Getting Baby to Daycare on Metro

[Anonymous]

My wife and I are expecting our first child. We are exploring a number of childcare options, one of which is a daycare center located downtown near where we both work. We are wondering how difficult it would be to get the baby to daycare on the Metro. The Metro can get very crowded, especially during peak rush hour in the morning. What is it like to travel during these busy times with a baby and all of the requisite gear? Is it a bad idea? Should we drive baby to daycare instead? Anyone have any transportation tips?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I did this (took metro and bus) while my baby was at a daycare downtown. I put the baby in the ergo and had a backpack for his diaper gear. People are generally good about giving you a seat when you have a baby strapped to your chest! If there are two of you traveling, it will be even easier because one of you can carry the stuff while you are on metro. Also, I did not take my pump back and forth to work (just left it at work) so there was a little less to carry.

If possible, maybe try to avoid the absolute peak hours so it is a little less crowded. Also, I would try to go to the front or back cars because they tend to be less crowded.

[Anonymous]

I ride the bus every day with 2 under 2 and while, its not ideal, it certainly isnt all that difficult. Wear the baby for as long as you can and put your stuff in a backpack. You will be leaving all the supplies at daycare, so all you need for the trip is an extra diaper and wipes, in case of a disaster.

People get up for us every single time and 90% of the time people help me carry the stroller (for the older kid) on and off the bus.

I try to minimize taking as much as I can. Like PP, I leave my pump at work (I got a used one to keep at home where I pump less often).

Its a good chance to spend some extra time with your baby, instead of them sitting in a car seat while you are stuck in traffic. Now that DC1 is older, we read books on the bus and sing songs. Its become a fun, although still not easy, part of the day.

[Anonymous]

I recommend you try it out before you commit to one way or another. I tried it and found it extremely difficult and time consuming. I did it alone. I also had to transfer lines which was a real pain in the butt. Also, elevators and escalators are not reliable on the metro.

[Anonymous]

From another standpoint...

It may be stressful at first to bring him/her downtown with you. But I think it'll be more stressful to try and make it out of the city every night and to the daycare center in the burbs before they close. Most close at 6:00...6:30 if you're lucky. A lot of them are VERY STRICT about pick up times and you will be asked not to come back if you're late too many times.

[Anonymous]

I think it could be tough carrying the baby, his/her stuff and your stuff (lunch, work, workout clothes or whatever) on the metro during rush hour. That said, it's definitely easier using an ergo or Bjorn - strollers are a nightmare during rush hour.

If you're both coming downtown and you have similar hours, I'd think the easiest solution would be to drive all 3 of you in one car - parking for one car is probably cheaper than parking plus metro for 2, and if someone needed to stay later, they could metro home.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Follow up question: At what age does a baby become too big for the typical woman to carry in an Ergo? My wife would be transporting the baby alone on most days given our work schedules.

[Anonymous]

too big? you've got a while. you can carry them in an ergo until 45 lbs - so well past 2 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Follow up question: At what age does a baby become too big for the typical woman to carry in an Ergo? My wife would be transporting the baby alone on most days given our work schedules.

9:45pp here -

DD2 is 8 months and I still am wearing her. Ergo's can last for a while, maybe a 30lbs weight limit. My DD is 17 lbs. Once the baby gets too big, I would try a cheap/light stroller - like the $20 ones that you get a Babies r Us. I've taken a stroller on the metro and its ideal but certainly not a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:too big? you've got a while. you can carry them in an ergo until 45 lbs - so well past 2 years old.

Agreed. I have a 6mo and a 2yo who I take alone to/from daycare on the bus every day. I'm about 5'2". Baby goes in the Ergo and we have a light MacClaren for the toddler. I carry an Ergo backback and a little cooler for the baby's bottles. Luckily, I can take the Circulator, and I'm on an early stop, so there's always plenty of space in the morning. Coming home is sometimes a crush, but as PPs have said, I'm almost always offered a seat and people frequently offer to help me with the stroller. Obviously you can't bank on it, but I'm always incredibly grateful.

It's not easy, and I often feel like a pack mule, but it's totally doable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:too big? you've got a while. you can carry them in an ergo until 45 lbs - so well past 2 years old.

Yep, and at that point your child can walk easily....as long as it isn't too long of a walk.

My kid is 3 and 34 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Our son is 18 months and we still wear him in the Ergo; he's about 25 lbs. I highly recommend you DON'T use a stroller-- the hassle of elevators being out, being on the wrong side of the tracks, trying to push it into a crowded rush hour train and not have the doors close on you, it's pretty dismal. The Ergo is not ideal but at least I'm in constant contact with my son.

[Anonymous]

I ride Metro regularly and see people with babies and little kids all the time. So it's definitely doable.

However, I chose not to do it. We use a daycare near our home, and I drop off, come downtown, go home and pick up. I had to adjust my schedule, but I was part-time already so that wasn't an issue.

Honestly, although I don't mind Metro, it would stress me out too much to bring a kid every day.

[Anonymous]

I found it to be much easier to drive in and it was actually also cheaper than metro fare for my husband and I each day. Like a PP said, we parked in one place, both went to work from there and if one of us stayed late, that person took metro. It was easy to have an infant on metro but I found it very difficult with a toddler.

[Anonymous]

I've done both, and my preference is definitely for the Metro, but only if I can travel during off hours. Metro at 7 am is great. Metro at 8:30 am is jammed, and as your child gets older, s/he is likely to be even more freaked out by the crowds.

My kids all loved riding Metro. My youngest loves chatting with people who strike up conversations with him, too.