Would you put a newborn in a cheap folding pushchair or use a pram?? Help!

[cheerfulvicky]

Hello!
We are expecting our 1st baby in August, and have just started to look at pushchairs and prams etc. Argh! I have no idea what is the best for a new born baby, ideally I'd like a 2 in 1 that has a pram like carrycot facing me and then later converts to a pushchair, but DP is worried about cost... He says a basic buggy should be fine from birth, but I'm not sure.
Could anyone tell me if you have used a simple stroller for your little one from the start, or would you recommend a carry cot?
We live in a hilly Cornish town and some cobblestones but mostly just.. hills. DP drives and the boot is fairly large so no worries there. Not keen on travel systems as they look ugly and seem to be so heavy! Please offer some advice??
Thank you..

Vicky
xx

The basic buggies are only recommended from
6 months onwards, when they can sit up properly. Newborns need to be able to lie flat and something soft and padded is obviously nicer for them.

most umbrella folding buggies are no good for newborns as they are too upright. have you considered a sling?

I would get a pram but not one that converts as you can have an umbrella folding buggy from about 4 months.

We used a Britaz pram (which I am selling) for the first 5 months and then my son went in to a Maclaren buggy.

There are so many new buggies and prams out now since my olderst was born but my advice would be to not fall for the hype and get what does what you know you want and not all fancy extra bits.

I think most umbrella strollers are only suitable from 3 months, as the baby needs to be able to lie flat. I got one when my DS was 3 months old as I needed something that would fold up small for going on the train.

I'd recommend a carry cot, just cos baby will be more comfy

Message withdrawn

Thanks so much for the replies! I am planning to use a sling as well, but I think there are times (especially when dc gets a bit bigger!) that I'll want to wheel them.
I read somewhere that summer babies might be too hot in a sling sometimes if it's really boiling?

Anyway, thanks to those that answered, I'm getting a bit clearer about what I might need

DS had a MAclaren Techno stroller from birth. It went flat and was fabulous. We are still using it over two years later.

No, a cheap pushchair is not good enough. Look on ebay and in charity shops for a better one - a carry cot one would be ideal.

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mamas-Papas-classic-stroller-carry-cot_W0QQitemZ280207491445QQihZ018QQcategoryZ66700Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ideal, really. Look in your local area.

i have had a pram type each time but i have to say if you are on a budget a great buy is the techno or the xlr you can get a car seat on now! ive had both and they are fantastic pushchairs!

dd had Maclaren Techno XT from birth too. I suggest going to Motnercare and try picking up your preferred pram/buggy with one hand, also see if it fits in your car boot. If you haven't got a car make sure you get the lightest buggy available as you need to get it on and off the bus. If you're tall, make sure the handles extend.

comes in pink and brown too which i had and it was lush
www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B00116V3NU/sr=1-25/qid=1205604340/ref=sr_1_25/026-4525806-7199602?ie=U TF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42764041&mcb=core

or the techno xt

www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B001139Z7Y/sr=1-1/qid=1205604324/ref=sr_1_1/026-4525806-7199602?ie=UTF 8&mcb=core

another good option is the mamas and papas pliko range they are suitable from birth lay flat but a one fold system

www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/cat/pushchairs/

maclaren techno xt and xlr are suitable from birth.

this time, i am probably going to get a silvercross sleepover second hand, as i dont have much bedroom space. the idea then is during the day baby naps in the pram in the hallway, at night we set it up on a stand (comes with it) in the bedroom. i say probably as after 12 week scan i may apply to go on the council exchange list, or persude my aunt to swap with us lol.

If you're worried about cost see if you have a local freecycle. I'm a member of ours and there seems to be a pushchair/pram at least once a week. It's free - all you have to do is pick it up!!

Yep,I'm on my local freecycle and am keeping my eyes peeled! Thanks for the suggestions lovely people, I'm off to have a look at them all..

Don't think it's been mentioned, but cheap buggy wheels on cobblestones equals nightmare. I really noticed the difference when I go anywhere with the graco citisport my mum has compared to my 3 wheeler. With a proper pram you get decent bouncy wheels (air tyres I think is the technical term), and that's easier for you to push and more comfortable for the baby. Lots of people don't seem to be able to get rid of perfectly decent prams (with carrycots) because of the fashion for bugaboos etc so needn't be expensive. You can buy 3 wheelers with carrycots (mothercare urbans for instance), which might suit the terrain around you better than a standard 4-wheeler.

you can pick up a buzz fairly cheap

another vote for maclaren techno xt. Get a footmuff which will make a newborn snug and secure.

Will last until baby grows into a toddler!

Have you a budget as I would love my pram to be used again.

i know you arent keen on travel systems but i had a graco quattro with DS. it has a newborn carrycot for when he was little and needed to be wrapped up and then it converted to a pushchair that could lie flat when he went to sleep. it was the best thing we ever had plus it was only £100 off ebay in fab condition.

i do think newborns need a pram or similar for the first couple of month. also if it is really hilly like where we are (live in scotland) the lo slides around in the pushchair when they are small going up and down hill. plus with cobbles you will need something with suspension

My mum got hold of two prams on Freecycle for me, and we switched what we were using after a few weeks because the first was unwieldy, and I'd say go for a freecycle or secondhand pram as you'll be using it for quite a short time.

If you drive, though, it does make a difference as you're going to make far more use of a car seat - that may make a travel system more worthwhile moneywise.

I got a Maclaren Quest when baby was about 14 weeks old but didn't start using it so much for a few weeks after that, then it was fine but I'd have probably spent the extra for one of the Techno models with hindsight. Particularly as we don't drive and use the buses a lot, and Maclaren Quests and cheaper have rubbish brakes whereas the Technos look much easier to kick on and harder for every idiot who falls over your buggy to kick off.

Cobbles can be hard work for adults to wheel around on but babies actually quite like being bumped around.

Hi, we live in North cornwall! Only just over a year.
A buggy will drive you crazy over the cobbles/ sand and anything other than proper pavements and shopping centres. If I was buying a pram for my PFB I would go for the best terrain mountain buggy my money would buy. Ours can go anywhere- the micralite is a mumsnet favourite, was useless round here!

I have got a Hauck infinity which is suitable from birth to five years. It faces forward and rearward, can lay flat and upright, handlebars are adjustable and has air filled tyres at the back and lockable wheels at the front which is good for rough surfaces. Plus it is really light (11kg) and I can push it with one finger.

Oh - I am selling it too

Chicco Trio...fab, tis a great buggy with a carrycot theat clips on...i still use mine nearly 2.5 years later...using the carycot again at te mo with DS2 and its lovely to be able to see him. If you buy a stroller type then you willnot be able to look at your lovely baby when you push him up those cobbles....sounds a bit wet now but you will think the same once the baby arrives!