Long Train Journey With 6 Month Old

[Bluejayway91]

Hi all,

If lockdown restrictions continue to ease as planned, I'd like to visit my Grandad who lives about 150 miles away.

The issue is that neither I or my husband drive, so we would need to go on a train via Birmingham. The journey from our house would be an hour and then a change at Birmingham, a 20 minute wait, and then a 2 and a half hour journey. With a 6 month old.

Has anyone done a journey like this with a baby around this age? The plan is to wear him or have him on our laps. Annoyingly, the train company we would use do not allow you to book seats. Another spanner in the works.

As my Grandad is 90 and has a whole host of health issues, I don't think it would be right to ask him to drive all the way up to us.

We also don't have any family who could drive us to and from our destination.

Not train but I've flown a few times with a baby - it's easier before they start crawling/walking. As well as a sling, I'd take an umbrella stroller or similar, even if baby is being carried it's useful to have somewhere to put all your stuff, especially if you can't guarantee a seat. Pack lightly, I'd buy nappies there rather than taking loads with you (depending on how long you're going for) for example. I'd take a few small interesting toys and some snacks and hope for the best.

I think you’ll be fine. I took my 6month old on an hour train journey recently and he was a dream. Popped him in the sling and had him on our laps on the train. He loved looking out of the window and the tannoy made him giggle. He was so excited he didn’t even want to fall asleep! There were also seats near the end of carriage for those with a disability/pregnant/with a child so just try and land one of those. Enjoy x

Train is much easier with a baby than a car IME. Trains are not full atm either, so I am sure you will be fine.

I took my daughter to Brussels via Eurostar at that age and she loved it. She sat on my lap, looked out of the window, slept a bit and was wonderful. On the next leg (the following day due to a storm) she cried a bit on the train so I stood in the bit between carriages for a while until she calmed down. I think it is a great age to travel - no running toddler to chase!

I would also take small folding pram if possible. Means you can put him in it at station for a break, and you could use on train to rock him back and forth to sleep if he won’t settle.
Something like the babyzen yo-yo or equivalent would be worth getting if your likely to use trains and buses more over the next few years. It will fold and fit on luggage rack above head on train when not in use, and narrow enough to fit down aisles

Thank you for your replies. We'll be taking a pram as well, as we'll be staying with my Grandad for a few days, so hopefully there should be enough room in the luggage compartment.