I lived in Manhattan for five years, so I should know this, but... What's the deal with strollers on the subway in New York? Assuming it's not rush hour, do you usually fold it and hold your LO and stroller, or keep it open?
I already know stairs will be an issue. Considering visiting a friend in Brooklyn while I am in the area and don't want to be a jerk- or inconvenience myself if it's not necessary. 
squash / 13764 posts
I have never folded my stroller on the subway, rush hour or no! I do only bring the small umbrella one, and I try NOT to travel during rush hour if possible.
pomegranate / 3331 posts
I'd say most people keep them open, and I'd venture to say most people just stand at the top of the stairs looking desperate enough for some strong guy to help them carry the stroller down the stairs 
I have the vista though, so folding it up wouldn't even save much room!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Ok that's what I thiugh. If bring my mountain buggy nano which is small and easy to carry anyway.
pomegranate / 3127 posts
Some stations do have elevators, so if you can stick to getting on and off there you'll be fine. Otherwise, yes, stairs are a pain, but if your stroller is light it's not as bad.
grapefruit / 4442 posts
I fold ours. Our DD likes to sit on the seats. so when its not in use we fold. We also try not to travel during rush hour. If the train is crowded and we dont get a seat I will open the stroller and have her sit in it.
pomegranate / 3272 posts
We visited friends in Brooklyn last summer with our then 16 mo. Granted, there were 2 of us to help with the stroller, but one carried the stroller and the other carried DS down stairs. Then we opened back up and put DS in. We never traveled during rush hour and no one gave us a second glance.
nectarine / 2272 posts
I bring an umbrella stroller and I just carry LO right in it. And I keep it open while riding.
grapefruit / 4671 posts
I never fold it, I leave it open whether DD is sitting in it or not because you never know when she might need to hop in. Pretty much everyone leaves their stroller open so no one will give you funny looks!
pineapple / 12566 posts
When we lived there I never folded mine, but I had a Maclaren. As for stairs, hope someone will offer to help! I never counted on elevators. They smelled so awful and I was always afraid of getting stuck in one
nectarine / 2086 posts
I came across this blog post a while back that lists all the subway stations that have elevators and where they are!
http://lovetaza.com/2014/10/tazas-nyc-guide-all-about-transportation/
grapefruit / 4187 posts
I just avoided the subway completely, but there are tons of strollers and no one folds. During rush hour people trying to get onto the train usually can't see that there is a stroller and try to push on, so just be prepared if it happens!
kiwi / 558 posts
@Foodnerd81: we stayed in NYC twice for over a week now and each time we did Baby Wearing Beco Gemini for longer travel and stroller for just walking around the area or parks!
honeydew / 7463 posts
I've only done the subway with a stroller a few times and I always left it open. But it wasn't near rushhour at all - train almost empty.
There are stations with elevators, you just have to look and figure it out ahead of time. I walk considerably further to a stop with an elevator so that I don't have to worry about the stairs.
The only problem is that the elevators are disgusting. I've never seen my 6 month old son make a face because of a smell, except in a subway station elevator
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@SweetiePie: haha yeah I think carrying a light stroller and baby up the stairs might be better than the stinky elevators anyway!
@HTownMom: she's almost 25 lbs and if be coming from NJ- so NJ transit, then two subways, plus walking. I love babywearing but I think that would test both our limits! Earlier I totally would have just worn her on my front.
nectarine / 2272 posts
@Foodnerd81: and you might get lots of offers of help lol. I think I have one of those faces because I hear that other moms get help offered every time they ride, and I have almost never been offered assistance.
honeydew / 7463 posts
@Foodnerd81: yeah, it wasn't until this thread that I realized "aha! Umbrella stroller!" He's probably just at the age and size for it now. That might make life considerably easier! I love my Vista but that thing really does limit me - subway, small cafes, etc are just too hard to navigate!
squash / 13764 posts
@hotchildinthecity: I think it just depends on the station and time of day. I often refuse help bc I know ppl whose strollers have been dropped by ppl trying to help!
nectarine / 2272 posts
@hilsy85: I just would like someone to grab the front/footrest of the stroller. That would help immensely! I have a really hard time balancing going down the stairs...up is no problem.
And grown men will literally push past me, not during rush hour, and nothing. I ALWAYS help, every time I see someone struggling with a stroller.
squash / 13764 posts
@hotchildinthecity: that's what happened to a friend tho, a guy was carrying the front and I guess lost his grip on the front and it slammed down on the stairs as they were going down. She luckily had the handlebar so the baby didn't tip over or anything, but still! I agree down can be tricky, I now usually have Lo walk down and then I re open the stroller at the platform. And I also always offer to help if I can--it's like not giving up a seat for a very pregnant person. terrible manners!
nectarine / 2272 posts
@hilsy85: I can't wait until LO can do the stairs more easily. Now, it would take all day.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@hotchildinthecity: yeah it would take all day for c to do the stairs too. Plus she is obsessed with stairs so I think once I let her do it once, she would always want to. No thanks.
honeydew / 7463 posts
@hilsy85: @hotchildinthecity: Don't even get me started on the manners of men in this city.
I've had a man step out in front of me while I was clearly 7 months pregnant in the dead of summer and steal a cab and shrug with a smirk like "not my problem" when I confronted him.
They NEVER offer their seats on the subway to a pregnant lady. They always quickly divert their eyes and pretend they didn't see you. It's always the women who offer.
They NEVER hold the door open for a stroller. In fact, I struggled through a door last week while a man on the other side watched and once I was through I held it and he walked through. I just look at these people in disbelief.
pomegranate / 3231 posts
@SweetiePie: I took my 1yo on the subway for the first time this weekend. (We live in Hoboken and don't bother with taking him into the city too often.) Anyway, I had the stroller but he was fussy and so I was pushing the stroller and wearing him in the Beco. I got on the subway and not a single person offered me a seat. I was like, "I AM CARRYING AN EXTRA 26 POUNDS HERE, PEOPLE!"
pear / 1672 posts
I try to avoid the stroller if I can, but I also live near a big station with lots of elvators. I've usually worn LO ( Becco Tula) or taken the umbrella stroller. I actually do get offered a seat (which I sometimes decline), so I maybe I have just lucked out? When I was pregnant I didn't alwasy get a seat sometimes with a handful of men sitting righ in front of me. Actually I could sometimes tell who would offer and who wouldn't (and I was usually right). I always tell myself that that will come back to them somehow in the future.
eggplant / 11716 posts
@ElbieKay: When we had family visiting, we got caught in rush hour and I had LO in an umbrella stroller---We were PACKED like sardines on the subway and of course, no one even moved out of the way so I could get the stroller away from the door and out of the way for people getting on and off-- until finally, a man who, I hate to say it...but who looked like he could be homeless, who was like 5 seats away, shouted over and asked if we wanted his seat.
He was wearing a wife beater and shorts down below his butt to show his boxers completely---
So that was a good lesson for me--sometimes help comes from unexpected people? And all the white collar assholes who wouldn't shift to let us move--well, I hope they racked up some back karma.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
25 comments