Central London - where to go out with a one month old?

[tostaky]

Hi there,

Where can i go with my baby to meet up my (childless) friends?
Also when is it ok to take the tube with a baby? And i guess a sling is better than a pram in the tube?

Thanks

(a new mum)

yes on the sling
what's the event?
how realistic/sympathetic are your childless friends? they will have NO idea of what you are having to cope with!
have you actually had this baby yet???

To be honest you can probably take your baby wherever you like - they're pretty portable at 1 month!

If you want places with changing facilities etc any of the larger chain restaurants / cafe's tend to be quite good. Starbucks or any of the other coffee shops have changing facilities, Pizza Express etc. All the museums and galleries have excellent facilities too.

I personally wouldn't bother with the tube at all. Buses are much easier (and less filthy) than the tube. You can also take the pram on them which means you get to put the baby down and carry all the stuff around more easily as well. Make it easy on yourself though, ideally get your friends to come somewhere close to you, it's much harder going out and about with a baby than without one.

The festival Hall foyer is a good place, they often have concerts and are accepting of children, also you can go for a walk along the south bank if it's ok weather and things get fraught. Unless you were after something a bit racier

Tate Modern restaurant is v child and buggy friendly during the week.

Sling is better than the pram for the tube, but a pram is very useful to have when you are out. ie. when you are eating it would be nice to be able to put your baby down to sleep in the pram. I also like the Tate Modern restaurant.

The Mamas and Papas on Regent Street and the JohnLewis on Oxford Street have good changing facilites and breast feeding areas. I tend to stick pretty close to them when I'm in central London with a baby.

Definately take a sling. The Tube staff will not help you up and down steps with a buggy.

John Lewis/Peter Jones have good changing rooms with feeding area, obviously not a venue for a meet up with friends, but useful to know if you're close by.