Londoners- when do you start wearing baby on board badge

[j200]

Hi
I have a one hour 15 min commute on the central line (one end to the other) and often don't get a seat/am squished for at least half my journey. Just wondered when everyone started wearing their badges? Still v early days for me but already feeling v tired- do you think 8 weeks is too soon? ( will remove before work )

[RachelRagged]

To whomever said those who didn't have these badges are jealous .

Not me . I just see them as another "look what Ive done, Im having a baby" sort of entitlement with them . .You are pregnant not ill . It has nothing to do with jealousy , ,, we were just not so, you know, delicate back then !

[RachelRagged]

Obviously those who DO get that morning sickness or have that hip issue etc , , I don;t mean you . That must be awful .

[DearTeddyRobinson]

I wore mine as soon as I started to feel crap, so 7 weeks 😩. I was offered a seat many times and never had to ask. As I thanked one man, he said, 'you're welcome, I wish more people had offered my wife a seat!'

[Sauvignonblanket]

I wore mine pretty much straight away for both pregnancies. People would regularly offer me a seat when they saw it, but if they didn't I just asked those sitting in the seats with blue stickers above them - usually they were just caught up in their phones or reading to notice anyone standing there but were really nice as soon as I mentioned it. Only one person ever refused and when she did, lots of other people noticed and offered. Bear in mind that some people need it more but don't have badges, but just go for it as soon as you feel like it would help you, the early stages can be horrible too. And put your bag in front of you to stop people judging bump size.

[DirtyDancing]

I did.. from about 18 weeks. Very handy and worked a treat!

[Sparklyuggs]

I've never seen the issue with wearing it, and wore it straight away as I started fainting from 5 weeks. I'd just ask the person in the priority seat and they, or the person next to them, always happily got up. In the winter it's not obvious that you are pregnant, and DH says he never knows if a woman is pregnant or not so the badge helps to clarify.

If you don't like them, don't wear them but they are invaluable to me and my friends commuting, and our friends outside of London often say that they wish they had similar.

That said, the new hidden disability badge tfl are introducing may be more useful than the baby on board badge.

[user1471547428]

Wear it from when you feel you need a seat. I keep kine in my bag and use it if I'm not feeling great.
I also generally ask for a seat rather than hoping someone will notice.
It's also useful (to the doubters) even when sitting, because it stops awkwardness if someone on crutches or something gets on. It's clear why you aren't the one standing up for them.

[user1471547428]

By the way, if it's not been said, there is now a general 'Please offer me a seat' badge. Which is great.