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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Ditch the pram idea for the first few months and make do with a sling??

74 replies

Violette · 28/02/2007 15:51

...in a bit of a quandry. Having first baby end of June.
I'm tight on cash, and will be getting a hand me down push chair which I know I can use from 6 mths +
So, can I get away with just buying a car seat and a sling for the first few months? Has anyone else survived without a pram or travel system for the first few months? I also do a lot of dog walking, so need a practical option...I just can't bare the thought of shelling out on a lie flat pram/pushchair when it's only necessary for several months
Help!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

belgo · 28/02/2007 16:45

I love the freedom a sling gives me, practically when your baby is old enough to go in a back sling, leaving your hands free , which is great now I have an older child.

But it's still a good idea to get a cheap pram. In fact, my second hand pram cost less then the price of certain slings.

3sEnough · 28/02/2007 16:47

No - not possible - seriously - too heavy, think of the shopping too, back problems - awful, awful. Have you tried ebay for prams near you - they can be seriously cheap sometimes.

JoLou74 · 28/02/2007 16:47

Good god no! You'll have had enough carrying the baby for 9 months. They are heavy little blighters. Also good to get them used to a pram from an early age as at 6 months they may decide they don't like it!

belgo · 28/02/2007 16:48

It is surprising how little you actually need for a newborn, but obviously the baby businesses will tell you otherwise.

Original poster

Violette · 28/02/2007 17:02

Blimey, thanks everyone for your views! It's been going around in my head. Had thought about fact might have c-section, so would not be practical with just a sling. Will have too do a bit of research on ebay and freecycle too for cheap prams.

Belgo - I, too, am aware of how the baby business tries to sell you the world - another reason why I think I'm a bit resistant!!

But practicality does call, so maybe a cheap pram and wraparound sling is the way forward....

OP posts:

incywincy · 28/02/2007 17:09

hi,

if you're anywhere near london i have a three wheeler - free if you'd like it.

KathyMCMLXXII · 28/02/2007 17:11

"a second hand pram will be cheaper than a new sling "

Possibly, but our Mothercare 2-way front carrier was only £15 new and I got a lovely ring sling in perfect condition from a MNer for a tenner.

KathyMCMLXXII · 28/02/2007 17:11

Oh OK, Incy's offer has just proved you were right, Hatwoman!

NAB3 · 28/02/2007 17:12

I had a c section and there is no way I could have managed a sling. My Britax Practicale did the job just fine and then I used the sling for the next two babies. (Both avaialble.....) Sling and pram. Not the babies.

Original poster

Violette · 28/02/2007 17:29

thanks again everyone - today's the first time I've posted and cannot believe how helpful and supportive it's been. You all rock!

OP posts:

Pruni · 28/02/2007 17:33

Message withdrawn

phdlife · 28/02/2007 17:48

Has anyone heard about a time limit for having LO in a sling? I thought you weren't supposed to use them for more than hour and a half or so??

MrsBadger · 28/02/2007 18:01

if they're in a sling that's properly supporting their head (ie not the BabyBjorn type) I can't think why there'd be a time limit.
Where did you hear it? Was someone getting confused with the time limit on carseats?

WriggleJiggle · 28/02/2007 19:34

I considered myself a very fit and active person - was still walking the dogs miles and miles each day right up to the birth (all be it a bit slowly!). However afterwards although I used the sling a lot, and tbh, for the first few weeks just held her in my arms, I found a pram really really useful. I presume if you ended up having a CS you wouldn't be able to cope without.

Can you borrow one? Keep an eye on ebay. If you're not bothered about looks or gadgets, then you can sometimes pick them up for £10 or less. Mine was £2.31 .

As you'll be doing a lot of walking (I presume), get a pushchair one that goes flat. They are so much easier than the old style flat pram things.

WriggleJiggle · 28/02/2007 19:35

Try freecycle.

snowleopard · 28/02/2007 20:12

Oh one other thought - if you get a mclaren techno XT pushchair, or similar, the seat folds right down making a flat platform and they are advertised as suitable from birth. Obviously it's not as surrounding and cosy as a pram and the seat faces away from you, but if well wrapped and supported the baby can be carried along lying down. We used ours from 2 months with no problems. They are about £160 new, ours was £120 end-of-season colours (mad isn't it), and I'm sure you could get one even cheaper on ebay. That combined with a sling might be all you need and then it's a proper pushchair for later too.

cheritongirl · 28/02/2007 21:20

yes, definitely try Freecycle for a pram. A sling is great for moving around at a relatively normal pace on any old terrain but i am sooo glad i have pram, my back would have seized up by now - esp post-birth when it was knackered!

phdlife · 01/03/2007 10:55

Mrs Badger I can hardly remember my name these days let alone where all the advice is coming from! Don't think it was confusion with the carseat thing, but possibly the same principle...?

We've been given a baby bjorn - what's wrong with them? And what is better? Anyone know where I can read up on safety/use of slings?

MrsBadger · 01/03/2007 11:05

Baby Bjorn types kind of dangle the baby by its crotch rather then supporting it under the thighs and bum, which isn't meant to be so comfy or as good for their hips.
A good place to start is The Babywearer .

colditz · 01/03/2007 11:05

Violette I have an old Graco you can have if you want. It lies flat, needs a wash but is perfectly functional! I am in Leicestershire if you want it.

colditz · 01/03/2007 11:05

Slings - good in their place but I am not carrying my own shopping!

MrsBadger · 01/03/2007 11:06

whoops, wrong link, meant to send you straight to \linkwww.thebabywearer.com/lists/WhatTo.htm\this} page.

MrsBadger · 01/03/2007 11:07

this page even

phdlife · 01/03/2007 11:35

Ah - thanks!!

dejags · 01/03/2007 11:44

If you do go the sling route. Be careful to buy one suitable for a newborn.

I have a Tomy Sling - and couldn't use it until they DS's were 6 weeks old - it was too big and my DS's weren't tiny (8lb+), they just fell straight out of the sides.

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