Babies and public transport do they mix?

[Janos]

Don't know if this is the right place to ask, maybe someone can point me in the right direction if it isn't.

This may sound very silly but, I have to get my newborn to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup and I don't drive. What is the best way to get there? I have a car seat - are they OK to use in a taxi? What about in his baby carrier on the bus? It will be our first big journey out together alone and I'm a bit nervous.

BTW I'm in Edinburgh if anyone has area specific adbice(that sounds tupid but I hope you know what I mean!)

Either sounds fine, Janos. Just do it. I have had 3 babies & only occasionally a hire car. Buses have better safety records, but whichever suits you.

Slings work well on buses, as do prams. Sorting out a car seat in a taxi is sometimes a bit of a faddle, but buses work very well, as long as they're not too busy.

I have gone on public transport a lot since my DD was born and its fine, people are usally very good. When she was tiny I usually took her on the bus in her buggy, so she was safely strapped in, there are usually seats for with room for pushchairs at the front of the bus. Now I fold the buggy up before I get on and hold her on my lap, started doing that when she was about 6mths...

about the buses tho - if you're not sure whether they will have buggy spaces or not, probably best to take baby in a sling to be on the safe side.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I think I'll try the bus. I don't fancy faffing round with a car seat in a taxi. the appointment is in the middle of the afternoon so should be OK & bus will not be too busy, hopefully. ATM I'm not usually up at least until 11!

Think I'll go fo the sling option - I have a Wilkinet which is great but takes about 20 minutes to put on so need to be well prepared, LOL.

My friend took her toddler to hospital in a London type cab with him in his pushchair and the brakes on. Probably not as safe as a car seat but she didn't own a car.

Hi Janos, I know you said you'd use the sling, which is a good idea, but just in case it's useful round here the buses with space for buggies and big wide doors all have blue disabled stickers on the front (it's because the space in question is either for buggies or wheelchairs). Some of the buses round here you need to get on at the back - the driver usually knows. If you use the bus with the sling while your little one is still little, you can be start making mental notes about which style of bus etc are best for buggies - once you suss it it's very easy. But sometimes it can be worth waiting for the next bus if it's really crowded (I mean if you're with the buggy) and the school home time is one to avoid if possible.

Hi janos

I'm in Edinburgh and without a car so here's my tuppence worth (sp?)!

I'd probably go for the sling option as you've plenty of time to get there (is it the infirmary you're going to?)and your baby is weeny. I used to like sitting in the sideways seats beside the dirver (on LRT buses) - you don't have so far to walk to get a seat and if the worst comes to the worst and the bus crashes you would go sideways instead of crushing the baby in front of you (did I say that I always like to think of the worst case scenario? :o )

Having said that, I'm a bit of a taxi queen - with a baby I used the car seat (the black cab drivers are usually reasonably helpful though it helps if you know your way around your own carseat in case driver proves useless). Once your baby is bigger (2ish) you can use the fold down babyseats in the black cabs (specify that you need a taxi with one when you call) - they fold down from the arm rest area in the back of the more modern cabs. They are like small booster seats and I've used them with my smallish ds since he was about 2.

The other alternative re taxi's is to just wheel your buggy into the back - I've done this loads and though I'm sure it isn't as safe as car seat - needs must! I take ds in the fold down taxi seat and dd (1.5) in her buggy in the back. Also, if you have a travel system you could use the car seat strapped into the cab with the rest of the pram standing up (unfolded and braked) in the back with you so you can plop the car seat into it easily when you get out at the other end.

The red LRT buses are variable in terms of buggy space - 26's are good as even if there isn't a space there is another one along in a minute. I don't know what route you are on but I think the 'First Buses' also have buggy spaces.

Be confident tomorrow - people will be sympathetic and your little one will be snug in the sling. Save the taxi fares for later when you don't have a choice!

Let us know how you get on. :)

Sorry, also meant to say keep bottle/boobs handy just in case of a screaming episode. If this does happen, please remember that while it might sound like your baby is wailing at a tremendous volume, actually (to all but the grumpiest passenger) it will sound very quiet and cute. :o

Final thought for a worst case scenario. A couple of times I've got the bus somewhere with the sling and then for some reason have not been able to get the bus back again. Consequently have found myself without a car seat/buggy for a taxi home. On those occasions I have got a cab and put the seat belt BETWEEN myself and the sling (but NOT around the baby - basically I had a seat belt on and the baby was strapped in front of me iyswim?). I rationalised it by thinking that in an Edinburgh cab the gap between the passenger and the nearest hittable surface is so big that if you are wearing a seatbelt and the worst happens then you couldn't possibly be thrown (baby and all) into the hard surface infront of you. I will probably be shot down in flames for this and I know it is not ideal but it was the best I could do in the circumstances.

Right, finished now. :)

zippy is right about not putting the belt round the baby - that's an absolute no-no

IMO public transport & babies have to mix - I have a car but I used to take buses & trains a lot when ds was tiny to try and make a trip out into the big wide world last that little bit longer! I happily took him on the bus, train & black cabs in his pushchair and on the bus & tube in his sling.

zippy thamks for your words of wisdom! I live near Colinton so will be getting the 18 bus as it goes diretly to the RIE as that's where DS was born.

Wish me luck :)

Just wondering how you got on? :)

Zippy's technique is good, the only improvement I'd recommend is facing backwards, in black cabs. In a typical crash, the baby gets pushed into you, you get pushed into seat, hopefully all is ok.

Obviously a carseat is better, before anyone gets the wrong idea.

Hi zippy,

The journey, which takes two buses each way was very successful. DS slept all the way there and all the way back - despite the bus back being delayed for 40 minutes and me waiting in the freezing cold with DS . However that's another story. Ppl were very friendly and helpful, I was waved onto the bus before everyone else!

I took him in his sling and he was absolutely fine. I also found out that he has put on a lot of weight - his birth weight was 6lb and he is now up to 81b 4oz so I was thrilled to bits he is doing really well (he was nearly 1 month premature so it).

Sorry just realised that last sentence makes no sense. Should read - he was nearly 1 month premature so it's extra important .

PS Thanks everyone for your encouragement!

Another question for zippy- not strictly related to the thread. Where do you stay in Edinburgh? Just asking (aka being nosey )

Sorry janos - missed this one. I'm at the top of Leith Walk.

Ah, you are at the opposite end of Edinburgh from me. Not that it's a particularly big place mind!