Pram for London Life

[ElleMcElle]

Hello! I'm pregnant for the first time and would really appreciate any recommendations for prams that work well for London life - getting on and off buses, getting down steps at a tube station, negotiating busy streets etc.

I'd like something sturdy, but these massive beasts you see everywhere just don't seem practical for life in a city when we rarely use a car. I imagine I probably need something that I can collapse with one hand while holding screaming baby in the other arm?! Any help would be great as there are so many options out there and I don't want to spend loads on the wrong thing!

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Hello,

We've noticed this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing buggies and travel systems. Here's our round up of the best pushchairs newborns, including lightweight pushchairs and double buggies.

Hope that helps!

MNHQ

I have tried many pushchairs and I think that the maclaren Quest or Techno (basically one that goes flat) is a very good option. They are durable, comfortable, easy to fold. I think you can get one of those baby cocoons for the early days. They look expensive but really, many parents who have those massive pushchairs also have a smaller buggy.

Firstly, use a sling for as long as possible.

Secondly, go for a lie-flat push chair rather than a pram. The top of the range McLarens are very suitable in London, and umbrella fold with one hand (you can also get a clip on steal so you can sling it over your shoulder if you need to.

Do not get anything wider than a McLaren - they fit down the aisles of buses without much room to spare but you're not likeky to whack other passengers.

Baby jogger city mini/gt. Folds with one hand, just using a pull strap located in the seat. Amazing!

You are probably better of baby wearing. I generally only go out with a Oran in London if I am getting around by car/not going on public transport.

That's a strap which you can clip on. Squealing not required!

The Silver Cross Zest is a good urban stroller. But I'd suggest investing in a good sling to make things even easier. We have an ergobaby 360 which has been great.

I second (third?) a puschair which lies flat rather than any sort of pram, travel system or other huge thing. Not only will it increase your chance of getting onto a busy bus, the lighter it looks, the more people will offer to help on tube stairs. Also 4 wheels are a lot easier than 3 when getting on and off a bus.

I'd look for something with suspension in for a PFB, so say Maclaren Techno rather than Quest, but it is a bit heavier. Some of the Joie buggies have big baskets I had basket envy and fold one handed.
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I'm in London and have an uppababy cruz. I think it's perfect, great big basket for all the shopping (also no car here), narrow enough to fit on the front doors of the bus, easy to steer. I've never had a problem on the tube, people always offer to help.

After much research and many recommendations, we've gone for the Bugaboo Bee, which was specifically designed for urban life.

BabyZen Yoyo

Bugaboo bee.
I have had a uppababy and I candy and realised they are far too big.
Ds2 hardly uses it now but it's so handy when we go out and about to the museums ect, as it's also light weight

Uppababy Cruz too!

I also live in London with no car and we have the bugaboo bee 5. Super easy to collapse and put up, v light (I live on the first floor so carrying it up the stairs is a necessity) and it's really slimline. It was expensive but really worth it.

The new and macclaren are useless on gravel by the way. But good for a bus because they fold up. I found a child seat on the bicycle a great alternative to a buggy for getting places. A front one which allowed use off panniers for stuff on the rear rack.

Can't go wrong with a bugaboo

You can go wrong with a bugaboo, if you get any but the narrowest version.

Because all the rest do not fit down bus aisles.

Bugaboo bee all the way, we aren't in London anymore but it is perfect for a city. I couldn't use the sling for long periods of time as I have back issues so I used the pram far more for general trips out and about. You don't even need to get the carrycot as you can get a cocoon and the seat goes totally flat

Oh wow - thank you so much for all these recommendations. I had no idea where to start - but now I have a list to start researching, which is very helpful.

The first thing I need to learn is the difference between a pram and a pushchair, as I thought they were the same thing. Oh Dear, I have a LOT to learn!

Definitely planning to get a sling and baby wear as much as possible, but I'm imagining there will be some times (maybe longer days out) when that won't be doable...

Again - THANK YOU!

Bugaboo Bee. Love it for London

Bugaboo bee here as well. Although agree with using a sling as much as possible.

Babyjogger city mini. Only just falling into disuse now age nearly 4. One hand fold is beilliant

Another BJCM fan here. Very convenient, cheap enough secondhand and the quick fold is great.

I've got an Uppababy Cruz and a Babyzen Yoyo.

I like the Cruz, but I really love the Yoyo!!

I've got a cyber prism as the day to day pram for dog walks etc. It collapses but I never do collapse it. Fine for buses and day to day life, a bit like the pp uppababy cruz. Then I have an ergo 360 and a babyzen toto for travel/tube/days when I don't want to carry so much.

Cyber prism = cybex priam