Staying in London with a baby

[Bangendedscoots]

This has to be a stupid question but to be honest I'm not sure how the logistics will work so thought I'd ask!

In a couple of months my husband is going to be in London for a 2 day conference.

I would like to meet him there when he's finished and for us to stay in London for another 2 nights. The baby will be 4.5 months old when we go.

The thing is I just can't work out the logistics of getting the train there on my own and then staying there

So the train takes about 2 hours. I'd get the bus to the station because I can't get a taxi without a car seat and if I drive and park it will cost a fortune in parking for 3 days.

I'll he travelling there on my own with the baby and once I'm in London and on the journey back ill have my husband to help so that will be fine.

So once I'm on the train how do I sort the following?

• our pram is a mamas and papas ocarro so is pretty big. To fold it up you have to take the seat off so it would be in two parts which just doesn't seem feasible on a train. Would I need to get some kind of stroller/buggy instead so it folds up better? Can a 4.5 month old even go in one of those strollers or will she still be too small?
• we do have a baby carrier but I don't know if I could do 3 days in London with just the carrier between us as I think it would break our backs (or maybe this would be ok?)
• I would take all my stuff in a rucksack so that I'm not attempting to wheel a suitcase around or anything. Maybe I could have the baby on my front and rucksack on my back?
• formula - the baby is formula fed and will need sterilised bottles. I could take some bottles with me for the journey by keeping them in the fridge and then in an insulated bottle bag for the journey but what about having sterilised bottles while I'm there?Would i need to pack a steriliser and if so how would I sterilise them in a hotel room? Would I need to just buy the pre made disposable bottles which would probably cost a fortune?

I dont know if I'm over thinking all this but honestly my brain is mush trying to figure it out! I think I'm just exhausted and so my brain won't work . My husband thinks its too much faff for me to join him but I really want to go.

Thanks for any responses in advance!

In the past I've taken microwave sterilisers on holiday and either stayed somewhere with a kitchenette or sweet-talked hotel staff into doing it for me (maybe less likely in these H&S paranoid times).
How much would disposable bottles actually cost in the context of an entire holiday?

For the train, I think this is the time to invest in a stroller - you'll want one eventually and 4 months isn't too young as long as it reclines.

For the pram on the train, you can usually park them in the bike storage area or other areas where there is space for oversized luggage (depends on what train company you are using). I would also bring a carrier as that would be easier for actually being on the train (say, you need to use the loo).

Yes to a rucksack for all your things.

For bottles, milton's and sterilise them in the hotel sink. Make formula using hotel kettle or use ready-made.

I live in London and did various trips by train with my two when babies.

1. take both carrier and pram. Wear baby in the carrier while travelling and use the pram to carry your bag. Where are you travelling from and what train line / where to? On the trains to my parents I can just leave the pram up by the doors and sit close by so I can move it if needed

2. where are you staying and that will help with advice on how to get around

3. you can get cold water sterilising bags in boots. Amazing for travel.

@battledoreandshuttlecock yeah the steriliser we have is a microwave one but our budget for a hotel is more of a Premier Inn hub level so don't think there will be a microwave and don't think the staff will be willing to do it! It would also be very bulky to travel with!

Stroller is probably a good shout though! Maybe that plus the carrier will be enough!

@mindutopia thank you!

@Twizbe your first point makes so much sense thank you! Not sure where we'll be staying yet but it will be a budget hotel like a premier Inn hub. Never heard of cold water sterilising bags! Genius!

@twizbe sorry forgot to say it will be Avanti West Coast into Euston

I would probably use the ready made formula and cold water sterilise. Would you consider Airbnb to get access to a microwave and dishwasher which might make it a bit more simple?

Agree with the pp who said carrier then your bag in the pram. My experience of travelling by train is that people are very very helpful when you are there with a pram and a baby.

@kfjsjbdb thanks - I've just looked up cold water sterilisers after seeing the pp's comment and I think cold water bags plus Milton's cleaning fluid will do it then I can just take empty clean bottles with me in my rucksack!

You're probably right about pre made formula - I could just take one lot with me and then buy as we go when we're there! I didn't realise the 200ml bottles of pre made formula was much more cost effective than the packs of 70ml pre made bottles (we used these the first few days after birth but was shocked how expensive they were and just assumed the 200ml bottles would be even more expensive)

Hello Everyone!
I don’t know if anyone face is this issue but I really wanna know how people get rent house in London with a baby… We are a couple with a 5 month old baby and in 1.5 month we have to move from this house because current house is being sold.. The point is I have seen 100 of properties which don’t allow babies… Our budget is around 1300(without bills) is it possible to get something?
Also to add we are a student couple (but my husband will get a work visa in 2 months) but as student not every property is available for us..
I will really appreciate if I get a link of some good agent or some private landlord..