to consider how stressed out you may get with your baby in a small croweded space such as a standing room only Metro or long line or something, and also how the two of you react to problems such as getting lost, can't do what you expected to do, can't understand people, etc. (We lost our passports in Paris 4 hours before our plane left to return home.) We were in Paris for 3 days, stayed in a hotel near the Eiffel tower so we saw that plus Arch de Triumph (metro ride), and went to Versailles one day to get out of Paris so we didn't do that much. We had been there twice before so it didn't bother us but we wished we went to a smaller city - Brugge was great as was Lux. Note that the next trip with a small child was to Rine and Mosel River valleys in Germany in the Fall - all towns - no cities - perfect for us at that point.

However, now we live in London and frequently get on the tube with our double wide Mountain Buggy with our 3 and 1 year old. Crowded or not. Just took them to Rome and had no problem. But our mindset and experience with cities and as parents are totally different now from who we were with the first at 3 months old. Do you live in or near a city that you can hop a subway or public bus at a busy time with the baby so you can see how you are with it? Or you could take cabs or try to travel at non-peak times. Just expect that something will not go as planned and you may not see everything you expect.

Definitely go to Europe - it is easier travelling with an 8 month old than an older child many times. You may not want to go to a huge city, and there are many many nice towns to go to that you can still walk around and hang out at less crowded cafes, go to museums, etc. If you do go, BUY A SEAT FOR YOUR BABY ON THE AIRPLANE!!!

Good luck!

Mapi
Go!

2 adults-1 baby, it won't be a problem as long as your expectations aren't unreasonable.
From your post it looks like you want a relaxed break with your family.

7 months is a great age to travel & you & your boyfriend can fit in with the babies sleep pattern.

We been travelling with our 4 kids since the oldest was 7 weeks. We've never had a bad experience or a trip we regretted.
It was mostly around europe although we did go from uk to australia when the youngest was 5 months.

You will find as another poster said, many doors open to you with a baby. Airline crews especially have been great to us.

Go to paris, have a great time, don't over plan, just take each day as it comes. In a few years time your son will be helping you plan your trips.

P.S.
Take lots of pictures, your son will love looking at them when he's older

Of course it is a good idea! Go. Have a great trip. I don't think you need to "practice" travelling to a US destination to see if you'd be prepared for an Europe one!
Just go, you're a mom - do what we always do - love and thrive!

I took my 6 month old boy from Munich to Australia and thats a fair distance, with no problems at all. Since then, he's been twice to Malaysia and twice to the UK, once again no problems.

As I'm at work all day, I really only ever see a lot of him at weekends so any extended time is really worth it, I can't understand how people can say leave him at home with someone, I could never, nor want to do it.

He's 14 months now and in March, we're off to New York, Vegas & DC and not worried in the slightest.

Geordie

Another 'one & done'..why do we waste our time on these clowns ??!!

SAApris:
I think this is a troll. Don't you? There are so many dumb posts about little kids and European cities and then the poster never comes back or never asks any other questions.

I agree 100% with SAnParis and wliwl. It's amazing how many similar posts there are lately from "newbies". Mike

I am fairly new to this forum, and most grateful for all the assistance and expertise I received from many - while I have traveled fairly extensively, I truly appreciated the first hand knowledge from 'fodorites'.

I am catching on to some things (like someone having to explain to me recently what a troll was) and how some think questions are silly - but silly is subjective, some people just haven't had the travel experience of others and look for support, how to begin, or maybe aren't lucky enough to have people in their lives in similar situations to bounce things off.

Maybe this is a troll, maybe she is one of those people who only posts once and never comes back, maybe she has read the posts and doesn't realize how nice it would be to at least comment with a thanks for your opinons so far, keep them coming.

Or maybe since she has a 7 month old, she hasn't been able to long on the last two days b/c he is sick, or she is sick, or her life is just what a life can be like with a 7 month old. Maybe she lost her password under the pile of mail, diapers, bottles and whatnot on her kitchen counter....time will tell.

But no one should feel badly about their time giving ideas - someone else might read it and it could help them, or maybe she did go to the other threads so many ofyou kindly referred her to and just isn't tuned in to thanking you, which is too bad, could be she isn't tuned in enough to know she should, or is just not thinking, or is rude, we may never know.

I likely made a lot of mistakes in the beginning, and perhaps still am, I've even seen posts from people saying 'no one read my trip report" - maybe people did and didn't post a reply, maybe people will read it later when they are going to that destination, maybe no one was interested in that destination at this time - people learn as they go.

I would have been lost in the beginning with out some of you who so kindly pointed out to me how to search for similar threads on my question, how to post with a better title, etc -

Maybe Fodors should add a 'suggested manners' line to the use guide about returning to your post to at least acknowledge others, or that just b/c people don't post a reply doesn't mean they didn't enjoy your info, etc.....or maybe not.

Anyway, I loved all the ideas here and although my children are now grown, I learned things to pass along to my friends who do have small children.
So any posts here were not in vain.

Hi everybody!
Thank you so much for all your advise. And, I'm sorry I have wasted people's time because I didn't know how to go to previous forums about babies in Europe. I'm very new to all this computer stuff.
So, I'm pretty sure that I will go to Paris with my boyfriend and baby. I'm confident that it will be a good trip.
I will let you know.
Mapi

Congrats on your decision! You didn't waste anyone's time, and you got lots of good hints - it took me awhile to figure out the site when I first joined too - It will be an adventure and I'm sure a wonderful one - just go with the flow and soak up Paris - when you return and it settles down, post your trip report so we can see how you made out !

Mapi -- glad you came back. All the parents here realize that you can't read or post everyday with a little one. It has taken me 2 weeks to post even part of my trip.

I have three kids and I think the escargot's questions are right on. My oldest was so colicky that a trip to a wedding at 4 months taught me that plane travel in the US was just not fun with him.

That said, my daughter is really easy going and if she had been my first born I might have traveled more by plane, including Europe.

I do think -- and I have three -- that 7 months is about the perfect age for a baby to travel, if you are going to do so with a young child.

They are beyond the true infant stage.
Most sleep for longer periods.
They are not yet walking! In some ways I think a toddler would be more work. They want to get down, put things in their mouths, walk on their own. They have developed a stronger will by that age.

Another thought: even if you are not exactly 50-50 in childcare, you still outnumber him.

A baby backpack or frontpack would be better for all the stairs in Europe but some places would be good with a small stroller.

It is true about subways but in someways it is worse with a child than a baby you are holding in a Baby Bjorn or backpack. We got on a crowded train with my family in Rome, and my daughter especially started getting squished.

I was yelling bambini, and and another lady was worried and just shoved. My daughter is 7 but she is too short to be seen in a crowd. Once people knew they mostly tried to make room.

Sidenote: I am presuming that leaving your baby with Grandma is not an option or you wouldn't have posted. I have seen this suggestion posted before, and the reality is that many grandparents these days are still in the workforce themselves, have some health issues that would limit a weeklong babysitting job, or they may live several states away and not know the baby well, or maybe they simply are not that into babysitting (especially for a whole week).

mapi as a 3 time mon whose kids have lived both in NA and Europe...7 mo is much better than 2 years. The trip will be successful only if you realize this will be a family trip. You will push the carriage through the Luxumberg garden, You will do some sightseeing but if babe is fussy you must be ready to change plans. Dont think you will see all the sites in Paris or linger over a late dinner..you wont. If you have these expectations the trip will be a success. If you dont a disaster.

This is all very positive feedback (and realistic). I'm officially going to PAris April 29 to May 6-7. My son will be 7 months. I still have to organize the flights and hotel or apartment rental. But I already looked into previous forums and I've got many links. My boyfriend is going on tour in Paris with the Montreal Symphony and I go with him. My best friend will be there too (her boyfriend is also in the Montreal Symphony). So while my boyfriend works, I do stuff with my friend. So, I wont be all alone with the baby. It's exciting! I've been to Europe a few times but never with my family.
We will have a baby backpack and a small stroller. That sounds like a good idea (thanks 5alive). I've been busy and have not much time to email but I'm greatful for the support of these forum (a special thanks to escargot...).

SAnParis, how do I get to your trip report in PAris with your baby? I can't find it. And, how old was your baby during that trip?

Have a good day everyone!
Mapi

Just in case Sanparis doesn't revisit the thread, I don't know the thread info on her post, but if you click on her name here in her post to you, it will bring up all postings she has participated in and you might be able to scroll down and find it that way. Or, you can go to the Europe forum, and in the search bar, try putting in different things like "baby in paris" 'trip reports paris' or 'trip reports france' and you might find something.

If she doesn't return, and you haven't found the info you want elsewhere on this forum, you can always post a message to her personally like "san paris need help locating specific paris post"

The trip sounds wonderful - tell us all about it when you get back and post your trip report !

I hope you go to Paris! My husband and I are going with our 9-month-old. We are just now planning the trip. Does anyone know what we should do about transportation? I don't know if we will rent a car or take public transportation. Will we need to bring our own car seat? What about cribs/pack-n-plays? Do you think we'll be able to rent one there? Our baby will need a passport won't she? What kind of requests should I make for the flight? We are accustomed to traveling with our daughter, but we have never taken her overseas.

We have done it when our children were 1 and 5 and 1 and 6. We will be back this summer when they are 2 and 7. Very easy and fun. Make time to visit fun playgrounds. It is easy to find those that our fun for you and a child. We enjoyed the playgound in Place de Vosges (sp?) one afternoon watching the kids play and a strings group play various pieces. One of my favorite memories from Paris.

teamgrin: first, you should read all the other posts on here about traveling with babies (and some are mentioned in this thread) and just go to Europe forum, and type in things like 'traveling with baby'
"overseas flight with babies/long flights with babies/jet lag/ etc and see what you get for posts.THere is lots of info from what to bring on plane for them , to medications, etc.

Then, if some of your questions still aren't answered you can post your own questions about traveling with babies: and be specific in your post - should you rent a car? I don't know if I don't know where you are going. If you are staying in Paris, absolutely not. If you are driving the entire coast, probably. If you are renting an apt or reserving a hotel room, they should be able to tell you if they supply cribs, or where to rent.

as far as all passport info, go to www.state.gov and click on Passport Info and make sure you have what you need for everyone traveling.

If you click on my name if will bring up all other posts that I have responded to..it has been (coming up on 2 years since we were last in Paris) as we were busy having another baby in the interim. So probably March or April 2004 (for the post). Thanks for returning & enjoy your trip. There is a book (for when your child is a bit older) but useful for adults as well, titled "Fodors Around Paris w/Kids, 68 Things to do...". Also "Paris w/Kids" by Valerie Gwinner.