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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to keep 8mo in buggy all day

17 replies

DeweyDecibelle · 26/08/2013 09:19

She's crawling and loves pulling herself up on furniture etc, very energetic. But I have a week off with my husband this week and we really want to go and do lots of London stuff, meaning baby will be in her buggy a lot of the time. It seems cruel, or am I being silly as there will be plenty for her to look at?

What are good things to do with a baby this age, I get a bit stuck and end up staying in house/park so she can move around freely. While fun for her, it'd be nice to get out and about more too but I feel too bad about making her sit all day.

OP posts:

littlewhitebag · 26/08/2013 09:21

She may well become bored and cranky. Surely you can divide your time in London between adult things and time in parks to allow her some freedom?

Sirzy · 26/08/2013 09:24

I would break it up with half an hour in the park or something whereby she can use up some energy.

everlong · 26/08/2013 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SavoyCabbage · 26/08/2013 09:25

I would put her in a sling so you can swap her about a bit. And talk to her more easily.

JulietBravoJuliet · 26/08/2013 09:27

I took ds to London for the day when he was under a year and we broke the day up with an hour or so in a soft play centre over lunch so he could burn off some energy. He then slept for a good chunk of the afternoon so it was well worth it :)

GoingToBedfordshire · 26/08/2013 09:30

I think YABUnrealistic rather than YABU. I remember this age being quite difficult for whole days out and just doing my best to plan around the dcs' naps and meals. I couldn't get mine to spend long periods in the pushchair without a lot of complaining, defeating the point somewhat of a fun day out.

So, leave during the morning nap so they slept in the pushchair, then going to a park or museum so they could get out and crawl a bit (Science Museum and Transport Museum for example). Go for lunch then back in the pushchair for the afternoon nap where we could go and look at something else that wasn't appropriate for a crawling baby (gallery or something the older dc were interested in) then go home.

I would also take a sling for a bit of variety or incase they didn't nap as planned.

It does get easier as they get older, hope you have a good week off with your DH.

janey68 · 26/08/2013 09:33

Agree with the others, you need to break it up. A whole day sitting in a buggy isn't great. While there will be plenty to look at, she won't burn off energy and will probably grizzle which will spoil your day anyway.

forevergreek · 26/08/2013 09:37

I would go out all day to London, but get her out pram at various times. There are parks/ green spaces all over London where you could grab some coffee to take out then let her play/ crawl on a blanket for half hour or so at a time.

At 8 months I'm assuming she will still take a few naps a day anyway. And she will see lots of people and things. It's not like you are planning on keeping her in a pram every day.

By the time she sleeps say 3 hours in total, you get her out for x2 half hour plays on rug, and out for lunch/ milk etc throughout day then there will only be a few hours max she is just sitting looking around

drinkyourmilk · 26/08/2013 09:37

It will be fine.
Carry her in your arms for a bit. Iet her crawl around or hold hands and walk while you are at venues. Make sure you engage her as well as each other. If you find a park then get her out on the grass or in the swings. Enjoy your holiday

drinkyourmilk · 26/08/2013 09:39

Forgot to say - its also much easier if you relax her routine, let her nap when she wants too, and carry snacks.

Summerblaze · 26/08/2013 09:48

I have done this when mine were this age. Especially with DS2 as my DD is 9 and DS1 is 5 and we have taken him places that were not really interesting for a baby.

Its fine. They sleep, take snacks and drinks, sometimes carry them for a bit. If there is an area where they can have a crawl about for a bit then that is great. A sling is a good idea too although I have never used one.

Original poster

DeweyDecibelle · 26/08/2013 10:31

Thanks I feel better about it now. For today, we've just had a very energetic play this morning, she's napping in cot now for as long as she needs, then as soon as she's awake we are going to head. Picnic blanket packed for lots of park stops!

OP posts:

specialsubject · 26/08/2013 10:35

as the relative of a baby brought up in central London, there is plenty of scope for getting out of the buggy. Parks and play areas in places you would not believe, room to crawl around in quiet spots in the museums/galleries (and there are always quieter bits) and always places to sit down and stop.

Blueberryveryberry · 26/08/2013 11:54

It's only a day and it won't be a problem. I've done it a few times with mine.

LookAtTheTwain · 26/08/2013 11:56

I second the sling suggestion.

LoreleisSecret · 26/08/2013 11:58

She'll be fine, both my boys have endured long days in London since birth. Can i suggest Hyde park to break up babys day?

Ducks to feed,lots of grassy areas for baby to crawl, pedalos, play ground, water/paddling bit.
Such a great day!

JenaiMorris · 26/08/2013 12:04

ds spent a lot of time in his pushchair - I didn't have a car and couldn't bear staying in all day. He used to wave his arms and kick his legs furiously with excitement when I put him in, ready to go out. Later, he'd take himself to his pushchair expectantly, like a dog fetching his lead in hope of a walk!

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop off in parks, squares and other spaces and I'm sure she'll enjoy taking in all the interesting sights and sounds. If, like mine, she'll doze off in there when she's tired, it'll be a breeze.

Enjoy :)

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