Do you need a car in London with a newborn?

I have found I haven’t used public transport at all with my baby he’s 4.5 months now. This is because getting on and off on your own with a pram is an absolute NIGHTMARE and people are so rude and no one helps. Plus the tubes are absolutely filthy and full of people coughing etc and they have no consideration for personal space. When he’s bigger we will use public transport but not a tiny fragile baby x

So many stations are not step free and the ones that are have a massive gap between train and the platform

I think you need a car seat just in case of emergencies and the hospital usually won’t let you leave without a car seat. We have the nuna pipa which can go into any car using the iso and seatbelt adaptor without the need for a base. We’ve used it in Ubers to go to the hospitals in the middle of the night for example. Also if you plan on going anywhere overnight there is a lot of stuff to take for a baby which isn’t easy to take on transport.

Thank you - that’s really helpful ☺️

I don’t drive and find it very difficult to use public transport, so I just take uber everywhere which is very expensive. So if you can, driving is definitely better.

With my first I had I car and I always thought I don’t know how people do it without. With my second I didn’t have a car anymore, and honestly it hasn’t bothered me at all. But I guess it depends on where you live. The bus is not my favourite, but I live in the area I grew up in and my family friends and all amenities are not too far away so I pretty much walk everywhere, which is great for naps and helped me loose weight. I don’t get to tube much, but do use the overground and it’s fine.

Agreed for get a car seat for emergencies as its handy to have anyway, we’re lucky as we organise lifts to appointments and i have yet to brave public transport but more so due to germs (not usually overprotective but measles n chickenpox outbreak + coughs mean ive avoided tubes n buses 🤣) . Ive realised putting baby in carrier before any lifting of buggy is easiest especially if like me you forgot to check your buggy folds as one rather than in two pieces 🤣 still have yet to face taking it out alone tho!

Do think about buggy size and ability to handle all terrains as buses were always a squeeze when taking my niece out and i forgot about this until my pram arrived and i realised how the hell will i fit without folding with even one other buggy or wheelchair

Buy the car seat for getting home from hospital as they won't allow u without one. Get a cab or family member to bring you home. As for needing it for London No way. Don't listen when people day you do, its their opinions. I've been FINE without one for 8 years. 2 kids. Yes sometimes u miss a bus as only two buggies allowed but very rare and next one comes very quickly. A car is just extra money If you go on Google and search wherever u want to go, there's an option to choose step free access and shows you all routes with wheelchair access (lifts, step free)

I checked this yesterday at UCLH I live so close to the hospital and they will let you go without a car seat in a taxi. They also said that there are some firms that have car seats so that's my plan a. Plan b will be to wheel the pram into the back of a black cab

I drive and since I had my lo I have been walking everywhere and not driving. However I live close to the high street and the school run is just so much easier to walk. However for going to visit family or shopping or leisure I do drive. I have 3 young children so it’s easier. I think you’d be better if you can manage without and then like you said rent for longer journeys

I have been able to navigate London with my now 2 year old, it’s been pretty easy for me except for the odd journey or two where there will be some people stressing me out on public transport. Point is that it is DO-ABLE. It can be a struggle let’s say having to wait for the next train/bus if you weren’t able to get onto your first one and I do suggest leaving extra time for inconveniences during your journey. On my way home from the hospital I had gotten in the cab, hospitals often don’t let you leave without a car seat so make sure you have one. I did buy a toddler car seat for car journeys as my parents do drive and often will come to take us shopping or on days out

I live in London without a car and I get the bus and train regularly and have no problems. People offer to help me with the buggy on stairs all the time and if they don’t you can always ask the TfL workers to help you. I left the hospital without a car seat (no one even asked us if we owned one) I think it depends on what hospital you’re at

I don't drive I just use my carrier. I got the babybjorn second hand. Haven't braved the bus with the pram yet but I did the train the other day. Found it terrifying getting over the gap but less scary on the way back. It's like everything, scary at first but then you get used to it

I use public transport daily with no issue because I make bus drivers park closer to the curb for me because it’s stipulated in their job and I am very vocal when people act like they can’t see my pram because they want to stand in the pram spot. As long as u have a backbone and understand it’s every man/woman/person for themselves, it’ll be fine. Train is my first option tho, bus is always last option

As others have said - I’ve for a maxi cosy car seat for a seat belt attachment ~ I don’t even have a car.

We have a car seat and we ubered home from the hospital. We find it more cost-effective to hire cars when we want to travel out of London to visit relatives as it means we don't have the daily running costs of our own motor. I find it really easy nipping around London with baby on transport, but I do prefer it with him in carrier than prams due to lack of lifts sometimes.

Depends on where you live and what you intend to do. We have a car seat that we took the baby in from hospital (Uber) and then when I couldn’t walk after to midwife apps. It’s easy. But for last 5 months (baby is 6.5) we only took cab twice - to and back from airport. Apart from that we walk (helps you clear your mind and keep fit) or take public transport. You wouldn’t drive to central London or in rush hour anyway as you could be stuck for hours with screaming baby 🫠 It all depends on neighbourhood you’re in I guess - ours has everything you need.