To ask about travel systems vs compact stroller…

[taratatata]

I’m newly pregnant and researching, researching, researching.

I don’t know what we need in terms of pushchair/travel system.

We live in a fairly suburban area, think, lots of retail parks, a few country parks dotted about.

Most of my time currently is spent ‘popping’ to places. The shops. My parents’. My car is small but not tiny. I think most travel systems would fit in the boot but not leave space for a lot else. We also have a small house. I think I would use a carrier a lot of the time.

I am so shocked to see most travel systems are over £1000 or close to. I just don’t know if that money is better off saved for maternity leave. Although travel systems are marketed for use up to preschool when I look around and amongst friends it seems after about a year, sometimes before, parents shift to a compact buggy like the Yoyo, Bugaboo butterfly or a cheaper model.

Should I buy a second hand pram for the first few months and a brand new Bugaboo butterfly for use from 6 months? It seems the compact stroller would last them until they didn’t need to be in one anymore.

Any help gratefully appreciated, from a very clueless FTM to be!

It always seems like people are warned off buying these things 2nd hand (or is that just car seats?)

I would add, we went with a 3-in-1 style big pram system: wheeled frame; bassinet attachment; lie-flat/situp attachment, and baby car-seat attachment (isofix) - this was in a deal from Cosatto, about £600quid
Once baby got big enough, we switched to a swivel base 0-4years car-seat (isofix).

Also bought a compact stroller from John Lewis, about £100

The big pram is for long walks and rougher ground etc, compact stroller for short runs etc.

Thanks everyone. We have ordered the Bugaboo butterfly (£85 off on Mamas and Papas atm which felt like a great deal).
I am going to get the car seat adaptors and a car seat that fits with it which I believe the Cybex does.

Whether or not we still need a travel system with a carry cot I don’t know!!

Can I just check, did you get the bugaboo bee or butterfly? Butterfly isn't suitable from newborn I don't think, good for aeroplanes, but did you try it? It's quite flimsy compared to joolz aer/ yoyo. You will probably need something else for under 6 months I think unless you use car seat/ sling until then which is possible. If its bugaboo bee, this is heavier etc, but suitable from newborn.

hi everyone, anyone got any opinions on leclerc vs joolz aer plus? and also whether either or both i can use from birth as my primary only buggy? we dont really go on muddy fields or anything mainly paths / supermarket. but i live far from anything in walking distance so really want to find an option that isnt too heavy.

I have the joolz aer and you can use from birth. I only got mine from around 4 months. I guess, from birth, I wouldn't have used it for long journeys. The material of the seat (as with all buggies) is quite abrasive and so id want a sheepskin liner or something. The baby is facing away and there's straps and so it depends how comfortable you are with this at birth (I would have been so worried with my 1st, but 2nd/3rd I faced away quite young). I do have another buggy as I walk a lot every day and so like the baby facing me for eye contact/ speech development. But if you're looking at a small, easily foldable buggy that can be used from birth, you can't go wrong with the joolz aer plus amazing! I haven't tried the leclerc but it definitely bears yoyo hands down (easier fold etc)

You don't need a travel system. I didn't buy one. Preferred to choose a car seat with good safety in a crash over one he that fits the travel system. You need a pushchair or pram where baby can lay flat for a few months though. Easy to pick up second hand like new. Save the £1000 for other things.

With a travel system you will probably want to get a bugaboo bitterly (or equivalent) aswell

If your username is a nod to where you live, I’d still advise a slightly bigger buggy. Our footpaths are universally awful! Something like a Nuna Triv, Bugaboo Dragonfly or Joie Versatrax is a bit more substantial than a Joolz Aer, and gives you a parent facing option.

You can buy universal adapters for most buggies that let you fit Maxi Cosi and Cybex infant seats (amongst others).

You can use the Joolz Aer from birth though if you purchase the optional carrycot.

We have this. We live in London and don't own a car, so mostly needed something that would work on and off buses. I preferred it to the yoyo which felt too small and low. The dragonfly has a height-adjustable handle and the basket is fine if not enormous.

The joie I snug 2 and maxicosi cabriofix car seats both work with the pram chassis using the bugaboo adaptors.

thank you everyone. So the chiltern reference is to my previous lcation! but we now live in a city

Everyone I know who bought the carrycot all say they never really used it.
My kids are older but we bought the britax 3 wheeler which we used as a travel system too. Suitable from birth, easy to open and close whilst carrying baby and the wheels detached so it fit in my vauxhall astra boot really easily with space leftover for other things.
The basket was tiny but it had two large zip up pockets attached which easily fit everything I needed for baby and toddler.

thank you
anyone tried leclerc influencer?
or joolz aer plus?!

Bought a Bugaboo bee 2nd hand for £200 and it was the best money we ever spent. Both kids used it well into toddler hood til almost 4 - it was light, easy to manoeuvre with one hand, folded up quickly. Had room underneath for bags or shopping. The car seat we had for when they were babies fit it easily.
we walked everywhere usually, sometimes used the car, and travelled a lot abroad with both kids. They could sleep in it anywhere.
We never used a ‘cot’ but of a pram as Bugaboo laid almost flat anyway.

This! No-one needs a ‘system’ it’s just more clutter!

I must be in the minority then. I love my Bugaboo fox. My baby is nearly 4 months and still in the carrycot and probably will be until around 6 months. I use it every day, multiple times a day. He sleeps great in the carrycot and it's approved for overnight sleeping. I couldn't take him in the carrier everywhere that would be impractical for me. All my friends who have babies also have prams with carrycots and use them daily so it's surprising everyone here says they don't use them. Everywhere I go I see prams with carrycots, only much bigger babies are in the buggy type prams.

I have the bugaboo fox and love it but also got a butterfly for holidays and keeping in the car and equally love that. Feel like you need both really (if I only could have one probably would say the butterfly but there are some things I wouldn’t want to use it for like going round the lake/parks with rougher ground).
for child 2 I also got the Joolz aer to take on holiday when they were under 6 months and equally love it - very difficult to choose between that and butterfly.