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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reborn dolls in the pram bay

680 replies

gezelligheid · 31/08/2023 07:34

A couple of times now I've been unable to get on the bus with my baby in a pram because there are two local women who take their reborn dolls out in prams and take up the pram bays. I know they are reborn dolls as I've seen the dolls in their pram.

I understand people have reborn dolls for many different reasons but to take up a space meaning a real baby can't get on the bus surely isn't fair?

I've complained to the bus service and they've said they cannot monitor whether babies are real or not so if they get on the bus first I should ask them to put their pram down upon boarding.

I'm worried this will cause an altercation on the bus so I'm wondering AIBU to say something on the bus even though it may be embarrassing for the women?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
YouHoooo · 31/08/2023 07:40

Either fold your own pram and carry your baby, or asks them to fold theirs. I don’t think there’s another option?

I’d ask them to fold, and if they’re embarrassed, that’s their lookout.

Eachpeachpears · 31/08/2023 07:41

I would not mention the reborn dolls but as a mum if another mum is wanting to get on the bus I would take my child out of the buggy and fold the buggy down to make room and I would expect another parent to do the same (not with a newborn obviously for safety reasons). So when boarding I would say "of would you mind folding the buggy down" and if they say no then politely say something about making room for everyone. If they refused on the grounds of safety I would then point out their doll will be safe in arms. But go the polite route first. This is obviously dependant on your child's age and if it's safe for them to leave the buggy and sit on your lap on the bus.

MeridianB · 31/08/2023 07:48

In this situation I believe they should absolutely be asked to fold their prams and be embarrassed.

Original poster
gezelligheid · 31/08/2023 08:03

Whilst I could put my pram down and hold my baby on the bus, it would mean giving my baby to a stranger to do so as he's not old enough to sit on a seat on his own whilst I put the pram down. I do also think it's safer for them to put their pram down and hold their doll or put their doll on the seat than it is to hold a baby on the bus.

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 31/08/2023 08:09

No:, dolls in prams should not take precedence over babies

BashCandicoot · 31/08/2023 08:13

MeridianB · 31/08/2023 07:48

In this situation I believe they should absolutely be asked to fold their prams and be embarrassed.

This. Does anyone seriously think otherwise? That a real baby should come second to a bloody doll??

Testina · 31/08/2023 08:14

Why would it cause an altercation to ask them to put their prams down?
If they want to play pretend, they can go the whole hog and act like a real parent, holding baby and folding.
For your own issue of not being able to hold and fold - get a lightweight sling, pop baby in whilst you sort the pram.

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 31/08/2023 08:14

They need to be told to move them! How ridiculous to pander to this!

CuriousPorg · 31/08/2023 08:14

If they're anything like the local reborn dolls collective in our town they take them out in these huge metal prams like the Victorian era which I assume cannot be taken down.

I guess your best bet is to put baby in a sling while you wait for the bus and fold down yours, or just use a sling.

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/08/2023 08:15

gezelligheid · 31/08/2023 08:03

Whilst I could put my pram down and hold my baby on the bus, it would mean giving my baby to a stranger to do so as he's not old enough to sit on a seat on his own whilst I put the pram down. I do also think it's safer for them to put their pram down and hold their doll or put their doll on the seat than it is to hold a baby on the bus.

While I think you definitely have a point about the reborn doll prams taking up space on the bus, but I also think the bus company has one about not wanting to police which prams have a real baby in them or not, could you get a sling to pop in the shelf under the pram for this situation? That way if the bus is already full with prams you can pop the baby in there while you fold yours down and still be able to get on.

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 31/08/2023 08:17

How do you 'pop' a baby into a sling whilst boarding a bus? What a faff

Just tell them to move the toys

LakeTiticaca · 31/08/2023 08:17

CuriousPorg · 31/08/2023 08:14

If they're anything like the local reborn dolls collective in our town they take them out in these huge metal prams like the Victorian era which I assume cannot be taken down.

I guess your best bet is to put baby in a sling while you wait for the bus and fold down yours, or just use a sling.

I had no idea people actually did this!!

Original poster
gezelligheid · 31/08/2023 08:18

In response to bringing the baby carrier/sling with me, that's a good idea thank you. Will always be handy in case there are other prams with real babies in too :)

OP posts:
CharlotteBog · 31/08/2023 08:18

I'd be interested in a reborn doll owners POV and whether they think it's ok for their doll to take priority over a human.

User1324593 · 31/08/2023 08:19

LakeTiticaca · 31/08/2023 08:17

I had no idea people actually did this!!

Show quote history

They should just put their dolls in a sling!

bellac11 · 31/08/2023 08:19

The world has literally gone mad

Wheresthebloomingsummersunshine · 31/08/2023 08:21

I cant believe that people hog the wheelchair/pram space on busses with their toy dolls! Bejesus!

MyMotherWorked15Hours5DaysAWeek · 31/08/2023 08:22

Wow that’s weirdly fascinating! I’ve never personally seen this. I would like to though 🤣

MichelleScarn · 31/08/2023 08:22

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/08/2023 08:15

While I think you definitely have a point about the reborn doll prams taking up space on the bus, but I also think the bus company has one about not wanting to police which prams have a real baby in them or not, could you get a sling to pop in the shelf under the pram for this situation? That way if the bus is already full with prams you can pop the baby in there while you fold yours down and still be able to get on.

Show quote history

In that case a child with their dolly in a toy pram gets equal precedent to the space where the pram is over a human child?

rileynexttime · 31/08/2023 08:24

I would not mention the reborn dolls but as a mum if another mum is wanting to get on the bus I would take my child out of the buggy and fold the buggy down to make room and I would expect another parent to do the same (not with a newborn obviously for safety reasons). So when boarding I would say "of would you mind folding the buggy down" and if they say no then politely say something about making room for everyone. If they refused on the grounds of safety I would then point out their doll will be safe in arms. But go the polite route first. This is obviously dependant on your child's age and if it's safe for them to leave the buggy and sit on your lap on the bus.

This^

Mummy08m · 31/08/2023 08:26

Yanbu OP. There's definitely an order of precedence in those bays and it goes something like disabled, baby in pram, toddler in pram. Doll in pram is not even on the list.

I get a bit tired and grumpy when I'm looking after dd and lots of shopping bags. I must admit I'd go full-on unclassy and tell them off in front of everyone.

Testina · 31/08/2023 08:27

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 31/08/2023 08:17

How do you 'pop' a baby into a sling whilst boarding a bus? What a faff

Just tell them to move the toys

That bit where you’re stood at the bus stop waiting for the bus doing nothing?
Takes under a minute to put a sling on and lift baby in.
Nothing to do with these idiots and their toys* it can be necessary for wheelchair users and other parents with prams.

*I have every sympathy for those owning dolls for therapeutic reasons - but not in prams on buses

Diffrent · 31/08/2023 08:28

Mental illness/disability aside, why in the ever loving fuck would anyone think a doll has precedence over an actual human baby? Come on, people.

Quizshowwife · 31/08/2023 08:28

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 31/08/2023 08:17

How do you 'pop' a baby into a sling whilst boarding a bus? What a faff

Just tell them to move the toys

Exactly! I could never manage a sling at the best of times let alone when manoeuvring a buggy!!

berksandbeyond · 31/08/2023 08:28

I would 100% tell them (not ask) to move because they are ridiculous. Their mental health is not my problem