When did you switch to a stroller style pram?

[Plazaheart]

Currently pregnant and starting to look at what we need for the baby. Had a look at some prams and I’m really stuck. We were going to go with something like the Cybex Priam or the Uppababy Vista but the handful of friends I have who have had babies said they switched to a stroller once the baby was a bit older as the prams are just too heavy for daily use.

This has made me think if I need to buy a big (expensive) travel system in the first place if it won’t get a lot of use. Wondering if this is the case for most people and you moved onto something smaller?

In which case I’m thinking the Bee 6 as it can be used from birth but it’s a bit lighter and smaller. Also planning on using some sort of sling for walks etc when baby is small.

With those two you've shortlisted you probably won't, because they are so well made/designed that they work well for both purposes. People I know who have them tend to keep using them.

Personally I never switched. With DS1 (2008) I had my big, reversible seat from birth buggy (Bebeconfort Loola Up) and then I bought an umbrella fold - microfolds were ££££ - when he was about one because we were going on holiday, but I didn't get rid of the old one. I used the bigger, comfier one with the big basket if I wanted to carry more stuff or he was going to be in it for longer, and I used the smaller stroller if we were mainly going to be on a bus or I thought he'd be walking a lot and I didn't want to be stuck with this bulky thing. I carried on using the "big" one right up until he was 3 and I stopped using either of them. In fact I had two different umbrella folds (OBaby and then Mamas and Papas) because I split from his dad when he was 13mo and I left the stroller with him and got a new one. They were both basically identical.

With DS2 (2018) prams had changed, and I got a reversible seat model again, and then SIL gave us an umbrella fold when he was about one, but it was the shittest thing ever and I despised it - it was an Argos own brand one and just so badly made, awful to steer, flimsy, harness was crap and used to pinch my fingers all the time and I just hated it. So I never used it, I just kept using the big one, until he got to about 2.5 and I realised that he was enormous in the seat. Modern reversible seat prams have these miniscule tiny seats compared to my brilliant 2008 one. I was in two minds whether to get a Joie umbrella fold, because those were similar to the ones I'd had with DS1, but the prices had gone up massively. I'd only spent about £60 on my umbrella fold buggies back in the day but you can't get decent ones for that price any more. So I went on marketplace and got a second hand Britax forward facing pram with a flat fold, and that completely replaced the reversible seat model until I had DS3. This time I changed over when he got to about 10 months.

The Uppababy and Priam are nice bigger seats so you'll be fine with them for ages. You could always get a microfold for travelling or a cheaper (but not TOO cheap) umbrella fold for occasional use at 2+.

We have a Nuna Mixx which we still use and have used since birth. We do a hell of a lot of walking and it is so easy to push. Despite being several kilos heavier than our maclaren stroller we keep in the car it is 100 times easier to manover around. I think if you're going to do a lot of walking you will probably find similar as the lightweight strollers aren't as ergonomic in design.

The other issue I have wtih the stroller is that it only forward faces and takes my toddler much longer to fall asleep in it than the Mixx which can be switched to parent facing and helps him to switch off.

I would say though, I wish we hadn't brought the travel system version of the Mixx. The seat part is suitable from birth so would have been fine on it's own. The carry cot was barely used because of DS's silent reflux and we have never attached the car seat to the base, ever. Would've been better just buying the pushchair and one of the car seats that lasts up to 4 years separately.

I still use my travel system 3DC in for my youngest at age 3. I have an inherited umbrella but have never used it other than trying it out in the living room. We are rural though and I never take public transport. I wouldn't want a buggy I couldn't steer one handed as that leaves me a hand free to grab my 3 year old when he decides to walk / one of my older two, and the huge basket means I can fit their book bags and coats etc in on the school run.