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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

not buying a pram?

153 replies

minimalistmum · 29/04/2014 14:53

I just don't think it's necessarily going to be that useful...Anyone else out there considering NOT spending a fortune on something that's just going to clutter up the hallway?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 29/04/2014 14:57

You can always get one after the baby is here if you change your mind.

Tbh I would be more likely to go for a Mclaren type buggy that is suitable from birth than a big "proper" pram if I had another child

katandkits · 29/04/2014 14:57

Its up to you isn't it. I like using slings but I couldn't have done without a pushchair, they do come in handy and you Don't have to spend a fortune.

Figster · 29/04/2014 14:58

Even with a sling a pushchair is a must imo and continues to be useful long after lo is too big for a sling.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 29/04/2014 14:59

I didn't go for a fancy pram, but McClaren buggy was really handy. I walked everywhere when the DC were small and used to stash shopping in the buggy basket.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/04/2014 15:01

I had an array of slings for when DD was born. She turned out to be a 9 pound CS baby so I desperately needed to put her down a lot. We didn't use it very long, she walked early and once she did she wasn't going to stop but a lot of children aren't like that. You can wait and see, though.

littledrummergirl · 29/04/2014 15:02

My ds isnt planning on buying a pram when her dc1 arrives. Baby will just have to sleep in a drawer when she visits Smile
I used a carry harness and a backpack with mine as they got older but still found my pram very useful.
Yanbu to do what you think best.

DuckyMoDuckyMoMo · 29/04/2014 15:07

It's up to you, I loved my pram but I didn't use a sling so It was a necessity. I got a proper pram though and enjoyed the comments from people saying how lovely it was seeing babies in a proper pram

Go with what you feel best

PrincessBabyCat · 29/04/2014 15:07

I have one that doubles as a toddler stroller, and the baby seat doubles as a car seat (It's pretty awesome) so it will last for quite a few years. Maybe something like that, that can double up and be useful for a long time would be good for you? It might be convenient to have when they're too heavy to carry everywhere.

No need to get one now though, at a month old we really haven't taken our baby out walking very often. So you'll have time to decide once they're born if you like walking everywhere with them instead of pushing them.

Victoria2002 · 29/04/2014 15:09

I agree with other posters-even exclusively breastfeeding and often baby-wearing, there's so much to carry! Plus if you pick up a bag if groceries along the way you quickly become over-loaded. I found my sling/carrier didn't work in combination with a backpack or over the shoulder bag. However I do think there's VERY LITTLE you need for a newborn and anything you do need you can order for next day deliver if need be.

Melonbreath · 29/04/2014 15:11

Yabu

purely because i wouldn't have managed without mine.

But yanbu to do what you want.

They don't cost the earth if you aren't fussed about brand. My best mate paid a grand total of £20 for their pram on ebay, and sold it on for the same amount.

I had a huge ancient rusting silver cross (family heirloom) it was BRILLIANT, not only did dd love it until a year old but I could get all the shopping for a week in there and it doubled as a cot when dd was tiny and we stayed at friends

Abra1d · 29/04/2014 15:14

Another vote for a Maclaren easy-to-fold buggy. Brilliant on public transport and so easy to stick in even the very smallest car boot. Even the double buggies Maclaren make are very well designed to fold up easily and neatly.

BUTbabies do seem to like sleeping in prams during the day and the old-fashioned thing of putting them in the garden, weather permitting, does seem to help (some of) them sleep better at nights. Mine always spent a period out of doorsusually when they'd dropped off during a walk.

jacks365 · 29/04/2014 15:16

Depends on your lifestyle, if you always drive to the shops etc then yes a sling is possibly all you will need however if you shop on foot a pram/stroller is invaluable to carry shopping. A pram can also be useful for naps, dd1 could be taken for a short walk in the pram and would fall asleep I could then leave her sleeping while I did housework.

AlpacaLypse · 29/04/2014 15:22

I've just been out for a walk with a friend who initially decided not to get a pram. But her ds is a big bouncy six months now, and carrying him in a sling was definitely getting to her back. Also he's just started weaning.

Anyway, they acquired a second hand Mountain Buggy this weekend. We met up and were out for an hour and a half in the woods with seven dogs between us. The tray under the buggy contained all the leads, my water bottle, the waterproof cover that we took off halfway round when it finally stopped raining, with room to spare. This will steadily fill up with spare nappies, wipes, snacks, clean clothes for when he does a faceplant in a puddle once toddling along starts...

Looking back she reckons it would have been handy from about three months, but the sling was all she needed until then.

I had twins so got virtually no use out of the slings I was given, in fact it's one of my great regrets that I was tied to a buggy from the beginning.

LongDivision · 29/04/2014 15:30

I wouldn't say it is Unreasonable, but it may be more difficult than you can foresee at the moment.
Before I had a child, I used to find prams very annoying. Now I can't believe I ever entertained the idea of not buying one. Particularly because we had a tiny prem baby who didn't even meet the weight requirements for a sling (or bouncy chair) for a few months. Oh and because he had reflux and would vomit into my cleavage in a sling :)
And because sometimes it's too hot. Or you're drinking a scalding cup of coffee or tea. Or you're tired and don't want to be attached to a baby while you are buying groceries or using a public toilet. Because you also have to carry a bag with nappies, wipes, change of clothes, etc.
I guess it depends where you live, too, and if you have a car or not.
Maybe you can choose one you like now and then not buy it until you decide you need it.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2014 15:33

I have a Maclaren suitable from birth, it's fantastic a real workhorse. You do need one, as dc will become too heavy to carry and you can bung your shopping on it

Suebedo · 29/04/2014 15:37

I love our sling, but like other posters find I can't use sling and carry much shopping now DS weighs 17lb+. But there are loads of second hand buggies on eBay etc.

MrsDeVere · 29/04/2014 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MagicMojito · 29/04/2014 15:38

My Dd (2.5) has been out of the buggy for a few months now. I find life soooooo much more difficult now tbh, Its excellent just for carrying shopping, bunging all the coats on when it gets too hot, and an excellent constraining device for when dd has a tantrum whilst out. Im looking forward to having one again even though Dd2 will undoubtedly spend majority of time in sling anyway.
Like everyone said already you don't need an expensive uber buggy type thing, dds first pram was a brand new hauk travel system ( so a buggy, inc car seat, Moses basket type carrier, raincover etc ) for 150.00

FraidyCat · 29/04/2014 15:39

Am I the only one who thinks a pram and a buggy/pushchair are two different things? A lot of people responding seem to regard the terms as interchangeable. (I know some buggies can be configured to be functionally equivalent to a pram.)

As far as I can tell from my own observations over the past few years, 99% of parents who have anything use a buggy/pushchair, I've hardly ever seen a genuine pram used by anyone.

MiaowTheCat · 29/04/2014 15:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thurlow · 29/04/2014 15:41

Just wait a see. You might be fine for the first month or two and then find it a bit of a pain. But you can buy lie-flat umbrella strollers suitable from 3m+ for less than £100, so you can always get one later if you want one.

I never liked my actual pram, but was in heaven once we got a Maclaren Techno XLR at 3m.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2014 15:45

Magic I am impressed your dd 2.5 years does not need the buggy, I need one for ds 2.5 years as he has sit down tantrums when out, it's nice to be able to scoop him up and out him in the buggy, instead of trying to carry a 35lb toddler. Also when shopping I can do so in peace without again the sit down tantrum or a tired whingy toddler.

chocolatesolveseverything · 29/04/2014 15:47

Hmmm I think you are possibly being a bit U, but then again I'm biased as I use my pram/buggy loads as well as the sling. If I need to walk somewhere and it's pouring with rain for example, a pram is more practical than a sling imo. And ds went through a stage of only napping when in the pram so during that time it was absolutely essential!

SueDNim · 29/04/2014 15:50

If I was doing it again I'd get a City Jogger or similar, suitable from birth. We got a full on trave system and it is unnecessarily massive.

emsyj · 29/04/2014 15:50

I wanted to avoid getting a pram for DD1 but we did in the end because PILs really wanted to buy it for us as a gift. I was glad we did as I had a crash section and the recovery was long and slow - I couldn't have carried DD anywhere anyway. As others have said, it is really useful for carting shopping around too!

Although I am now looking forward to DD2's 2nd birthday, when I will put my fold up buggy on Freecycle and NEVER use a pushchair again - they are very useful for little ones. Agree with other posters who mention how handy they are if you are out and want to drink a hot tea etc also. Sometimes holding a baby all day every day gets wearing and you just want to put them down for a while.