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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be nervous about the train with a pram?

66 replies

drivingymsu · 13/08/2023 10:35

Probably sounds crazy but how do you get off the train if nobody helps you?!

Would it be unfair to drive with a 8 month old for 1.5 hours each way in a day?

OP posts:
Dinojump · 13/08/2023 10:36

Don't be nervous, getting off the train with a pram is easy! If there is a big gap, you might find it easier to go backwards.

sanityisamyth · 13/08/2023 10:36

You can ask the conductor/guard to help you but someone often does. I tended to get off first and then take the pram down backwards. Train is much easier than driving.

WhateverMate · 13/08/2023 10:37

Getting off the actual train is easy, you walk off backwards like you would on a bus.

Does the station have a lift? If not, I found someone would always help with steps/escalators but if the station is quiet then finding a member of staff might be difficult.

FutureThroughLensOfThePast · 13/08/2023 10:39

You can book assistance for your journey in advance.

HereForTheFreeLunch · 13/08/2023 10:39

You turn the pram around, get off and back the pram off.
Or put baby in sling, fold the pram. Step off the train with baby and then take the pram onto the platform.
Same as for stairs if there's no one to help.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 13/08/2023 10:39

You just do, you hope that there will be space in the vestibule to put your pram/buggy but assume there won't be so be prepared to fold it down and put it in the luggage rack.

As you're approaching the station you get as organised as possible, stuff in a backpack on your back, baby in one arm grab the folded up pram in the other, get off the train then sort yourself out on the platform.

Driving would be fine too, might need to take a break in the middle of the journey.

GloriousSludge · 13/08/2023 10:40

Someone will help, you often don’t need to ask.

But I found a sling easier as that way I had both hands free and didn’t need to worry about someone helping. If it’s just for the day, you wouldn’t need much luggage, so is that an option?

Original poster
drivingymsu · 13/08/2023 10:40

What about getting on the train then? Is that easy? I am wondering if the pram is too wide?!

I literally haven’t been on a train in years which is why I am worrying

OP posts:
Original poster
drivingymsu · 13/08/2023 10:40

@GloriousSludge sadly he is far too heavy for a sling (I am tiny and pathetically weak!)

OP posts:
YabbaDabbaDooooo · 13/08/2023 10:41

FutureThroughLensOfThePast · 13/08/2023 10:39

You can book assistance for your journey in advance.

My MIL is a wheelchair user and much of the time even she can't book any assistance.

I can't imagine they'll be taking bookings from scores of mums with buggies.

GloriousSludge · 13/08/2023 10:41

As in, just sling, no pram. Does really on having a comfy sling you can wear for a few hours, but I did and so it worked.

HereForTheFreeLunch · 13/08/2023 10:42

You keep pram facing forwards, step the front wheels up and then push forward. And then pick the back wheels up and get in yourself.
It's just like a big single step.

WhateverMate · 13/08/2023 10:42

drivingymsu · 13/08/2023 10:40

What about getting on the train then? Is that easy? I am wondering if the pram is too wide?!

I literally haven’t been on a train in years which is why I am worrying

Is it a buggy or a pram?

Double buggies still fit on, but you have to go backwards.

GloriousSludge · 13/08/2023 10:42

Ah sorry, crossposted. I did this with a 2.5 year old (on my back) in a sling, but it’s very much each time their own.

I’m sure someone will help you, and the trains are much easier than tubes as they stop for longer.

Rainallnight · 13/08/2023 10:42

There’s a chance you’re over thinking this. Ask for help from someone getting on and off. Unless your buggy is a tank it shouldn’t be too big.

HereForTheFreeLunch · 13/08/2023 10:43

Which trainline is it?

BibbleandSqwauk · 13/08/2023 10:43

Door width isn't an issue but it will be better to get an umbrella fold lightweight pram so you can fold it and store it easily and carry it on and off the train folded. Generally people do help though if baby is in the pram.

SMBCmama · 13/08/2023 10:44

In the kindest possible way get over yourself! He’s 8m not 8 days! Mums are going on trains with prams and buggies all the time! As others have said you step off backwards, and pull the pram towards you. Be careful if it’s a large forward facing pram as the weight may be distributed differently.

this is completely doable.

Willmafrockfit · 13/08/2023 10:44

what time of day will it be?

Clefable · 13/08/2023 10:45

We've got a Joie stroller for taking with us on public transport and stuff like that. It's just a small umbrella-fold stroller so really easy to carry around. It has its own shoulder bag for carrying it too.

Caspianberg · 13/08/2023 10:47

We take smaller travel size pram on trains. Far easier. (Babyzen yo-yo)
Its folded to carry on one arm, baby either in other arm or use sling to go on and off hands free. Rucksack for luggage.
Prma can buy out on rack above head then and you can sit anywhere as not restricted to disabled area that might already be full.

Jk987 · 13/08/2023 10:48

I felt like this and it put me off for ages but it was absolutely fine. Passengers are more than willing to help if needed but it's usually no different to going up a small step.
You can relax on the train and tend to baby.

Motherhubbardscupboard · 13/08/2023 10:49

I do think it depends which train line actually. Something like LNER would be more difficult as they don't really have vestibule and aisles are narrow. A commuter line would be easy as they have big entrance vestibules that you could stand in and also some have flip down seats. But I sent really see the issue with the length of the drive either.

lifehappens12 · 13/08/2023 10:49

Which train service are you travelling on and we can try and help.

I use commuter trains a lot and people do help. I was on a packed peak time service standing room only and we could hear a baby crying as random strangers we were falling over ourselves to give up seats and move around to help the mum.

That said - don't travel at rush hour!

lavenderdilly · 13/08/2023 10:54

It's just like going up and down a big kerb on the street. Nothing to worry about.

People are generally helpful though.

My only advice would be to let people get off first because I've had some very rude, rushing people practically barge us out the doors. I am in London though where everybody is very busy and important.