Has anyone travelled with a baby?

Original poster

weedino21 · 23/07/2021 13:59

@weedino21

My partner is wanting to go to London from Scotland on the train with our 3 month old, but I'm not sure how it will all work? Or if it's even possible, any advice would be great tia x

Forgot to say it will be from the Friday to Monday x

OP posts:

Jasmine11 · 23/07/2021 14:06

We did that journey in reverse when our eldest was 8 weeks old. Absolutely fine and much better for the baby at that age to be on a train rather than in a car seat for that length of time - what exactly are you worrying about?

Jasmine11 · 23/07/2021 14:07

Sorry that last part didn't mean to sound harsh but just wondering what you think the problems might be :)

Original poster

weedino21 · 23/07/2021 14:10

@Jasmine11

Sorry that last part didn't mean to sound harsh but just wondering what you think the problems might be :)

That's good, and it didn't sound harsh at all, just got a bit of anxiety with travelling a long time with the baby, my biggest worry is the pram on the train x

OP posts:

ChocFondant · 23/07/2021 14:20

I fold up the pram on the train. There isn't usually space for it on long distance trains. Then dh and I take turns holding baby so we don't get tired arms. It's totally fine. You can take them to change in the loos, no problem feeding on the train, they can sleep on you. Easier than the car where you'd have to make frequent stops.

AliceW89 · 23/07/2021 14:20

I get the train a lot of places with DS because he hates the car seat 😂 I’ve never taken him as far as that though, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t be doable, especially with two of you - you’d need someone to watch your stuff while the other ones does nappy changes for example. Will your LO happily sleep in the sling/your arms/the buggy?

You can park your pram in the accessible space. If a wheelchair user needs the space you’d need to either fold the pram up or move it. There is usually enough space for both though and the train staff are always happy to assist.

Original poster

weedino21 · 23/07/2021 14:24

@ChocFondant

I fold up the pram on the train. There isn't usually space for it on long distance trains. Then dh and I take turns holding baby so we don't get tired arms. It's totally fine. You can take them to change in the loos, no problem feeding on the train, they can sleep on you. Easier than the car where you'd have to make frequent stops.

Thank you, made me feel a lot better about it now, we've got a sling so will use that for her x

OP posts:

Original poster

weedino21 · 23/07/2021 14:26

@AliceW89

I get the train a lot of places with DS because he hates the car seat 😂 I’ve never taken him as far as that though, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t be doable, especially with two of you - you’d need someone to watch your stuff while the other ones does nappy changes for example. Will your LO happily sleep in the sling/your arms/the buggy?

You can park your pram in the accessible space. If a wheelchair user needs the space you’d need to either fold the pram up or move it. There is usually enough space for both though and the train staff are always happy to assist.

Thank you that's good to know never travelled far with her so been worry so much about everything, and yeah we have a sling she'll sleep in x

OP posts:

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 23/07/2021 14:39

Book first class if you can. The wider seats are very handy with a baby! Plus drinks delivered to your seats.

Cardboard33 · 23/07/2021 14:57

I did it alone a couple of times pre Covid. It was fine, as others have said, you will likely need to fold up your pram which is only an issue if you're not expecting to have to do it. If you don't need access to it you might be able to put it in the guards/excessive carriage between Scotland and London depending on how packed the train is (or at least the Aberdeen-London line certainly offers this) which would take it off your hands! Tbh it's harder now he's a toddler as he's just so difficult to contain in a relatively small space for hours but isn't old enough to "entertain" easily in a quiet way, particularly if we don't pay for him to have a seat as then he technically has to sit on my knee.

notveryrelaxed · 23/07/2021 15:53

I did this a lot from London as far as Lancaster when my son was small - we went on the west coast line from Euston and if you email in advance for pre-boarding, they will take you onto the train first and you can put the pram in one of the disabled spaces as long as they are not booked. (They always caveat that if someone comes on with a wheelchair you obviously will need to move but 9 times out of 10 its fine and even if you did need to move it helps that you're on the train early and you are all settled before the train sets off, plus you usually have the two seats by the pram in any case).

This worked really well as you can have baby on knee for feeding etc or rocked to sleep in pram right next to you - far easy than when I try and do it with a toddler now!

There used to be an email address or the web page here as a form you can complete: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/onboard/assisted-travel

Enjoy! x

notveryrelaxed · 23/07/2021 15:54

Actually, just checked and email was: [email protected]

Jasmine11 · 23/07/2021 18:22

As pp have said the pram should be fine, what time of day are you travelling? Also if you can stretch to first class you'll have more pleasant trip in general. A three month old is the perfect age to take on a long train trip as all they need is you and don't need too much entertaining :) Have fun!

MinnieMountain · 24/07/2021 07:10

If it’s not too late for it to arrive, consider getting a family railcard. The saving on even the one journey might well offset the cost.