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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find it a bit odd when people go through several prams in the space of a few months?

272 replies

chequersandroastedchestnuts · 02/12/2008 09:42

I sometimes read posts on here from 'pram addicts' who despite having only one or two childrem have had several different prams and pushchairs.

I just read a pushchair review on another site that said: 'So far since my 9 month old son's birth I've had a Micralite fastfold, 2 quinny zapps, a fisher price safe voyager, a loola and this quest sport.'

Does that sound like overkill to anyone else?

Sorry if I offend anyone and I'm sure I'll be told if that's the case but I just don't get why you would need to keep changing prams?

OP posts:
lizandlulu · 02/12/2008 12:04

ohh, i see chequers, well after a few months i like a change of colour, or better model, or just cause it might look a bit shabby. i doubt one will last me 3 years. mine get chucked about all over the place and can look dirty and scratched ni a short time.

pagwatch · 02/12/2008 12:05

Having just got back from the shops I can only guess that some ofthem have to regularly replace as repeatedly ramming them into others trying to occupy the same shop/steeet/cafe will tend to cause some damage.

Perhaps they think that they are like car seats. Whilst they may outwardly appear sound once you have rammed someone at more than a slow walking pace then you do need to replace.
If you break someones ankle you can get an additional new change bag for no extra cost.
This offer does not apply to double buggies as it is just to commonplace an occurance and too easy to do without actually trying.
If you give a half smile and murmer sorry then you have to down brand though. Whereas if you just tut and look superior then you get a free mobile phone - so that you can be even less attentive next time.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/12/2008 12:07

so what if they look dirty and scratched? If it's been well made then it's still perfectly usable!!!

Upwind · 02/12/2008 12:09

Pagwatch, you need to add blades to your wheels to make your shopping trolley into a proper war chariot.

mrsgboring · 02/12/2008 12:11

It's easier to keep a baby warm in sling because of your body heat. There are some theories that in hot weather the mother will act as a heat sink too and prevent overheating (as they do with prem babies in kangaroo care). I am less convinced by this.

Also, you have more option to put layers on you instead of baby so you can peel them off again without disturbing a sleeping child. I always found blankets fell off to the bottom of the cosytoe in buggy. Snowsuits are pretty much the work of the devil to put on and off a baby who doesn't want to be disturbed. I had a babywearing coat for me instead.

I couldn't put DS down till he was quite old - he was a velcro baby (and maybe refluxy). I also found the buggy a major barrier to conversation as it was FF. My rearfacer was tanklike and DS was always slouched down in it.

Some of this would have been mitigated (maybe) by an extremely fancy top of the range buggy but I'm not a multiple buggy buyer either and would still begrudge the space it took up and the many many times when having a large wheeled object to manage is an inconvenience, even if I had three figure sums to go splashing about.

I wouldn't risk ironing or cooking with a baby on front either (but then I wouldn't risk ironing full stop ) But did you strap your DC into a buggy prior to cooking?

ahfeckit · 02/12/2008 12:16

my silvercross has done my DS since he was born and is adaptable for all the stages. haven't needed to buy loads of prams...

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 02/12/2008 12:17

Maybe I've just been lucky with my particular McClaren then, because I bop bop bop it up and down stairs quite regularly. I refuse help because the helpers always want to lift the foot end so my back practically breaks holding the other.

For the last two years it has done 8 toddler groups a week, one london trip, 4 shopping trips and a whatever we do at the weekend, plus extras like traveling to parties etc.

The wheels may be more flimsy, but surely I am living proof the the robustness of the travel systems is quite unneccesary!

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/12/2008 12:17

you see I just don't get that - all 3 of my DC have been comfortable with different amounts of layering to each other - and to me. Just because I'm warm doesn't mean that my DC would also be warm (or perhaps be overheated) and I'm not that much of a nice mum to be feeling to hot or too cold simply so my DC can be the perfect temp

I couldn't put DS1 down until he was 6 months old - I put him down to cook dinner/go to toilet/shower obviously - but the rest of the time he was in my arms and he wanted to be in my arms - not in a sling (he's still an akward little sod now at 8yrs old lol)

None of my DC have had any problem talking to me facing away - that news report the other week totally dumbfounded me (actually I'm rather glad they were forward facing as it conversation had been even more fluid I'd be bald - they never shut up now)

LOL @ not risking ironing at all. Actually yes with DS1 I did strap him in his buggy and pushhed him back and forwards in the lounge until he finally fell asleep - and then did my cooking >

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 02/12/2008 12:18

weeelll I can kind of see both sides to this story. Part of it finding the right pushchair for your needs against what you like the look of and what you can afford.
Some look great in shops but when you do your normal day to day stuff you find they are not so good.
personally I have only had 2 pushchairs. The mothercare one which gave up the ghost after 4 months...thanks mothercare and the Easylife which is still going strong after a minimum of 3 children as I bought it s/h.
That said with ds I was the sling queen and still am. We have never really used the pushchair with him and really its just a novelty play item. We found that experimenting with slings and finding the right one was far more fun and cheaper than doing that with pushchairs.
Its kind of like a fun obsession whether its pushchairs or slings, some people dig washable nappies amonst other things.

lizandlulu · 02/12/2008 12:18

i dotn want to use one that looks dirty and scratched when i can get another better one cheaply from the lovely ladies on here.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/12/2008 12:19

Actually I just find bigger wheels easier to get up and down steps - not quite so "bumpy" for the DC either.

blueshoes · 02/12/2008 12:20

Lizard, what do you do with the dirty and scratched one?

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 02/12/2008 12:21

actually talking about dirty and scratched - what do you do to yours to make it look that way - I@ve just had a good look at my Hauck in the hallway - it's 18 months old, used VERY heavily and yes the tyres are a little worn (expected really) - but it's clean and I can't see that many scratches (well any actually!).

pagwatch · 02/12/2008 12:22

Upwind

Christmas shopping with Mrs B Hur.

lizandlulu · 02/12/2008 12:26

lizard cheers pal, good job i am in a good mood or i could take offence
i would sell it on, yes i would let the buyer know exactly what condition it was in, and they get so dirty cause we run a scrap yard and often use the car/van for work, dont always get time to clean it out properly and they just get dirty sides where it is laid in the boot, or left in the van never to be seen again.(dh's fault, he moves them and doesnt bring them back)

StarlightWonderStarlightBright · 02/12/2008 12:42

I like my buggy to look dirty and scratched. I can leave it places, and outside people's houses and no-one will nick it!

mrsgboring · 02/12/2008 12:45

FAQ why are you sticking your tongue out at me? I only asked. I'm going to bow out of this discussion now - I can't really cope with it. Think I must have AND - am losing it somewhat.

misdee · 02/12/2008 12:51

only 6 in 9months

KatieDD · 02/12/2008 12:51

I think somebody else made a good point.
I looked like the back end of a bus for 4 years whilst having babies, either far too fat or too thin.
But my goodness the silvercross balmoral pram looked fantastic

jingleMAMADIVAsbells · 02/12/2008 12:52

Starlight I meant for us as the only time we travel on public transport is for long journeys so a maclaren xlr travel system would have been handy as could have just folded pram down and carried DS in car seat or sit him next to us whereas we had to lug big emmaljunga on which didnt fold it collapsed so still basically the same mammoth but shorter .

I wish I had more money for another pram

theirmum · 02/12/2008 12:55

Well you will all think I am a completely bloody nutter I have had about 20 pushchair since my DS was born (he is 7 months) but to be honest I usually buy them at bargain prices and sell them on for a profit!!

At least our habits dont hurt anyone and its a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a new car every year

kiddiz · 02/12/2008 13:02

If your pram gets dirty why do you not just clean it? Sounds like an excuse cause you want a new pram tbh!"!!! Why not just admit you like having new prams. There's no need to justify it on here. I think your mad and I've never seen the attraction. But, hey, it's your money and if you can afford it why not?

thean · 02/12/2008 13:07

Call me old fashioned but as long as it works it doesn't matter which one it is. I reused the same pram/pushchair with the 2nd until it broke. I know people who have one for when newborn, one when sitting up, one for the car and one for walking. That's a lot of money.

MrsMagooo · 02/12/2008 13:11

You'll all think I'm nuts too then - I've had about 28 prams since DD was about 6 months (she's now 2.5 years)

I usually only have a max of 3 at one time & always sell one to fund another - I usually make a profit on ones I sell too as I always snap up the bargains.

The way I see it is, it's not harming anyone. It's my little hobby, I don't drive so walk & take public transport, I take pride in my prams & look after them well, I clean them once a week check the tyres etc etc - sad as that maybe but it's no different to my DH tinkering with car parts! When I get bored of one or want to try something new I sell one on & buy another.

It genrally doesn't cost me anything as I only buy one when I have sold another.

I'm a pramaholic & not ashamed to say it lol

lizandlulu · 02/12/2008 13:11

i will admit it, i like having new ones.

i like the new colours and styles but wont buy brand new everytime. i have only bought about 5 brand new ones.
i have keot the proper pram which i had for dd and will use that for my next baby till they are aobut 5-6 months old