Babies on Public Transport

[MrsScatterbrain]

Hi everyone,

I would love to take the bus to our local shopping centre with my (nearly) 4 month old son in his pusher, but am too much of a wus! :D What if DS starts screaming? Do I leave him in his pusher during the journey or hold him? What if everyone stares? :eek:

Maybe there are some more savvy travellers out there who could allay my fears! Help! :rolleyes:

[Barry]

When on a bus it's safer to leave the child in the pusher... but in reality if your child's upset and you're a fair way from your stop the answer is to pick them up and calm them down really, but depending on the level of tanty, a bit of toy jiggling and what not might be able to calm him.

Our bubba loved the movement of the cars & trains when he was younger though so I imagine buses would be equally as beneficial.

[meme]

i travelled on buses all the time with my 1st baby. our local buses were little and i would have to fold the pram up and then i would have bubs on my lap. most of the bus drivers were nice and helpful but i would find some who would just sit and watch me juggle my pram my baby and my shopping, buses or walking were my only options then.
i also found that if i was catching a bus on a route where they only came hourly, i would sometimes get stuck between buses with a tired cranky child(especially as she got older) and i would have to occupy her while we waited.
i'm afraid i don't have fond memories of having to catch buses but i have enjoyed public transport since, when it's been more about sharing the experience with my kids.
if it's the only option though, it is definately worth it just to get out.:thumbsup:

[Oscar's mum]

our local buses were little and i would have to fold the pram up and then i would have bubs on my lap.


Most the buses in my area are the same you have to fold the pram up to get on board! Drivers on the buses hmmm they could definately be more helpful, but that's another story:sleeping: !

DS loves public transport he just sits their and looks out the window or yells out in baby jibber to the other passengers. If he cries he cries! Ppl are pretty understanding about tantrums etc, besides alot of them probably have kids themselves!:D

[Starlet]

If it's a newer bus, you can leave him in the pram, but alot of older buses you have to fold them up, it's a hazard to have an open pram blocking the aisle.

You might find it a little difficult the firdt few times, but you'll soon figure out how to do it all. It just takes practice, the more you do it, the easier it gets!!

[kiwibird27]

If it's like Sydney look for the buses on the timetable marked wheelchair access - then it's really easy to wheel on the pram- most babies I know LOVE it??!! Travel at less busy times so there's plenty of room??!! They love watching people get on and off??!!

[razzle]

I catch buses all the time, the driver usually helps me if I have the big pram, if I have the stroller I just fold it up.

Avoid early morning and late afternoons is all I can advise - peak hour and school hour - nightmare!!

[JodieC]

My son loves the bus, falls asleep just about everytime, if he cries i usually try and give him his dummy (hes not to fussed about the dummy, prefers his thumb :mad: ) but if that doesnt work i usually pick him up and all the old ladies on the bus get clucky

[natasha]

I know how you feel! I went on a bus for the first time the other day with my 14 month old lil girl. The first bus that came along the driver said he couldn't let me on board beacuse there was nowhere for my pram to go and it would still be too bulky even folded up!!!!:eek:

So I waited for one with wheelchair access and that was a bit easier. I was on my own and had shopping with me so it was a bit of a struggle when DD started playing up. A really nice lady helped me though.....my pram wouldn't fit down the isle so we had to go back out and through the other entrance halfway down the bus!

Then finally I got seated (bus driver waited till I got settled) when DD decided to POO!! ARRRHHH:laughing: It smelt so bad that I had to aplogise to people around me bcoz I knew they could smell it.:laughing:

Then when I was getting off about 5 people stood up to help me off! One woman turned round to me and said ' Don't worry love,,,,we have all been there'.

Then another woman sitting across the way agreed and said ' you really can't care what people think because those of us with children understand what it's like, and those without......well who cares what they think ! :p "

I thought that was really nice.

I'm not doing it again tho!!!!!!


Nasha xxxx

[Jenko]

I've caught buses with my DD since she was born. The big buses are easier, so you can wheel your pram on. When my DD was little i used to put the baby bjorn in the basket and that way if i needed it i would put her in that while i folded the pram up. It was much easier.

She only ever had a few crying episodes, most of the time she liked the movement. I picked her up occasionally if she needed it.

More often than not, you will find someone willing to give you a helping hand. Once you do it the first time, it will become easier.

Oh, and i tried not to buy too much while out shopping. It just makes it harder when you have to carry it home again.

[KiLLaKaZ]

i'm glad someone asked about this - i was wondering the same thing!

though i was thinking maybe i'd have bubs in a sling so i could fold up the pram & have my habds free... but then there's still the issue of the shopping! :rolleyes:

[caz]

I've become quite an expert dealing with buses and babies (you get that when you don't have a license and DP is out of town for work :p ) My tips are :


1 - If possible, feed bubs just before you leave home (they are more contented and less likely to cry)

2 - Take the least amount of stuff with you (it's a real hassle trying to get on public transport with heavy bags)

3 - Buy the least amount possible (same as number 2 being a hassle getting on the bus with heavy bags) If you need to buy a lot of stuff ie groceries, see if they home deliver

4 - If you know the bus won't have wheel chair access, if you can, try and have the pram or stroller folded up before the bus gets there.

5 - If you can't lift the pram or stroller, ask the driver for help (don't worry if he/she groans about helping you out, it's part of his/her job. Most of the drivers are more than happy to help you out, it's just a select few)

6 - As some else mentioned, avoid peak hour and when kids get off from school (nothing worse than trying to get on the bus during these times)

7 - If anyone offers to help you, accept it. (I found this one hard as I like to think I can do everything by myself)

8 - Enjoy the ride :smiliedance:

I found with DS he love the bus. Loves looking at everything and everyone. The other day he realised no-one was looking at him so he made this cute sound to get everyone's attention, it worked too the cheeky little thing :o

[Insaine Laine]

i always use public transport as i don't drive!! Our buses are also quite small, so when my DS was younger, i would take him in the sling instead of having to worry about folding up the pram.. and carrying everything!!lol
He usually fell asleep because of the motion & also because he was close to me..
When he was alittle older, i just sat him on my lap.. now on the chair.. he still sometimes goes to sleep but mostly just watches everyone, especially the kids!! He loves catching the bus & trains.. So just go for it, if your DS gets upset/unsettled, just calm him like you usually would.. You have as much rite to be there as everyone else so don't worry about what they would say!!lol:thumbsup:
Lainy..