Baby on train etiquette?

[olivebean]

Possibly a silly question, sorry (!), but I've never taken a baby on a train before. It's a short journey (20 mins) by myself with my 13 month old. Can I leave her in her buggy when I get on or will I have to collapse it and sit her on my knee? Just wondering logistically how I'm going to collapse a buggy whilst holding a baby in one arm 🤦🏼‍♀️ so would prefer to leave her in it for the journey. What's the rules/etiquette with this? Thank you!

I used to always get the train into town with kiddo in the buggy, about 20mins. I avoided rush hour but either stood in the vestibule bit and moved to the opposite side when the doors opened or went to the carriage with the loo in. It has pull down seats and bike/wheelchair spaces which you can use if they're empty. This is Scotrail- appreciate other train setups may vary!

Oh also some of the older carriages on the suburban lines had very small tables so there was a gap rather than a table in front of the last 2 seats in a set of 3. If the train was quiet it was easy to park the buggy there and sit down

Those of you who can collapse a buggy with one hand - can I ask how? On mine you have to slide back a clip on both handles simultaneously so it would never be possible without using both hands!

Once on board collapse your buggy and stow both it and the baby in the luggage racks at the end of the carriage.

I bought one of those cheapy lightweight buggies as soon as I possibly could, I think it's 6 months when they can hold their head? Because I remember having to collapse buggies all the time whilst holding the baby with one hand. Cafes, restaurants, styles, shops, travel, steps, etc. It must be very area and lifestyle dependent I guess because like a previous poster, it was a daily occurrence.

It's actually bringing back memories of being in mother care (slight topical tangent - would that be called if it still existed?! Uterus-bearer care?) and testing all the buggies whilst holding my dd to see which was the easiest to collapse/put back up whilst holding her. That was the factor I based my buggy choice on.

We had the baby jogger city mini, it has a central strap you pull and its definitely single hand folding, absolutely stress saving!!

I took small folding pram on recent long train trips (babyzen yo-yo).
Was really handy as it fits folded above seat on rack or of floor by feet under seat if needed. I left it up once when Ds was asleep and empty train so space.
otheriwise most the other trains were too busy.

Ive got 2 kids, live in London, use public transport all the time and excluding airports have still never folded a pram one handed whilst holding baby. I’d just stand by the doors and make sure you’re not in anyone’s way by moving to the other side whenever the doors open.

😂

This is the buggy I have. Can I do it one handed, anyone know?! 🤔

Do bear in mind that other people will probably be really happy to help. If it’s so busy that you need to fold your buggy then one of those people will probably be happy to hold a child for a couple of seconds. Or just hold their hand.

Sorry I meant no offence by the term "milling about" 🙈😂 I certainly didn't mean doing nothing. I just meant "present" on the platform 😂

Thanks for the advice!

Trains are much easier than buses, IMO. I used to either stand in the disabled or bike area. Or if those were in use I'd stand in the vestibule. Once everyone is on, I'd move to the opposite side of the train, away from the doors people needed to get off. No fuss, and we were out of the way 🙂

Just don't forget to get the baby down from the luggage rack at end of journey.

I’m doing a 4 hour train journey with a 6 month old this weekend and I am dreading it 😩 not even taking a buggy as can’t even imagine the logistics for that with the change I need to do 😂

you'll be fine for 20 mins, don’t worry OP 😁

@LorW Have you considered booking assistance (link in my earlier post). It could be invaluable if the trains are busy.

Check the type of train, if you have to go up stairs to get on you might not have the option of leaving your baby in the buggy.

You can ask for assistance at the station but they usually want 48 hours notice but they will get you on the train safely.

We’ve always found there’s usually space in the disabled section of the train. Look for the doors with the wheelchair sign above them & get on there. People usually will offer their seats if you’re getting on with a pram. Depends on how busy it is obviously. we’ve Spent lots of time on trains with our DC over the years.

we’ve never had to collapse the buggy.

I used trains constantly when mine were in buggies. I never had to collapse a buggy, apart from on Eurostar, and I have never seen anyone else collapse one.The one in your picture takes up less space than a big person or a large suitcase.

Just remembered what I did the last time I was in the UK and had to take a train with my baby, I took a sling too and on the platform while waiting for the train I transferred baby to the sling so then I was able to fold the buggy with two hands and sit down on the train no problem (well, there was a problem because other people had sat in our reserved seats and the train was packed hmph but eventually got to sit down) so I would suggest a sling if you have one/can borrow one.

Honestly don’t overthink it Is my advice. DS has been on buses, tubes and trains since he was 4 weeks old. I was a bit nervous the first time I did a long journey but I planned it all out with knowing where lifts were etc and wheeled him right in to the train and the buggy stayed up as there’s a designated carriage. Yes it’s for wheelchairs too but there was plenty of space for both! I didn’t need assistance at all but I guess it depends on the train line and station.

If I need a wee usually someone is more than willing to have him on their knee for a minute. Although I know this is Mumsnet and other people being allowed to hold your baby is not commonplace 🤣and I get you do have to be quite trusting…

have the confidence, it’ll probably be easier than you think!

On our local trains the step is too high to get a buggy on without someone helping to lift it. Would a light holiday type of buggy and a backpack for all of your stuff be any good?

Hi OP, where are you? In larger Northern trains, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast there are usually dedicated buggy/wheelchair spaces.

Just to add when you get off, you get off first and then pull the buggy off backwards. So back wheels first. Much easier than forwards where you risk tipping the baby, especially if the gap is big.
But unless the train is rammed should be easy. If it is rammed, at least there's plenty of people to hold the baby while you fold the buggy.

There'll be somewhere for wheelchairs/bikes which often have some fold down seats. It's fine to use this space as long as there isn't anyone who needs the space more than you.