Pram / buggy advice

[Clocksandhocks]

Hi wise people

I am looking for some advice about potential prams / buggies! Unfortunately the nearest Mamas and Papas or John Lewis is about 1 hrs 15 away. I found a or the only local independent shop which was 40 mins away but that has since closed. Ideally I'd like to try them out as I have quite specific needs but thought I'd ask for some help to narrow it down.

I'd like something fairly light and compact. Whilst at JL, I struggled to lift or manoeuvre most of the prams and that was whilst they were empty! I'd need to be able to pop on buses / trains etc. I also found that quite a few off the wheels jutted out from the pram making it difficult to get through aisles (when I was testing them) I liked the style and shape of the small silver cross buggy, it only required a foot on the back and one hand to collapse / lift out but was told that the buggy is more for holiday use rather than a main buggy.

I will also be on my own most of the time, so need to manage it alone.

The ickle bubba ones seem to have good reviews, but I cant find any stockists to test ? Does anyone have any experience with these?

Ideally I'd like something that can take them from birth to toddler. Not fussed about a car seat being attached etc.

More than happy to look second hand, but not sure what I should be looking for. Unfortunately have no mum friends to ask and totally stumped.

Thanks :)

Babyzen yo-yo

Bugaboo bee or babyzen yo-yo

Do you want parenting facing - ideally you do. Will you be using it for off road? Parks, NT? Are you going to need a big basket? For shopping or stuff for 2 children? Or you going to have more than one child? What kind of age gap are you planning?

You also need to consider the above.

Do your buses/trains have accessible doors ie without steps to get on and off. What you may find is that weight is less important than manouvreability. We had a cheap umbrella type stroller from Argos which was tiny and light but just awful crap build quality with no thought given to how it would be used and it's just horrible and cumbersome to push. Whereas I've also used a Britax B-Agile and Phil & Ted's with doubles kit on and two children weighing approx 22kg added together, and it pushes like a dream, very little effort required. I did almost get a hernia trying to lift it up my front step :o

You might actually be better off with a sling most of the time - I'd see if you have a local babywearing consultant/sling library/sling meet, as it can be invaluable to get some hands on advice about how to use them.

Ickle Bubba are cheaply made and probably won't last. Silver cross are good quality. When you say the small holiday buggy, did you mean the Jet (this type is called a super-compact, modelled after the Babyzen Yoyo) or the Zest/Pop (umbrella fold typs, modelled after Maclaren)?

If it was the Jet you liked, these are not especially long-lasting and if you like this type, look at Bugaboo Bee or Babyzen Yoyo instead as similar, compact, lightweight designs but built more to last. These are fine for using around town, but won't cope with cobbles or much off-road (park with paths is fine. Gravel or woods not fine.)

The umbrella fold type are OK, but not very supportive for a newborn and a somewhat old-fashioned design now. Staff in shops will probably steer you away from them because they are cheap, but they're perfectly fine and will do the job if that's what you want. I'd probably get a cocoon type "soft" carrycot attachment and use this for the newborn period. They are often universal between brands.

I find the reviews on this youtube channel to be very helpful.

www.youtube.com/c/BarnevognverkstedNo

I have a Cybex Beezy. Technically it’s a travel buggy but it’s suited us as put main pushchair. Lie flat from birth. One handed fold and steering. Inexpensive (relatively speaking). My friend has an Ickle Bubba and it broke on the third use.

We have a Zeta Vooom. Very lightweight and maneuverable, I can collapse it down while holding baby and carry it with one hand. I got the pram, a thick fleece footmuff and bigger raincover (comes with a small one) for £70 but only seen it for sale online. We had the double version for our twins from newborn until they no longer needed it, maneuverability did reduce when they were heavy toddlers (with 1 newborn in a single it feels like it weighs nothing).

What’s your budget? We have the Maka & Papas Airo, I love it as it’s got the twist handle, so is truly one hand fold. I couldn’t manage with the yo-yo, as you need two hands to click the handle down. I’ve been travelling up and down stairs to train and tube alone with baby on hip with it, really useful at places like South Kensington and very quick to fold too. I like that the handle can just fold down and tuck in, so mean I can keep baby in pushchair and not take up much space with handle sticking out. Very lightweight too, I’ve found it easy enough to go up and down.

But I only use it for travelling like this, it’s not comfortable for baby to sleep in and not sheltered or covered enough. The Airo has a footmuff but to be honest it doesn’t collapse as easily with it on, so no point for me taking up and down several times in one journey. It’s more like a chair than a comfortable sofa, if you see what I mean? Our other one is Ocarro which we drive to places with or go for walks. I can’t carry that one at all.

Hi everyone

Thank you for your replies :)

In terms of budget, as reasonable as possible is my aim. Under £400 would be ideal, and I'm more than happy to go second hand if I know the make / model. U fortunately fiance left at 10 weeks and I havent had any contact so will just be me and the little one, no plans for anymore so don't need to think about an expanding family. As it is just me, I'm very aware of having to do things on my own and only one pair of hands hence wanting something as light and easy to use as possible.

In terms of terrain, I'd say mostly flat surfaces with a few NT days out. The beach is close by but has proper walk ways and paving, NT woodland areas are quite flat rather than traditional woody bits if that makes sense :)

Think I have answered everything, but giving me lots of food for thought :)

Babyzen yo-yo is brilliant but Joolz has just brought out their version of it which is even easier to use, well worth a look, called Aer

We have the babyzen. ( also huge off road mountain buggy).
We need the off-road ness of mountain buggy due to location ( hilly, unmade roads and lots of snow)

However, I would happily just have the babyzen as main pram if I was in the city. We only used from over 6months, but you can use from newborn with extra newborn part or car seat. We just fly with it and I would easily carry it folded with the strap on one shoulder, rucksack and car baby in other arm.

A sling like ergo embrace was invaluable for the first 6-9 months also as well.

I'd get the baby Zen or Bee then in your case and a second hand Babyjogger city mini or mountain buggy for when your DC is older if you want to do the off road stuff and the small wheels are annoying.

Slings great for public transport as well. A maternity coat that transforms into a babywearing one and then back to a normal coat is a really good investment.