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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that prams have got out of hand?

198 replies

Pandora2016 · 31/03/2016 18:06

I'm current up duffed with my first, so will need to buy a pram.

I naively thought it wasn't much more than a small bed/chair on wheels business.

No. They are now called 'travel systems' and can cost almost as much as our car.

What fresh hell is this and how the bloody hell do you choose one??? Babies don't vary that much surely??

Thinking that a lot of this is sales spin......

OP posts:
almostthirty · 31/03/2016 18:10

I loved pram shopping and trying out all of the different models. My favourite was a self folding and erecting pram from john Lewis. You pressed a button and it unfolded itself and stood up, press it again and it collapsed back down. It also had headlights and a horn !

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2016 18:11

There is even a whole Topic for them www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pushchair_chat

YANBU. I first bought one in 1999 before things got so out of hand. Now the main thing is how fugly they are, and all the pram one upmanship.

Congratulations and good luck. Flowers

Original poster
Pandora2016 · 31/03/2016 18:13

They are all ugly. I can cope with that. I cannot cope with all the different options and nor am I willing to pay £1500 for a chair on wheels.

Oh and the colours and patterns - hideous, scary things.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2016 18:15

There must be one pram that isn't fugly?

witsender · 31/03/2016 18:16

Travel systems can be handy, being able to clip a car seat onto a base is great when they are small and you are nipping in and out.

When ours were small we bought a new maxi cosi car seat and a second hand old version Bugaboo, I think it was a Frog (predecessor to the Chameleon). We just kept the base around as the car seat would clip on it. Other than that we just used slings.

When our second came along, we sold the Bugaboo as we only used slings with him really, but we bought a Maclaren pushchair for grandparents to use with the then 2 yr old. We still have this now though it rarely gets used.

You don't need a big expensive set up. Just think about what you will use it for...if you are going to be on public transport a lot then small and foldable is good etc.

I liked the Bugaboo when we used it as it was light, and the all round bar style handles were easy to push one handed.

arethereanyleftatall · 31/03/2016 18:16

I bought a shit cheap one.

Big mistake. I ended up buying half a dozen more (all shit, cheap ones) over the next 6 years as I had another dc.

I really wish id put more thought, and money, in to it from the beginning.

witsender · 31/03/2016 18:17

Check eBay, we bought out bugaboo for about 100 with everything as it was the last version...sold it for pretty much the same amount after a year or so.

Dolly80 · 31/03/2016 18:17

A lot of it is sales spin! Just chose one thats reasonably priced and suits your needs. There's no need for anything all singing and dancing (unless that's what you want)

I'm due with my second and just got our old buggy out of the loft. We luckily got it second hand (for free) and 'splashed out' on the accompanying carry cot from eBay for £50...we're big spenders Smile

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 31/03/2016 18:17

I don't like the idea of a pram that collapses at the touch of a button. What if you press it by mistake? Shock
I agree with Sparkling. it's all gone mad on the pram front since mine were little and I can't help feeling prams have become a bit of a status symbol.

Some good deals on 2nd hand travel systems/prams online. My sister picked up one which was barely used and the covers are washable.

CakeNinja · 31/03/2016 18:18

Yanbu. Craziness. I will never understand why people own 6 prams - how many pairs of hands do you have?
I sent dp and the dds off to mothercare world when dc3 was coming along. They chose, i used it. Sorted.

Original poster
Pandora2016 · 31/03/2016 18:19

The names too; 'icandy'??? Are you forced to sign your child up to itunes at that point?

Bugaboo? Insect repellent.

Quinny? Tudor word for fanjo.

Uppababy? Baby amphetamines.

Just wrong.

OP posts:
corythatwas · 31/03/2016 18:19

What varies is not the babies but what you are going to use them for. We knew that we would not have access to a car but would be out and about lots, lots of walking, lots of travelling on public transport so we needed something that was sturdy enough to provide a comfortable ride for hours over rough terrain but easy to collapse to take on the bus and which would take all our shopping underneath. We also used it instead of a Moses basket. It did us for two children and we then passed it on to another family.

So given that it filled the function of car, car seat, Moses basket and pram, I think it was pretty good value. You may get away with something smaller. But don't grudge the heavy stuff for those of us who may need it.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 31/03/2016 18:20

Why would they think it a good idea to put a horn on a pram? I'm sure your sleeping baby wont appreciate that in his ear.

pandarific · 31/03/2016 18:22

It's a basket on wheels, end of. That said, I'll probably pick one I think is pretty and spend ££ on it.

SaucyJack · 31/03/2016 18:23

Unfortunately, pram shopping is best left until your child turns 3 as it's only then you'll realise what you would have wanted from your pram, and which one would have been best.

cheminotte · 31/03/2016 18:23

You really really do not need to pay loads.
Ds1's first pram was £30 from eBay (OK 9 years ago but still). It was a 3 wheeler and his car seat also fitted in it. I later got maclaren for taking on the bus for another £30 and a bottle of wine to a colleague.
With ds2 I used a sling for most of the first 6 months, the 2 buggies above and when the 3-wheeler died I bought a replacement from Amazon for about £100.
Travel systems seem like a great idea but take up loads of room in the car AND are impractical for public transport. You will be looking for a lightweight stroller within a year!

Original poster
Pandora2016 · 31/03/2016 18:24

Why don't they do a Star Trek themed one? They're almost as technical.

I'd buy that actually - the child is getting a science officer baby grow for their going home outfit.

Grin
OP posts:
gincamelbak · 31/03/2016 18:24

I have 3 prams. One travel system (clip the car seat or a bassinet or a chair to the chassis), one cheap folding one (will use this when DC2 outgrows the car seat) and a 3 wheeler running onethat we use for wwalks incountry parks or when I go running. I never thought II'dbe the type of person qwhohad more than one oprambut I ddon'treally care - no one pram does all the things I want at sdifferenttime.

My advice (even tho you ddidn't ask!) Is decide what yyou want from a pram and whittle the options down that way.

I've spentabout £400 Iin total on prams and am on second child with a them all. Hooray for me.

PortiaCastis · 31/03/2016 18:24

Pram world is crazy! A pram seems to be a status symbol like a pair of designer fecking sunglasses. If you can safely put baby in a perambulator without paying out a princess ransom do so. Function not fashion is the way to go

KathySelden · 31/03/2016 18:25

www.mamasandpapas.com/product-sola-5-piece-bundle-bright-red/5487m1501/type-i/ This is my "travel System" 399 inc car seat and is fab, doesn't have to cost the earth etc. I just wanted a good one with a car seat that had an isofix base (an extra 100) and was good for dog walks and space for shopping - this fits the bill really well. I would advise going to have a look, working out what you need it for and checking out online reviews. You also need to check it's comfy height wise to push, mine has an adjustable handle so works for me and my tall hubby, also ask to check it fits in your boot! Hope this helps.

SweetAdeline · 31/03/2016 18:26

You don't have to buy a fancy one. They still make simple, old fashioned umbrella strollers if that's what floats your boat.

But I don't have a car and have used a pushchair every day for over four years (across two DC), I've learnt the value of having a decent pushchair that is easy to push. That said, they are a bit like cars in that you'd be silly to buy a brand new one when you can get one that looks as good as new for at least half the price.

Mousefinkle · 31/03/2016 18:27

I don't agree that all prams are fugly! I think bugaboo's and icandy's especially are pretty nice. Although I would have LOVED a vintage silver cross but they're just not compatible with modern living...

I had a jeep one with DC1 which had the carrycot and everything. It was far too bulky and just before he turned one I got a mamas&papas umbrella style pushchair and used that until DC2 came along when he was 15 months old. Then it was the Icandy pear twin pram which was huge, like pushing a fucking truck. But it lasted well and sold on for pretty much the same price I bought it for so I was impressed. DC3 was in a carrier until she was about one and a half and I just couldn't hack her weight anymore so got a bugaboo cameleon which was lovely. They're just so easy to push and manoeuvre around. The car seat attachment is obviously useful if you drive so you can just clip the car seat on and go without getting them out and disturbing them.

Don't make the mistake of buying a cheap arse pram. They really don't last. The wheels wear down quickly, the material is cheap as fuck as well. You'll only have to replace it within months, especially if you walk a lot.

KathySelden · 31/03/2016 18:28

Oh and YNBU it is madness, you can also pick up one second hand, we have quite a few second hand baby fairs near me, but please please do not buy a second hand car seat. It's not worth the risk.

Alisvolatpropiis · 31/03/2016 18:28

I have the silver cross pioneer travel system. It's been handy being able to clip the carry cot/car seat/pushchair seat on and just go.

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2016 18:28

It felt so liberated when I could just use one of these and have done with all the travel system nonsense.