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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Taking a baby to the Olympics - help!

30 replies

babybouncer · 29/07/2012 21:02

We're offloading the toddler at his grandparents, but my 4 month old is ebf, so has to come with us (and no we weren't planning this when we bought the tickets!). I am terrified - I've never really been to London, haven't done any big trips yet with DD, haven't done much bring in public (except for baby friendly places or with other bfers).

Has anyone been to the Olympic park yet? Are there many babies? If I bring the pushchair (just a maclaren not a travel system) will I still be able to get around London/the site? (I also have sling and babybjorn, but if it's really hot or tipping it down with rain, I'd like to have the pushchair when we're not in the actual venue).

OP posts:

IfElephantsWoreTrousers · 29/07/2012 21:06

Haven't done this myself yet but my sister is going to be in a couple of days so I can report back if required. You won't be allowed to take your pushchair into the venue or leave it unattended anywhere nearby - unless you have a relative of paid-for hotel-room nearby that you can leave it at. Sling/Babybjorn only.

needsomesunshine · 29/07/2012 21:20

My baby will be about 2-3 weeks old and you can only take babes in arms without a separate ticket.

becstarsky · 29/07/2012 21:21

We went last night - it was amazing - best night ever! We don't have a baby (ours is 6 yo now - he LOVED it), but I'm a Londoner and have seen the Olympic Park.

So... a general London thing - DS was only ever in his pushchair twice until he turned 8 months and was too big for a sling. Wish I hadn't bought the damn thing! I found pushchairs to be a nightmare in London, especially when it's busy on the Tube. I had a bad fall on the escalator with DS in pushchair (he wasn't hurt, but I needed stitches as I jammed myself onto escalator to stop pushchair falling). So I'm very biased in not being a fan of pushchairs in London. I didn't see any pushchairs at the Olympic Park and I'd be surprised if they let them in. Security is tight - allow plenty of time for queueing, have your tickets ready as they'll check them before x-raying your bag - all airport-style. You can't bring liquids in either - but you can bring empty bottles and refill them from taps at the venues. So just as well you're ebf as I guess you'd be a bit stuck if you needed to bring formula in!

Watch the weather forecast carefully in case you need waterproofs and umbrella - there is quite a walk from the tube through the park to the various venues. Try to 'travel light' as much as you can - too many bags etc. will be a nightmare to get through security and carry around with you. There are baby changing facilities in the ladies loos, the park is very flat and lovely to walk around.

The atmosphere is fantastic - it's definitely an experience not to be missed! What event are you going to?

lottiegb · 29/07/2012 21:26

We took dd 4 mo to the rowing on Saturday, lots of babies there but a more open venue, not a stadium.

Check the latest policy on pushchairs, it turned out they were allowed at Eton Dorney though we thought not and took a sling only, which was fine but we were lucky with weather.

Are you ok bf-ing in public? Check what facilities there are for feeding and changing. There were really none for feeding at ED, just one accessible loo with one bench in it designated as changing and feeding space.

lottiegb · 29/07/2012 21:28

You can take EBM in if you want.

becstarsky · 29/07/2012 21:36

Really lottiegb? They were pretty hardcore about 'no liquids' when we went through at the Olympic Park?

babybouncer I forgot about the bf in public question... I didn't see anything like a 'family room' for breastfeeding at all - it's all very open and even the places to eat are mostly outdoors or big open plan areas in McDs.

This does sound a bit nuts but when there was an occasion where I was going to need to feed DS in public I practised in front of a mirror - fed him in front of a mirror a few times until I was confident that nothing was showing. Then I felt more relaxed about it. It helped me... but then I am a bit obsessive!

Treats · 29/07/2012 21:38

Hi - I was there today. Lots of babies, lots of buggies, so don't worry. They had a special lane for the buggies to get to the lifts at the exit to Stratford Station, and there was a buggy park at the basketball venue (the only venue I went to - but presumably all the venues would have some?). You wouldn't be able to take it into the actual venue, but you can certainly take it round the park.

I didn't specifically notice baby change but the toilets were plentiful and clean so I don't think it would be a problem. They also had a pharmacy close to the basketball stadium which I thought was quite helpful.

You can't take any liquids in, but there are water fountains where you can fill bottles

Personally we had no problems at all with transport or security - we walked straight through, but it was a morning session, so perhaps there were fewer people?

Your biggest issues will probably be the very poor quality of food on offer and the lack of inside space outside the venues. Once you've left the event, there are no indoor spaces at all - except for the toilets - which might be a problem if you're looking for somewhere to bf. Your only option would be to leave the park and go to one of the cafes in the Westfield centre - but these are likely to be very busy. As long as the weather's nice, there are some lovely areas of parkland where you could sit - and watch some action on the big screen. But bring a picnic. Apart from a department-store-sized McDonalds, the only other food on offer is 'crap-in-a-bap' style from a very small range of uninspiring sheds.

lottiegb · 29/07/2012 21:56

Really becstarsky yes, if you look up the policy it does say this. You can take bottles of more than 100ml of EBM but may be asked to taste it to demonstrate it is indeed milk.

I took about 600mls and a breast pump in to Eton Dorney on Saturday, also a 250ml carton of formula and our bags were not searched at security, no questions asked.

londonmackem · 29/07/2012 22:34

I breast fed watching beach volleyball in my seat, not sure anyone noticed. There were baby changes but I and lots of mums did it al fresco while waiting outside. There are buggy parks too. Have fun, you have to have them in a sling or similar in the venue.

showtunesgirl · 30/07/2012 12:19

Re: the buggy parks. Can you lock up your buggies?

yapr6 · 30/07/2012 21:44

Hi... I'm going with my 7mo this Thursday to basketball. From various sources I understand that, you can bring food in for babies, there are buggy parks (which need you to bring a lock), and there are changing facilities of various quality.
Has anyone been and can advise where best to bf in a very quiet area. Our bb is unfortunately going into a fussy period.
Any other advice would be welcome!

showtunesgirl · 30/07/2012 23:43

yapr6 you have to go through Westfield to get to the Olympic Park. There are several Parent Rooms in the shopping centre itself where there are private cubicles where you can feed in. The first parent room when you come into the centre is the busiest one and the noisiest one so you might be better off going to another floor.

Good to hear that you can chain them up and I will bring my own lock.

sashh · 31/07/2012 07:00

I went, but not the olympic park - where are you comming from? At Euston there was a shuttle bus to the park, I assume it would take a buggy because I was using a wheelchair and they said it was accessible.

The volunteers are brilliant - just look for people in pink.

showtunesgirl · 31/07/2012 09:56

I'm coming from South East London so it's tube for me.

PeppermintCreams · 31/07/2012 10:16

We went yesterday with my 4 year old. The park is very buggy friendly. The hockey stadium had a buggy park section under a gazebo. I didn't seen anywhere comfortable to breastfeed in the venue, other than your seat in the stadium. You could probably come out of your stadium and find somewhere quieter to sit, just outside by the concession stands, but it would probably be on the floor! Which venue are you going to? In the park it's self there are plenty of green spaces to sit, especially around the Park Live and World Square.

OH went with his brother and sister in law to the beach volleyball on Saturday with their 2 year old, and ebf 4 month old, and coped fine! No problems reported. They took the double buggy and just passed baby between the three adults when in the stands. They didn't take a sling. I'm not sure i'd want to carry an infant up steep steps without a sling, but that's just me.

Apparently the best places to go if it rains is under the bridges.

Good luck. It will be fine!

lottiegb · 31/07/2012 17:57

That's really useful info about Westfield, showtunesgirl. I'm planning our visit to the stadium for next week and need private bf space to express milk.

3rdnparty · 02/08/2012 13:44

Hi, lots of pushchairs about in the park when we went, also backpack carriers... I am not sure about going out of the park to westfields and back am sure they were saying no re-entry.... There was a quieter part of the park at the small bandstand (velodrome end) which is still open air but the roof of the stand over reaches the stage so covers some of the grass too.... under the bridges was full of people you would be unlikely to sit and bf there if its raining....

Take a big brolly!

agree with earlier poster that pushchairs pita on tube - but if you want for later would sling and pushchair for flexibility and just fold the pushchair for the tube bit....also save ages waiting for lifts..

We went on the Javelin train - was empty! and platforms lifts much easier...

definately baby changing cubes at the toilets at least 2 at each block- that i saw- if your having a nightmare could use those for a feed (only if no ques obviously- didn't see any being used!)... otherwise saw at least a few people feeding in the venue (copperbox)
have a lovely time - the atmosphere was great...

showtunesgirl · 03/08/2012 10:54

Well we went yesterday and had an amazing time.

The buggy parks are actually more like cloakrooms where you check them in and it's all very nice and secure.

The army security that checked us in were lovely to our DD and so were all the Volunteers who really did want you to have a good time.

We saw the basketball and despite the noise, DD still went for her nap as usual!

The park itself is huge and I think it would be best to bring a pram unless you're really used to a baby carrier. But I would bring a baby carrier especially if you're sitting in the higher up seats as it would be safer and easier to get there.

Food is a bit hit and miss for babies so I would bring something for them and the security don't seem to be all that strict about not bringing in picnics as per the official website regulations as we bought some food from Pret before we went in and it was fine.

There are baby changing facilities all over the park.

Oh and remember to take some empty bottles with you for the water from the drinking fountains.

If you have any problems, ask a volunteer.

BeeBM · 03/08/2012 16:53

Hope someone can help!?I'm going to the park on Saturday but leaving LO with OH for the day but will need to express whilst there.

Does anyone know if there's somewhere I can do this privatly I'm taking my medela swing with me and will probably need to express at least 3 times!

Many thanks x

lottiegb · 03/08/2012 20:21

BeeBM I am in the same position and asked the organisers who told me there is a cubicle in the changing facilities ht can be used for feeding (or expressing). Also see above about Westfield.

BeeBM · 03/08/2012 21:48

Thanks LottieGB that's good news. I'm going tomorrow so will let u know how I get om x

lottiegb · 04/08/2012 09:12

Great, I'm going on Monday. Hope you have a good day.

Coxlet · 04/08/2012 16:23

Hi girls!

Sorry that we've hijacked this thread a bit but I'm in the same boat over needing to express at the 100m final tomorrow and there doesn't seem to be much info out there.

How did you get on BeeBM?

lottiegb · 04/08/2012 16:49

I've just posted in my thread on this topic in the Olympics section - same info as above - didn't get much interest there but might be a good place to continue the discussion? (Or here, I don't mind!)

lottiegb · 04/08/2012 16:52

Oh, I titled it 'spaces for quiet breast-feeding' as same requirement and I thought there might be more people looking for that than for spaces to express but maybe not.

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