Baby friendly places in Startford, East London

[laughorcry]

Does anyone know this area?

DH is going to have to spend two days with ds in Stratford next week (I have to work for two days there in the middle of my maternity leave and he will be bringing ds in for feeds during the day).

Looking for somewhere where he will be able to change ds. Also wondering if there are any nice cafes and any decent shops to buy baby stuff.

Expect most of the East Londoners will be away at the mo, but thought it worth a go.

tia

Sorry - title line should say Stratford, East London.

Wonder if will be able to work with my preggy-brain.

There's a Pizza Express, just north of the shopping centre. Stratford's a bit grim.

Ooh, we are taking ds to Stratford next month so we can visit this place .

Don't know if your baby is the right age to enjoy it, but it claims to be fun for 0 - 8 year olds. I am really excited about it, it sounds completely different to anywhere we have visited before!

Dp gets the train to Stratford then cycles to work, so I will ask him if he's spotted anywhere else useful on his travels.

Thanks all.

Lockets - whereabouts are the Mothercare and Tchibo? If I am remembering right, there is a shopping centre quite close to the station. Are they in/near there?

NQC - oh dear. Won't pass that on to dh. Think he is already dreading it!

frannyf - ds only 12 weeks but have had a quick look on the website and it is very close to where we will be. Would be nice for dh to know that there is definitely somewhere baby friendly to hang out and the story garden looks suitable for any age. That's great tip.

Mothercare and Tchibo are both in the shopping centre near the station.

Discover is just a short walk away too.

You know, if he wants somewhere nice and easy to hang out with lots of changing places, Canary Wharf is only a short DLR ride away. No baby shops really, but lots of lovely shops. It's clean and nice.

The Stratford Shopping Centre allows smoking, and is really quite trashy. Nice Mothercare though, and a big Woolworth's too. Oh, and Adams or something like that - lots of places for cheap kids clothes.

There is a cafe next to the library called cafe Mondo which is v baby friendly with plenty of space for buggy's etc. No changing facility but a big disabled loo if you can face doing it on a mat in there! (don't get it confused with the other cafe mondo which is on West Ham Lane - it's much smaller and not so good with a buggy) Pizza Express also great ( the manager will often pick your baby up if it's crying whilst you are eating!) Think the Tchibo cafe has shut and it's just a shop now, but wouldn't swear to it. Mothercare and Adams are in the shopping centre and mothercare has change/feed facilities. Also Nando's is in the centre and also good with noisy babies/kids. West Ham park is only ten mins walk from Stratford centre and is really lovely with playground etc. Finally, on a tuesday morning the cinema does a Big Scream showing where you can take babies in - they usually have 3 or 4 films to choose from - starts at 11 and doors open at 10.30 - highly recommend it! Hope this helps...

NQC - now I just have to convince dh that we need some more babyclothes. Am amazed shopping centre still allows smoking - can't think of any others that do. Must make it pretty skuzzy. Think even short DLR ride prob too much as idea is that he can rush in with ds if he gets hungry.

Lucy99 - ta for that. We will be there Tues morning, so ds may get first trip to the cinema at 12 weeks.

I used to go shopping here, as we used to live in West Ham. It's ok in Stratford IMO. Haven't been there since I was in Labour though, shopping for nursing bras, sleep suits, tens machines, oh and a Freeview box (DP would you believe?) with soggy waters broken trousers, lovely. Theres a sainsbury's too, which is small but nice. They have a market in the shopping centre which isn't wonderful. Theres a New Look, Dorothy Perkins. Would second the Cafe Mondo in the nice bit next to the Library and Safeways. It's lovely. A weatherspoons near there for cheap and cheerful food. Quite a few pubs in fact, was a popular destination for DP, although they search you for weapons at Yates. I live in Barking now but would much rather live there .

I've been to Discover and it's lovely. I brought 4 children aged 2 to 6 yo and they loved it so Fannyf I'm sur eyou'll have a great time.

Ooh, I can't wait! I think the Story Garden is free to get in, if I have remembered right? So I guess laughorcry's dh could always just pop in there to change a nappy if desperate (and if it's not chucking down like it is now).

or get on a short bus/train/cab to Ilford there is lots there.
mothercare,tchibo,sainsburys,debenhams,marks and spencers, childs play (designer shop),big boots,
lots of baby friendly areas to eat such as the massive food court in the exchange shopping mall that has baby facilities.

Thanks for extra ideas. I thought the story garden at Discovery looked really nice. Also, guess that it might be possible for dh to get cup of tea or something there and hang out.

I like the idea of designer kids' clothes, but have a funny feeling dh might consider that a little bit of a complete waste of money!

Am trying to be very nice to dh, though, as ds seems to have suddenly decided that playing with his hands is far more important than sleeping, so could be a long couple of days...

Well, we made it. Didn't get to Discovery, but many thanks for the Pizza Express tip. It gave us the courage to have our first meal out since the baby arrived - the staff were lovely.

See what you mean about the shopping centre though NQC.