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commuting with baby to daycare

MamaNikitaMamaNikita member
in New York Babies
Right now we live and work in Manhattan.  I walk to work and drop baby off at daycare on the way.  We are considering a move to Brooklyn.  Since my hours can vary and sometimes are late, I would think daycare in Manhattan would be easier than trying to get back to Brooklyn by 6:30 to pick DS up.  But that would mean a subway commute daily with a stroller.  Since I haven't had to do the subway with a stroller on my own yet, I'm just wondering if there are those who do this and how you manage.  Yesterday when I went out to look at the apartment I used the bjorn, but my boy is 25 lbs and growing, so that would kill me to do it daily.  Any suggestions?  We are thinking of having another one as well, so while DS will be walking soon and might not need the stroller, eventually we'll have another one who will.  Thanks in advance!
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Re: commuting with baby to daycare

  • baylorflamingobaylorflamingo
    There are a few things to consider....Do the subway stations near your work, home, or daycare have elevators or escalators? If so, you're golden! If not, can you get a baby carrier that works as a back carrier? And, the best piece of advice is get a lighter stroller. Regardless, I often have strangers ask if they can help me carry DS up the stairs at the subway, though it isn't the best idea to constantly rely on the kindness of strangers.
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  • MamaNikitaMamaNikita member
    the one near work/daycare has an elevator but the one near the apartment doesn't.  the stairs at that subway stop aren't horrible, but having to do it every day i would imagine would be an issue, especially if i got pregnant again.  how do people do it?  i guess i should also add that i'm only 5 feet tall and small frame.
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  • samelissa75samelissa75
    I am interested to see what others think as well. The station near our place does not have elevators but the station near my work does have elevators. Up until I couldn't carry anything, I used to help parents up and down the stairs with their strollers. It seems that most of them use very light umbrella strollers or travel with a friend. 
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  • JillAlyJillAly member

    I've been doing it for 3 years now!  First, with just my son.  Now I have 2 kids.  The subway near my home doesn't have stairs.  The one at work does.   I would say people offer to help about 25% of the time.   Usually it's women offering - or men who have kids (they always tell me how many they have!)

    Some days are great and some are horrible.  If the subway is crowded, it can take me 3 or 4 trains to get on.  I can't just jump on the train, I have to make sure I find a spot that doesn't put me in the middle of the car- otherwise, people can't get on/off and they get nasty.  You figure out pretty quickly where to stand while waiting for the train- as long as I'm in the corner (you know- where there are 2 seats), then it's fine.

    The toughest part was when I was pregnant with #2.  My husband carried the stroller in the morning down the steps and I folded the stroller and had ds walk up the steps if no one offered to help me carry it when I was going home.  He was almost 3 and too big to carry when I was pregnant.  We just waited until everyone else from the train was gone and then slowly walked up.  People often helped once they could see I was pregnant- it was only hard when I wasn't clearly showing.  When I was 7 months pregnant, I stopped the subway altogether and drove to work - my doctor forbid me from being on the subway (june/july) b/c of medical issues.

    One thing I never anticipated is how much people talk to you when you have kids.  I've had people ask me all sorts of questions - sometimes very personal.  I've had strangers touch my children (fixing a hat that went over her eyes, fixing her blanket, etc.)  I've had homeless people stop to talk to me about my children.  You lean to deal with it all.

    The one thing that drives me nuts is when people hear my 3 1/2 year old say he's tired and wants to sit down and NO ONE moves to let him sit.  It's hard enough maneuvering a stroller, and sometimes feeding a baby on the subway.  Add in trying to deal with a toddler who is cranky and unpredictable, and sometimes it's a long ride.  Usually door to door, it's 50 minutes for us.  That can be a LONG 50 minutes if one of them is crying or having a fit.  I've learned to always bring snacks for my son and an extra bottle for the baby.

    I wouldn't trade it for the world though.  I love all the extra time I get to spend with them.  We read books, talk about my son's day, and I get a lot of kisses and hugs.  Despite the hassles of the stroller, I've gotten used to it and don't mind it.

    Page me if you have any questions- I'm usually on the pre-school board.

    3 IUI's and 2 IVF's later- Brady arrived. Born at 36 weeks after PUPPS and pre-e/HELLP.
    IUI- BFN IVF #1 -BFP! Allie is our 2nd IVF baby. Born at 36 1/2 weeks after pre-e again
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