Do people really manage to fold their prams in busy buses?

[Newname42]

Technically I have a pram which can be folded with one hand and in a couple of seconds (according to the advert), but practically I also have a baby strapped in, a pram bag attached, a thousand loose items in the bottom and a hundred toys attached. I just was asked to fold my pram because the bus got a bit busy, but after giving this a quick thought I realised that this would be somewhere between a circus number, comedy and horror show, so I just got off the bus. Are there some Supermamas who just say ‘sure’, clack and done, and if yes, where can I learn this skill, please? 😂

Oh, for the days of the old McLaren umbrella fold buggy - perfect for public transport.

But - no, I certainly couldn't fold one of the larger pushchairs and negotiate baby and shopping. I think I'd walk instead....

Wow you must have some skills because I’d never have managed getting the sling out and on and then baby in it on a moving bus. And whos to say it’s even a baby in the pram. 1YOs are big to carry but too little to stand on the bus. Then yes the workbag can go on your back (ouch with the sling) but then by the time you’ve piled up the nappy bag, the older child’s school bag and the shopping, plus the folded pram on the floor I reckon you’re taking up as much space as the pram unfolded. I vehemently stand by not folding! Will happily vacate for a wheelchair user of course and wait for the next bus or walk but not for anyone else. Buses are so frequent in London that it really doesn’t cause a problem.

I would always have to fold to get on bus or train so I would put child in carrier, then I could fold with two hands and deal with all the gear.

A lot of the time if I needed to get the bus and I had a pushchair I’d leave the pushchair near the bus stop rather than fold it. Used to do this a lot going into town. Pick it up on the way home.

Eventually gave up on the idea and just used carrier which was better.

I didn't/drive so I made sure I had a pushchair that could fold up on bus if needed. Yes it was one you could do in one action.
So yes when I was going on the bus I made sure I could do that so didn't have anything in bottom for example.

It’s been a long time since mine were that young, but it used to be

• no loose items - everything in a messenger bag
• baby/toddler popped into a sling on my back
• fold the buggy at the bus stop, not on the moving bus

I always used to, but my dc was standing by then. With smaller DC I used a sling to hold the baby while I folded the pushchair, but didn’t do it as regularly as with DS1.

Basically you organise yourself as though you know you’ll need to fold it.

I had twins snd bought an extension seat so it was a tandem. I used to fold it into the car boot all the time but did it once on public transport and it was a complete palaver. First needed two people to hold babies and then fold it up. I think lots of parents just end up driving as easier.

I've folded a pram many a time with dts in my arms and two toddlers. Our local buses prioritise bikes, big biking culture here but ffs, surely if you can cycle up those big ass hills at the biking centre you can cycle 2 miles of pavement or road.

We take 2 buses to school (moved when kids already started school, was going to change to the local school but found out there were so spaces so they still go to their old school). On our buses as long as you go in the space with foldable seats (and not the wheelchair part), you won't ever be asked to fold the pushchair if you got on first. The only problem is if someone else is already in the space.

DD was already 2.5 when we moved so there was no problem with her getting out if the pushchair had to be folded.

I'm now pregnant again and not looking forward at all to the stress of getting the bus with a baby in a pushchair. I'm going to take a wrap sling with me every time and put the baby in it if I ever have to fold.

I think I'd have to do has you did and get off the bus. I can't hold 2 children and fold the buggy at the same time.
If I'm out with my disabled son who requires a special needs pushchair I would refuse to fold it cause technically it's his wheelchair and that's what the space is for.

Surely it’s not “technically” his wheelchair, it is his wheelchair. I wouldn’t have thought a wheelchair user would expect another wheelchair user, who was there first, to get off to accommodate them.

@happyinherts

i had the double version of the umbrella fold, baby one arm, toddler on reins, baby bag on other shoulder, carrier bags on wrist (baby side) and fold then carry buggy on other arm. Got quite the master as buses had steps then!

but my legs did come in for a lot of bruises, so much so that I didn’t feel the pain until my whole leg hurt. It was ouch.

the fact people only have to fold occasionally is great, be pleased but have a strategy

If you are catching a bus I would have a fold up bag in the underneath section so I could just pull everything out in one bag.

why do you have a hundred toys attached to your pram? That’s not necessary if you are catching a bus.
use a backpack for a diaper bag and handbag. Put that on your back, put bag of underneath stuff on the floor, remove baby, fold buggy, pick up bag

Your child’s disability doesn’t come after another wheelchair user. You have every right to have him in his buggy

The first time I tried to get on the bus with my pram, the wheel got stuck underneath and fell off. So, I pretty much exclusively use a sling due to my fear of getting stuck with a pram on public transport. My 7m old has never actually been in the pram yet. 2yo and 4yo are used to walking everywhere as I don’t have a car, though I will sometimes admit defeat and use the (foldable!) pram with buggy board if we are all out. I think with four of us, we would probably take up more space if we folded the pram and had to stand and sit elsewhere, though it’s not happened yet. I’d definitely get off the bus if someone else needed the space as I’d almost certainly get the sling-baby trapped in the mechanism if trying to herd a toddler whilst collapsing a pram in front of a crowd of people…