Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Trip to London - AIBU to take baby or AIBU not to take her?

14 replies

JingleMum · 28/04/2011 22:53

hi,

after a bit of advice from those that know london well.

i love london, i go every year for long weekends (well i did before i had DD) i am looking to go again around the beginning of july, but now that i have my DD (just turned 19 months) will probably be taking her with me.

i thought it would be nice to take her to london zoo, south bank, hyde park and for some nice lunches, but the thing is i stay in central london and it's always so busy, i'm actually in a panic thinking about how i will get about with her pram, through the crowds on oxford street, on and off tubes etc.. i can imagine people being really pissed off with me around the oxford street area trying to get past me and my pram! part of me thinks it would be easier to ask my mum and sister if they mind taking care of her whilst i go with DP? but then i think i am being unreasonable as she'd love the zoo and love spending time in the lovely parks.

is it better and far less stressful to let her stay home with my family or do lots of famililes with young toddlers visit central london?

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 28/04/2011 22:58

Not only do they visit, but many of them actually live there too. Smile

Tubes are the only wrinkle, but I (and many others) managed fine. Someone always helps, and buses are frequent if you don't want to try.

Up to you really, it'll be a different weekend with her, so would you rather a family weekend or a parents only?

worraliberty · 28/04/2011 23:00

Yes oddly enough families live in London! Grin

You'll be fine..baby will be fine.

Just enjoy it Grin

Tryharder · 28/04/2011 23:02

I lived in London some years ago and visit a couple of times a year and IMHO, your DD is a bit young to get much out of going to London.

I would leave her with your mum and have a lovely time with your DP.

I took my 6 year old son to London last year, we had a meal, watched a show, went to Harrods, did the parks etc but he was about the right age.

Original poster
JingleMum · 28/04/2011 23:02

thanks Patricia i know i must sound slightly odd! i just don't recall seeing many families out and about in central london, only hundreds upon hundreds of business people and tourists?!

i think a family weekend would be lovely, i'd prefer to take her, but i just don't know if central london is the most practical place.

you think tubes are major hassle with a pram?

OP posts:
Original poster
JingleMum · 28/04/2011 23:05

worraliberty thank you!! Grin

TryHarder i guess it's because i love london and would like to keep going every year, but don't want to put my mum out by asking her to babysit for the 2 days, as she'd need to arrange days off with work. would rather have her babysit when i go somewhere that baby can't go.

OP posts:
Kitty81 · 28/04/2011 23:07

I say take her. Plenty of people have babies in London. Im planning to do lots of trips with my DS when hes a bit bigger (just 10 days old atm and weve been from Eastourne to the South Bank once already; He was 30 hours old at the time...long story) and I think your trip sounds lovely and very interesting for your lo. BUT if you are thinking of using the underground, really think about a sling perhaps or a small, lightweight, very foldable buggy. People (in my limited experience) are really nice and helpful, but there are not always lifts at tube stations and I think a sling might be lots easier, possibly even with a 19mo. Buses are also a million times easier than the tube, above ground and lots of buggy spaces, also less hot and stuffy. I would just plan your journeys in advance on the tfl website and go for it! Good luck!

Original poster
JingleMum · 28/04/2011 23:12

thanks for the advice kitty i'll take a look at the tfl website, i think buses might be the way to go.

OP posts:
NimpyWindowmash · 28/04/2011 23:19

London with a baby is fine, a lightweight buggy is good for the tube so you can carry it it you really need to, but someone always helps so it's not a big issue. Buses are good too - occasionally though you can't get on with a buggy if it's really busy and there are already a couple of buggys on the bus.

humanoctopus · 28/04/2011 23:24

We love going to London as a family and there is always plenty to do for all age ranges.

My biggest suggestion to you would be for you to consider using a backpack for your dd. It sorts out the problem of tube stations, and she gets a great view all around, and ye get to be as mobile as someone without a pram.

You need to build in regular toddler breaks in such great locations as Coram's Park (which you can only go into if you, the adults, are accompanied by a child, the park keeper turns away any childless people). For me, this really is relaxing, and a great way to enjoy family life in London. Have you considered the museums? Most have great baby/toddler faciilities, and you can pick and choose what you think ye will enjoy exploring together. For example, the Natural History has a lovely 'chill out' space, plenty of outdoor runabout area, if the confines of the museum are too much, etc.

I always stay self catering, whenever possible, so that we can cater what suits, and always stay in a child friendly accomodation.

Go for it.

severalyearsdowntheline · 28/04/2011 23:24

Not many families in London? There are millions there and IMO it's one of the best places in the world to take children even small ones. We live there so I am biased but we've been taking ours since they were tiny but I agree, babies on Oxford Street isn't great but then again Oxford Street is revolting apart from Selfridges and John Lewis so keep away from there if you can and you'll have no problems and you'll even see lots of other families with babies too.

Original poster
JingleMum · 29/04/2011 13:55

thanks so much for the advice, i'm really looking forward to it now! will have to google coram's park.

OP posts:
barbie007 · 29/04/2011 15:39

I've always taken my kids to London. When dh run the marathon, I took our 3 kids aged 5 and under by myself, the 2 youngest were still in a double buggy....it was fun, no probs whatsoever:)

merrymonsters · 29/04/2011 19:28

The underground system has lots of stairs so that can be a problem. My advice would be to take a lightweight pushchair. Also I always waited at the top or bottom of stairs until someone offered to help or I would find someone to ask. No one ever refused to help.

Firawla · 29/04/2011 20:05

definitely take her, there are plenty of places fun for her and tube will be fine as you have dp with you, even if there's stairs you can just both carry the buggy down together so not too much of an issue
oxford street is not always great with a buggy but loads of people do go there with buggies and people will not really act pissed off with you, it should be fine.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page