Train + Baby Solo: The Anti Far-Of-law Guide for Coralage

Article initially published on July 30, 2019

At the beginning of July, when my daughter had just celebrated her first birthday, I became a mother. Be careful, I know that I officially became a mother on the day of birth (and also much earlier in my heart), but I have the impression of having crossed a real step by checking a feared box on the young parent’s control list: The train journey with a child. More alone.

I will not lie to you, I was super stressed to the idea of ​​having to spend 3 hours in a closed and relatively silent place with a child who only asks to discover the world on the four -legged, scream his (me) contentment and lick the armrests. I was also afraid of not being able to go around with my tonne of luggage, my stroller and my welcoming. In short, I wasn’t peaceful at all!

In the end, with a little hindsight, I went quite well thanks to some really stupid tips collected by friends who have already passed this baptism of fire.

Tips n ° 1: provide your trip in advance

When you have to travel by train with a child, only as accompanied, it is risky to do it at the last minute, even if you are a professional improvisation. In addition to allowing you to enjoy more attractive prices, Reserve tickets in advance also gives the possibility of making some strategic choices such as the location of the seats !

With a child (and all the luggage that accompanies him), I can advise you to opt for the bass room if your train has two floors: they will always be some less step and, when the circulation of people is made upstairs, nobody will be embarrassed if the overview the rabbit will drag himself in the middle of the corridor.

If the train you need to take allows you, you can also choose places in the family space (every weekend in many TGVs). In addition to having more space, you will be near the toilet with a changing surface, which is always practical in case of explosive diarrhea. Otherwise, do not hesitate to look at the prices of the first class: sometimes there is only a few euros of difference with the second, and the level of comfort is really worth it, especially with a child.

For times, Choosing a journey that includes a meal is a good idea : Eat occupies a very small one for at least twenty minutes and there is a good chance that it will punish a sum once a full belly. It’s always won! On the main lines, you will find a bottle heater in the nursery school space and, for the solid, you can have it hot in the bar car.

Tip n ° 2: Sit for the child

Up to 4 years, a child can travel free of charge to his knees (or in a carrier/child vector) from the adult that accompanies him. Personally, I didn’t really want to keep my daughter blocked against me for 3 hours, so I took a “baby” ticket: A real place next to mine For 9 €.

Even if the child does not pass the entire journey to his seat, it is super practical to install a welcoming, toy or even quickly install a changeable carpet if the nursery school space is too far or that there is an emergency.

Council n ° 3: travel with the rigorous necessary

When you travel with several with a child, you can easily share the tasks: a person can take care of the child, another baggage and if the third thief is there, he can manage the stroller and his intelligent turn. When you are alone, it is another couple of sleeves, so the interest of traveling (a lot) light.

Depending on the age of your child, The competition of the competition is back against a light and easy to store, or against a baby carrier or a scarf carrier. Some strollers allow you to cut a car seat of the early age on their folding frame, it is also a good idea (even if it is a little heavier for the arms): the welcoming will serve as a seat/bed for the child during the train journey, a nacelle stroller and also, it is still its main function, seat.

If possible, instead of cluttering your hands with a suitcase, Take a large backpack and roll all the clothes and towels to save space. In addition to this bag, prepare a barrel with the business you will need on the train (layers, food, toys, down jacket, bottle of water, etc.) so as not to have to search in your Barda every 10 minutes. For food, do not hesitate to take more than what you should need: you are never immune to a significant delay and you don’t say that your child loves the triangle salmon-tzatziki sandwiches.

Tips n ° 4: organize upstream for equipment for childhood assistance and large suitcases

If you need to do many business, because you go for a long time or there is nothing that welcomes your baby where you go, different solutions are available for you. They will cost you some money, but they will quickly be profitable: tranquility is priceless.

For equipment for heavy and/or voluminous children as a bed, high chair or table to be changed, You can rent everything on the internet and have your resort or in a point of relay delivered. Some sites such as Famille (all of France), Babytems (Paris and île-de-French) or BBVM (Basque and South Coast of Landes) offer many products at decline to lighten your luggage, but also your mind. If you prefer to rent people, you can look at sites like Allovoisins.

In the case of large suitcases full of crack and absolutely essential, SNCF offers a removal and home delivery service. I will not lie, it is quite expensive (from € 29 for luggage), but it remains a solution worthy of interest for the solo parents who cross France with a child under their arms. Otherwise, some sites like Cocolis allow people to reduce travel expenses by transporting packages for other people. It is worth watching, even if it requires a little more organization than home delivery to be able to recover your things.

Council n ° 5: occupy baby during the trip

Once your baby and you are well installed in your places, you will have to occupy your offspring. This is the real challenge of the trip and, to tell the truth, it is not easy, especially when you are alone. Unless your baby is very small and sleeps much yet, You can immediately forget the nap or the reading : You may not even have time to go to the bathroom!

In addition to the toys you have prepared (give them only both so that it never tires), you can count on many allies to distract your child: your neighbors in a row, the landscape, the tablet of its seat, the bottle of water, etc. Even if they are only five minutes every time, it is already taken.

To prevent my daughter from getting bored too quickly, I followed the advice of a good girl: I bought him a new toy and gave him when I heard that nothing was interested And that he would start to pamper. The appeal for the novelty is not a myth, he played in silence for a good half hour. If you want to test this suggestion, do not forget to think about your neighbors and your mental health by choosing the gift: A silent toy is better.

And if, despite all your efforts, the love of your life starts crying? There is no need to try to have fun with his quilt (he may excite him even more), You will not find anything more effective than physical contact and the movement to calm it down. Then, take it in the arms and stretch your legs towards the bar car. You know what we say: “A little shot, and starts again”!

Source: Madmoizelle