do I need a pram? could I wait and just use a pushchair?

[buttershy]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding prams/pushchairs and safety. Please be nice :)

I'm on a tight budget as I'm a PhD student and not entitled to statutory maternity pay so I'm having to think very carefully about the big baby expenses.

I'm wondering whether a pram that converts into pushchair is really necessary for me..what do you think? I have a soft fabric sling and a more structured baby carrier for walking that have been recommended to me by a baby wearing group that I will use for around the house and for getting out for a walk each day. The village I live in doesn't have anything close by that I could walk to with a pram, we would have to go in the car so I would be taking her in her car seat.

So I'm wondering whether the expense of having a travel system (pram&pushchair) is worth it when potentially we would only actually use the flat lie down pram section for a stroll round town a couple of times a month. Additionally I could probably only use it as a pram at the weekend as my car is three door with a tiny boot.

How quick would she grow out of it?

Does anyone know of any pushchairs that come with or can be purchased with the baby nest type things and so accommodate a slightly smaller/younger baby?

Also, we have managed to acquire a cot bed, Moses basket and a bed side co-sleeper so definitely wouldn't use the pram for another sleep option for indoors.

Any thoughts?

I bought a Joie Mirus as a small pushchair I could fit in my tiny boot (Clio), and that is suitable from birth, it came with head nest thingy and lies completely flat. It was £50 in Kiddicare!

I never had a 'proper' pram (my kids are OLD now, so I was back in the macaroon techno days - can you still get those?) - they felt a teeny bit lost in the very early days, but within a few months, most of my mates had abandoned their travel systems for a lighterweight more flexible pushchair. As others have said, as long as they can lie flat, you should be fine. With dd (my second) she was in the sling pretty exclusively for the first 3-6 months and only went over to the pushchair later. I also bought second hand with buggies - if you look at NCT nearly new sales near you, you may well find a bargain - I used to be the buggy salesperson at one, and I was constantly amazed by how many people were selling really good quality buggies that hadn't been hugely worn because they didn't fit with what they wanted (too big/small/inflexible etc)