To find London utterly flaming unmanageable

[MoreBushThanMoss]

With a pushchair!!!

Lived here 8 years. Currently live in Maida Vale. Used to be a Hackney living, media working, up all night sort of girl (before DP and DS) - and prided myself on never feeling flustered or frustrated in the city.

Just met friend for lunch in London Bridge.

Fuck me if I ever want to leave cosy comfy baby friendly Maida Vale again!!!

Nowhere is accessible, tube almost unmanageable without DP to help with buggy and people are RUDE. (okay some - few- are helpful)

also nowhere has baby changing!!!

There are lots of babies in London - surely not just my DS... So why is it so impossible?!

I really feel incensed for people who have mobility issues now.

Rant over. Going back to Maida Vale to eat fudge and read mumsnet.

(Having a baby changes you.)

[Artandco]

There is an app that tells you which stations have lifts. As above it's often easier to get off at a different one and walk. Many stations are so close for example Covent gardens is all lifts and only 3mon walk to Leicester Square which has no lifts

[MoreBushThanMoss]

chardonnay - I'm taking the piss out of myself. I used to sneer at this area as horrendously mummyish and grown up. Oh how the (high from Thursday to Monday and) mighty have fallen.

Thanks everyone. Think was more upset about how upset I was getting, than the actual circs. Before I had the baby, nothing fazed me. Now "normal" stuff like going for lunch, or getting a tube have become enormous missions, I just feel a bit ... Slowed down. And it's frustrating. Sure I'll get used to it.

Thanks for being kind/ stern/ understanding as you were

[GimmeeMoore]

I never got used to the limited by baby stage,I just adapted. But hell yes it's annoyingly to lack spontaneity where you go,and worse still you recall it all pre-baby. When it passes you'll be able to go other places..like soft play

[HerculesMulligan]

Covent Garden is mainly lifts but then a short run of steps to the Piccadilly Line platforms. As previous posters have said, accessibility is appallingly patchy.

[Lazyafternoon]

I'd definitely recommend the app with about 10 tube maps - including one that shows step free access and one that shows which stations have toilets and babychanging.
I don't think I could've done trips across London on my own with DS in a buggy at that age so hats off to you!
A carrier (I also love the Boba as someone up thread mentioned!) certainly makes things easier to manage steps. And a buggy that can fold and carry one handed, to get up and down stairs when lift broken etc. However then you have the challenge of fitting everything you need (nappies, changes of clothes, wipes, bottles/snacks/ your purse, water etc) into a rucksack that is still light enough when got a baby on your front and buggy in your hand and trying to climb up a flight of stairs taller than you've climbed since before pregnancy!!! Yep it's a mission!
As for baby change I don't think particularly necessary. I found easier to find a quiet bit of floor in a corner of a station and kneel down with mat.

[LaPampa]

It is frustrating but you get used to it. I actually find buses more infuriating as where I am in north London there is often already 2 on, and I have to get a bus to the station. Once on the tube network escalators are great if you have big wheels and I have never not found someone offering to help me. Department stores museums art galleries and hotels are your friend with accessible loos & at railway stations you don't have to pay to access the baby change - the Tate is near London Bridge for instance.

I think probably tourist combination plus 14 weeks being far enough out from birth that you feel you should be on top of life again but in reality it is just compounded exhaustion is probably the issue not TFL... You will get used to it & it will seem manageable again xx

[Artandco]

Oh for baby changing, if I wasn't going into a cafe, I usually found a park or grassy square garden and changed dss nappy in a quiet Corner on grass or bench. There's public garden squares or parks everywhere in London. And a park bench with changing mat or the grass is usually far cleaner than public toilets.

[Riversiderunner]

I've got 3 DC and think London is the best place in the world for children!

They go everywhere free on public transport, there's so much to see and do, and they have friends of every race and religion. Plus the doctors are world class.

Hate the baby stage tho' so don't envy you that. But I bet you won't feel this way in a few years' time!

[ElizaSchuyler]

Never taken a baby to London but I remember 15 years ago having a similarly awful day in Chester with 3 week old dd.

You just have to get used to different types of restaurants etc & knowing the location of every McDonalds!

Also this time of year will be manic with crowds.

[WheresTheEvidence]

I know you said babyzen one of lightest buggies available but what you need is something easy to fold/lightweight and compact.