Do I really need a pushchair/pram/buggy for a newborn?

[YanknbeforetheCockcrows]

Frankly, we don't have tons of money, and I'm really starting to wonder if I need to be shelling out for a pushchair from birth.

It will be nearly September when the baby comes, and it will be grim and rainy a lot of the time--I don't foresee a lot of walks through the park TBH. I drive, so obviously will have a carseat/baby carrier thing. I was thinking I/DH could use a sling if taking the baby somewhere/out walking.

I do my food shopping online, and frankly hate other types of shopping. If I went somewhere with the baby, I'd most likely be driving.

Geez, I sound like a complete recluse, but am imagining my life will pretty much consist of being stuck on the sofa breastfeeding for a few months!

I do think we'll get a pushchair later on, but what I want to know is, how long can I get away with not having one? Is it realistic to wait? How much did you actually use your pram/pushchair during the first few months?

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I think a pram is useful, but not essential.

I suggest you look at ebay, the newspaper, charity shops, freecycle etc. for a bargain.

I liked using a huggababy sling with my son.

I would go for a very cheap second hand pushchair if you're not sure you'll want it. Have it before baby born - you won't fancy pram shopping afterwards. Baby no 1 - pram all the time. Baby no 2 - hardly use it use sling. Would definitely say you don't need expensive pushchair - we had one and I love it but if I'd turned out to be sling person with no 1 then it would have been big waste of money. Some people love carrying their baby - great. But it can be a bit intese and sometimes pushing a pram gave me the sanity saving amount of personal space I needed but I was still with dd and available for her. This time I'm so used to the lack of personal space that it's not an issue and a pram would be a pain for me at the park etc.

I live in the country and have no shops which are a walkable distance. I used the car seat (obviously) and a Babybjorn sling for the first few months (DS was born in December), after that we got a back pack that he could sit in when we went for walks, which was brilliant.
Eventually I got a cheap pushchair in the Mothercare sale, but we hardly ever used it.

From what you say I think you could manage quite well without a pushchair. If you buy a sling do get a good quality one with nice padded straps that you can put on by yourself. You can usually sell them on when you have finished with it and get most of your money back!

A decent sling is more useful than a pram but I would look in charity shops to see what you can pick up. Old fashioned prams are fine if you walk a lot. Not so good on the bus!

A stretchy wrap sling is usually the best thing for a newborn. Good makes are moby, hug-a-bub and kari-me. They all have advantages and disadvantages. An expensive one can be worthwhile, especially in the winter as you won't be so bothered about being so hot. They also have excellent resale value. I would second the idea of going to a slingmeet. You can buy and sell second hand slings on the ukbabywearingswap yahoo group.

Wrap slings are surprisingly easy to master but it does help to be shown in the flesh, eg at a slingmeet. They're also good for your back (and good for the baby).

When your baby gets heavier you'll probably want a different sort of sling. Like prams and pushchairs different sorts are better at different stages.