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Original poster

getting a 3 month old round central london

16 replies

donna3 · 26/08/2006 21:25

I've got to take my by then 3 month old son to St Thomas' hospital in a few weeks time to have an operation on his cleft lip. I'm trying to work out the logistics of getting me, a baby and a bag/ suitcase with enough clothes, feeding equipment etc in it for us both for 3 days to central London. To make things more interesting we have to go to Guys in the morning to get photos done first, so have to go to Waterloo, then London bridge, then back to Waterloo.
Can you take a buggy on the tube or easily on a train? I'm a rookie mum, so have no idea how these things work. Advice please!

OP posts:
pedilia · 26/08/2006 21:34

trains and tube are accessible with a buggy if you avoid rush hour, however many stations have only stairs and no lift and not everyone will help take a buggy up!!

Try and take a rucksack or bag you can carry on your shoulder as buggy and suitcase will not mix!

hester · 26/08/2006 21:35

Don't panic, Donna, Waterloo and London Bridge are not very far apart - just two stops on the Jubilee Line. I think the Transport for London website gives information on which stations have stairs, lifts etc. I'm sure there must be a bus that goes between the two, though, and that's what I'd choose with a buggy. Alternatively, and if you can afford it, a black cab is probably the least stressful option.

Hang on, I'll see what I can find out and come back. (I'm sure someone else will have answered this within about three minutes, though.)

MagicGenie · 26/08/2006 21:40

Bus is easier with a buggy....it'll be a bit of a struggle on the tube. I know it's only 2 stops but you're unlikely to come across a kind person who isn't in a rush to help you.

If you want to use public transport, see if you can get someone to go with you to help out.0

Otherwise, I'd strongly recommend saving up a bit of money and getting a cab. It'll be so much easier.

Mercy · 26/08/2006 21:46

donna, where are you coming from and what time are your appointments?

We can help work out the details for you but I think as Hester says a cab may be your best bet in the circumstances, if you can afford it.

Isn't Marina the London transport queen ?

hester · 26/08/2006 21:49

OK, bus RV1 goes between Waterloo and London Bridge, takes about 20 minutes (probably less out of rush hour).

ruthydd · 27/08/2006 08:56

Personally I would walk along the South Bank from Waterloo to London Bridge, but if I had a heavy bag/suitcase then I'd get a cab. Are your appointments close together ? If so, I'd consider trying to change one of the appointments so you don't have to panic about time.

Most importantly, don't be affraid to ask for help. If people don't offer (which they often don't) and you politely say "excuse me, please could you help me with the stairs", in my experience, they will willingly help and be a bit embarrassed for not having offered. Choose someone who looks strong and not in too much of a rush.

Good luck. Either way, its likely to will be less bad than you're expecting.

ruthydd · 27/08/2006 09:07

Sorry, I should have pointed out that the walk along the South Bank is long, if pleasant, and to allow at least 1/2 hour!

footprint · 27/08/2006 09:42

Hi Donna!
Do you have a sling?? They are so much easier on trains etc and a 3 month old is still not too heavy. I took my dd aged 3 months to England - that was 3 trains with changes, then the airport plus another train in England. I took a large rucksack on my back and baby in Didymos on the front.

People are generally friendly and offer to help if they see you with a small baby. I would def recommend a sling and rucksack.

Original poster
donna3 · 27/08/2006 12:02

Thanks for the advice everybody.I do have a funky baby carrier thingb(Baby bjorn) we bought to go walking with, and I'm beginning to think that might be the way forward as I think getting a buggy on and off trains and up excalators etc could be interesting.
I could then hopefully travel light and stick our stuff in a rucksack so could be relatively hands free. The only hassle would be its then very hard to put him down anywhere without a buggy to lie him in, but should be ok.
The Guys appt for photos is at 11, and we have to be at Tommys for 2pm (apparently the photographic dept closes for lunch 12-2 so can't get appts closer together, but at least it gives me time to get between the two). I think there's a shuttle bus between the two sites, or as you say I could walk it if my bags not too heavy. I'm coming from Guildford so at least its not horrendously far, and might even be able to change at Clapham or somewhere so I don;t have to go to Waterloo and back out again...

OP posts:
fuzzywuzzy · 27/08/2006 12:50

both waterloo station(on the jubilee line bit at list), and London bridge have lifts....

fuzzywuzzy · 27/08/2006 12:51

at least....

I'd take a buggy, otherwise your carrying loads of things.

TheBlonde · 27/08/2006 12:54

If you can get your stuff in a rucksack then a buggy should be okay

I wouldn't recommend changing at clapham as there is no lift and the stairs are awful

Amiable · 27/08/2006 13:18

As Hester says Waterloo to London Bridge is only two stops on the Jubilee line, AND is step free so do-able with a buggy etc. Go to www.tfl.gov.uk for info

Original poster
donna3 · 28/08/2006 14:34

If there are lifts at Waterloo and London Bridge then it should be fine with a buggy and a rucksack I think. The rate DS is growing I think he's going to pretty heavy to carry in a sling with a bag as well, although it might be easier for getting on and off trains etc. I'm hoping to get someone to come with me for moral support and buggy lugging anyway, but its good to have a contingency plan.
Can you bump a buggy up onto a train or do you normally have to lift it? I've not been on a train since I had him and can't remember how big / high the step up usually is!

OP posts:
Flossam · 28/08/2006 14:42

There is a bus between the two sites - I used to take it! I thought it was for staff though - but if you know about it I must be wrong. It isn't IIRC a buggy friendly bus though like the other London buses are. TBH getting the tube from Waterloo to London Bridge and back again shouldn't be too big a problem. I used to work at tommies and used to drag DS into work with me at times so know it well. I reckon at those times you will be fine with the lifts and the buggy. And I did always find that people were happy to help - if you were to be faced with stairs anywhere (which with lifts at both staions I would think unlikely) just pause for a moment to work out the best way to get up and 9/10 someone will be happy to help. Good luck and hope the op goes well.

Original poster
donna3 · 30/08/2006 11:31

They mentioned about the shuttle bus on my admission letter! Sounds as if the tube might be easier though, or if its a nice day I'll do the Thames path walk.
I'm beginning to think a buggy might not be a bad plan and would save my back from the combined weight of the baby carrier and a big rucksack...

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