Anyone got tips for using a sling on the bus?

[Letterbox22]

Hi everyone, I'm new on here. I don't drive and go everywhere by bus with my 8 month old, at the moment I have a fold up stroller but would like to use my baby carrier instead. But has anyone got any tips for keeping baby happy in the bus, as he always wants to crawl. Thanks so much

Unbuckle baby carrier, sit down where there’s a good window view so you can point to stuff and place baby on your lap. Oh and have a couple toys/books in your bag! If you come across any other suggestions beyond that I’ll take note !

It sounds like you haven't tried the carrier on the bus yet? If not there's a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised - both of mine were/are always really happy and settled in the sling on the bus, I think because of the movement.

Either stand up and jiggle, or sit down and let him out to sit on your knee and look out of the window and have a bit of a wriggle. I found slings so much better on the bus, no worries about getting off for a wheelchair user or not fitting on due to other buggies.

Thanks so much for your encouragement and replies! I have bought a carrier and I will practice with it soon. Can I ask did you guys take an umbrella stroller with you at all when out and about or did you always manage just with the carrier? Thanks again

I would keep the baby in the sling while on the bus. The one I had was a tie one. There was nothing to unbuckle. I definitely never took a stroller. That would defeat the purpose of the sling.

With one baby? Just the carrier, and plan to stop in places where I knew I could put her down (cafe with highchair, park with baby swing, museum with bench seats etc). Though I found we were both happy with the sling for hours, once I found one that worked well for me (sling library was brilliant while I worked out what that was).

With toddler and baby, I sometimes did buggy for baby but also take a sling, so that I could sling the baby and put the toddler in the buggy if she had a tantrum or got really tired.

They're generally very happy and settled in the sling and just stay there. They are close to you, high up, and have a good view. Talk to them, maybe give them a toy to fiddle with or wear a fiddle necklace.

If I went out with a sling I just went with the sling. It's the way to go tbh - baby on your front, backpack with the needful on your back, both hands available, light and free.

Try first with short local walks and find a comfortable backpack for all the changing stuff. Have fun!

I often had a double buggy with me on the bus as well as a baby in a sling, as I was juggling a toddler and baby twins. Guaranteed everyone would want to be out of the buggy and in the sling/sitting on lap or seat (depending on age!). So I’d ditch the buggy - maybe do some trial runs locally first before going further afield but in my experience the buggy was mostly used for putting the bags/coats in!

On the bus I only ever had the sling. If walking I'd occasionally take both (I quite often do now, but that's mostly so my 3 year old can go on the buggy board if he's properly fed up or if I need to go faster than he can walk) but the hassle of taking the buggy on the bus outweighs the possible convenience of having the buggy so I always take just the sling.

I would really recommend getting a backpack to be your change bag if you don't have one and will be using a carrier a lot - I always had a shoulder bag for DS1 and only realised how silly I'd been when I bought a backpack one when I had DS2 and realised how much easier it is to use a backpack than a shoulder bag if you're also wearing a carrier.

Only ever used a sling on public transport, no need for a buggy at all - far too much of an encumbrance.

I used a wrap type carrier most of the time, but if it was hot I had an ergo. On a long journey I'd unbuckle the ergo at the top and lay it across my lap like a playmat. I had toys fixed onto it with toy ties so baby could lift them up and play with them but not drop them.

As everyone else has said you'll want to carry baby on the front and a backpack for a changing bag. On a busy bus, it'll need to tuck down on top of your feet so make it reasonably slimline.

On most bus journeys I would keep the baby in the sling. If you do ever take them out (especially of it's a wrap type sling you lift the baby out of) double check above your head first as there's often not a lot of clearance and it's possible to bash baby's head on the bulkhead if you aren't careful!

I felt safer keeping my baby in the sling on the bus. I used an izmi soft carrier and just loosened the straps when sitting. They were totally chilled in the sling and enjoyed looking around. If I knew I would have shopping to carry or it would be a long day, I would take the buggy as well. I just liked having both options.

Changing backpack not handbag for sure as recommended by others.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm looking foward to trying the baby carrier!