Travelling with baby 3 months

Chattycatt · 2025-01-01T11:43:05+00:00

Forgive me if this isn’t in the right thread (still getting to grips with how this site works!) I’m a new mum and keen to travel on trains in the UK with my baby from 3 months onwards (she’s 2 months atm) would also like to start planning to stay places but I feel clueless on what to take/how to do this nervous as I’m a commuter to London for work I know how awful the trains can be (even in non peak they’re so busy) so any tips would be much appreciated!! My fear is being on a standing only train with my screaming baby is she too young or am I overthinking?

Inspiremeaholiday · 01/01/2025 12:38

You’re over thinking it. Pop her in a carrier and off you go!

mitogoshigg · 01/01/2025 12:53

Book seats on long distance trains but make sure your pushchair folds properly as the wheelchair space must be made available to wheelchairs on request, please don't be that parent who refuses to move on public transport. On commuter trains/those with double doors, it's easiest to stand near the doors with your pushchair

LittleRedRidingHoody · 01/01/2025 12:53

IMO, having a baby in a carrier is like a siren alert for people to give you a seat - much better than when I was pregnant or on crutches 😂 Same with taking a buggy/getting help on the stairs/escalators though I'd do some research on having a good pram for it (we had the Egg and I could manage it easily up/down stairs and escalators myself).

I'd make sure you have CityMapper on your phone if you travel with a pram - it will allow you to run queries step-free if you want to within London.

Staying overnight etc - there are giant lists online that I'd browse for inspiration but you won't need it all. Id keep a list for a few days of what you use at home and find ways to minimise it. When I travelled when DS was young and in a carrier, I'd do 1 night trips with a backpack. The good thing is there are normally shops packed with baby things so if you do forget anything, it's not the end of the world. Longer trips I'd take the buggy and one backpack/one overnight bag that easily fit on the buggy.

I would say aim to arrive anywhere before a long train 30 mins early - you'll want to change nappies in the loos at stations prior to leaving rather than in train toilets if possible! And it'll give you time to grab a coffee (little treats are key to surviving 😂) find the right carriage/be ready. If you're joining a train mid-route, the staff on the platform/in the station can probably help with where you need to stand to get the pram space/booked seats.

reluctantbrit · 01/01/2025 22:15

DD hated being in a carrier for anything longer than 1/2 hour max, so it very much depends on your baby.

We travelled a lot into London, taking the pram and then either busses or walking.

If you want to go long distance I would say try to find accomodation which supplies stuff like high chari, travel cot etc so you only have to bring baby, clothes, small toys and food (if you bottle feed).

A larger backpack is easier than dragging a suitcase along with a pram.

Original poster

Chattycatt · 04/01/2025 10:13

mitogoshigg · 01/01/2025 12:53

Book seats on long distance trains but make sure your pushchair folds properly as the wheelchair space must be made available to wheelchairs on request, please don't be that parent who refuses to move on public transport. On commuter trains/those with double doors, it's easiest to stand near the doors with your pushchair

Thank you - noted!

OP posts:

Original poster

Chattycatt · 04/01/2025 10:19

LittleRedRidingHoody · 01/01/2025 12:53

IMO, having a baby in a carrier is like a siren alert for people to give you a seat - much better than when I was pregnant or on crutches 😂 Same with taking a buggy/getting help on the stairs/escalators though I'd do some research on having a good pram for it (we had the Egg and I could manage it easily up/down stairs and escalators myself).

I'd make sure you have CityMapper on your phone if you travel with a pram - it will allow you to run queries step-free if you want to within London.

Staying overnight etc - there are giant lists online that I'd browse for inspiration but you won't need it all. Id keep a list for a few days of what you use at home and find ways to minimise it. When I travelled when DS was young and in a carrier, I'd do 1 night trips with a backpack. The good thing is there are normally shops packed with baby things so if you do forget anything, it's not the end of the world. Longer trips I'd take the buggy and one backpack/one overnight bag that easily fit on the buggy.

I would say aim to arrive anywhere before a long train 30 mins early - you'll want to change nappies in the loos at stations prior to leaving rather than in train toilets if possible! And it'll give you time to grab a coffee (little treats are key to surviving 😂) find the right carriage/be ready. If you're joining a train mid-route, the staff on the platform/in the station can probably help with where you need to stand to get the pram space/booked seats.

Ah great thanks for all the tips! The pram I have atm is definitely not suitable for travelling myself it’s heavy and bulky - will have a look at the egg.

citymapper is great - use that a lot. Yeah I find the lists online are so overwhelming - hence coming on here as I thought surely you don’t need all of this stuff! Most of the posts are full of affiliate links so think it’s just a selling tactic to new mums. Great idea to make a list of at home and minimise it!

I hadn’t thought to change her in the station loo before boarding - train toilets are usually grim at the best of times so this is a good shout! And definitely need coffee, these little treats are keeping me alive nowadays 😂

OP posts: