Moving to Milan with twin babies any advice?

[Abena]

Hello, we move to Italy in two and a half months. I have twins who are 10 months. Does anyone out there either live in Milan or have any advice about childcare, lifestyle, a silly query which is what formula milk do they have over there (mine are on Cow and Gate Comfort for digestion so would want similar) and general stuff. I am currently (started two days ago!) learning some basic Italian as I lived in Mexico city for seven years so speak a bit of Spanish but NO ITALIAN. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone has out there, thanks!

Abena, you have been through a lot in just one year. I really hope you'll settle easily in Milan. I'm well aware that it's not the loveliest city in the world, but I still miss it like crazy and I loved growing up there (ok it was ages ago, things have changed etc). Is the school going to help finding a flat?

yes the school provide accommodation but I havent a clue what kind. Do apartments have baths in Italy or is it like Mexico where most had showers only. How will I bath them!!? Sounds stupid but I really dont know what to expect.

abena, hi sorry I haven't got back to you earlier, but went to Italy for a few days, we stayed at dh's parents and he internet connection was down. Flats usually have a bath, although it depends on their size. therefore small flat/small bathroom= shower rather than bath, I'm afraid.

Hi Abena
Franca has answered all your questions much better than I could. I lived in Milan for 10 years and can vouch for the appalling pollution, unbearable heat and humidity and mammoth mosquitos. Apart from that everything's great . I now live in Monza which is just a short train ride away and miss Milan like crazy.

I have a DD who's 22mo, she was born in Milan and so I've done all the rounds of paeds, consultori, baby groups etc. There aren't really any toddler groups like in the UK, but as soon as you settle in go to the nearest consultorio familiare/pediatrico and get a list of activities near you. There's usually a baby group linked to the consultorio and occasionally there's something set up for children over a year too. Otherwise there are these centres called Tempo per le Famiglie, usually one or 2 in each quartiere, where you can take your toddlers 2 or maybe 3 times a week and meet and chat with other mums. You should be able to find out about these from the consultorio too.

Regarding private nurseries, they usually cost around 650/700 euros a month for a full day. I pay 680 here in Monza for 8-6ish, but that includes all meals and nappies. If you only do until 4pm then it's usually about 100 euros less. The state nurseries are means tested and cost less, but you have to supply all your own nappies although meals are still included.

I can't help you about the formula as I don't know much about it, but it's horrendously expensive here, as are nappies and other baby accoutrements. For nappies there is a factory near Rho (satellite town) where I think you can buy a pack of 56 for 8 euros or something like that. I can find out where it is, never been myself as I use cloth mostly, but a lot of my friends go there so I can ask them.

I hope you enjoy it, It is quite a culture shock but then as you've already lived abroad you shouldn't have much trouble settling in. Plus you're going to be with a lot of ex pats so it should be easier still. Do try to learn Italian, it will make your stay so much more enjoyable and open up a lot of doors, not least if you want to start working here.
Good luck and let me know if you need any more info or help with anything.

I forgot about the giant mosquitos !
and I also forgot about tempo per le famiglie, they used to be good, despite the fact that years of right wing council has withdraw so much money from these kind of activities (and the nidi comunali) ...

Hi Franca
Yes, a lot of these places have closed down due to lack of funding, but there are still quite a few of them about. In Monza there is NOTHING. I expect it's to do with the fact that all these Brianzoli have their mother living around the corner and so don't need childcare or activities. Also, last year in Milan the Comune created an extra 800 nido places and I couldn't get my DD into a nido comunale here in Monza, despite portraying myself as a desparate single mum . Had I stayed in Milan she'd have got a place for sure (yelps with anguish and frustration).

pats brangelina sulla spalla... I'd expect that the mentalita' changes with only a bunch of kilometres... I do miss my mother's help, but I wouldn't have asked her to look after my children full time. I find all the nonni I met at the giardinetti incredibly lax. They are spoiling an entire generation...

[mind you, my grandmother looked after me and my brother until my mum stopped working, but it was 30 yrs ago... different set of principles). Look at me, I am a moralista