please help point me in the direction of some decent travel systems, there are so many out there my head is spinning!
I live in the city, use public transport, and will likely be living in a first or second floor flat when LO arrives. I don't drive. I would ideally like one system I can use from birth right through. Any recommendations? Grateful for any pointers.
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Travel system help! Too much choice!
27 replies
forgetmenots · 11/11/2012 23:24
OP posts:
bochead ·
14/11/2012 15:14
It's soooo confusing when it's your first isn't it. I have a list of things I'd do differently next time round.
If the car seat is only for the very occasional taxi journery or relative's car I'd just get the basic £19.99 one off the kiddicare website.
If this is your first child and you REALLY haven't a clue what you want then why not get a second hand silver cross dazzle (theoretically ticks off all the key city dwellers requirements) and a brand new dazzle carry cot from the outlet section on the silver cross web site to start? I reckon you could put together the 2nd hand buggy/brand new carrycot combi for under £50 if you are canny. It's light weight and designed for urban, public transport using flat dwelling lifestyles.
www.silvercross.co.uk/outlet/ - link to carrycot (brand new)
Then sit back and relax as you'll have the necessities when your new born arrives, and some money still in your bank account.
Once bubba's been part of your life for a while and you have a clearer idea of your lifestyles specific demands then you'll either continue along as happy as pie with your cheapo silver cross birth-toddler combo, OR you'll start looking longlingly at those Mum's in the park whose buggy set ups do EXACTLY what you wish yours did.
With your revised list of criteria based upon bitter experience of motherhood you can then go back to that infinate list you looked at while pregnant and easily pick out the brand new thousand pound model that suits you perfectly. You can use the money you saved on NOT making an really expensive mistake right at the beginning to purchase the pram of your dreams at that point 
.
LDNmummy ·
15/11/2012 15:04
I got a Bee+ and Maxi Cosi car seat for getting taxi's and getting into relatives cars.
The Bee has been an absolutely amazing pushchair and I picked it because it could do everything including have a reverse seat position. My friend had a Maclaren with all the bells and whistles and even though it is also a great option, the Bee's lighter weight and smoother handling made it a dream for getting trains and buses.
After a year, my DD has become heavy enough that I felt I needed an even lighter and more compact pushchair. I recently bought a Maclaren Triumph and use both of my pushchairs daily depending on what I am doing. The triumph is for days I know I will be getting public transport and the Bee is for weekends and days I don't leave my local area.
Also, invest in a really good baby carrier. I bought a Beco Gemini and I take it with me everywhere.
With the Bee, I never folded it to get on a bus as the fold is too bulky. I would rather wait for an emptier bus, but that's a choice I made. I would pick the Bee up with DD inside for going up and down stairs, that's why I needed something even lighter now DD is older and heavier. But, I don't pick up my pushchair if I can help it and use a combination of baby carrier and Maclaren now for busy days out on public transport or when I know I will be going up and down stairs. The triumph is so light and has a 10 second fold (once you get used to it) so great for buses.
In my experience, living in the city means needing a few different options for day to day travel. I think one pushchair like the Bee to begin with and then a lighter option like the Maclaren Triumph when baby is old enough to sit in a partially reclined seat. Plus a baby carrier to use in combination or by itself for quick trips out.
I wouldn't recommend a baby carrier for all day wear as it can put a lot of pressure on your back once your baby gets older and heavier.
Don't get an expensive car seat if you don't need one. I only got the Maxi Cosi because I thought I would be going on trips in my DM's car more often than I actually did. I only used it about a handful of times so it was a waste of money. If you do use cars, taxi's or other, regularly then I would get a compatible car seat.
The Bee is expensive and I think there are cheaper options on the market now. I bought mine as an investment as I plan on having another baby. That's my other tip, make sure to get things with a reputation for lasting long when you have to put them through the battering of city life. For me, this meant spending more. Everything I bought was expensive IMO, but will last me long enough to use again.
HTH 
LDNmummy ·
15/11/2012 20:29
No problem forgetmenots 
It is so surprising how complicated this stuff can be!
LDNmummy ·
17/11/2012 01:34
I am drooling over the Versa 
I would have bought the Versa if DD had been born a year later
I love Baby Jogger's and the City Mini was my second choice. It just didn't have that reversible seat, the Versa seems to have it all. There's a version with GT tyre's but I don't know if that would make much difference in the city.
Anyway I am going to avoid this thread now as it's making me think I need another pushchair and I don't have enough space for three sadly.
forgetmenots ·
17/11/2012 04:45
Oh no LDNmummy! Pushchair cravings!
Thanks tiggy, the Versa sounds like an ideal place for me to start - really helpful of you.
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