Public transport and pushchairs

[mrsbabookaloo]

I've also posted this on the ante natal clubs thread; hope no-one minds.
I know the pushchair/buggy/stroller question has been done to death, but I've read all the mumsnet reviews and I'm still confused. I'm a first time mum due in June, I live in London in a groudn floor flat, don't own a car, will probably be using bus more than tube or train and walking a lot too. All the mumsnet advice says if you're using public transport you should get a buggy that's light and folds down easily, but you don't fold your buggy when you get on a bus, you just wheel it on. So is weight still imnportant? I think it would be more important if you had a car, and had to fold it up and lift it into the boot.
I don't want anything flashy, or to spend more than 300 quid: simple, classic looking is more my style. I quite wanted to go for a basic lightweight pushchair from birth, but my mum pointed out that they are all forward facing and it's nice to have baby facing you at first, isn't it?
So, London transport users, what do you think? Is there some vital thing I haven't thought of? What do you recommend for my lifestyle? Should I just go for a sling instead?
Sorry for long post and thanks to anyone who can help!

[foxinsocks]

the weight is important for things like steps

also, although you can wheel the pushchair on, when the bus is busy, the driver may ask you to fold it up so that more people can get on - also if 2 other people with buggies have got on before you, either you'll have to fold it up or they will!

I would go for a sling till he/she is old enough to go in a lightweight maclaren style stroller.

[Tatties]

I have a \link{http://search.ebay.co.uk/pliko-pramette_W0QQfclZ4QQfnuZ1\mamas & papas pramette} - you can have it as a pram facing you to begin with, then switch it to a forward-facing pushchair when your lo is older. Easy enough to fold if you need to, but I wouldn't attempt to do it one handed on public transport! I have wheeled this on buses and trains. It's great, really versatile, you get your money's worth!

[Filyjonk]

Agree with foxinsocks, in your circumstances go for a sling for as long as possible then you'll be in a better position to decide on the sort of thing you want.

I recomend a nice Ergo, or failing that a Baby Bjorn (the Ergo will do as a backpack til they're toddling, the baby bjorn gets too much at around 4 months IME)

[mrsbabookaloo]

Thanks for these ideas: definitely helpful.

[jellyjelly]

One that you can fold with one hand would certainly be a bonus. I travelled with a buggy for 2 years and the amount of time i had to struggle to get ds to stand up at one year was horrible so i could collapse the buggy or not get on one for another hour.

Travel systems are very good as midwives wont let you leave without a car seat even if you dont drive so check at next an appointment. (we didnt drive when ds was born and wanted to leave by bus but ds still had to leave in a car seat.

[mrsbabookaloo]

jellyjelly - I've heard about this "leaving the hospital in a car seat rule" before: how ridiculous if you're going by bus! Why should people fork out for a car seat they're not going to use? We probably will get picked up from the hospital by my parents, and I'm expecting them to buy a car seat..! But not everyone's as spoilt as me, and it seems very unfair.

Anyway, I've slightly hijacked my own thread: would still like to hear from others on pushchairs and public transport!

[jellyjelly]

The other thing is go for a bog standard 4 wheeler not a fancy 3 wheeler as they are really very awkward as they take up 2/3 spaces and if people are already on the bus they might not let you on. Have seen this countless times. I have a thin buggy which was really good size wise but horrible to collapse

[coppertop]

I'm not in London but we too have no car and use the buses that let you wheel pushchairs/prams on and off.

I agree with using a sling for the first few months or so.

I would still go for a light pushchair that can be folded easily and one-handed. As others have said, you may end up waiting a long time for a bus that has free space and it's a useful backup to be able to fold your pushchair down just in case.

[mrsbabookaloo]

bump