Long train journey with 12 week old-hand hold/advice please!

[ASplendidMoomin]

Hello all, I’d really appreciate some advice. My DS is ten weeks old and in a couple of weeks we are travelling from London to Cornwall for our first family holiday. We booked it just before he decided he really hates his car seat (cries whenever in it). As he’s my PFB I couldn’t bear the idea of a day-long car journey even stopping every couple of hours to feed and soothe etc so I’ve booked train tickets for him and me, and DH will drive down with all the stuff.

My question is, what should I take with me on the train? I was thinking of having him in the sling and then taking a small carry cot thing so I’ve got somewhere to put him down. Then a backpack with changing stuff. I’m EBF.

Sorry this is lame, I haven’t travelled further than local area with him on my own. What else do I need to think about/take with me? Any tips/hacks from seasoned travellers would be gratefully received, thanks in advance.

You’ll be fine! I regularly travveled London to Edinburgh with babies and I found prefereable to cars and flights as you can move around if they start screaming!

A sling is very sensible and you’ll need when you go to the loo! I always took a nice big scarf for myself as trains can be a bit nippy when sitting for long periods and BF. Take a small blanket for the baby so if he falls asleep in your arms you can cover him. I always used to plan on not using the cafe so take enough food and drnk for you which is easy to eat and drink one handed.

Make sure the bag you take can fit on the overhead rack so it’s easily accessible and put everything in separate bags so food, changing stuff etc. And have a small bag with valuables, muslin etc with you at your seat. Take a few spear changes of clothes for the baby and think about one for yourself in case of sick, wee, drink spillage. Think about what you might do when the baby is napping and take ipad and headphones or whatever anything you could do one handed.

I have always found other sympatgetic people on the train who would hold the baby for a minute, help with getting stuff off the train etc. You may have already booked a sear but if not choose an aisle seat so you don’t get stuck in the window. Enjoy Cornwall!

My DS always falls asleep with the rocking so fingers crossed yours will have a good nap! People are generally really helpful I find. Train travel was much easier than driving for us as DS is still a car hater (at 14 months )

Thank you for the great advice- much appreciated.

How long is the journey? Not a train, but I took an 8 hour flight with my DD when she was 12 weeks. She was an angel (unlike her her toddler brother).

Definitely take the sling. I basically spent the whole flight sitting with her in it and only took her out to feed and for her to sit and look around a bit. DD loved the sling though and always went right to sleep in it.

I personally wouldn’t bother with the carry cot as it’s just more to carry. Just take a blanket to put on the chair or table if you need to put him down. I’d say there’s bound to be someone over the moon to hold a tiny baby for a few minutes though.

Yes to 2 sets of spare clothes. And a top for yourself. Plenty of bibs and muslins. And then book, ipad, Phone etc for you to sit and chill. And don’t forget a bottle of water and a snack!

I tell you, I wish I’d taken the twins away when they were smaller - we didn’t until they were 17 months old and it’s so much harder now!

make sure you have booked a seat. The train will probably be very busy until Plymouth,so there might not be anywhere to put a carry cot

There will be a buffet car, so depends if you want to totter along holding baby and drinks, or take your own supplies

Its a nice journey, particularly exeter to Dawlish stretch

If you can afford it, book an extra seat for the baby. You can use it for baby/stuff/to rest your arm properly on the arm rest when you bf or if your baby has fallen asleep on you in an awkward position. It might be worth buying a Friends And Family Railcard. You can travel with a child under 5 on this railcard as long as they have an over-5s ticket, and the last time that we did a long train journey (admittedly 2 adults and 2 small children) the card paid for itself on the first return trip.

Thanks so much - pileoflaundry that’s exactly what I’ve done, so the baby has a seat too. I’ve booked seats right near the carriage entrance and therefore the loo to make things easier.
Caterina99, you may have a point about the carry cot. It’s only 3h45min so might be fine with just the sling.

It sounds wonderful.
The sling on its own should be fine. Stock up on a good quality train picnic, and have a lovely time.

Look for the disabled seats as bigger loo with baby change plus more space to store a pram. Train will probably send them to sleep but make sure you have snacks and drinks for yourself!

Try to choose a seat with plenty of leg room. I did 7 hours with DS when he was about 4 months and it was very squashed.

Take as little Luggage as you possibly can. Seriously.