baby carrier and no pram?

[lemon101]

Hi all,

My dh and I are pretty keen to keep the level of baby accessories to a minimum and we had this idea of just getting a baby carrier/sling instead of a pram (until the baby was a bit older and then get a running pushchair).

As this pregnancy progresses and I start thinking about life after pregnancy however I am starting to think the whole 'no pram' idea might be a bit bonkers. The main reason being (and I appreciate this sounds ridiculous), but we do like going out for meals, a swifty drink at the pub etc. It's genuinely an important part of or lives and yes this will change etc etc (but still going to try!). In this sort of situation where do you put the baby if you just have a sling and haven't driven so the baby isn't in a car seat?

Is it a crazy idea to not get a pram? I'm sure there are other situations (and possibly more pressingly practical ones!) where a sling and no pram is problematic. I'd be grateful for the knowledge of the experienced ladies out there!

My DS hated being restrained - swaddle, sling, etc.

Why not start with a sling and see how you get on? The shops will still be open after you have the baby (this is something I often forgot while pregnant)

I used a Manduca carrier when DS was a newborn, and only bought a buggy when he was a few months old. This worked really well as it meant I had worked out exactly what I needed from a buggy. Delivered within 2 days.

You could also consider a secondhand cheap one - I bought a Maclaren for holiday use in great condition for £30. Could easily have used it as an everyday buggy.

Another situation to consider: what if you want someone else to look after the baby for a few hours? You may not, of course, but it's worth considering if it's a possibility. Eg if your mum, say, was going to take the baby out, would she be happy with the sling?

My best sleeper is DS3, he was carried in the sling(s) until he was 2 1/2 and then I fell pg with DC4. This was mainly because DC2 was occupying the buggy for a lot of that time and once DC2 was out of the buggy I had become so used to the sling that I found it easier and just carried on.

DC4 was in the sling for the first 8 months, now and again he will go in the stroller. Its been great as the boot hasn't been taken up with a great bit travel system and we bought a birth to age 4 car seat, so we won't have to spend twice on car seats (they do let you home from hospitals without a baby in a car seat...).

If I'm out for a meal I find the sling easier when they are babies as they are more settled and often sleep through, you just have to be careful not to drop food on them. If I fancied a break from carrying then DH will have a carry, or one of the Grandparents if we are out together.

The only down side it not having a pushchair to load up with shopping and baby kit. I used to just travel light when they were small. At about a year, if you are still carrying them you can put them high up on your back and then (IMO) it all gets a lot easier as you have your front free again.

They do get heavy, but you don't notice, DC3 was 2 1/2 but I had carried him nearly every day since he was born so the weight just crept up and up and you don't feel it.

Whilst in part it is down to your personal preference, it does also depend on your baby - DS hated the buggy, was rarely used for the first four months and then he started to tolerate it. Whereas I know other babies who don't take to being in a sling.

Although as people have said, you can always buy a buggy if you need it, I don't regret what I did which was to buy a second hand one on eBay for not very much money before DS arrived. It is easier to do that when you have the time to research, wait for the right bargain, go out to collect etc.

We got a travel system (minus car seat which we bought new) for £70 and I am planning to sell it on again hopefully for a similar amount so the only cost has been the space it takes up in the hall. I have spent at least twice that amount on slings and carriers

Thank you so much ladies. All this input and the different opinions are very helpful. For those posters out there who have reminded me that the shops remain open even after you've given birth - you are totally right and possibly I just need to get a sling in the first instance and then work it out from there. The only thing is that it might work out a better idea to get a travel system if I do decide to go down the buggy-as-well route, in which case the car seat which I will need to get home from hospital is included. Hmmmm.

I think you've all given me the experienced perspective I need to sit back and have a little think about this however. So thank you again!

Get both. I am a huge fan of slings and carriers but from 4 months on, you will definitely need a pram. Your mobility is more limited when you wear a sling/carrier. Get both. You'd regret it, even from early on. BTW I swear by the City mini GT baby jogger.

You don't need to buy a matching travel system. If you had a specific make jogger pram in mind just look to see what car seat brands are compatable. Most of the big brands produce adapters for various makes of buggy. That way you could just buy car seat now and know it will attach to your future buggy purchase.

I had both and found them both useful tbh.

I also think a lot depends on your preference, your baby's preference and how you get around. I walked into town a lot and rarely used the car so a sturdy pram suited me really well. If you tend to drive and then it's a quick pop round the shops then a sling might be more practical than lugging a pram out of the boot. If you use the bus then any pushchair would need to be easy to fold with one hand. Etc!

DeladionInch - have I tried using a carrier exclusively? No.

Have I used a carrier? Yes, extensively and I have three at home (wrap, carrier, backpack). I just couldn't imagine ONLY using one and never having the option to put a sleeping baby down and just be ME for a minute. Not to mention to be able to carry things, give the baby a good wriggle around / stretch out while out and about, and protect them from the elements!

Sling used far more here. Tbh we mainly used the pram just for 6 months we we had second child just as I could carry both easily, so have second baby in sling, and 1 year old in pram. If dh and I went out together though we just used a sling each

Mrs n- I don't understand why you can't ever put them down, don't you ever stop outside? I would often lay mine on blanket on grass or bench out, in tub chair or sofa in cafes and restaurants, on changing mat/ blanket anywhere really, lay them on bus seat or trains and planes.

The weight shouldn't be a problem if you have a decent sling. Baby goes on front, then on back once big enough. I can still carry 4 year old on my back if needed ( do occasionally after midnight flights), I'm small, size 6, and find it ok short term (wouldn't carry him around all day now like a baby as not needed)

We were contemplating this exact issue when I was pregnant as I was super keen on a sling. In the end we got a pram as my parents wanted to buy us one as a present.

Turned out DS likes the pram (has a hood so quite cocoon like) and routinely falls asleep in it however he hates the sling! Just glad we had the pram ready as I wouldn't have fancied pram shopping with a newborn.

My two are older now, but if I was going to do it all again I would buy a second hand baby jogger as they really seem to hold their value and will do for a baby or toddler. I loved my sling but I think its really handy to be able to put the baby in a buggy so they can stretch out a bit, especially after the first few months.

Not bonkers at all! I didn't use a pram at all for at least the first six months of my son's life. For me I wouldn't have wnted to leave baby in a pram while I ate a meal or had a drink, so they would always be in my arms anyway - a sling meant I had my hands free.

FWiW I used a sling with my son until I got pregnant again when he was 20 months. Then after baby was born I used to carry him to preschool in a carrier on my back :)

Prams are not an essential item x

Have you considered what happens if you have a c section? I'm having a section and will be a bit limited for a while as to what I can do, so will need both but the sling only once I can manage. I have a two year old already and with him my back and pelvis were shot afterwards so again couldn't manage a sling for a while.

I too loved my sling, but couldn't have done without the pram. As a PP said- it's much easier when it's raining to have a pram with rain cover. Also I used to find it cumbersome to carry the sling plus changing bag plus any shopping. The sling worked best for jobs round the house/ naps/ short trips which didn't require changing bag or where we were out as a couple and one person could have the 'stuff' and one person carried the baby. I often took the sling out with me even when I had the buggy so that I could get him to nap if out for a coffee/ meal without having to walk round the block. I have eaten many a meal with a baby strapped to me- you just have to accept you might get crumbs on their head!
I'd get both even if it's just a cheapy buggy.

Further to my previous post: we actually did take the buggy out today. I wish we bloody hadn't. School holidays mean the shopping centre we went to was absolutely rammed. Constantly having to dodge round people, queue for the lift, having to carry DD in my arms anyway because she doesn't even like the sodding buggy... Then having to take its pissing wheels off to get it back in the boot because it doesn't bloody fit.

So yes, OP, just get a sling. It's a hell of a lot easier!

We have a travel system and DS spends a lot of time in the carrycot, it's been great. He sleeps there during the day and I can wheel it through to the kitchen if I'm through there. We go out for meals a lot too ( it is possible!) but it's more the day to day kipping station we've found it useful for. Of course you could also just buy another crib for that!

I never used a pram for DS. In the first few months I carried DS in the sling everywhere, and we started using a pushchair later on. (Still only use the pushchair occasionally though - toddler DS is now usually in the back carrier or on the hipseat wherever we go!) I felt so nimble pottering around town with the sling, it was fantastic, and I never had a problem having the baby on my lap or in the sling when meeting people for coffee. We started out with just a babybjorn sling - it suited us, but I do think you should try some out at a sling library if you can.

If we were caught in the rain, I just put up my umbrella, which amply covered us both. DS's body was well protected by the sling and his legs and arms were covered by his comedy bear onesie (in winter) so he never got wet or cold.

I did buy one extra piece of kit, which I found came in very handy if I planned to pick up some shopping - a (tasteful grey colour) 'granny'-type shopping trolley with wheels. I could easily carry packs of nappies, changing bag and a few pints of milk in that, while DS was happy in the sling on my front. And I didn't notice anyone giving me funny looks, as it was pretty obvious why I was using it, due to the baby strapped to my front. It was an extra cost (well, around the £10 mark), but the trolley plus the sling was much cheaper than most prams.

I think you should definitely give your plan a go before buying a pram.

whatabout I used a sling after my c section both times with no problem, I appreciate not everyone will be comfortable doing so but with the right sling it can be do-able, actually loads easier than trying to hump a pram up and down curbs, steps etc.

Immediately afterwards? I was told I wouldn't be allowed to do so due to scar and limited lifting?

It's worth asking people on RL too, I find that MN is slingtastic but in fact ime, both of friends but also observation, is that most people use a pram of some description most of the time. For me a pram was essential - I could easily be out all day on public transport and there's no way I could have carried all of my bits and bibs plus DD's as well as DD herself, I had loads under the pram and hanging off the handle.

Depends what sling you have with c section. Something like a pouch sling or baby ktan wouldn't even be anywhere near c section scar or stomach as baby up high on chest

It's handy to have both. With my first, I used the sling more. This time around I have the school run to do every day and if it's truly pouring down or I want to get DD to nap and not have to transfer out of sling, it's easier to use the pram. The pram is handy if I'm going into town to meet a friend in a cafe and she's fallen asleep. Or for sticking shedloads of shopping on the handles. Or if I'm in a hurry and running late, I can walk quicker with a pram.

DD really enjoys being slung and in light rain I prefer it to the pram (with big see through bird-cage umbrella. It has a nice closeness. If I could only have one, I'd probably choose a sling. But lots of benefits to having both.

I can honestly think of nothing worse than not having a pram, and carrying the baby the whole time.

I've used my pram virtually every day since #1 was born. Bubs can sleep in it while we're out, shopping goes it in, general crap goes in it, bub can sleep it in at home and I can have 20minutes of not having a tiny person stuck to me.

Perhaps it makes me a lousy mother but I don't do the whole 'baby wearing' thing. I hold my babies, and they're chilled out little people but they ride in a pram.

I'm in the 'have a think about getting a pram from the start' camp