NYC trip with infant

[Anonymous]

DH and I are going to NYC next week and it's our first trip outside the DC area with our 3 month old DS. DH will be attending a professional function the entire week, so will be busy all day and I'll be on my own with the baby until late afternoon most days. I'm hoping to visit a few museums and catch up with friends, but I'm a little uncertain how best to get around with a small baby and how to plan my day so I can get out and do something fun but still let DS get his naps.

Fortunately we're staying in a convenient location, so I can probably walk many places, but will probably have to take the subway at some point. I assume a baby carrier is my best bet, rather than trying to lug a stroller up and down stairs? Anything else I should know about getting around?

Also, I know our routine is going to be messed up by traveling, but what would you recommend about how to make sure DS gets his naps? He usually takes his best naps earlier in the day, so I'm thinking maybe I should just plan most of my activities for late afternoon, when he doesn't necessarily sleep well anyway.

I know this isn't a huge deal as trips go, but would appreciate any suggestions people have for making it easier with a baby in tow. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Strollers are a bit of a pain on the subway, but New Yorkers will always help you carry up and down the stairs, unlike on Metro. But, you know your baby best. Will he/she be happiest in a stroller or a carrier? Will he/she sleep in one but not the other?

[Anonymous]

Would carrier naps work for you? At that age I used to pop the kid in the carrier and stride out the door; he'd be asleep in 10 minutes. But like PP said, you know your baby best.

Assuming you are staying in a hotel, I'd also plan some stuff you can do in downtime at the hotel. Could you invite a friend to hang out with you in the hotel room while the baby naps there? And I recommend queuing up a few favorites on netflix and just grabbing room service and chilling out.

Oh, and bring a lot of plastic bags. Hotel trash cans often don't have liners, and I always hate to put dirty diapers in an unlined trash can. And tip housekeeping.

[Anonymous]

Unless your baby HATES being worn, a carrier will be so much easier to deal with on the subway/buses. I'd recommend using a backpack for your diaper bag so you don't have a shoulder bag slipping off all the time.

[Anonymous]

Or a crossbody. That way you can reach your purse without taking the backpack off.

[Anonymous]

If you stay around your hotel area, a stroller would be easiest. Take a carrier with you for subway trips so that you can leave the stroller at the hotel, but I would not try to go stroller free for the whole week.

NY is generally very stroller friendly, and I have been going with my son in his stroller since he was 5 months old. I found that my son napped much better in his stroller as well.

[Anonymous]

If I was in NYC during peak foliage, I would be walking baby in the stroller during central park for morning nap time. Make sure you have a sherpa lining just in case it gets cold. Bring the carrier too if you take the subway but my guess is that you won't.

[Anonymous]

At that age my baby lived in her sling. When she got tired shed fall asleep regardless of where we were.