Italy with an 8 month old?

may2806

My parents are taking my (very healthy and mobile) 92 year old grandfather back to Italy in May, and I'm thinking seriously about tagging along with DS. DH would most likely stay home. Their plans aren't finalized but I think they are at least going to be visiting Rome and then the village where my grandfather is from. I have been to Italy before so I'm familiar with it, but not with traveling with a baby! DS will be 8 months old... I'm just concerned with logistics - do we bring our car seat (don't want it to get beat up), stroller vs. carrier for sightseeing, where/when will DS be able to crawl/roll around (or will he get frustrated at not being able to), will most restaurants be ok with a baby, where will I change him, breastfeed him etc. Any experiences with traveling to Italy (or Europe) with a baby? Sorry if this has been posted before - I scrolled back and searched but didn't see anything.

lavet22

My favorite Rick Steves quote is, "people change diapers all over the world, so why not in Rome!"  I have traveled many times per year solo with all 3 of my kids since they were infants. 8mths is an easy age to travel internationally.  They are still pretty content with you and easily entertained.  The flight out will be overnight, so I wouldn't be concerned with that at all.  On the way back, just make sure you have plenty of snacks or toys he may enjoy or whatever you usually have to entertain him.  

As far as the trip itself, unless you are renting a car, I'd skip the carseat.  You won't be lugging it all over the cities to use for the 5min you are in a cab, so I'd go without.  If you are renting a car, bring it.  The airlines really don't "bang up" the baby items too bad, but that said, get a cover for it for when you check it.  Carrier over stroller.  Absolutely!!! There are so many cobbled roads and paths in Europe, especially in Rome, that a stroller would be so difficult to try and maneuver.  Strap that baby in a carrier and off you go!  My boys were way too interested in looking around them to care much that they weren't allowed to crawl all over the place.  Just let him down when it's appropriate and he will be fine otherwise.  Europeans love babies, he will probably get you to the front of the lines and endear you to the older people.  Don't worry about him crying, just expect sympathetic smiles.  Bring a breastfeeding cover and get over any issues with feeding him in public.  As long as you are covered up, most people won't even notice there is a baby under there!!

HAVE FUN!!!!!