Baby in carrier all day?

[pigeon166]

I am planning a day trip to Brighton with my ten week old baby to visit a friend. We live in London so the journey will involve a short bus ride and an hour and a half train ride. I feel I will be more confident travelling alone with the baby in the carrier rather than the pram, as there are a few stairs to the train platforms and I don’t want to have to rely on strangers helping me. I am perfectly happy to have him in the carrier all day, and he will have time out of it when feeding and getting changed and I’m sure he’ll want to sit out on my lap when we’re eating lunch etc as he loves to look around. Does this sound ok ie no need to take the pram and it’s not bad for him to be in the carrier for a longer period of time? I can’t see anything online that says it’s a problem but if anyone has any advice I’d love to hear it. Thanks in advance.

Do you mean a baby carrier as in the ones that go in the car? Or as in a one you wear?

I think as a one off it’s fine, since as you say, he’ll have time out for feeds and changing, etc. I think my only struggle with not having a pushchair is just not having anywhere to put baby down, like if you need a poo or to change a tampon or if baby vomits on you and you need to change clothes. There isn’t always a changing table when you need one. Whether that warrants dragging a pushchair around though is another question. I assume you’ll be with your friend much of the time so can hand baby off to said friend if you need a poo. 😂

I used to do full days out with the baby in a sling all the time. It's fine!

It's helpful to have a portable changing mat with you in case you need to put the baby down. I used to have a couple of large muslins on me too in case of a need to do that

I got quite practised at using the toilet with the baby in a sling - in many ways I think it's easier than working out how to manage the pushchair when there aren't accessible toilets

The one you wear!

Thank you! Yes I’ll hand him
off to my friend if I need to pop to the loo solo

Thank you! Yes planning to bring the portable change mat in my rucksack. I have also used the toilet with the baby in the carrier at home when he refuses to be put down 😂

Get (or borrow) a basic lightweight lie flat buggy.
You will want to put baby down every so often and baby will want to be able to lie down and stretch out.

I think it’s fine but what put me off this was that I found carrying my baby on my front and baby change bag on my back too heavy and as tricky on trains etc as a pram trying to manoeuvre or take the back pack off while managing the carrier. At larger train stations there is always a lift so that never bothered me; at Brighton it’s all one level and as you’re getting the bus you don’t need to worry about the tube.

Also I know the weather is rubbish at the moment but if it is a sunny day having warm baby on your front plus backpack on your back and you will be dripping with sweat.

I used to do this - I’d recommend a light bag (I used one of those sports drawstring rucksacks) with a changing mat, nappies, wipes, clean babygro etc as that way you’ll be hands free and the thin straps dont interfere with the carrier and are easy to take on and off. Then phone and any other valuables in your pocket, and you’re good to go. So much easier than pushing a pram.

You can always put the baby on your lap, or on the seat next to you (on top of the sling) if either of you needs a break from carrying. But IME, the baby is likely to love a whole day of cuddles, and be very chilled and happy.

If it helps, there's no steps at Brighton station, it's flat out to the street. I'd personally find that heavy all day, plus carrying a bag, but I can't see any safety issues.