[Nani]

I was born and raised in Germany, lived close to Frankfurt til I was 21...and I left over 15 years ago. Now I have a 7 mo dd and I'm totally blanking on what I would do with her in German Restaurants while we're on the road! Do they have high chairs? Would I need to hold her while we eat?? Should I buy a portable highchair and schlepp it over there? We'll be there three weeks.
It's so easy here in America with taking babies to restaurants!

 

[Dulcealegria]

The restaurants I have been have a babychair (Kinderstuhl). The only problem I find is that there is too much smoke, thats why we do not go so often. The weather is getting better and then you can enjoy to sit outside, if so bring just a hat or something for your baby. I hope ypu have a good holiday and find the Kinderstuhls, which you will.

Gretings from Hamburg

 

[Nani]

Thanks Maria! We're actually going to come to Hamburg for a day on our way to the Island of Foehr, I'm not sure if we'll spend the night yet, depends on Sophia, how she's doing traveling. I'm glad to hear about the Kinderstuhl, I just don't ever remember seeing them in German Restaurants.
Yeah, I hate the smoking, yuk! You're right, since we're going in July we can be in outdoor bistros! Germans are very insensitive about 2nd hand smoke though, right? How about around baby's???
My dd is close to your ds in age! In fact, his bday was her due date.
Where are you from originally??

 

[Hollycrand]

The issue of smoking in German restaurants is one of my pet peeves. Dh and I take dd to restaurants often, mostly in summer and usually during lunchtime. They usually have high chairs in MOST restaurants but nothing else. None of the nice crayons, paper and special children's menus that you find in the US.
Sitting in a place outside is your best option.
You MIGHT be able to find some rare places where non-smokers are the majority. But in general, they don't even have non-smoking or smoking sections in restaurants, so it's a matter of luck if you get to be next to someone who smokes or not.

The funny thing is, in FRANCE and ITALY, they have laws banning smoking in most restaurants. But Germany is still in the 1960s!!!

 

[Nani]

Thanks, Holly!
I'm just thinking of this...what about changing tables??? Where in the world would I be able to change her diaper???

 

[Past_VNE]

We travel A LOT and I generally change Jett :
1. in the car (on my lap, the seat, or the floor of the trunk)
2. in a bathroom (standing up and holding him or squatting with him on my modified lap or on a changing pad on a sink counter) I rarely use the grubby, nasty changing stations.
3. near the wall in a restaurant booth. nobody ever notices and it's quick and easy.
4. in the grass.
5. et al....any old place seems to work.

Obviously, only some of these work with poopy diapers.

While a young mom was changing her daughter the other day in a mall bathroom, using the changing station, I walked in with a diaper and Jett. She smiled at me and went back to what she was doing. I didn't really see any need to wait, so I just changed Jett while I was standing there. As I was zipping up my bag, she finishes, turns around and says, "Do you need to change him now?" basically offering to listen the changing shelf down for me. She didn't even notice...even though I was standing right there.

It was kind of funny. Anyway....get creative...you'll find good options everywhere.

 

[Dulcealegria]

As you see smoking is a problem, normally they do not take care that your ds or dd is there. Hope you have luck.
If you go to a restaurant the best if one that is empty or that has high ceilings.
About changing tables the best is the above answer. And some toilets are so small that you really have no space to do it. Sometimes, I do it on the floor, trying to do it as quickly as possible.
I am originally from Mexico City.
Do not forget to bring one hat in case there is too much sun or one hat in case there is too much wind and you need to cover her head. With the weather you never know, you just have to be prepare.

 

[Hollycrand]

I usually change dd in the car if we're out and can't easily find a place, or outside on the grass with a blanket thrown down.
If you're in Hamburg, look for the following stores:

dm
Kaufhof / Karlstadt
C&A
H&M
Baby Waltz
Breuninger

These shops almost always have changing tables in their bathrooms, and you don't have to be a paying customers to use them. Their bathrooms are also very clean. Some of them also have sofas where mothers can bf if baby/child or mom needs a calm place.

dm and Breuniger might be only shops here in Baden-Wurttemberg. I'm not sure. IKEA also has child-friendly bathrooms, restaurants, etc. but it's a LONG ways to go just to change your child

 

[Nani]

Thanks for the advice!!