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On our most recent trip to Europe we spent four days exploring Paris. We’ve been to Paris before and we love the city, particularity its delicious food, rich coffee and beautiful architecture. Because of this, we decided to make another trip to Paris while we were in the neighbourhood. But, what we failed to notice on previous trips was that Paris is not very baby friendly (likely due to the fact that we didn’t have a baby at the time!). Don’t get us wrong. We’re NOT saying that if you have a baby you shouldn’t go to Paris. We think everyone should visit Paris – at least once in their life. However, if you are planning a trip to Paris with a baby, here are a few things you should know. The Paris Métro, a.k.a. the Métropolitain, is one of the densest Metro networks in the world. The first time we visited the city, we took the Metro everywhere. It was the most efficient and cost effective way to see the sites. On this recent trip, we assumed much of the same – we would take Baby B on the Metro.
No brainer – right?It didn’t take long to realize it was going to be difficult getting in and out of the stations with our baby stroller. Very few Metro stations had elevators and if they did they were rarely working, so we had to lug the stroller up and down several flights of stairs. Tip #1: Bring a baby carrier for the Metro – ditch the stroller The stairs were difficult enough (sometimes 50+ stairs), but the most annoying part of the process was passing through the turn styles. Often they weren’t big enough for a stroller, so we needed to unpack the stroller, fold it up and carry it through. This is no easy task with a squirmy baby and his baby travel gear. And if they did have a turn style big enough to fit a stroller, we needed to be buzzed through by an attendant that clearly hates his job. At one point, Baby B was actually stuck on the opposite side of the turn style – with us on the wrong side and no way to get to him! The whole process was ridiculous.
After the second day, we ditched the stroller and used our Ergo Baby Carrier instead. In North America, it’s common for all restaurants to offer high chairs to families. In Paris, we only managed to find a high chair once. We ate in a number of restaurants in different parts of the city, and each time we asked for a high chair we were told they didn’t have one. Tip #2: Bring a portable high chair – you’ll need it Most times we kept Baby B in his stroller, but other times (when we ditched the stroller because we knew we’d be using the Metro) it was extremely handy to have our My Little Seat Infant Travel High Chair. It folds up small, fits in a diaper bag and works on almost all chairs. It was a life saver in Paris. Traditionally, hotels rooms in Europe are small, at least when compared to North American hotels. But in Paris, they are extremely small. Add a crib to the mix and there is literally no room to move, let alone space for baby to crawl around and stretch his legs.
We spent a long time searching before deciding on our Paris accommodations. We booked a triple room with hopes that it would provide more space for a crib. We did manage to get the crib in the room but just barely! And it took some rearranging to fit our luggage in the room and we had to leave our stroller and car seat in the hallway! Tip #3: After booking, call the hotel and request a crib and a larger room. Hotels will usually accommodate if they know you’re traveling with an infant. Paris is a fabulous city, worthy of every European itinerary. But if you are traveling with a baby, make sure you bring a baby carrier, a portable high chair, and try to find a hotel within your budget that offers larger rooms with cribs. It will certainly take away some of the stress that comes with baby travel. Have you traveled to Paris with an infant? Do you have any travel tips or advice? Share your experience and feedback in the comments section below!Table time can be tricky with little ones for any number of reasons.
From infants who can’t yet sit up unassisted through babies who love to wear (and have you share) their food, through toddlers who want to climb out of any strap-in high chair or buckle-in booster for travel you may try (click here to see recommendations for travel-friendly dining boosters and solutions for the youngest travelers). But what I liked about the Kaboost on first sight was how clean, simple, and dignified a solution it was for the older toddlers and preschoolers–and kindergarteners–who will tell you themselves they are TOO BIG for a high chair or “baby booster” and just simply need–well, a few more inches of height at the table. The Kaboost gives them just that: Two settings offer tiny diners a bonus 3.75″ or 4.5″ in height at the dinner table, and the quick-install spring-loaded base works with pretty much any size or type of four-legged chair you can imagine (expands up to 30″ diagonally). It’s recommended for children 2 years to 6 years in age. And if you’re wondering how sturdy it is, consider this: The Kaboost not only adds stability to many chairs by making a lightly wider base with non-slip rubber feet, but it is also designed to support 300 lbs. (petite grownups may also appreciate Kaboost).
Yes, this can simplify kitchen life and dining at home, but do not overlook the awesome ease with which the Kaboost may travel. It weighs a mere 3.5 lbs. and folds to 13″ x 12″ x 6″, so you’d be silly to leave home without it.Kids are happier at restaurants and tidier at Grandma’s when they can see the food on their plates from more than eye level. But don’t just take my word for it. The Kaboost has earned a FIVE star average out of 1,262 Amazon customer reviews! Click here to see the Kaboost on Amazon. Your click-throughs help support this site.) More tips and advice are on the way! For help for planning travel of every kind–with babies and children of every temperament–in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler. The 411 on Bruges with Kids The 411 on San Miguel de Allende with Kids The 411 on Carlsbad with Kids The 411 on County Cork with Kids The 411 on Dallas-Fort Worth with Kids