London with a baby

[Islamum]

Going to meet a friend on sat, not sure of best way to get about, can you take a pushchair on the tube? DD is 5 months so not sure I can carry her in the sling for long but will this be more practicle or should I take both and fold pushchair for tube and bus?? What do people do?

[ScienceTeacher]

You can take a pushchair on the tube, but it's not easy unless you are able to use stations with full disabled access.

If you were able to use an umbrella fold buggy, it would be a lot easier, but your DD is a little young for these. Sling is good but can get tiring.

[ScienceTeacher]

An idea - meet your friend a walking distance from your mainline station.

[Maenad]

I take my pushchair on the tube, but it is a very light one and I am happy to go on escalators with it. I almost always find that someone will offer to help me get up and down flights of stairs, and if not I will fold the buggy and carry it (it's got a shoulder strap). So I don't think the tube is impossible with a buggy at all but it does depend how confident you feel with it. I know several people who won't even contemplate going on the tube as they feel intimidated by the idea.

[MaeWest]

I have taken a pushchair on the tube, and it isn't dead easy. Also found it easier recently as DS is walking and can get out if I needed to fold up the buggy (Maclaren, umbrella fold but suitable from birth).

The main stations have lifts and I have found staff and random strangers mainly helpful. However at 5 months I would say sling is easier if you can manage it, what kind do you have? Also, could you and your friend take it in turns to carry DD? Just a thought...

[ib]

Definitely a sling IME.

[kerala]

I take a pushchair on the tube and can do escalators but you have to concentrate! At least your baby is quite small so the buggy wont be as heavy as with a bigger child. I live in London and must say I do find the tube with a buggy stressful. It is possible though. Although once a middle aged lady whispered "gosh you are brave". People are actually often very helpful at assisting with a buggy up and down steps. I dont think I have ever not been helped.

Whatever you do make sure you travel out of rush hour though.

[hifi]

the tube is very difficult with a buggy unless you have a small collapsible. where are you going? buses are easier with a buggy.

[hifi]

i also use addison lee alot, cheaper than black cabs and have baby seats.

[Islamum]

Thanks everyone, I was hoping that you would say 'buggy will be fine, really easy' She is a very chubby 5 month baby, i have a moby wrap and a mothercare aulto which has an umbrella fold, I think I'll take both and use buses as much as pos. told my friend to meet me at waterloo, but I want to do some shopping,between us it should be possible to get about. I am a fairly confident, bolshy type!! Wish me luck I'll report back on how well it goes, worst case scenerio I'll give up on shopping and just do lunch.

[ScienceTeacher]

From Waterloo, you can walk across Waterloo Bridge to the Strand and Covent Garden, so plenty of shopping and eating.

[Islamum]

Thanks ST, def. a plan, I'm afraid I know the tube really well, but have no idea how to get round london overground!

[cantmakemymindup]

i have been to london several times with a baby and always used the buses its really easy and there's usually a space for the pushchair on the bus with a chair next to it. I'd take a fold up though with the sling if you are going to go on the tube, a bit of a faff if you ask me and a nightmare if its busy. Otherwise most circle line tube stations have only a few stairs so you can use those.

[hifi]

try and get in just after 10am and out by 4pm latest.