Rome and Venice end of November?

I would definitely stay put in Rome, even without but especially with a baby. You'll be able to wander around mornings, find a favorite cafe where they will start to recognize you, pop back to your lodging for naps and changes, go out again when ready. You’ll be able to see plenty but with less stress. Not to mention hauling all the requisite baby gear across the country is a nuisance. But I’m a slow traveler and always prefer to see one place thoroughly and not move too much. I spent 8 nights in Rome last summer and it wasn’t enough. You won’t run out of things to do and imo will have more fun than trying to cram in too much.

Many years ago, on our first international trip with child (18 months), we wandered slowly around Northern England and Scotland. We had a baby backpack with a frame; we could actually stand it up on the floor and she slept in it while we ate a leisurely meal and all the older women popped by for a look at her. We found grocery stores for needed supplies, went for long walks with play time in parks, and generally had a great time by not rushing around. So that’s my experience and two cents’ input to your question.

However, if you take the high-speed train, it’s an easy trip with or without a child. It’s just a lot to carry both a baby and your luggage and baby gear. Will you have more than just you to help with the load?

Just a thought based on no experience of traveling with a baby: I think it is easier to navigate a stroller (or pram) around Rome than over all the bridges in Venice.

Are you flying in an out of Rome? If so, I'd stay there.

Even though we love Venice, our suggestion is to spend the entire time in Rome. You'll not run out of things to do and see, you'll not lose an entire day of your trip going from there to Venice, and you'll not have the problems, exhaustion, and hassles that usually occur during a long train ride with an infant.

Another vote for just staying in Rome. It'll be a much easier city to navigate with a baby, and there's MORE than enough to see and do there to fill a week. Save Venice for when your child can walk - and walk some distances - on their own.

Traveling between cities by train isn't difficult but managing a stroller in Venice plus moving around all the stuff a baby requires would be sort of a pain. Are you traveling alone with your little one?

Another vote for Rome. There is plenty to see and do on a six day trip. On our first trip to Italy, we spent 10 days in Rome. In Italy, there is a saying: Roma non basta una vita - For Rome, one lifetime is not enough.

I would consider splitting into more than one place, although Venice is quite a distance from Rome and it's hard to navigate with a baby stroller (lots of bridges with stairs and boats to climb on).
I consider anything more than 4 nights in any city a bit more than I need, unless one plans to take several day trips outside.
If you decide to spend the whole time in Rome, consider some day trips (Orvieto, Naples+Pompeii, maybe even a whole day in Florence which is only 90 min away by fast train).

Thank you everyone.
It will just be me and the baby, so if it's easier to stay in Rome, I'll do that! I want it to go as smoothly as possible.
As for the flights, I'm purchasing this week so I hadn't decided if I was going to get a r/t to Rome, or fly into Rome and out of Venice. It was the same price so either was an option.
I also do not use a stroller, I just use a baby backpack carrier.
I do like the idea of just taking a day trip over to Pompeii though!

Thanks again for the advice!

sbrumfield219, while I'd agree that Pompeii is a fascinating site, it would be a loooong day for you with a wee person on your back as it's a huge site that requires a lot of walking on uneven surfaces. You might consider Ostia Antica instead? It's much closer to Rome and plenty interesting.

http://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/

Activities which involve a lot of time outdoors will be dependent on weather, of course.

Kathy made a very good point about Pompeii / Ostia Antica with which I agree completely. The latter will be much, much easier and not nearly as long a day -- especially with the little one.