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Original poster

Pram phobia

129 replies

Irrationalphobia · 31/03/2016 12:57

I've name changed as this is quite embarrassing. I realise I probably deserve to be laughed at and told I need to get a grip, but this is genuinely causing me a lot of worry.

I'm really pleased to be pregnant with my first and I'm not an anxious person by nature. I'm not overly worried about blood tests or giving birth or sleepless nights. But the thought of pushing a pram fills me with horror and panic. I don't know what is is about them but I can't bring myself to even go into a shop to look at them, let alone touch or push one.

I saw a woman jogging with an enormous pram the other day in full lycra running gear, really going for it. God help you if you got in her way, they'd have to identify you from your dental records. I thought she looked completely ridiculous (sorry if this description sounds like you). I felt really panicky and faint thinking oh god please don't let that be me.

I would honestly rather wake up covered in spiders than push a pram.

Maybe I could just have a sling to carry the baby around in (dh thinks not)? Has anyone managed without a pram? Any other suggestions?

Blush Blush Blush

OP posts:
pearlylum · 02/04/2016 17:07

It just seemed like one more thing to lug around.

Catching a bus for instance.

Take baby from pram, try to fold down ultra buggy with one hand while clutching baby under one arm. When bus comes struggle to take baby and buggy on board while trying to pay, find somewhere to park buggy on board, get off bus and repeat process.

Seems far too complicated for me.

With a sling- step on bus, both hands free, pay, sit, get off. Easy peasy.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:11

Eh? Fold the pram to put it into the car boot.

Yes, you can take a pram on buses. You may have to gold it there too though. They really only fit into the priority seating spaces, though those may be in use (frequently a thread or two running about those).

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:15

You see, I just didn't get on with slings. Would rather have had a pram and the hassle of folding it.

I also liked the pram/pushchair as something to wheel my shopping in (in the basket underneath). That wasn't an option with a sling.

splendide · 02/04/2016 17:20

I get buses all the time with the buggy. I just push it on and swipe my card (which lives in the useful zippy thing attached to the handle. I've never had to fold it. No bother. Also like a sling but take the pram if I need to carry lots of shopping.

pearlylum · 02/04/2016 17:24

Topseyt - you can get a Silver Cross in a car?

witsender · 02/04/2016 17:25

I loved ring slings too, so easy for a quick trip from the car etc. When they get past sort of 2.5 I found something similar called a P-Sling really good.

witsender · 02/04/2016 17:26

I had a really natty wheelie shopping bag for doing the shopping etc.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:27

I think my real problem with a sling is that I don't feel I have good enough balance. I was always afraid I might fall over onto my babies. Prams and buggies made me feel better and more stable.

We did have a baby backpack where the baby is in a seat on your back. I had similar reservations about that, but it was useful in some situations. They are only suitable though for older babies who can sit unaided indefinitely.

BertieBotts · 02/04/2016 17:32

The modern silver crosses you can pearlylum. Not the big coach built ones I think you mean. But those were invented and popular in a time that people didn't often have cars unless they were very well off. They are rare now and people usually use them for the nostalgia value.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:33

I guess it depends on the silver cross. DH's cousin had a silver cross model which folded down into their car, though it did fill the boot.

I remember the old ones which didn't fold at all, but most do now.

I went through a couple of mothercare pram/puschair ones, followed by a MacLaren umbrella fold stroller.

TheCrumpettyTree · 02/04/2016 17:47

I've got a bugaboo bee and it's lasted four years and two children so far. It's great.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:47

Silver cross do many different models now.

You can still get the old fashioned coach built models if you want to, and they wouldn't fold down, I wouldn't think. Also they cost about £1,500 ish.

They do other cheaper models which would fold easily into a car or go on a bus.

There are quite a lot on their website. I doubt they would still be in business if they hadn't adapted.

pearlylum · 02/04/2016 17:48

Topseyt how often do you/ did you use a pram?

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:53

Ha, just seen that they do an Aston Martin one for £3,000. Shock

Looks like it would fold quite small though.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 17:57

I used pram, pushchair or umbrella fold buggy almost all the time between 1995 when DD1 was born and around 2003-2004 when DD3 finally no longer needed them.

Couldn't have managed without, but then slings were not my thing. Others have the opposite experience.

incandescentalright · 02/04/2016 18:01

Have not rtft, but from the first post it frankly sounds like you've internalised society's misogyny. Why apologise for describing a woman jogging with a pram unless you think that women shouldn't be taking up space with their babies and their prams? Whether you need a pram or not is a personal decision, but whatever you decide, I think you need to think hard about why you feel like being a mother is something to be embarrassed or ashamed about (because that's what it sounds like - how dare a mother be seen jogging with her baby in a pram etc).

Xmasbaby11 · 02/04/2016 18:03

We had bugaboo bee. You could take it everywhere, it was amazing! It hardly took up any room in my car boot.

pearlylum · 02/04/2016 18:10

I guess it's my view, but I have visions of nannies in 1905 idly pushing big coach built prams through the park, while children fly kites. It all seems very aspirational.

Even on this thread There are posters talking about their "excitement" and being a " pramaholic". I think this is the bit I don't understand, I have read about some mothers buying 3 or 4 prams ant great expense before getting it "right"

Enlighten me anyone?

pearlylum · 02/04/2016 18:14

incandescentalright - i could suggest the opposite. Women falling for Pram madness? I have only heard the same enthusiasm for shoes, handbags, weddings.

Baboooshka · 02/04/2016 18:30

Pearlylum you actually sound like the pramaholic's counterpart: a classic slingzilla.

Most people manage to choose a mode of transport that just suits their circumstances and baby... but there's always one who has to make it a big deal, isn't there?

Are you really so confused about prams? So many questions. How they fit in the car? (I tie mine on top, like Granny Clampett). Why people care about the different types? (because they don't want to waste money on something that doesn't suit their location or fit in their hallway?) Oh, prams! Just like shoes, handbags and big weddings. Silly women.

pinkpeoniesplease · 02/04/2016 18:36

Haven't read other responses but I used a sling until my little boy was 1 and only got him used to a pushchair as I was going back to work and my Mum has him sometimes and can't use a sling. Still use a toddler one now and he's almost 2. I know lots of people who just use slings. You don't have to go out and buy every 'Mumsy' product, do what's right for you!

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 18:49

I never had 3 or 4 prams.

I had one pram/puschair combination suitable from birth, and then the much lighter umbrella fold MacLaren when they were big enough. Nothing was replaced until it had been run into the ground, and I didn't spend masses on any of them.

Topseyt · 02/04/2016 18:52

It is 2016. Not 1905. Or so I thought.

Like all else, prams have moved on a notch or two since then.

BertieBotts · 02/04/2016 19:29

I don't know why it's exciting, it just is.

Then again in the last year we (as a family) have bought a car, a fridge, a washing machine, a sofa, a bed (with mattress) and a TV stand. Currently I'm looking at cookers and possibly a replacement high back booster for DS. I've been excited over all of these purchases because it's something I'm likely to be using every day or regularly and it's fun to compare features, see what's out there, try out the display models and find the best price. (Actually DH chose the fridge, because I didn't really care, but all of the others).

I'm not in the pram/pushchair market right now but will be in the next year or two fingers crossed, and I'm looking forward to it again. I like shopping. Maybe not everyone does but I love having a budget and freedom to choose things. It makes a change from having been skint practically forever and having to have what was available cheap or free. I don't have the disposable income to have 3 or 4 prams before getting it right so the process of choosing one is fairly important. I'm definitely not a pramoholic but the pram is one of the most expensive bits of kit you get with a baby so it's exciting in that sense to choose the right one (I'm excited to choose the other things, too.)

witsender · 02/04/2016 19:30

Maybe some are thinking of true peramblators, as against buggies, pushchairs or travel systems?

We never found any of the above more convenient than slings even with 2 under 2, but I can see why some might.