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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be paranoid about taking DD inside the London tube?

42 replies

eskimomama · 07/06/2010 14:15

OK... this may or may not sound extreme, but I've never ever taken the tube with my 8 month old DD, and always opted for cabs whenever we had to go somewhere, apart from the Heathrow express...

I'm already feeling awfully guilty about raising her in such a polluted city, and I've always hated the tube and its disgusting air (black snot, anyone?).
On top of that the tube was my worst pregnancy experience, people were just ignoring my bump and were never giving me a seat ever. I just hate the tube.

But I can't afford the cabs much longer, and buses can take forever... DH says I should give the tube a try every now and then as cabs are too expensive. She's 8 months now, and allergic to a few things (dairy, eggs, gluten, not pollens as far as I know).

I feel that exposing her to the tube will just be wrong for her health, is that crazy??

I feel guilty and paranoid!! I would just stay around our area all the time if I could...

OP posts:

plantsitter · 07/06/2010 14:18

My DD thinks the tube is about the best experience there is. Lots of interesting noises, people to look at, swaying about... I think you should try it.

It's quite different when it's not rush hour and there is usually at least 1 Italian teenager who will think the baby is so cute she could squeeze her cheeks.

And the health risks can't be any worse than being at ground level in Central London - sorry.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 07/06/2010 14:18

Hmm. Without meaning to be mean - I think this is a bit nuts. My two have both been taken on the tube since they were newborns and I've seen no ill effects. I can't imagine it is much worse than having them at street level with all the pollution from the cars.

Morloth · 07/06/2010 14:19

I can't imagine the tube is any more polluted than street level in London TBH, it could possibly be less so.

The bus is so much easier because no steps, but you are right in that they take forever.

KnitterNotTwitter · 07/06/2010 14:23

I first took my DS on the tube at about 3 months (he slept the whole time!), he's been on it regularly since then - and might actually be going on it today FWIW.

It's not THAT toxic - the blackness is just soot, and the fact that it's in your snot means it isn't in your lungs....

At 8mo you'll probably find your DC LOVES it and you'll be wondering why you didn't take them on it before....

Superfly · 07/06/2010 14:24

The air quality in deep level tubes are tested regularly, they would have to be at the very least for passengers and staff alike. Staff spend far longer periods while working than transient cusromers so if there was any risk to their health it it could be mananged.

Both my DS have been on and off tubes all thier lives (my DS1 was 8 days old on his first trip out - not done him any harm unless teenage tantrums and sulks were an after effect)

Clary · 07/06/2010 14:26

Sorry but you get black sont just from living in London! I rarely caught the tube when I lived there and still had it.

It's just a mucky place. Sorry to any London-lovers!

OP you do not need to be paranoid. She will be fine on teh Tube.

BikiniBottom · 07/06/2010 14:26

I had a bad experience on the tube when I was pregnant but I found it was a whole different world with a baby. People always helped with the buggy, gave up seats etc. I think many are terrified they will mistake pregnancy for someone being overweight. And like someone else said, it is positively civilised when it is not rush hour. Just give it a go. I think you may be pleasantly surprised. Plus in a buggy kids faces are right next to car exhaust fumes so it may even be better.

Superfly · 07/06/2010 14:26

Sorry customers and managed.

Must put the Hob Nobs down

FranSanDisco · 07/06/2010 14:27

inside the London tube? Do you mean going on the tube. Some people, like myself have to slum it and live to tell the tale. Live dangerously and give it a go

wishingchair · 07/06/2010 14:27

I think she will be absolutely fine. Completely different experience when it's not rush hour and it's not like you're going to be riding the tube all day long so only a few minutes here and there is not going to have any adverse effects on her health. In fact, I've never heard of any adverse health effects from using the tube ... surely roadside is worse with all those exhaust fumes blasting out at pushchair level?

The only annoyance is you need to make sure you know where the lifts are as lugging buggies up and down those steps is not fun.

MrsRhettButler · 07/06/2010 14:29

DO NOT GO ON THE TUBE!!! i don't, though i'm more bothered about the bombs than the pollution....

but i don't go on trains either... in case they crash apparently i'm weird

minipie · 07/06/2010 14:30

Erm. I can imagine not wanting to take your
PFB DD on the tube because of the hassle of getting the pram on and off, but not because of pollution!

YABU

Francagoestohollywood · 07/06/2010 14:30

Black snot? Dh lived in London for years and has never mentioned black snot.

OP, I think you are being a bit paranoid, but it's easy to be paranoid one way or another when our children are still babies!

rewardgirl · 07/06/2010 14:31

Are you sure you're not disguising your fear / dislike of the tube as concern for your dc?

Rush hour with a child is horrific, but avoid those times and you should be fine. Kids need to build up their immune system anyway, especially living in London!

Give it a go once, and if you still really hate it, then stick to the buses / cycling with a seat on the back.

Good luck!

BeehiveBaby · 07/06/2010 14:33

You definitely get black snot. DDs go on the tube a few times a year (we live far from London) but we'd be on it all the time if we lived there. I was a regular preschool tube hopper apparently and no ill effects .

Morloth · 07/06/2010 14:34

Do you go in cars MrsRhettButler?

As for bombs, terrorists do not get to dictate my actions.

MrsRhettButler · 07/06/2010 14:37

yes i drive... i know i'm a bit ott and unreasonable but i don't like trains, so trains underground with no escape! terrifying!

and btw, terrorists will dictate your actions if you happen to be somewhere a bomb is... (no pun intended)

Tidey · 07/06/2010 14:38

I love the tube, it's freakin brilliant that London has it and I'm a little bit jealous that I don't live somewhere that has such a fantastically convenient and cheap method of transport. Probably wouldn't be as impressed if I lived there, but as an occasional visitor I think it's great. Agree it is a bit mucky but nothing life threatening as far I've seen so far.

Morloth · 07/06/2010 14:41

Of course, but if people stopped using a great means of transport because of a few crazies then what sort of situation would we be in?

I don't like being underground much either, but it is a very efficient way of getting around. Given the choice though I will always go for the bus, it is just easier.

MumNWLondon · 07/06/2010 14:43

I live in London and have taken DS2 on the tube several times and he's only 8 weeks old.

I wouldn't travel at rush hour though, and I prefer buses were possible as easier to get on and off.

Tidey · 07/06/2010 14:44

I hope I haven't offended anyone with my last post, I just meant it's probably not that bad germwise. I worded that very badly.

mamatomany · 07/06/2010 14:49

Blimey I remember when you could smoke on the tube what would you all have done then, it was like traveling inside a nicotine patch

NanKid · 07/06/2010 14:53

The tube rocks. I couldn't live without it.

Take a few short, easy journeys first and build your confidence. Avoid rush hour (packed trains, moody knackered people devoid of patience). Do your research so that you can, where possible, use stations with lifts (the one pain in the arse about tubes and buggies - stairs!).

Seriously, I'd rather hop on the tube than sit in traffic any day.

sarah293 · 07/06/2010 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

rewardgirl · 07/06/2010 14:54

Tidey - if it's any consolation, I wasn't at all offended - agree entirely and I've lived in London for 13 years. Fine getting around generally but rush hour is hell so not great if you live here and work in town (which most of us do). Deffo a bit mucky, but nothing that won't boost your immune system / will kill you off generally.
That said, I always wash my hands as soon as I get where I'm going - especially if I've been strap-hanging.

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