What do I need to know when buying a first pushchair?

[Rosehyd2]

Exactly that really. Our first Baby is due in January and starting to look at the bigger items with a view to buying the pushchair in the next couple of months.

I know I need decent wheels for rocky terrain as I live rurally with lots of cobbles etc if I was to go out for walks (shops would always be a drive except local village shop). A basket under would be good. And it needs to be easyish to steer with one hand I guess.

What else do I need to know or consider?

I'd get an off reader and then a smaller lighter one for shops. Wouldn't bother with a travel system, get a decent birth to 4 years car seat instead

If it was me I think I'd get a out n about nipper for off road and then a little baby jogger city mini for keeping in the car.

Off roader not off reader obviously

When you say a travel system do you mean the car seat that can clip onto the buggy and onto a Base in the car, but is usually only for up to a year? Sorry still learning these things.

Right on with the one hand! At some point you'll be carrying baby, have an overloaded chair, and be in a narrow space

One that accommodates your height IF you're tall. Otherwise, it's backache central.

I loved my city mini! Just loved it. Perfect on rocky, countryside terrain, fit beautifully on the bus, folding it up to shove into the car boot was a dream (as was unfolding it). Perfect buggy. One hand action. Check.

I highly recommend it.

Excellent basket/storage as well.

There's also a pocket on the back of the seat which is great for keeping A4 documents flat and protected from rain.

City mini gt.
Brilliant
Can get clips for car seat ignore you wish to make a pseudo travel system.
Can stick a graco soft carry cot in the lay flat seat for when baby is very small.
A very economical option as it will last until 3+ years!

I have a travel system but favour my city mini GT now. A dream to push.

Yes travel system is with a car seat that clips onto the base. I found the whole thing was useless after about 6 months and too bulky. Even if the child is still within the weight limit for the car seat it's a right pain lifting in and out once they're bigger.

We have Bugaboo Cameleon (bought second hand). Big wheels perfect for rural walking, good sized basket (when not in carrycot mode) and very light to steer and turn. Never bought a stroller, still using it almost daily for 2.5 year old and then for new baby in a few months.

Make sure its not too heavy to load into the boot of your car, make sure it fits in the boot.

I asked a similar question recently and got some really helpful answers.

Link below as hopefully it'll help you too

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3011354-What-made-you-choose-your-pram?pg=1&order=

I would say to add a parent-facing option to your criteria. I think (could be wrong) that's why I wrote off the Baby Jogger ones originally. My almost 1 year old still wants to face me and I don't see her wanting to face out anytime soon.

Good chassis, big basket and one that is generally easy to use.

Definitely check how it fits in your boot - I originally looked at an icandy but in order to get it in our car I would either have to remove parcel shelf or remove a wheel So that was knocked on the head!!

I would recommend finding a local pram centre and going to have a look and test a few out. Going by online reviews I really like the Uppababy Vista but in the shop I just wasn't keen... can't tell you why but it just wasn't for me.

I ended up getting the Silver Cross Pioneer which I love and had no issues with. Currently have it waiting for DC2 who is due in November. I did get a travel system and thought it was really good (although I used the Maxi Cosi car seat and got adaptors to fit the chassis). I found it so handy and the carrycot part for us was useful for naps at grandparents house.

Enjoy browsing and good luck finding the pram for you!

If you need to use your foot to operate the brake try it without your shoes on/wearing a sandal. Some of them really hurt!

Foam tyres are a plus, they'll never burst.

Cup holder is a nice addition.

A pocket at the top for keys, phone etc is always handy,

Adjustable handle.

A three wheeler with the option to lock the front wheel is great for rough terrain.

I went to see a pram specialist a few weeks ago and the uppababy vista is meant to be really good if your rural and the basket is one of the biggest ive seen.

I would say think carefully about whether you want 3 or 4 wheels - a couple of my friends love their 3 wheeled buggies but I can't stand them. To me they are very unstable especially on and off kerbs. I feel like I've tried out a good few buggies since my DD1 arrived - we bought an Uppababy Vista (old style - can't be used for 2 children) and I loved it. V easy to push, folds up well, great brakes, massive basket and the pram top is safe for overnight sleeping. This was what really swayed me - it saves a lot of hassle and space in the car if you're likely to be away overnight. My 2 DDs are only 16 months apart so I then bought a Bugaboo Donkey which I absolutely hated, it was tricky to fold, took up a lot of space and wasn't comfortable for my petite toddler by the time she was 2 - it was an enormous waste of money. I now have a cheap Joie double which is perfect for 2 toddlers and I'm back using just my beloved Uppababy at times.
Sorry - reads like my life in pushchairs but hope it helps!

It's gotta fit in your boot if u have a small car,
I'm going for the silver cross pioneer too. No particular reason I just love it.. :/

Thanks everyone. Our favourite so far is the Silver Cross pioneer brompton in Mothercare. I have a 4x4 with a good boot size so pram size not an issue.