Please help- I am trying to decide if I should accompany my husband to Paris on a business trip at the end of May. How feasible is this w/ a baby? any suggestions on hotels, places to eat would be great.

Remember to duck after asking this question (some people on this forum are notoriously anti-kid). That said, I think 9 months will be a good time for traveling. The child won't be too mobile. We traveled with a 6 month old. Our choices of hotel didn't change much (just reserve a crib), but our eating habits were a little more relaxed (no really expensive fancy restaurants). Search this site for more tips on traveling with a baby or toddler. Have fun.

I don't think people on this forum are anti-kid. Just that we expect (and many of us are parents) for children to be taught how to behave in public, which emcompasses all areas.

Tryingto is correct, 9 months is still reasonable because the little dumpling cannot yet walk. The worst of it will definitely be the flights, and I'd probably pay for a seat for the infant, for safety (so you can use an infant seat for take off and landing, and if there's turbulence; you'll also want the seat if you rent a car, though I wouldn't in Paris). Some may suggest sedating the infant for the trip: under no circumstances should you do this for the first time on the actual trip, a practice run is a must, as some things like Benadryl will paradoxically keep babies awake. You can ask your pediatrician for a prescription, but again I'd suggest a trial run (and he/she may not want to prescribe anything in any case).<BR><BR>Hotels will provide you with cribs (arrange it when you book), and cafes are happy to provide you with warm water or milk (I nursed, so this wasn't an issue, but it is nice for mixing up that icky cereal stuff they eat, and warming jars of food). I'd book a hotel with a kitchenette if at all possible, as you won't want to dine out three meals a day with an infant. Picnics are also nice, and the end of May will be okay for them.<BR><BR>An aside re infant etiquette in France: the last hotel I stayed in there was in a middle class resort, lots of kids and babies. Babies were permitted to cry (shriek ceaselessly) during dinner, uncomforted by their parents. Apparently some sort of "don't spoil the baby" thing that the French believe. At any one time there might be three small infants wailing away, and nobody (including childless couples and singles) complained, or even seemed to take note. I don't suggest that you do this yourself.

I don't know how feasible it will be but you ought to do it. The older your kid gets and the more kids you have, the more onerous and expensive a trip like this becomes. Go for it.

Hi Claire:<BR><BR>I know the baby is very important and to a new mother all encompassing, but you do still need to nurture your relationship with your husband. Do you have a Mom or Mother-In-Law that could take the baby so you could go to Paris with your husband without the child? <BR><BR>Perhaps this would be a good time to renew your relatioship with your husband and make him feel that he is still special and comes before the baby. The baby will not remember going to Paris but it might just help your relationship to go without her.<BR><BR>I always make sure my husband has a wonderful time when we travel, if you know what I mean, so he is always looking to take me on a business trip away from the kids. <BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR><BR>Ronda

Ronda, gag me with a spoon! How lucky for you your husband lets you out of your Stepford home to go on vacation sometimes! Just be sure to keep the nooky coming or he might leave you at home for your younger version!

Yes, I'm very spoiled my jealous little daughter says. We have a great time. Have to build that relationship as you go along though because one day the kids will leave home.

Hi Claire,<BR><BR>Personally, I think a nine-month-old is much too young to leave behind. Hopefully, you are still nursing, but even if you aren't, you are so important in your baby's life. If you leave the baby behind you'll probably spend a lot of time worrying, even if the baby is in good hands. This is also an age when babies can develop separation anxiety. I think leaving the baby behind would cause a lot more problems. A baby that age is so very portable! And you can definitely have some private time with your husband when the baby is asleep. You are a couple, but you are a family with a baby, too!<BR><BR>Take care,<BR><BR>Jennifer

Hi Claire<BR>I work for a major airline and I love children. In fact, many of the children that I encounter are better behaved than some of the adults. I say take your precious one. I certainly would! To heck what people think! Go for it!

I'm just wondering if Ronda makes it a point to travel with her husband, because she is afraid that he has roving eyes and hands, and might find some intimate companionship for himself while on a business trip.

Just another note: If your child is on formula, consider packing one of those portable water/tea warmers (kind of a tin kettle with a heating element, can't remember the proper name). Works well for boiling water in hotel rooms without a stove. Remember to bring the proper adapter AND converter.

I agree with Claire that I'd rather take a nine month old than leave him/her behind. I nursed both my kids until they were a year or a bit beyond, and then took a week's vacation with my husband after weaning. As long as I was nursing the baby and I were a unit (which meant I didn't travel for work during those periods, either). <BR><BR>I had a bit of a disconnect at first reading tryingto's post about a portable tea kettle/water heater: why on earth would I want to heat something to the boiling point? Running a jar of baby food under the hot water tap will get it quite warm enough. And then I realized that the point is to sterilize the water before making formula. Another thing the nursing mom just never thinks about.

Claire: We've traveled all over with our kids since they were infants - 9 months is an EASY age! Some practicalities: bring a lightweight, collapsible stroller - essential for those Parisian streets and m&eacute;tro. Try to eat meals while Baby is napping, especially at night. It should be warm enough at the end of May to dine outside - if Baby gets fussy you can make a hasty getaway in the stroller and calm her down. Diapers, fabulous babyfood, and all the other paraphernalia of infancy are readily available in Paris (you might want to pick a hotel near a supermarch&eacute; so you can easily get items - we always stayed at the Duquesne in the 7me, partly because there's a supermarket two blocks away). Take the baby to one of Paris's many playgrounds and let her romp on the grass with other kids - she's probably not too young for a ride on a carousel (in your lap), either. The Hippopotamus caf&eacute; chain has highchairs - there are others that do, too, but I can't recall names - but as long as you have the stroller you'll be fine. If your baby is prone to ear problems,consult your doctor ahead of time on what you might need to give her on takeoff and landing. Remember that French pharmacies are absolutely marvelous in giving advice on health problems. Plan to move at a leisurely pace, taking Baby's needs into account - this won't be a whirlwind see-it-all trip to Paris. As long as you know that in advance, you'll be fine.

Thanks, everyone for your responses. We are still nursing and I will not wean him until we get home from the trip. Right now we are planning to stay at the Hotel Montalembert. Does anyone know about this hotel?