I know nothing about pushchairs, but have to admit I can't sling anymore!

[otchayaniye]

Please help, I've been slinging my daughter for 23 months now (wraps, Ergo, Boba etc) and as she's on the small side 11 or so kg and naps out and about in the sling thought I could do without a pushchair but after a period of illness I really can't sling for hours a day out and about, but so far along I have no idea where to start.

Can anyone recommend a pushchair stroller thing that is good for:

public transport - I tend to go out for the day most days in central london
a toddler can nap in
is light and easy to fold as my overground station has 30 steps and no lift
easy to get hold of (net, John Lewis etc)
fairly inexpensive as I reckon I won't need it for that long

thank you thank you. I'm a bit desperate!

[otchayaniye]

Or am I mad, given she's two. She walks fine, of course, just not quickly and in the right direction! It just seems really annoying to have to buy something big for what could only be a couple of months.

sigh

[Rockbird]

I'd suggest a Maclaren Triumph although you'd be able to get it cheaper elsewhere, especially if you're happy to go second hand.

I think you do need a buggy if you're giving up on slinging. My dd is an energetic 2.8yo and she wouldn't survive central London on foot on a regular basis.

[otchayaniye]

Thanks, yes, I think I need it as a backstop.

I basically never bought a pram as I had her in Singapore and where we lived it as impractical - lots and lots of tiny alleys and huge steps in Chinatown. And I didn't want to shell out and then ship back a huge pram when we moved to the UK.

Since she was tiny, and our patterns of going out involved public transport, we continued to sling and kept buying more wraps and slings etc. But although my husband (he looks after her three days a week) can carry her fine, I struggle to walk 3-5 miles, nap her, carry stuff, picnic stuff, shopping etc now.

Today was bad. She was asleep on my back but woken up by a man shouting on the train, then it was trantrum when we went to meet a friend's angelic sleeping baby in a restaurant, bucking, wriggling, crying and shouting on a long tube journey, while a large Evian bottle slowly leaked all over my leg in my bag and I (I've been ill and had 1 hour's sleep last night) shuffled along, weeping.

I looked enviously at someone's pram on the tube carriage.

Thanks for the rec.

[Indith]

Yeah just get a Maclaren of some sort, they are all pretty bomb proof, light and easy to fold.

[thisisyesterday]

get one of these

far less expensive than a maclaren and just as good, esp given as you probably won't need it for a huge amount of time!
better brakes than the maclarens as well

[Indith]

Oh my word I jsut saw the prices on the mothershite website I have a quest and there is no way it cost that much!

I'd go have a look, there isn't much to choose between the different ones so just to see what you like best (some have a strap to carry, some just a carry handle etc) then get one second hand. You can then replace the wheels for around £20 if you need to.

[otchayaniye]

thanks people - looks like there are cheap maclarens on ebay (as opposed to bugaboos, which seem to go for near-retail price for second hand)

I'll keep slinging, and so will husband, but it will be good to have for when I can't face a post office/trek/playgroup/library book visit-athon

Which is the lightest maclaren?

[robbie09]

I have a obaby sport plus there around £75 on some sites, i cud find u a cheap one if interested or if u wwouldnt mind second haand if you go on the pyshchairs for sale bit on this site sumones aaskin £45 for one

[TotorosOcarina]

I would get a baby jogger city mini.

Its one hand fold, you just pull the middle and its up.

brilliant buggy.

[BertieBotts]

I probably wouldn't pay the extra for a maclaren, unless you're going to be using it pretty heavily every day. If not a mamas & papas or obaby stroller is a good bet.

£45 is steep for a second hand obaby atlas sport though - they're on ebay for £20! (Though maybe the plus is different..)

Weights should be listed on the mothercare website, if that helps.

[TotorosOcarina]

I have an Obaby sport if you are just after a stroller,

it tis on

I have alot ofbuggies and bought this one for 5 days away at the sea side Haven't used it since.

Would take £20 for it if you are near Manchester or could post for £9.

[TotorosOcarina]

Mines got an all black frame though, not silver.

[otchayaniye]

Hi - thanks again, I'm in London though, but will look on the classifieds.

[nicolamumof3]

really depends what you will be using for and how long for etc.

mac volo will be fab for public transport and easy to store etc so so light i think you'll like it. The thing about maclarens is its all in the push and the useability they are easy to fold all covers come off for washing etc. and they re sell good too.

However depends how long you will be using for as pushing a heavier toddler in a stroller becomes harder as they get heavier, so something with air tyres is good. I recently bought a micralite superlite and its a dream to push easy to fold great on public transport it. Im a huge mac fan but i sold my black xt for this and have never looked back!!

[robbie09]

Obaby atlas r £50 brand new, ther completely different to a obaby ssport plus. & the lady who is selling it has used it 4 times.

[MonkeysPunk]

Micralite Fastfold or Micralite superlite and you can probably find one cheap on eBay 2nd hand too!
So easy, light to push - folds really small - free-standing when folded. Ideal for public transport. Highly manouverable - and it makes really light work of a heavy or large child.
Look at www.kiddicare.com if you're buying new - they had some with "free" micralite snuggle bags included - and they're very quick to deliver. here

[nicolamumof3]

monkeys i love my superlite soooooo much not looked at another pushchair since it is so light as you say and a dream to push. I got mine from kiddicare the footmuff is lovely.