Where to start - London-friendly pram

[lilyb84]

I'm expecting my first DC in January and am completely bewildered by the range of prams on offer.

I live in SE London so need something reasonably public transport-friendly but which will also cope with local shopping trips, walks in the park etc. Probably nothing more 'off-road' than that but robust nonetheless.

I have a car but travel systems look like they might be a bit bulky - I really don't want to make bus travel harder than it needs to be as our local buses are crazy busy - so happy to get a separate car seat unless there are any travel systems which would be suitable.

Finally I'd like something that's suitable from birth to toddler so it's an investment rather than something we'll be replacing in a year or two.

Any advice or helpful online guides welcome! Everything I've found seems to assume a level of knowledge that I just don't have...

[PennyHasNoSurname]

I have a Maclaren Techno XLR. A lot of people swap to a stroller evebtually, and this stroller is suitable from birth (Lies totally flat which newborns need), and folds in one piece (handy for bus).Mine is on its second child now and its the only pram/pushchair/stroller weve had or will need.

It does have a separate carrycot if you fancied, good for a winter baby on walks, but it cant be folded with the carrycot attached.

For something a bit for modern/attractive, the Bugaboo Bee would suit your requirements.

[Jackiebrambles]

I'm in se London too. I'd recommend the baby jogger city mini. It has a one handed fold which is perfect for busy buses.

It is suitable from birth in the main seat but you can buy an add on carry cot if you'd prefer for when your baby is tiny. You can buy adaptors to add a car seat to as well.

One thing to think about is are you going to have more kids soon? If yes you might want to consider a buggy that converts to a double. We've got a 2.4 year age gap and had to get a Phil and teds double buggy.

[kittyvet]

Baby jogger seems a very popular choice amongst mums I know. Might want to look at slings too- close caboo a popular newborn sling, check out if NCT run a sling library near you.

[stuckinahole]

Londoner here - bugaboo bee

[JassyRadlett]

Another vote for the City Mini. Brilliant for London.

[applecatchers36]

Another vote for bugaboo Bee

[RiverTam]

I'm also in SE London and I had a bugaboo bee. Very narrow and nippy, turns on a sixpence. Used it loads on trains, buses and tubes. Good in the very narrow hallway if a Victorian terrace. Couldn't fault it.

[3rdSymphony]

Ex-Londoner here. Bugaboo Bee. Light enough to haul up and down tube steps and lies flat so usable from birth with a baby cocoon. I think there were only two pushchairs on the market then that fitted our criteria of light and usable from birth. Bugaboo Bee was one, but I've forgotten the other! Probably one mentioned above.

[lilyb84]

Thank you all, this is so helpful! I believe some friends of ours had the Bugaboo Bee so I may ask them about it as well. Thanks also for the other recommendations.

I already feel more informed

[Artandco]

Babyzen yoyo 0+. Doesn't take car seat, but fold far far smaller than bugaboo bee ( can carry like a bag on bus/ tubes if needed and fits by feet on bus/ tube). It's suitable from birth, parent faces first 6 months, very lightweight. Works fine in parks etc

Look it up on YouTube to see how it works exactly

[sleepyMe12]

SE London also bugaboo bee definitely. Super light, small enough for buses will last til baby is 3 easy.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Bugaboo bee all the way, second hand recommended as they can be much better value and come with the cosytoes etc

[jaffajiffy]

Considerations: 1. width of the chassis wheels. There are some buses where the poles are just that bit too narrow for some systems and you have to beg the driver to get on at the back. Hassle. 2. Three wheeler takes some getting used to and I was VERY unconfident on and off the bus for the first while. Having your first newborn is a total head transplant from any grasp on reality you had before, and balancing your baby's life on one front wheel while you attempt to exit the bus is just one trauma you could do without. The answer is four wheels or practising always going backwards on two wheels, but I got it wrong a few times at first. 3. Baby facing parent for the first while. If I were starting again I'd definitely do the Bee. As it is, I'm two weeks away from dc2 and doing the baby jogger double, which I think means I'll be getting on at the back and then fighting to the front with my oystercard.

[nottheOP]

I have a bjcm and whilst it's great on buses as it folds quickly, it's a bit long for the tube. This other baby jogger stroller is great as it's a fast fold (not one handed though) but it is neater and parent faces.

www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Jogger-BJ26410-Vue-Black/dp/B00HTYFS0W?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[NishyM]

I looked at the Bee but went with the Raspberry as it was more cost effective, stood up when folded and had more storage (thanks John Lewis!)

[LintRoller]

We had both the Bee and the Baby Jogger City Mini.

Bee is small, light and narrow. Easy to manoeuvre. Parent facing option - I didn't think I would care about this but when it came to it, I felt uncomfortable having a 6mo baby facing outwards with dogs bounding up in parks etc. Much better to be able to see their face and be able to talk to them, respond to their expressions etc.

Baby Jogger City Mini is actually quite large. Light, easy to fold, etc, but not small. Don't let the "mini" part fool you! I wouldn't recommend if you are short. Also the carrycots aren't very good. No parent facing option.

Both are great but the Bee is in a different league when it comes to the quality of materials. BJCM is much cheaper and, well, looks it. You might not care of course

We recouped 50% of the money on the Bee after 2.5 years of use. Could have got more if we'd tried.

[lilyb84]

Haven't checked back for a while thanks to all the logging in / app issues but just wanted to say thank you all for the really useful advice. It sounds like the Bee is the top recommendation here so I'm going to go and find one to try out before looking for deals / second hand online. Thanks again!

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

One further point regarding the Bee - although it lasts plenty of kids until they are 3-ish, tall toddlers outgrow it pretty quickly. DD was looking uncomfortable in it at 18 months, at which point we switched to a Micralite. The Bee does hold a decent proportion of its value at resale, especially in family-heavy areas of London.