Is it dangerous to take a pram on the bus?

[Rob1n]

As babies are not harnessed into their pram like they would be in a pushchair, is it safe to go on the bus? If the bus is involved in an accident the baby could be thrown about all over the place. Just occurred to me as I thought we might catch the bus somewhere today as i thought it might be easier, not having to move DS from car seat to pram from pram to car seat etc... What is the consensus on this?

it's a fucking joke that they don't have much more pram space.
There's a different type of bus that has 3 pram spaces on the out of town route and no prams use that bus.
The buses that go around all the housing estates here just have one pram/wheelchair space.
I went into town today and we had to say no to a woman with 2 kids in a pram because of me already being on the bus (I can't fold mine with a newborn, toddler and shoping all crammed in.
On the way back we were about to face the same situation, but I did my deed of the day and got off a stop early so another woman with a pram could get on.
Back when I just had one kid (about a month ago) the driver tried to tell me I couldn't get on even if I folded my pram because someone had put their shopping in the luggage part. I laughed and said 'I'm getting on this bus' (half our wait with screaming tot), I got DS1 out of buggy, collapsed the pram, dragged my big pregnant self AND pram onto bus, threw the folded pram onto a chair and gave the gave the bus guy a 'drive' expression.

I don't understand why more women with just one child don't prepare to fold their prams.
AND why there's no more pram space, back of bus is always empty as is upstairs, but pram spaces are jam packed.

The other buses that have 3 times as much pram space are only single deckers!!

When they are small enough to be in a carrycot I would probably use a sling on public transport tbh.

I don't have a car and have been travelling on buses (and trains/tube with baby/small children for nearly 4 yrs). It's been fine, and I would always prefer to have a foldable buggy as RIven points out, those spaces are for people with mobility issues really...

2 kids in a pram, best believe i've got mobility issues, unless someone's about to give me some serious help in folding my pram.

Disabled people do get disabilty allowance and a car and designated driver paid for which is probably why I never see wheelchairs on buses.
But there are clear signs that we have to get off if they decide to use the space

I've been there when people just stare at you when you juggle a baby in one arm, hold a toddler with the other hand, use a third arm to fold the buggy, and somehow use antoher hand to get change out. Although I'm better at just asking for help now (and try to offer it too...)

the drivers used to help out and hold baby while you folded pram. Now they have bullet proof glass in the way!

Maybe I should start marching onto the bus and say 'right you, hold this child, you, hold that child, you, lift pram in there, okay, single to town please.
Damn right, we should be able to do that. People should help each other and be confident enough to ask for help.. :-/

i'm gonna get a city mini when older child doesn't need pram, they fold using just one hand, ...heaven.

I've always found trying to time my bus trips with the start of the free buspass time means there are normally plenty of willing older women who are happy to lend a hand with DS if I need to fold the buggy.

mumtotwoboys, you can strap baby in p and t using the seat straps if not in cocoon, the should be long enough to go around mattress

OP - if you have a fleet of prams to choose from, are agile, fit and socially confident, then the bus might be the easier option.

If not, I'd stick with the car (or walk) if you can.

Although obviously it would be preferable to think you could use public transport without being made to feel like a pariah.

Oh don't let the nay sayers put you off. As long as you're not travelling in rush hour the bus is totally viable - I used to take my Phil and Teds on all the time.
Obv a lightweight stroller is easier, and leaves more space for other people but if you've got a small baby and no stroller then go for it anyway - just allow a bit of extra time in case the first bus that arrives is already full of buggies.

In bus drivers' defence one got out of his cabin the other day and lifted my buggy onto the bus (full of shopping so I couldn't quite manage it).

I wouldn't have a baby in a carrycot myself. I had a buggy from birth. And if the baby is wee, a sling might be easier.

I always am amazed by people who think that going on public transport with a kid is some sort of distressing hardship or insurmountable obstacle course. I always have people talk to me in hushed tones of voice saying 'I just don't know how you manage not having a car..." before placing a comforting hand on my knee.

How about taking the baby on the bus in one of those prams which is a carrycot or carseat which on a frame, you can clip the carrycot/carseat off and put it next to you on a seat. Then you can fold the frame if anyone else needs the space, or leave it up if not. You wouldn't have to hold the baby or worry about them rolling off the seat onto the floor while you folded the buggy either.

Blimey, what a response you got OP! Bless you, you were only asking a reasonable question and got several pretty unkind responses (and also lots of helpful comments too, not tarring you all with same brush). I feel quite aggrieved on your behalf and had to post.

And I'm not being patronising by saying 'bless you'... I just recognise your concerns... with DD (who was and is a PFB, yes) this was one of the things I worried about too... Particularly when our bus drivers swing around corners without braking. I chose to walk rather than take the bus too often because of that.

I also worried about her getting shaken baby syndrome in her pram too, when going over rough ground... about her getting too hot in their in the summer, so she used to share her pram with a thermometer...

Don't be put off by people taking the mick (even in a gentle way) about you having first time mum concerns. Lots of us have them, it means you care lots and have the imaginiation to think of all the things that might go wrong! I like to think that next time round I will be more relaxed, but who knows.

SolidGoldBrass - you are too quick to judge. I am not car dependant, once in a blue moon I might have use of the car when my DH doesn't need it for work. Other than that I walk everywhere. TBH I have hardly been out much since DH was born and was trying to muster up the confidence to get out more and go somewhere on the bus.
Yes, I appreciate I am lucky that I have use of a car sometimes but this is irrelevant to the question.
Just because lots of people use the bus with their pram everyday it does not justify it being safe.
I thought Omnimandles had already knocked this one on the head by pointing out that the problem was with my carrycot really, I didn't know some came with straps.
I will probably leave it until DS is old enough to go in the pushchair part.

Glad you came back OP - absolutely agree with Katypillar - the belittling 'streetwise experienced mum' smuggery on this topic is pretty unhelpful.

Travelling confidently on a bus with a baby/toddler takes practise - how difficult you find it depends on a number of factors like what your buses are like, how crowded they are, and how well you deal with being stared at while you struggle (I tend to get really embarrassed and panic a bit, which is why I will walk miles to avoid going on them - I don't usually have use of a car either).

All you can do is try it and see, you may find it is worth the hassle.

Gah! there, not their.

'Just because lots of people use the bus with their pram everyday it does not justify it being safe.'

Erm, i think you'll find it does.

You have been harshed a bit OP but using the word 'dangerous' about something many mums do everyday and not always out of choice does tend to get people's back up.

But the OP was specifically asking about an unrestrained baby in a carrycot, not about travelling on buses with babies in general.

I know I know but the title didn't specify that detail so you're bound to get people clicking on in a huff. To me 'pram' is a generic term for anything you push a baby round in.