Are prams necessary?

[waitingimpatiently]

Sorry but I didn't know where else to post this.

DPs mum is meant to be buying us the pram and the other day she asked him if we really needed one?
I thought this was a silly question but he seems to be taking her side. He said that we could just lug baby around in the car seat (which I know I couldn't do) or in a baby carrier (which I don't really fancy either).
She has the money for it, I think she's just being funny.

DP and I are not going to be out together often so if I went out on my own with baby I don't think I could cope without a pram. To be honest, it was the one thing I was looking forward to getting new because everything else is pretty much second hand.

I was just wondering if anyone else had managed without one? And how difficult / easy it was?

Thanks guys

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Haven't read whole thread, but carrying babies round in car seats is very hard work, and really not a practical solution. They look like they are very portable - after all, they have a handle on! - and so they are, providing you don't put anything in them, such as an actual baby! Just about doable with a newborn, not when baby starts getting bigger.

It's up to you and your own needs, tbh.

It sounds like you really want a pram and all the fun of choosing one and it's sort of part of being 'a mum' as well- I loved choosing my one and thought it looked fab.

But then I hardly ever used it. I get busses everywhere and walk loads and just use a sling.

DS is an average sized 19mo now (and was a big baby) and I use it every day and it suits me better than my dust-gathering pram!

Ahhh I LOVE having a pram Apart from all the practical and other essential reasons already mentioned, I couldn't wait to push my new baby in the pram and be a proud Mum! People always smile at a pram and lots of people stop and make a sweet comment. I know I'll miss the actual pram bit when we move onto the buggy part - call me a softie but I just love it! For me, it's all part of being a Mum - choosing the pram, getting excited about the little person who's going to sit in it and then proudly pushing them in it.
(On a more practical note, I wouldn't be able to manage without it either. But, I do do quite a lot of walking.)

I have never used a sling so can't really comment on that but I do use a front carrier for walking the dog as there aren't many places I can take the buggy and the dog to let her have a good run round.
Practical reasons to have a buggy/pram include somewhere safe to put the baby when you are out and about - think about going to the doctor, the dentist, the hairdresser - difficult to do these things with a baby strapped to your chest. I also agree about hot cups of tea, soup and other hot things to eat, I would worry about scalding the child if in a sling.
Also if you ever want to go out yourself and leave baby with a friend or grandparent they might not be comfortable slinging. I couldn't imagine any of DCs grandparents using a sling with my two but all of them will happily push a buggy.
Going on holiday/visiting friends with a buggy means you have a safe/familiar place for your child to nap in.
I took my baby and toddler to the beach the other day and with a reclined buggy and parasol she was completely in the shade and the sides of the pram stopped her getting covered in sand.
Pushing a buggy/pram can also settle a grumpy child who needs a nap and once they have fallen asleep you can have a much deserved rest yourself which would be more tricky if the child was in a sling.
I'm not slagging off slings just pointing out that prams/buggies are very useful and giving OP some ammunition to use.

sorry I don't use a front carrier for walking the dog, I use a front carrier when I am walking the dog with the baby. Labradors generally don't fit in baby carriers

I don't recommend lugging baby around in a car seat - early on its not great for the baby and when its slightly bigger it will be very heavy. And impossible to carry shopping and car seat.

When the baby is little you can carry it around in a sling.

So although I would agree you don't need a pram (unless you plan to do a lot of walking at the start), most people would need a lightweight buggy - we have maclaren triumph (or you could get own brand eg argos/mothercare cheaper one) can use from around 3/4 months and its very light - as others say, need for reluctant 15 month old.

Alternatively how about a buggy that you can use from birth - maclaren techno or M&P pliko suitable from birth and can attach car seat.

Stewie - so pleased that was a typo, nearly posted a at you!

"They might not be necessary, but my Dd hated being in a sling,"

Likewise. I was detemined I was going to use the sling, bought two different types but it made no difference. DD loathes them and screams the second she goes in one. She loves being pushed around though - we have a Quinny and a traditional Silver Cross

I bought a travel system with DD1 as didn't know much about slings. DD2 has hardly been in a pushchair - maybe 10 times. She is 2.2 now. Carried her in a babyhawk for 2 hours around the shops today. Tis great - frees up hands, can push a heavy trolley around homebase and can run after DD1 when she is being a monkey and wandering off. No backache. Happy DD2. Surprised shopkeepers - she will peek around by back and say hello.