We're going to Croatia (and maybe Slovenia) for three weeks in September, with our 4-month old.
Some practicalities. We don't really want to take a travel cot, as they're extremely heavy and bulky. I notice that several of you recommend letting the baby sleep on the floor. I'm happy to do this, but if the floor is a bit unsavoury (creep crawlies?) I'd prefer to let her sleep on the bed. She's starting to roll over though. Some time ago on this website I read about a device you can get (Australian, I think) with a strap that goes round the baby's middle, and an another strap that goes round the mattress, that stops them rolling off the bed. I'd like to find out more, but I can't remember what it was called. Can anyone help?
And car seats. We'd prefer not to have to carry one around but are a bit concerned about baby's safety in taxis and buses. I suppose buses in Croatia are unlikely to have seat belts, which makes taking a car seat pretty pointless. Should we just hold her on our laps? Doesn't seem very safe.
Hi!
Not all travel cots are large and heavy. After a lot of searching, we found this cot, which only weighs some 2.5 kilos. We've used it for our daughter (now 14 months old) on several travels. It works really well, and doesn't take up much space.
Car seats can be a problem, yes. We haven't been to Croatia (yet?), but had many of the same worries on our trips to Greece last autumn and this spring. We decided not to take a car seat and minimise travel in cars and buses. Obviously, we couldn't avoid it completely. If you have a baby carrier (a Babybjörn or similar), you could use it in cars, placing the seat belt between you and the baby. That's provided the car has seat belts, of course. Another solution could be to rent a car with a baby seat.
Enjoy your trip!
Lots of people co-sleep with their children and babies. I did with mine and he never fell out of bed. Of course, the beds may be smaller. You could always get one of those tot tents. I saw one in Sunny's Outdoor store. Or I like #1s cot bed too.
BTW I just read that they found the deepest hole in the world in Croatia.
We rented a car in Trieste from a big company with a carseat for our then 11 month old daughter. The car seat was not at all appropriate, it was obviously intended for a toddler (did not have the ability to face backwards, was very upright, the shoulder straps started at her head, etc). Given my experience, I would be wary of renting a car with a car seat for a 4 month old in that region. I'd opt for renting a car and bringing your own seat or using the baby carrier.
If you have one of the carrier carseats you could also use it as a place for your baby to sleep at night. Our daughter is one of the ones who gets to sleep on the floor all the time. I find places generally privided extra bedding so we could build up a good little mattress. Almost all of our rooms had 2 twins, most of which were smaller than standard sized twins so it would have been difficult to have her in the bed with me even though she slept with us at home and we were used to it, although it would be easier with a 4 month old than an 11 month old.
We had no problems getting diapers and other baby supplies. Plus the locals really like babies.
Have a good trip!
The bed strap thing is called "Safe-T-Sleep".
When I went to Croatia we travelled along the coast by ferry the whole time, no need for a car.
have a great trip!
We have a Phil and Teds 2.5kg portacot and it is awesome, one of the best investments we've made for our wee man. Good to know about the dodgy carseats, we were considering hiring a car with seat, but I think we'll just lug our own. If the roads are a bit dodge it's better safe than sorry I reckon
trusted partner
