How much would it cost to go to Europe for 2 months with a toddler?

Nicole Eli

I want to go to Europe next summer (not this summer) and my daughter will be 2 years old. I don't think hostels are a good idea with a child that young, so I know it will cost more than travelling without her. I plan to go to the UK, France, and Italy. Excluding the plane tickets to and from Europe, how much approximately would it cost? (Please answer in euros or Canadian dollars)
Also, which of these countries is probably the cheapest and which is probably the most expensive? (In case I have to bump a country or 2 off the list).

Answer
You will be travelling in the high season so everything costs more, including plane tickets: check with cheapflights.com for those. Also check with housesitting.com, maybe that will be for your (you get free lodging, in exchange for looking after the cat , the plants or whatever. UK France and Italy are all quite expensive. For lodging, local transport, food and entertainment - museums and such, figure a good 100 euros per day.

How do I get my toddler over jet-lag?

Anela Ange

We flew from the UK to the USA for two weeks and just got back 3 days ago. Now my 1 year old is awake all night and sleeping all through the day. How can I adjust her sleep schedule, and mine?!

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly with my children about twice a year between Europe and California, which is a 9 hour time difference.

Obviously, I had the jet-lag game down cold since I worked almost all international, long-haul flights, but it became a little more complicated when I flew with my children. As babies, I noticed they switched nights and naps. End of story. Easy. Once they hit toddler hood, it was a whole different deal. I had pleas of "Barney! Barney!" at 4am. Yikes!

First, remember that her stomach needs to adjust just like her sleep schedule. Be sure she's not headed to bed on an empty stomach, only to wake at 3am with hunger pangs expecting dinner. Get yourselves on the local eating schedule asap.

Adjust to your new time zone but be reasonable. My guidelines are bed between 8pm-midnight and up between 5am and 10am. Set your alarm if you have to. Once you are on something vaguely reassembling a normal wake/sleep pattern in your new location, you can then "tweak" forward or backwards to make it more sane. This will get rid of that "zombie" feeling and at least have you feeling normal when you're awake. Don't try to dive into exactly the same schedule you have at home or you may be paving the way to disaster.

Light is an important componant to melatonin. Look it up and read up on this important chemical your brain produces which aids sleep. Light supresses it while dark increases it. I used to take melatonin in pill form when I worked but I was hesitant to give it to my children. Don't give it to your daughter unless you discuss it with a medical professional first.

During the day, head outside and get in fresh air and sunlight. On a bad day, we would head to the mall. Being with other people, especially other children works well to keep awake in the day time.

I assume she naps but don't overdo it! Time it carefully and then wake her up after whatever is the length of a normal nap at home.

Before bed, turn off all screens, no games, computers or TV's. Even if the light doesn't seem bright, this kind of light going in the eye supresses melatonin. Keep lights low as you read a book or do whatever your bedtime routine is.

If she gets up at night
-Keep lights low, no computers, TV's or electronic games.
-Feed her a snack, if she's hungry of something not too sugary, salty or greasy. Something bready works well, like a bagel or roll.
-Skip the teeth for this special situation. Going in the bathroom, flipping on the light, etc. may wake her up more. Your dentist will forgive you this once!
-Head her back to bed as soon as you can manage it.

Keep well hydrated. Air travel is very drying and dehyration symptoms are very similar to those of jet lag. You end up with a double battle. I try to stay away from caffine, althought a little green tea during the day seems to help me. If your doctor has restricted bottles or milk, you may want to "liberalize" that a little while she's adjusting and then go back to any restrictions. Needless to say, this is not the time to get rid of bottles or pacifiers, if she uses either or both.

I used to call a friend who would say that the whole family got up at noon two weeks after getting back because they were "getting over jet lag". We were over ours' in 2-3 days tops, with two more hours of time change than they had (I'm from further away).

So just hang in there. A little bit of disapline will make things much more sane for both of you.

Good luck!

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Flying with a toddler -- is it possible?! Crazy new airline rules.?

Jeff R

I am flying in February for the first time since 9/11. Everyone has been telling me horror stories about how all the FAA rules and airline security rules now make traveling with a baby very difficult. Which of the items below are true, and which are false?

1. You cannot bring any liquids or gels with you through security unless they're in 3 oz. sealed containers. (If so, how am I supposed to bring my son's formula and some water to make it with?)

2. Any prescription medication you want to take with you on the plane must be in its original bottle and "claimed" at the security gate.

3. Your baby cannot be sitting between two adults. He must be in a window seat.

4. If your child is not yet two, you must restrain him using a car seat, unless you wish to hold him on your lap. (We don't -- we bought him his own seat.)

5. If your child throws a tantrum, they can throw the whole family off the flight.

Anybody flown recently with a child? We're flying JetBlue.

Answer
1. Baby formula is fine to take (powdered or liquid), and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard (as long as your child is with you and it is a reasonable amount to last the duration of your travel time), do not worry. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
You must however keep the formula separate from your other items, inform the TSA officer that you have formula, and place it in a separate bin to be screened by itself. You will NOT have to taste any of it.

New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food,yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml).
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#9

Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.

2. This is true. My son has liquid medication and inhalers and I have to keep them separate and in their original packages. Like the formula, you must inform the TSA officers and place them in a separate bin to be screened by themselves. It is also a good idea to bring a doctors note written on official letterhead that lists the name of the medication, the name of the patient, and how many times a day the medication is to be used. I have never been asked to produce the doctors note, but carry on at all times during my travels in case there are any problems.

3. This is false. Children can sit in any seat they wish on a plane. They do try to keep them from sitting in an exit row (for security reasons) though if at all possible.

4. If your child is under two and you did not buy a seat for him, then yes, you would have to hold him in your lap the entire trip. If you buy him his own seat, it is highly advisable that you use a car seat for him because it is safer for the child.

5. They are not supposed to do this, but it has been happening with some airlines lately. For the most part they try to get the children all settled down before the flight so that there are no problems.


I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I wrote a small article about traveling with children if you would like to reference it. It gives more in-depth information, rules for airport security in the US, EU, and UK, plus other tips and tricks for travel. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

toddler friendly holidays/vacations?

BAMitsABII

just want a list of a few places and what attractions they have, i don't want a 10 page travel guide please :l
live in the UK, preferably wanting to go abroad

Answer
well if you want to stay in the UK, try glynn barton cottages in cornwall by newquay. there cottages designed for toddlers, which have a cot, high chair, bed guards, monitors, toddler beds, child friendly crockery etc. the site also has things to do such as a indoor swimming pool, indoor soft play barn, play room full of toys, tennis court, childrens play area and climbing frames, animals to feed and eggs to collect etc
and theres loads of things around like a beach in a 30 min drive, riding stables 8 miles away, and within 15 miles theres dairlyland farm world, crealy adventure park and within 20 miles theres a newquay blue reef aqaurium, newquay zoo and water world
http://www.glynnbarton.co.uk/fun_the_toddlers.htm

lapland - only a 3 hour flight and loads to do, such as see santa, snowmobile rides (children can ride in the things that trail behind tho i dont know what there called) reindeer rides, husky rides, tobogganing etc and im sure if you wrap your toddler up warm he/she will love it and love the snow
loads of websites for holidays in lapland although i recommend http://bookings.firstchoice.co.uk/lapland/

paris - i think its only a 2 hour flight and loads of stuff to do too, a main one is disneyland, theres another theme park like parc asterix (all designed for kids), sight seeing such as going up the eiffel tower although i hope your toddler isn't afraid of heights! go for a cruise on the river seine, kids science museum called cité des sciences et de l'industrie or maybe a zoo called parc zoologique de paris

or again just stay in the uk and go to butlins which has swiming pools, free fun fair, golf, go karts, shows and entertainment on all the time etc

hope i help and have a nice holidayy x

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Do you think it will be comfortable traveling in economy class of Emirates with a 5 months old baby?

star_unkno

I'm planning to travel from Dhaka, bangladesh to London, UK with my 5 months old daughter in economy class of Emirates. Has anyone travelled with infant in economy class? Do you think its better to go in business class? I'm travelling alone and I breast feed my baby. Thanks

Answer
I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and although I've never flown Emirates, I've flown a lot with my own babies at that age. That airline has a good reputation and 5 months is actually a good age to fly. It gets tricky with toddlers who don't like to stay in one place. You wont have that to worry about for a while...

At five months, your baby wont need food, wont crawl and will probably sleep most of the time. Here is Emirates' page on infants;
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/flying/young_flyers/special_care/travelling_with_infants.aspx

As a Flight Attendant, I have to be honest and tell you that having your little one in a car seat in his own seat is the only way to travel safely. As a parent, especially if you're alone, I can say that having that car seat makes travel much, much easier. Under two, you're allowed to hold them on your lap but if anything goes wrong, your baby is not protected. It's so nice to put the baby down somewhere too.

Emirates allows European, American and Australian approved seats so check yours'. They have the silly rule about only forward facing seats. Babies shouldn't ride in cars facing forward till 12 months old so I don't see why they have this rule. I hope you can work around it.

They also say that you have to have a ticket but often you can secure an extra seat at check-in if there's room. See if you can manage this at check-in.

Emirates does have bassinets, which are convenient with an 11 kilos limit. They'll give you one after take-off if you're in a "bulkhead" seat so be sure to try to book that one on both legs of your journey.

Since you breastfeed, not only will your baby be protected from a lot of the various viruses and bacteria on the plane but it makes flying a lot easier (experience with both here so I can compare!) Just make sure you get enough to drink since airplane air is very dry and traveling can tire you out. I can assure you that in 13 years in the air and countless breastfeeding transatlantics with my own three breastfed children, it's not a problem on board.

Please do not heed any "helpful" tips to sit by a window for privacy. That would be really inconvenient and not necessary. Try for the bulkhead, if not, an aisle. If you want to cover up, practice at home first. This was my mistake. They hated having something over their heads and would yank it off. Bring your own cover as airline blankets can be heavy.

My secret to easy travel was to have a good baby carrier. I know they use these a lot in Bangladesh and you probably already have one. Convenient for breastfeeding and getting on and off the aircraft, which you will be doing at least 4 times.

I have to say that I think you're probably flying one of the easiest routes to London. I used to live in London and knew a lot of Bangladeshis there who had horror stories of their jouneys. One friend's parents were stuck on the tarmack in Karachi for hours. Another friend flew some Eastern European carrier while still under communism...

I don't want to load this answer down with other hints but I have a totally non-commercial article on the subject you're welcome to read. I fly alot alone with three closely spaced children, especially between Europe and California (yesterday, as a matter of fact...) since each was 4 months old. Many parents over the years have contributed their own tips so feel free to visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

There's more on strollers, packing, etc. I know there is a lot on the net on the subject but most are parents who never worked in the industry. I had the pleasure of 13 years of going through emergency and security training, as well as observing and helping other parents flying with their own...

Have a good flight!

How much would it cost to go to Europe for 2 months with a toddler?

Nicole Eli

I want to go to Europe next summer (not this summer) and my daughter will be 2 years old. I don't think hostels are a good idea with a child that young, so I know it will cost more than travelling without her. I plan to go to the UK, France, and Italy. Excluding the plane tickets to and from Europe, how much approximately would it cost? (Please answer in euros or Canadian dollars)
Also, which of these countries is probably the cheapest and which is probably the most expensive? (In case I have to bump a country or 2 off the list).

Answer
You will be travelling in the high season so everything costs more, including plane tickets: check with cheapflights.com for those. Also check with housesitting.com, maybe that will be for your (you get free lodging, in exchange for looking after the cat , the plants or whatever. UK France and Italy are all quite expensive. For lodging, local transport, food and entertainment - museums and such, figure a good 100 euros per day.

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In terms of Biology when are Humans Adults?

toddler travel uk image

Holland

I know by law, In the UK, we are adults by 18. But In terms of biology, what age are we fully grown at?

Answer
here is the human life cycle so that you can understand better

Birth is the first stage. Before birth, a person begins as a single cell, the tiniest building block of life. As the human cells duplicate and specialize into specific body parts, they prepare for the birth of an infant,weighing five to ten pounds, which takes about 40 weeks from the time that that first cell starts growing.

Infancy is the second stage. From birth through the first year of life, a person is called an infant.The infant is totally dependent upon his or her parents for food, changing, bathing and movement from place to place. This is a stage in which a person begins to learn lots of things about survival in the world.

Childhood is the third stage, which lasts for about ten years. For the first two years after infancy, the child is called a toddler. Toddlers learn how to walk, talk and become more independent. For the balance of childhood, people grow, gaining more freedom and responsibility as they learn about themselves.

Adolescence is the fourth stage, roughly from age 12 to 18 years. In this stage, starting with puberty, boys change and become men, and girls become women.This can be a very confusing time for a young person, trying to cope with so many changes.This is the time that the human is preparing for adulthood, growing to his/her maximum size, and is physically able to reproduce.

Adulthood is the fifth stage, from the end of adolescence, usually age 18 to 20, to old age.Adulthood is the time that people take on many different kinds of responsibilities. All of the things that our parents once provided, we must now provide for ourselves. The life cycle usually starts over again during this stage, when, through reproduction, adults give birth to their own children. Once a personâs children are grown up and are having children of their own, an adult can enter a more relaxing time of life, with freedom to pursue hobbies and travel.Though the body begins to break down during this stage, an adult can live to an average age of 76 in the U. S., and even longer in some other places in the world.

I am getting ready to travel with a 2 year old, looking for a carseat that is FAA approved?

beth g

Need a carseat that is not bulky and hard to carry being that I'll have my hands full with carry on/ diaper bag and umbrella stroller and of course the kid please help!!!!

Answer
n order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Here is a picture of what the sticker looks like:
http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/flying_children_pics/FMVSS.jpg

Booster seats are NOT approved for use on airplanes.

There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22â44 lbs. If you don't want to be bothered by taking a car seat, and especially if you do a lot of traveling, then this is another very handy device. http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

If you do a lot of traveling, or if you are looking for a way to minimize what you have to carry (whether just for travels or for everyday things), looking for something that is lightweight, versatile, and will last through toddler years, you might consider looking into the Sit'n'Stroll. It is a really neat device that can be used in many versatile functions. It is a car seat (both rear and forward facing), an approved airline CRS, and can be used as a booster seat. http://www.tripleplayproducts.com/

There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html



I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6, and 6 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights.

I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

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