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Parody ‘Baby On Board’ Badges – Funny Or Plain Ignorant?

A range of novelty badges have angered pregnant women and mums alike

A series of parody ‘Baby on Board’ badges are causing debate online, seeming to suggest that hungover and downright lazy passengers should use them to claim what they consider their right to a seat.

While the badges, created by Wayward Studio, are probably just designed to be tongue-in-cheek parodies, some people are concerned about the implications of badges like these.

The novelty badges in question [Wayward.com]
The novelty badges in question [Wayward.com]



One mum-to-be, who uses the London Underground on a daily basis, worries about the effect that spoof badges like these will have on other passengers.

“These badges could take away the impact of what the baby on board badge stands for,” says Laura Petts, 26, from Hampshire. “It’s not something I wear for fun. Sometimes it can be hard enough to get a seat on the tube, especially in rush hour, without novelty badges making it seem like a joke accessory to wear.”

The Duchess of Cambridge with a 'baby on board' badge during a visit Baker Street Underground station in 2013 [Rex]
The Duchess of Cambridge with a 'baby on board' badge during a visit Baker Street Underground station in 2013 [Rex]



Most people will probably agree that baby on board badges are a great idea if the baby bump isn’t all that obvious, but the majority of women are very clearly pregnant – so shouldn’t they be offered a seat regardless?

It takes a certain type of person to spot a pregnant woman on a stuffy and crowded bus or train and not offer them their seat.

And of course only pregnant women should wear the baby on board badges. Seems obvious, but apparently it isn't.

Laura says that at seven months pregnant, it’s mostly younger men who give up their seat for her – whether she’s sat in the priority seat or not. “People that don’t offer me their seat are generally in their own world, although I have noticed a sneaky few that look up and then straight back down again,” she says.

Another mum, Yahoo blogger Felicity Hannah, says that while feeling unwell on a train isn’t pleasant, being pregnant is 10 times worse. And she knows, she’s done both. “I've been hungover on a train and it's miserable,” says Felicity. “I've staggered onto the underground wearing heels so uncomfortable it's like I'm walking on knives. I have every sympathy with these badge wearers!

“But being pregnant is completely different. For a start, pregnancy lasts nine months! Then, there's the welfare of the baby to consider. When I was pregnant with my first baby I used to faint if I stood for too long. Mums-to-be can feel nauseous, have swollen ankles, have back ache, suffer pelvic girdle pain... The list is endless. They need those seats.”

Using public transport when pregnant is 10 times worse than usual [Rex]
Using public transport when pregnant is 10 times worse than usual [Rex]



Felicity says that she hopes the commuters wearing ‘I’m important’ and ‘I’m hungover’ badges are simply poking fun at themselves – and not genuinely suggesting that a pregnant woman, or indeed a child or someone who’s less able to stand, doesn’t deserve a little extra courtesy from his or her fellow passengers.

The ‘baby on board’ scheme, started by Transport For London (TFL), is no longer limited to the capital – it’s also in effect in a number of other places in the UK. In Liverpool, mums-to-be can wear a bright yellow badge to let other passengers know that they’re expecting.

“In the early stages no one can see that you are pregnant, so a badge would be useful to make sure the people around know you are expecting, in case you fall ill while travelling or so they can make space for you when getting on and off the bus,” says Kat Taylor, who contacted Merseytravel to suggest the idea.

The Southeastern 'baby on board' badge [Southeastern]
The Southeastern 'baby on board' badge [Southeastern]



Navy blue badges have also been issued for Southeastern passengers, free of charge. “We understand it can be difficult for pregnant women to travel on busy trains,” David Statham, from Southeastern, said in a statement. “We hope the badges will make travelling across the Southeastern network safer and more comfortable for expectant mums.”

Mums-to-be using TFL’s services can pick up their badge at most underground stations, from the website or from Not On The High Street, who TFL has teamed up with to create a range of ‘baby on board’ branded products.

What do you think of the spoof baby on board badges? Let us know in the comments.

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