Will I need a pram or can I just do with a sling?

[KittyChat]

Has anyone ever not bothered without a pram/buggy for the first few weeks?

We have a very small flat and we're trying to play it by ear before getting some of the equipment. DP is off for eight weeks straight after baby's born so we thought we could share baby-carrying duties during this time. We have three different carriers/slings that we have been given.

My MIL has just called to ask what we're doing re: pram and I told her. There was a silence and then she said 'you know how hard THAT's going to be, don't you?'

We live in London so there are plenty of prams about if we change our minds. We are not planning on making any big trips and are going to hang out in our local area.

Any insights?

I think slings (as in the wraps) are better for a baby than the carriers (Baby jorn) as they are better for the hip joints. I have a sling and tried to use it in the early days but the baby wouldn't co-operate. He likes it a lot more now.

We bought a second hand pram as well as a sling as I thought we'd need one. The pram has never gone outside the house and we're 8 months in - so I'm glad I didn't invest in a new one!

I'd suck it and see. You can always buy one if you need it but I don't think it's essential that you have one pre birth.

My MIL was very aghast when we visited without pram!

My DD is 8 months old and I have used the pram only once, to take older half-sister rollerblading, pushing baby along! For everyday getting about, I use a Carry-me sling and love it. I live in Central London and getting on buses and tubes is no problem at all, even at rush hour. She sleeps happily in it and loves to travel looking forwards when she's awake - she gets loads of smiles and attention that way! I wish I'd never bought the pram. The sling is lots more convenient. My shoulders get a bit sore after wearing it for long walks, and if I haven't done it up tightly enough it can give me a sore lower back, but these are small problems compared to heaving a pram up to the second floor every time I get home, or dealing with the wrath of commuters.

Do it!

I've got a babasling which I love now DS is a bit bigger (3 months) however I wasn't keen when he was newborn, I'm sure it was just me worrying but he felt too little and fragile to be strapped to me without me keeping hold of him as well the whole time! I wish in a way that I had tried to find a slingmeet, as I'm sure that would have helped my confidence, but I just waited a couple of months and tried again. I'm also in a flat with no lift, my pram just stays in the boot of the car!

JUst thought if you haven't got a sling meet - you might have a la leche league group near you - you could visit them for sling advice too.

WHere abouts are you ? Near me there's also an attachment parenting group so a complete abundance of sling places to go for advice. Definitely worth popping along pre baby.