Do I need a pram?

[Onlyconnect]

My baby is due in three weks and I haven't bought a pram. The reasons are that DD1 never settled in anything other than a baby Bjorne carrier and that we have a very narrow front door (52cm). Also I ave a McLaren pushchair I can use from three months.
Bu now I'm having a wobble. It's partly comments made in relation to the royal baby and how every parent looks forward to pushing their new baby out in a pram; also I'm startin to wonder whether the Bjorn carrier is really good for the baby's back from birth.
Any thoughts please?

[valiumredhead]

I think of all the slings a bjiorn is the worst from what I've read on here. But other slings are great. If it doesn't work out you can get a pram if you need one, cant you?

[Onlyconnect]

Yes I guess so. We loved the Bjorn with DD1, I'm just wobbling for some reason.

[valiumredhead]

You can get a pram delivered if you need one next day delivery, don't panic

[ShakkaKhan]

I would look into another carrier to be honest. Try an ergo or something that will last you much, much longer than the Bjorn which will become too heavy for you once the baby is much bigger. The legs need to be in an 'm' shape (ie like a frog). Try googling sling libraries in your area, you can usually try by post for a small deposit.

No need for a buggy if you don't want one! And like valium says you can get one delivered if you decide you want one or if this baby isn't so keen on the sling for any reason (or if a relative wants to take the baby out for you and doesn't want to wear the sling?)

Good luck with your DC2!

[Mutley77]

I guess the main difference for you this time round will be that you have another little person to manage - so when you need to give your DC1 a hug, pick them up off the floor, carry their nappies along with everything you need for DC2, etc will there be some times when a pram will make that easier to manage?

Personally I love having a pram as I would feel very trapped by constantly having the baby on me - and limited in my movement etc. Having said that my babies have always settled well in a pram particularly outdoors so it does give me some freedom! I do use the Baby Bjorn as well but mostly around the house.

When I had DD1 we lived in a small house and it wasn't practical to take the pram inside (no garage either) so I tended to leave it in the car outside which was fairly easy to manage except when it was pissing with rain.

[valiumredhead]

That's a really good point actually wrt having another to deal with as well.

[Ihateparties]

Wow a 52cm front door is v small, i don't think i know of that many prams that would fit. Even a bugaboo bee is too wide.

Totally up to you imo, I use carriers a lot but would struggle full time with having older but not old enough other children, ones who still need physical help I mean.The putting them down thing bothers me too but that's individual really, i'm sure others are fine with it.

When you say pram do you mean carrycot pram, rear facing pushchair, ie do you have something specific in mind?

[Onlyconnect]

The good news is, DD1 is 8! Very independent. The pram thing is very difficult because as well as having a narrow front door, it opens straight onto the pavement and we can't park outside our house. I will try without. Thank you for your responses.

[chocolatemartini]

I didn't use a pram for DS 1 for the first 15 months, mostly used a Beco Gemini carrier, occasionally a woven wrap sling. I'm not planning on getting a double for dc 2, will push DS 1 in pushchair and sling the new baby until ds1 no longer needs a pushchair, or will go on a buggy board. I think you'll be fine but if you've only had a baby bjorn pleease do yourself and the baby a favour and sell it and get a better carrier. You'll be amazed at how much more comfortable a good one is. Bearing in mind that I could barely carry DS at 2 months in the bb but am still happy to carry him for an hour at 21 months in the Gemini if I have to, I really can't tell you just how different the weight distribution is. Look at Tula, Beco, Boba, Manduca, or Ergo carriers. They are expensive but worth their weight in gold

[Mutley77]

Oh you'll be fine with your DD1 then. I have DD1 (8) and DS (4) and just being out with DD1 any my six week old feels like being out with a nanny - she is a massive help rather than needing help herself!!

[LongTailedTit]

I don't think you need a pram, but would definitely recommend looking into a better carrier/sling.

The issue with BabyBjorns is that the infant hangs in it with the weight all in the crotch and legs hanging down - it's meant to be bad for their pelvis I think.
Carriers like the Ergo have the child's weight in their bottom, with the legs up and to the sides, frog like.
There is a newborn insert for small babies, you can get these on eBay pretty cheaply 2nd hand.

I have an Ergo, bought on sale for £60, and it's still going strong at 26mo - tho I will admit DS is light for his age!
If you do choose an Ergo, beware of fakes, search on the slings section here, there's links to blogs showing the differences between legit and fake versions.

[OwlCat]

I had a Beco Gemini too, which replaced my Baby Bjorn, it was so much better than the BB, I ended up hardly ever using my expensive pram and using the Gemini instead!

[poocatcherchampion]

agree you don't need a pram but I would def look into a sling that is better for you and the baby. agree with other recommendation, I also love my rose and rebellion.

[Ihateparties]

I had a beco gemini for dc3 because she (and to some degree i and for sure the combination of the two of us!) didn't get on with stretchy wraps. I think it's good when they're on the smaller side.. at some point it became less good for us.

If you do change your mind then narrow prams are absolutely my forte so I will put a list on this thread later on today then you would have something to refer to if you needed it.

[Thurlow]

The Maclaren Techno XLR lies flat and is suitable from birth, you can get a bassinet attachment too if you like. I changed to the Maclaren at 3mo and I'm not going to get a different pram next time around, because it's such a great pushchair, and should last 3-4 years.

[PurplePidjin]

I live in a flat with no downstairs safe area. I was given a from-birth pushchair - it's been used 4 times, three of those when my mum insisted

Get a good stretchy wrap sling - Mobe, Kari-me, Close Caboo - for the first 6 months and find a sling library so you can experiment with other options. Things have moved on somewhat from BabyBjorns, even though the big brands don't seem to have kept up

[Tiggywunkle]

Parties I would love to see your list :)

[Ihateparties]

It has hauck and icoo on it so far ...

Hauck Turbo with carrycot

I'coo primo with carrycot

Maclaren techno xlr with carrycot is 53cm so too wide! So is the cybex callisto, bugaboo bee, p&t smart buggy, m&p urbo etc. All 53cm.

An old style cybex topaz with carrycot would have fitted.

The njoy bubble is 50cm so would work.

There might be the very odd one or two more.

[Ihateparties]

Joie Mirus

Red Castle Citylink2

Erm...

[KatAndKit]

Instead of a Bjorn you could get a close caboo. More comfy for you and baby. By the time that is outgrown you will be able to use your existing buggy.

[Onlyconnect]

Thank you ihateparties the Njoy bubble is perfect. I've just ordered one.

[pumpkinsweetie]

You must have a pram, there is nothing like the feeling of pushing your new baby in a pram
I'm very much looking forward to doing this again in Jan

Try kiddicare-They do next day delivery and have some fab offers!

[chocolatemartini]

Much as I love prams, for me the first 12 months are all about cuddles in slings