Please help me narrow down my pram search

[peachypetite]

I’m honestly finding it overwhelming!! Criteria

• suitable from birth ideally so I don’t have to have the faff of a separate carrycot for newborn unless anyone can tell me pros for this?
  
• not too heavy because I’m petite and weak.
  
• very easy to fold down
  
• lightweight because I live in London and don’t really see a time I’ll be needing something all terrain.

[bgnhlr]

@MobLife

Bugaboo Bee with the soft cocoon

It's the only pram I've ever had and has seen me through 2 children from birth to toddlerhood. Perfect for London and you can easily carry it up a flight of stairs

Agreed, I've done a review of the new Bugaboo Bee 6 here loveandlykke.wixsite.com/loveandlykke/post/making-a-buzz-our-thoughts-on-the-bugaboo-bee6-stroller

(I'm promoting my blog but this isn't paid or anything - just tell me if not allowed to post that x)

I opted for the cocoon instead of the bassinet as well. Seems too much to spend on something that won't last long. My first kiddo used his carrycot for all of six weeks!

If you're after an all-terrain my one true love is the Stokke Trailz, but Stokke told me it's been discontinued. I got my hands on an ex-display though and I'm sure there's like 3 left in the UK stores. Good luck! xxx

[peachypetite]

Update - went to John Lewis. Quickly ruled out bugaboo (couldn’t believe how low down it was and the assistant said this puts a lot of people off) uppababy seemed nice but very expensive. Yo-yo I don’t like because of the limitations with parent facing. I think we have settled on the oyster 3!

[DonLewis]

Noon has suggested uppababy. The cruz is amazing!

[peachypetite]

Does anyone have the icandy lime?

[DragonPie]

I loved my Bee, really popular in London too. Everyone had one when we lived there. We had the newborn cocoon insert. It keeps them really snug. And you can fold it down with the cocoon still attached. It also makes a really great toddler buggy for when they’re older, so you don’t have to spend more!

I got the coffee cup holder free and remember being dead chuffed.

[peachypetite]

Thanks all. Really helpful

[Stargazer87]

The Oyster is a really good price, it was actually the cheapest of the ones we tried out but by far the best, I'm on 5ft 1 and I felt like it just fit me well and was the easiest to handle!

[peachypetite]

Just realised the oyster does have a carrycot option. It’s a good price. Will definitely test it out as well as the bee thanks all.

[peachypetite]

@Sunshinegirl82

I looked at the yo-yo but it just didn't seemed that sturdy? Plus I didn't like that it didn't have a parent facing option after the initial stage. Both mine have liked being parent facing for a long time, DS2 is 16 months and still much happier parent facing.

I'd go bee over yo-yo personally!

Yeh I definitely don’t want the yo yo. Now thinking carry cot might be a better idea. Will check out the bee!

[aquicknamechange2019]

Hello, another London based mum here who walks more than she drives with a pram. I'm having a surprise DC4 and have just ordered another bugaboo cameleon. I had one for my first 3 (gave it away as I was sure I was done...big mistake). I found it super easy to manoeuvre, bassinet is a definite plus and the storage basket is a great size. No problems with getting it on and off public transport either and in fact, super easy to do so one handed. John Lewis is a great suggestion - I went to Oxford St a few weeks ago and tried out a whole load of prams before going back to my first choice.

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

I live in London and have had 6 prams/buggies etc over 4 children. Things I have learned:

1. When testing a pram, load it up to as heavy as you can and push it one handed. Small people (like me) often have small hands and a one handed push is key for navigating tight doorways.
2. There is usually a trade off that you didn't know you were willing/unwilling to make until after you have had the baby.
3. Buying second hand is fine. Babies can't tell the difference.
4. Bassinet was not much use for my autumn/winter baby but was brilliant for my spring/summer one.
5. A good sheepskin liner improved all our buggies.
6. If in doubt, get the one with the adjustable handle.

[SBAM]

I have a bugaboo bee which I’m now using for my second child. It’s light and small enough to carry up tube steps with a toddler strapped in (only if you really have to!), folds small, is narrow enough to tuck in neatly on the bus or tube and has a decent basket. My husband is 6ft4 and finds it ok to push with the handle extended all the way.
I had the carrycot as we used it for downstairs naps, and for the second it was easier to pop him in and tuck a blanket over than it would be to strap him in while also trying to get my toddler ready to go out.

[DaffodilSunshine]

I can't help with which one to get as mine definitely didn't meet your criteria but I agree with others about the usefulness of carrycots. I initially wasn't going to get one but I was glad I did. I wouldn't want to be trying to strap a newborn in every time and they feel much more contained and snug in a carrycot. Also it can double as a place for daytime naps

[minnieok]

We used a reclining buggy from birth for Dd2 (double) and bought a car set head insert to make it cosier. I didn't drive so took buses and exh's car had a tiny boot so umbrella style was best. It was fine, very reasonable too. You can pay extortionate amounts for prams, so think about how much you are likely to use it (from 6 months a cheap buggy works well in London on the tube etc as they are super light).

[MobLife]

Bugaboo Bee with the soft cocoon

It's the only pram I've ever had and has seen me through 2 children from birth to toddlerhood. Perfect for London and you can easily carry it up a flight of stairs

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

I wouldn't rule out having at least a soft carry cot, even if you don't go for a full bassinet attachment. Prams suitable from birth don't tend to allow parent facing (although there are some exceptions) and the seats tend to be lower down. I'm sure they are perfectly safe and there will be people happy to use them with brand newborns, but personally I'd find that position far too exposed and vulnerable for a newborn without the protection of a carry cot, especially in a busy city setting.

[Sunshinegirl82]

I looked at the yo-yo but it just didn't seemed that sturdy? Plus I didn't like that it didn't have a parent facing option after the initial stage. Both mine have liked being parent facing for a long time, DS2 is 16 months and still much happier parent facing.

I'd go bee over yo-yo personally!

[AHippoNamedBooBooButt]

Now I'll start by saying I haven't bought a pram for 5 years but I've had 2 bugaboo bee's (the first was 12years ago, sold as we were done then has a bonus baby so bought another) and honestly- best pram ever and ticks all your boxes. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again

[mynameiscalypso]

@Kpo58

I really liked having a carrycot for when my DC were newborn. It seemed so much more comfortable than being strapped into the buggy. Also it doubled as the downstairs cot for when I was at home.

The mountain buggy is certainly worth a look at.

This is exactly what I felt about having a carrycot - we used it as a Moses basket too and it also meant we could snuggle DS with blankets etc. It felt a lot easier to control the temperature than when he was strapped in to the normal bit of the pram. FWIW, we have a Bugaboo Bee and it's great. Definitely the most popular type where I am. We also have a babyzen yoyo which is great for travelling but I think less good overall

[Kpo58]

I really liked having a carrycot for when my DC were newborn. It seemed so much more comfortable than being strapped into the buggy. Also it doubled as the downstairs cot for when I was at home.

The mountain buggy is certainly worth a look at.

[Sunshinegirl82]

Mamas and papas have a new urban buggy out called the strada, I saw it in store the other day and it looked really nice. I think it would fulfil your criteria.

Bugaboo bee is another popular city choice but again I think you need a carrycot to make that suitable from birth.

Just one thing to say is that I actually found it really hard to strap DS2 into a non carrycot when he was really tiny! I ended up buying the carrycot option for our double pram.

I think the strada above has a carry cot option so you could always get that once baby is here if you decide you needed it if you went for that.

[Lockdownseperation]

Light weight look at the buggo bee.

Separate carrycot can be used as a Moses basket. With DD1 I could walk her to sleep and then carry it up stairs so I could nap in bed. By DD2 there was no opportunity for daytime naps for me due to DD1.

[3isthemajicnumber]

Have a look at the Nina mixx and Nuba triv. Both suitable from birth with no carrycot. Nice and lightweight and a good price,

[Throughabushbackwards]

Another vote for the Baby jogger city mini. We used ours from birth (with a soft newborn cocoon) to 4 years. Light, robust and with the one handed fold perfect for riding on buses and storage.

[uglyface]

@peachypetite Exactly - unless you’re like us, where everything but a small selection of village shops is a car journey away, you won’t need to worry about waking the baby up every time you need to nip to the shop or set off to meet a friend etc.