A month in Switzerland - any advice?

[Flowerface]

I know - it's only a month. But I have no idea about, for example, Swiss attitudes towards breastfeeding, or children in general. Any tips gratefully received! It's Francophone Switzerland we are going to, a couple of hours from Geneva.

The swiss seem to be very friendly to children
You can take them out to eat at night and its not frowned upon
In fact most things seem set up to families

Breastfeeding is much more the norm is Switzerland than in the UK. Nobody will give you a second glance, whether you're in a restaurant, on a bus, or sat in a park.

I second Niftyblue, they're very family friendly, young children welcome almost everywhere.

Have a lovely time - will you get chance to explore?

I hope so - we are driving there so will have the car. Haven't made any firm plans yet - do you have any recommendations?

I was worried about the breastfeeding as I gather that it's not really done much in France (though I might be wrong), so I thought it might be the same.

BFing completely accepted. Me and dd sat in COOP restaurant yesterday opposite a woman who was doing just that. I've seen women whip their babps out of bikini's at the lido.

The Swiss just love breastfeeding. Militant about mums doing it when in the hospital, and massively pro the rest of the time. I whipped em out pretty much everywhere (under a cloth) from trains, to boats, to bus shelters and got nothing more than a kind smile from lots old ladies.

They will also always help you on and off transport with the pram, and coo at babies. They are not, however fond of toddlers playing up and you may well get a disapproving stare or an old bat trying to give you advice or butt in when a dc is having a tantrum. Ignore them, or have a go, because they back down sharpish to avoid confrontation in any form (massive racial generalisation I know ;) Swiss kids generally well behaved and outdoorsy.

Ooh. also they all give their kids dummies until they're about three or four. Pretty much all the time.

Agree with others, Switzerland, particularly the French speaking area is very child friendly.

Can you go a couple of hours from Geneva and still be in the French speaking area?

It is lovely here.

Hello again,

In terms of recommendations for day trips: where will you be based? Lausanne/Montreux area?

It's worth visiting Geneva for a day, taking a boat ride on the lake, etc etc. We've also enjoyed visits to Annecy with our dd. If you're staying further into Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland is the place to see quintessential mountains/chalets/cablecars etc. Lots of gorgeous, family friendly hotels around Interlacken.

How old are your children?