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Original poster

There's no perfect buggy, right??

46 replies

june2013 · 13/04/2013 17:31

I find shopping for a pram really stressful. First of all I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to say pram, pushchair, buggy or stroller. I'm sure some of these are American words, but they seem to be used interchangeably here! Anyway, that is the least of my worries.

We live in a town and we're most urban people, I want some light, compact and that gets around easily. PILs are buying as a gift so while I don't want to it to cost the earth, it's not the primary concern.

Initially, we were going to go for the Bugaboo Bee - but seeing it in the shop, it seems really low and a bit flimsy. Is that just me? Also, though a carrycot might only last a few months, I like the idea of being able to put baby to sleep after feeding in the house and then walk out if I need to, without waking her.

Then we liked the uppababy Cruz, but the reviews really aren't great. They're all about the Vista, which seems a bit big for getting around town and to be used on public transport.

Then we were directed towards the iCandy Cherry, but I don't like the 2 piece fold and the reviews all say that customer services are awful. Though currently, I think it's top of our list...

There's no perfect buggy, I know. But I find this process quite stressful! Ultimately, my husband is going to choose, but please reassure me that having thought this over a lot, I will eventually buy something that works for us?!?!

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DangerMousey · 13/04/2013 20:01

I have the baby style Oyster from Mothercare and it is a great travel system: a good sturdy carrycot which we also used as a 'Moses basket' in the house for the first 6 weeks, and a cool-coloured seat for DS to sit in now he is 4 months old and very inquisitive about the world! It also fits a maxi cosi car seat with a couple of simple adapters.

Very light and easy to manoeuvre.

CareerGirl01 · 13/04/2013 20:09

Had an iCandy apple system with DD1 which I used till the basket wore in the middle and the front wheel broke- I used it to jog with! Not the best idea. Found it too bulky and the fact you have to dismantle it was a real faff for family members. I used it though because my MIL spent £900 on it for us. This time round I've been given an Out and About nipper which I can use for jogging; going to buy a carrycot and attachments for our 5 year old maxi cosi car seat. Beware of spending loads - I wish we'd got something cheaper. eBay and discount sites are the way to go.

racheld33 · 13/04/2013 20:18

We had an Icandy peach which I loved. Was a gift from parents, so cost wasn't an issue. used carry cot till DS was 5 months, still goes in it as a pushchair now (a tall 2.9 year old). I found heavy and chunky in a nice way (felt safe and sturdy) and easy for me to fold down/put into boot on my own. Looks perfect condition for my next baby on the way

3MenAndMe · 13/04/2013 20:32

I am totally with you,the choice is sooo difficult.
I had 2DC close together almost 11 years ago and went through 8 prams/buggies/doubles.Less choice back then,thanks God....
Now we are awaiting our DC3 in June/July and I could not make my mind.I had a good look at most of the current models when visited Baby Show and it did not help at all,I was even more confused plus in many cases the price is not refelecting the quality...
I know we will need strong pram with good suspension(for walks with dogs in woodland etc),with traditional carrycot so I opted for BabyStyle Lux and I love it.It feels so cosy,the carrycot is long enough to last at least for the first 6 months(providing the LO won't try to seat before...This one I have bought second hand.
But there is other side of the medal as I am going to use public transport ( I don't drive,have to rely on my husband)and I will need something more lightweight.I wanted one that is lightweight,versatile,compact and parent facing and the only option here was Bugaboo Bee.When I first saw it couple of times in diffrent shops I really hated it as it feels overpriced and not really well made(eg.the hood feels funny and is made of single fabric)but thats the only one thicking most of boxes and it has long warranty.Time will show if it is worth the money...
I was considering Uppababy Cruz and Baby Jogger Verso (sorry if I did not put the names right) but they are quite large and was worried about space in the buses(sometimes you have 3 buggies at once...)
Good luck with shopping...

LivingProof · 13/04/2013 20:48

Have a look at the Micralite Superlite - it's light, easy to manoeuvre and folds up really small.

It has an optional carrycot and you can attach a car seat.

I loved mine!

redandyellowandpinkandgreen · 13/04/2013 21:00

I couldn't fault my Bugaboo Bee. You can get a cocoon so you could put the baby in there to sleep in the day.

GingerDoodle · 13/04/2013 21:34

There is no perfect choice; this is our story.

We live in Sussex but worked in London. I had seen lots of Stokkes pushed most likely by Nannies in the parks and loved them. However when it came to it they felt very plastic and I couldn't justify the price tag. We purchased a Mutsy 4Rider which, the pram and car seat at least, have a similar height - nice and hight. The handle is adjustable to accommodate 4ft 11 me to our 6ft best friend / DD's Godmother. We trekked up to Luton to looked at one in person which was invaluable.

I commuted (another story) twice a day, 4 days a week from Sussex to London - a 5 1/2 hour total round from when DD was 2 1/2 weeks old till when my DH moved jobs when she was 3 months with the pram - it was brilliant. I have not yet found a better chassis and wheels. The big, off road, looking wheels make the suspension brilliant. I got it on and off trains and buses without a problem. Also I have it in purple and its very eye catching!

The carry-cot is also suitable for a baby to sleep in and she slept in it until we moved her into her cot.

I still ( 3 months later) commute about half that distance, now with the car seat (maxi cosi with adaptors) as she outgrew the carry cot.

The seat unit, I am still getting used to but DD does seem to like it, I just find it very low down in comparison (but not as low as most!)

Also as an aside, I also have two slings - a Rose & Rebellion (3 months +) and Boba 3G (from birth) which I've used in conjunction and found both great for when the pram wasn't suitable (going via London Bridge on my own).

MortifiedAdams · 13/04/2013 21:35

I think mine is perfect. A Maclaren Techno XLR. Lie flat stroller compatable with car seat and carrycot. I will never have need of another pushchair.

MiaowTheCat · 13/04/2013 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LuckyOwl28 · 13/04/2013 21:39

I'd say don't be afraid to ask other Mum's if you see them pushing one around that appeals to you.

We changed our mind several times but in the end decided on the Obaby Zezu as was highly recommended to us by a parent who had the same criteria as us and seemed a bonus to have carrycot as part of the pushchair rather than an additional feature (and expense)!

MarathonMama · 13/04/2013 21:45

Nah, it's horses for courses. I love our cameleon but our friends really hated theirs. You need to think about where you'll be using it and what for. I walk around locally using the cameleon but have a Maclaren in the car as the cameleon is heavy and a faff to put up. I prefer it for walks/ shopping though as it doesn't topple with the nappy bag on it and loads of shopping and it's more comfortable for dd.

Original poster

june2013 · 13/04/2013 22:56

Thanks everyone - lots of very useful info, except my list of possibles has now quadrupled!! I'm going to go back to the shop and try them all out again! I've added the Vista, the Baby Jogger, the Oyster and the Mutsy to the list...

For those concerned about it being my husband choosing: I find this a mega chore; I carry the baby, so he can choose the buggy (under my strict instructions).

OP posts:

MrsOakenshield · 13/04/2013 23:05

well, the Bugaboo Bee has been perfect for us, and you can easily leave the baby in it to sleep. It's slim, manoeverable, folds fairly small for that kind of pram (I've always called it a pram), adjustable handlebar, single handlebar (useful for when they're older and want to get out and walk - you can push it with one hand) - we're in London and it's been brilliant. Just recently stopped using it at age 3. You could buy mine if you like, only the sponge bit round the handlebar needs replacing. If you get it, see if you can borrow or get secondhand the cocoon, and fork out for the footmuff - they're only in the cocoon for about 3 months.

fanjodisfunction · 14/04/2013 08:51

I've got a quinny buzz from two years ago, I didn't get to use it. Was worrying that it might be out of date but now I really don't care.

But the choosing process drove my hubby up the wall, I couldn't choose. He had already decided on the buzz, but I quite like the oyster, but in the end opted for the buzz as it seamed sturdy.
Its best to think what you really need then go to the shops and see which ones you like and then narrow down to needs.

(I don't think the buzz is a popular choice anyone I hardly see it around)

milkwasabadchoice · 14/04/2013 08:57

Correct!
Wait till you have two - then its a case of which is the least terrible!

I had a m&p sola and lived it and went on bus and tube all the time. Won't claim perfection though. Now I have a maclaren quest as my single ish chair. Ds faces forward so I don't see his gorgeous gummy grinning face, but the pushchair is a revelation in lightness and easiness.

katiecubs · 14/04/2013 08:59

We have a sola - it's great, reasonably priced and good customer service too.

cece · 14/04/2013 09:01

After having 3 DC I just go for the cheapest lay flat stroller from newborn. Suits me as I am in and out of car all the time. They are lightweight and manouverable. I use it till it breaks and then get another one.

CouthySaysEatChoccyEggs · 14/04/2013 09:07

Baby jogger. No comparison, after 15 years of DC's and at least 30 pushchairs / prams.

I think you can get the P&T cocoon to fit for smaller babies - unsure as I didn't get my BJCM until DS3 was older.

Wish I had discovered baby joggers years ago!!

CouthySaysEatChoccyEggs · 14/04/2013 09:09

Go on the pushchair section on here, and detail your 'wants' for the perfect pushchair.

They will find they right one for you!

rootypig · 14/04/2013 09:13

Pram. And if it's any help, what swayed me after months of agonising (yes, agonising) was a lovely middle aged man in John Lewis who said he would happily sell me a giant travel system, but whispered conspiratorially that I'd be back in 6 months for a McLaren like everyone else...... unless I bought a Bee.

So I got one second hand and couldn't be happier. It does feel flimsy and low down, yes. But you're right, there is no perfect buggy (which is why I bought second hand). Our daughter finds it perfectly comfortable and still easily fits the cocooon at almost 6 months, long after most babies have outgrown their carrycots. We are about to buy the easy breezy shade thingy that MrsOakenshield mentions, it looks great.

Fwiw it's light enough to carry our daughter up a flight of steps to our first floor flat when she's in it, asleep. She then immediately wakes up, but that's another story .

CouthySaysEatChoccyEggs · 14/04/2013 09:14

They suggested the Baby Jogger City Mini to me, but I pooh-poohed the idea as it is a 3-wheeler, and I hated 3-wheelers.

God, they were so right though - I saw one for sale for £40, so bought it knowing that a) They hold their resale value, it was really cheap for a secondhand baby jogger, so I could probably sell it for more than I paid for it (!), and b) It wasn't a huge amount of money.

But the one-handed fold, and the ability to put it back up again with one hand by 'flicking' it is awesome.

The basket is a decent size too.

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