Do I really need a pram?

[P0llyP0cketR0cket]

So, I'm preggo with #1. I live in the middle of nowhere and lead a very countrysidey life. I'm wondering if I really need to spend loads on a pram. On a day to day basis, I'll be walking the dogs (through grass & mud, so baby will be in a sling.) I might go to the village, but not many pavements, so sling again I suppose or maybe a buggy? I go food shopping once a week, but can I do that with a buggy too? I'll obviously buy a good car seat, but do I really need a pram too? Am I being naive thinking I don't need a pram? Anyone else cope without? Thanks!

Carried my DS1 in a sling, and hardly used our pushchair, until he was about 14 months and he's not partiulary small (0n the 50th percentile for weight and 75th for hight since a couple of months old). After that I still used slings for shorter trips. It's all about having the right carrier and it's a good idea to have more than one type.
As DS1 didn't go in the pushchair/pram until he was 6 weeks I didn't even bother with a double when when DS2 came along, just have him in a sling until DS1 decides he wants to walk everywhere which will be soon... I really hope!
It all depends on your lifestyle, strength and getting the right sling - local sling meet or sling library is a good place to start.

I managed without stretchy wrap, Tula, Connecta then rose and rebellion just get along to a sling meet. I started with stretchy then borrowed from sling library to see what I wanted next, I was carry 24hours after c section and can still carry my 3.5 yo who is in 5-6 clothes if I have to. So much better than a piggy back.

Dragons, not when said baby did a massive explosive shit during the jabs...

I'd think you will need a pram/buggy at some stage, especially without transport as carrying loads of bags plus baby in a sling could be tricky!

You're right that you don't need to spend loads on a pram though. As long as it performs whatever functions you need, it needn't cost a fortune. My current buggy cost £6 from the charity shop and does everything I need . Not suggesting you do that, it's not very exciting for your firstborn is it, but you can get buggies that lie flat for newborns for not very much brand new.

Also if you have a c section you won't be able to life him/her at first. This is untrue. You are able to lift a newborn.

I'm getting a mountain buggy on Monday! I'm also planning on getting along to a sling meet at some point as I do love the idea of baby carrying.

What I would say is that slings are great to carry the baby but you still have to carry all their crap too.

Bf obv means less to carry in way of bottles, but you'll still need nappies, wipes, maybe a muslin and poss a change of clothes. If you pop into a shop for a pint of milk, loaf of bread you'll be carrying that too, get hot in your coat, well you'll have to carry that as well.

I actually considered keeping a buggy for Christmas shopping when mine got too old!!

I used a Connecta Solarweave from 9 weeks.

In a front carry it was great as I used a Rucksack to carry everything on my back but I did struggle with carrying stuff when it came to carrying her on my back from 13 months as I struggle with single strap bags.

I didn't need the lie flat part of our pram, so I'm not getting one this time, but as soon as ds was old enough to sit up, he enjoyed being pushed across fields on our longer dog walks, he could see what was going on, and I usually packed a little snack for him for the way.
Did most of the new born stuff with sling and then ergo carrier though.

Very late to this thread. I never had a pram, do loads of walking and would never even consider it now.
We had a car seat which clipped on to the buggy when she was tiny and the she went straight in the buggy at about 4 months. However for 90% of the time she was in the sling when out and about, probably up to age 1. She's 2 now and still goes in it in my back sometimes.

Isn't it a PITA if you have shopping or stop for a coffee if you only have a sling?? I've always wondered when I see mums with just a sling. I always assume they have a car so are only going to and from it.

I bought a second hand pram and have used it maximum of maybe 10 times. I use the sling for the majority of the time and still use it at 7 months old.

He goes in the sling when I go food shopping and he loves it. As soon as he can reliably sit in the trolley seat he'll be in there though.

I walk everywhere and only use slings. Sometimes tandem sling the preschooler and toddler.
If doing shopping I have a funky print granny shopping trolley thingey and still sling there and back walking. :)

Coffe - well they sit on my lap or go in the highchair!

I wasted nearly £400 on a pram that was hardly used when dd was born, if I ever have any more babies I would get a decent buggy and a sling.

The pram was to cumbersome and awkward to use, dd didn't like it and it was a nightmare to fold/unfold and get in and out of the car!! I still resent the money I wasted on it and dd is 9yo now

The Maclaren buggy on the other hand was much loved and used constantly, it was brilliant for carrying shopping bags on as well I really missed it when dd stopped using it!!

I didn't know much about slings when I had dd but my sil has had one for my niece and it looks very comfortable, i would definitely give that a go another time.