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Parenting

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Original poster

Help - I have to get myself and 8 week old from London to Kent on public transport - advice please

17 replies

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 16:59

This week myself and DC (8 weeks) have to travel by ourselves from London to Kent - tube, then train from Victoria and then taxi. Any sage advice from experienced MNers about how to do this without both of us getting upset - especially as it's work-related so we both have to look serene and clean at the other end.....

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nkf · 26/04/2009 17:02

I'd use a sling myself. How neat do you have to look at the end of the journey?

Smithagain · 26/04/2009 17:05

Use a sling, rather than a buggy, if you have one. Or if you need to use a buggy, look on the London Underground website, which has information for every station about the availability of lifts, level access etc.

Allow heaps of time, so that you can stop and feed if necessary without getting highly stressed and give yourself a quite makeover when you get there. Baby wipes are good for sweaty, stressed mummies, as well as for other things!

Spare clothes for baby in case he/she does anything disgusting just before you get to your destination .

Smithagain · 26/04/2009 17:05

(And a spare top for you, on the same prinicple, I guess).

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EldonAve · 26/04/2009 17:13

I would take a buggy
Allow plenty of time

Original poster

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 18:05

re spare top for me - good thought

I have a sling and I guess I should take a car seat though for the taxi...

OP posts:

MavisG · 26/04/2009 18:12

You don't have to have a car seat for the taxi, it's not illegal though obviously safer, and your baby may nap better in that than in the sling? Newer black cabs have baby seats in the armrests apparently, though I've not seen one.

spicemonster · 26/04/2009 18:17

Where are you travelling from in London? I'd take a buggy because you can then detach yourself from your DC (although I do remember being a bit nervous about taking one on an escalator the first time but it was actually fine). There is no step free access from Victoria tube to the train station but I have only ever had to bump the buggy once in hundreds of times I've done it - the most surprising people help and that puts me in a great mood!

Are you breastfeeding? Spare top is deffo a good idea. And spare outfits and nappies for the baby in case of puking/poo disasters.

Allow plenty of time, don't travel during rush hour and it'll be fine.

Takver · 26/04/2009 19:43

Based on travelling from Spain to UK several times on my own with a small baby I would

carry baby in a wrap style sling,
if you have one take one of those baby car seats that doubles up as a chair that you can carry with a handle IYKWIM
not ideal for work, but if you have to take luggage then have it in a rucksack,
take full change of outfit for you and baby (but then my dd was a remarkably sick-y baby)

- practice breastfeeding in the sling discreetly beforehand

take twice as many nappies as you think you may need in case of delays
take lots of food for you (am assuming that you are b/f here, otherwise of course lots of milk for baby)
take a book

And don't panic, IME travelling with a very small baby is very little hassle - they aren't bored, everyone is super nice to you, and you get to sit down without feeling guilty for a few hours

Original poster

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 20:13

Thank you. I just have to travel down the victoria line...The thing I am most worried about is where to change her...I know there is a changing area at victoria but not sure what I shd do on the train?

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Original poster

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 20:14

and takver to sitting down and not feeling guilty!

OP posts:

jkklpu · 26/04/2009 20:15

You may well not need to change her if she sleeps well on transport. But just do it on your travel changing mat on the floor if you really have to. Or on a bench at a station if the timing works out. Ignore any other people if they give you funny looks and make sure you have nappy sacks with you. Good luck.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 26/04/2009 20:18

If you want to be able to put your lo down at all eg while you go to the loo, then you're going to want a buggy with you. You can always change her in that aswell if you can't find anywhere else convenient.

CMOTdibbler · 26/04/2009 20:21

I just go to the loo with DS in the sling - wear a skirt and it's easy.

I wouldn't have thought that you'd need to change her in that sort of timeframe

Original poster

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 21:34

CMOTdibbler - no I shouldn't - but she has a knack of explosive nappies at inappropriate moments!

OP posts:

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 26/04/2009 22:05

Ooooh - not good in a sling! It'd get pushed further up her back!

Original poster

Mirry71 · 26/04/2009 23:00

yeerugh - yes!

OP posts:

BeehiveBaby · 26/04/2009 23:03

No further than in a buggy than IME,probably less, due to gravity. This is the easiest age to travel with, enjoy it

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