europe with an 18 month old

[Anonymous]

When I traveled with my 2 year old to Europe, I bought a carseat that turned into a stroller. This was invaluable. It was easy to operate and my daughter used to car seat on the plane . We carried her off the plane and immediately converted it to the stroller. It is a lower riding stroller than regular ones but we thought it was great.

I brought some baby cereal over. Food wasn't really an issue. There were plenty of thing she would eat and there are always convenience and grocery stores available. We had a great time. We have wonderful memories of our trips and still laugh about her throwing her pacifer in Dublin on purpose.

Do bring some tylenol and other medications you might need. These can be hard to come by in Europe drug stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: how DO we handle food? that's actually my biggest worry - we've traveled in the US a lot and to the bahamas and at least here, i know at absolute worst, i can find a mcdonalds and feed DD the bun or fries or chicken strips... but what about in spain? how will i find whole milk? should i put her back on formula for the trip? what about food?

the child is 18 months. He will eat what he is given. spain is full of fantastic food. Yes they have milk. no you shouldn't put her on formula. and I am not sure you really need to feed an 18 month old chicken strips or bun or fries - just give them some of whatever you eat.

...Agreed. Why would you put him back on formula? I'm confused as to what could be so harmful about your child having 2% milk for nine days... just me? Unless your ped insists on it because of weight issues, I didn't think whole milk was a must nowadays...

nope - not just you

By 2, our ped. told us to switch to 2%. So you're good to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I'd be most worried about the new travel restrictions in international travel. There was recently a post on a blog I like about traveling with children.
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2009/dec/27/flying-kids-under-new-tsa-security-regulations/

After reading it, I don't think I'd be even considering international travel with children.

Ignore this. We just returned from 2 international trips (one to EUrope, one to Asia) with young kids, both within the past 3 months. Travelling with kids is fun, and security at airports has nothing to do with whether or not you enjoy your vacations. Just make sure you have enough time.

[Anonymous]

People take kids lots of interesting places (mine have been to some relatively 'exotic' places, asia, middle east), but I was once trekking in the Anapurna region of the Himalayas, and I met a Norwegian couple that was there with their 5 yr old and 2 yr old. It was a one week trek to get to where we were....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Do bring some tylenol and other medications you might need. These can be hard to come by in Europe drug stores.

I agree with this. We ran out once and our experience was we had to find a pharmacist (not even a drug store or supermarket) and there was only an aspirin-related pain reliever (so no cycling motrin and tylenol).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: how DO we handle food? that's actually my biggest worry - we've traveled in the US a lot and to the bahamas and at least here, i know at absolute worst, i can find a mcdonalds and feed DD the bun or fries or chicken strips... but what about in spain? how will i find whole milk? should i put her back on formula for the trip? what about food?

Spaniards are CRAZY about babies and kids and will bend over backwards to help you out. They will have whole milk and basics for a toddler.

I lived there for years; believe me, it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

We traveled to Munich, Prague, and Tuscany with DD when she was 16 mo. Here's what our experience was:

1. We didn't get all the "bum around" time we wanted, because daughter had to take naps and go to bed on time. This was a serious bummer for me. I missed really painting the town red, shopping, sightseeing, etc. Instead we mimicked a great deal of our "at home" weekend schedule, and just didn't do as much.

2. Renting a car was essential. The car seat came with the car. We brought along a travel stroller for long walks, which we did often as most taxis would not drive us without a car seat. Otherwise, urban metro rides were okay.

3. The accommodations we enjoyed most were (in this order):

a) inexpensive home rental with kitchen/ette and TV, and at least two bedrooms.
b) hotel suite (two rooms)
c) standard hotel (one room)

The one-room situation sucked, because we could do nothing while DD took her 2+ hour nap and went to bed at 8:30 pm.

4. For a night or two out on the town, call the best hotel in town and ask for a babysitter recommendation. We called the Mandarin Orient in Munich and got a FANTASTIC English and German speaking sitter. We felt 100% comfortable leaving daughter with her, and payed through the nose because we wanted her available and eager!

5. Bring a portable DVD player and/or laptop with adapter. You will have much downtime or else your kid will appreciate the DVDs (Sesame Street, Old School rocks our kid's world) for the long flight over or the car rides..

Mostly, we feel proud that our daughter became a traveller so early in life.