· Make sure you take a Virgin train - they're faster and there's a table so you should be able to place your baby seat on the train seat and it will be kept in place by the arms of the seat and the table.

Travel off-peak and use two seats but pay for one in standard class. If you can't get two seats, move into first class and explain your predicament to the train manager. They're normally extremely helpful and will let you sit there without paying but should you find yourself faced with a difficult one, be prepared to pay to upgrade your ticket (check with Virgin but sometimes they do deals where you can do this for £10).

Alternatively, treat yourself to a less stressful journey and buy a first-class ticket (with free refreshments!). I always pay the extra to do this with my young daughter - the staff are polite and courteous, the seats are roomy and the atmosphere is pleasant.
Sara

· Good God woman, you are going on a two-hour train journey to Manchester, not a three month trek to outer Mongolia. If you have a carry cot, reserve a seat at a table and put the cot on the table. If using a buggy, there might be room to park it in the wheelchair space. Please don't however change the kid's dirty nappy on the table, as I observed a parent doing the other week.
Ros Clayton