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Original poster

Pram advice- where to begin?!

26 replies

LouiseofChalky · 05/03/2018 08:41

I am 21 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I have just started looking at prams. I’m not sure if I’m looking too early, but I haven’t brought one thing for baby yet so I figured that I need to start somewhere!

I think I understand the different products on offer and benefits of a travel system, etc. But I’m still completely overwhelmed with choice! I don’t have a particularly large budget and spending in excess of £1k for a pram is not an option for me; I’d be looking to spend more in the region of £600 max.

I’d be grateful if anyone has any advice/recommendations for any prams that are good as well as within my budget.

Many thanks :)

OP posts:

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RemainOptimistic · 05/03/2018 08:43

Decide if you want parent facing.

Test them out in a shop e.g. your local baby shop or mamas and papas.

Then go on Gumtree to pick up a barely used one for £100 quid

Chances are you will want to change prams at some point and you'll never get the £600 back.

TroubledLitchen · 05/03/2018 08:49

That depends entirely on your needs. You’ve mentioned you’d like a travel system, other than that what are you priorities? Like does it need to fold small to fit in the boot of a small car? Are big wheels and good suspension for country walks a must? Do you travel a lot and need something light/compact? Are you fussed about having parent facing whilst in pushchair mode? Etc.

Potteryprincess30 · 05/03/2018 08:52

Do exactly what @RemainOptimistic has said and ignor any other posters this is literally the way to do it and you can get the best pram you can imagine.

Just buy a new car seat once you have the pram and know which one is compatible

BabyMoonPie · 05/03/2018 08:59

If you have a Mothercare or John Lewis local to you they will make an appointment where they talk you through all the options and you can test them out (pushing and folding them). We went to Mothercare and there was no pressure to buy. If your partner will be pushing the pram too they need to test it - especially if there's a big height difference between you. If you have limited car boot space or storage space in the house think about that and the terrain you'll be pushing it on (we live up a big hill so wanted chunky wheels). We made a short list and then looked online for the best price. Silver Cross were just about to bring out a new version of one of our choices so it was on offer to clear the stock and that made the decision for us!

TheCatsMother44 · 05/03/2018 09:01

I'd visit somewhere like Mothercare or John Lewis or somewhere which has a large stock of various prams.

Make a list of things that are important to you, do this before you go if you can so you can narrow some down immediately but if you're not sure then you might want to make your list after you've had a look at some in the shop and spoken to someone. I've found John Lewis staff were very good and knowledgeable with no pressure to buy too.

Things on my list were - easy to fold down, big basket underneath, fit in car, could convert to a double if we had another child not too long afterwards etc etc.

MissT2095 · 05/03/2018 09:03

I second the vote on Mothercare and John Lewis. They were so helpful when we were looking.

I ultimately ended up buying a pricey one but MIL was paying

yikesanotherbooboo · 05/03/2018 09:03

Totally agree with Remain .
Think about what you will be using it for.
Eg when I had my first two children I did all my shopping on foot and walked a lot so I bought one with a good shopping tray . Folding it one handed was not a priority as I rarely took public transport .it fitted in the boot of my car quite easily for storage during the few mths when we lived in an upstairs flat . It lasted for all three but by the third our lifestyle had changed, I was in the car a lot for shopping and delivering children and so I had less use for it .I am a great fan of slings and backpack carriers for certain situations.
I no longer have small children but do come across a lot of parents and babies through work and really don't like the portable car seats. They are heavy and look very bad for the parent carrying the baby and seem an unnecessary expense as they at most only last a few months.
Looking at your options now is a really good idea as you can think about what your lifestyle and what you will really need.

Winterfellismyhome · 05/03/2018 09:04

I went to the baby show and chose one there. They had tons plus a pram obstacle course thing where you can see how it performs over different surfaces. Gravel etc.

Bobbiepin · 05/03/2018 09:09

Personally I disagree with PP about portable car seats. Once your baby is old enough to have good control over their head, sometimes it makes more sense to have a car seat that you can put on wheels and avoid waking baby up. I was adamant that I would always use the bassinet (And I do when walking anywhere from home) but it's yet another thing to take out when trying to leave the house. First size car seats can last baby up to a year on average too. My DD is only 9th centile so will be in it for ages before she's heavy enough for the next size.

Definitely look at getting it 2nd hand too. I really wish I had now. I still would have got the same (icandy peach if you want to know) but would have saved a fortune.

Makingworkwork · 05/03/2018 09:13

Focus on the pushchair mode not the pram as athey won’t be in the pram very long.

TroubledLitchen · 05/03/2018 09:18

Disagree re portable car seats. We bought a lie flat car seat for DD so there was no issue with the length of time she was in it and consequently ended up using this all the time instead of the bassinet which was a huge waste of money. She got thrown in the bassinet and totally hated it but was more than happy in the car seat. If I had my time over again I’d save the money and not bother.

However, our experiences don’t matter, it needs to be about you and how you plan to use the pram. Make a list of all your important criteria, by all means ask for recommendations but then go and try them out in person. And definitely consider second hand (not for a car seat though).

Orangedaisy · 05/03/2018 09:21

Where to start? Let everyone know you’re looking for a pram/buggy and see if anyone has one second hand you can have/buy. We got a bugaboo chameleon free from someone relatively random at work for free-it isn’t perfect but does the trick and if we hadn’t got on with it we could have bought new one DD arrived, having learned what we like.

KittyKK · 05/03/2018 10:06

John Lewis nursery list appointment is a good start. I found their selection broader than the big Mothercare store I visited. Also, you get a voucher for free tea and cake at JL haha

lils888 · 05/03/2018 12:57

I have the babystyle Hybrid and it's the only pram that's ever stuck, I've had about 14 of the bastards.

Parent and world facing
Changeable wheels meaning it can be narrower if needed.
The colours are amazing
It's an amazing tandem which was important
The hood covers them from sun completely
Car seat and carry cot can be used
Folds easily and fairly reasonably sized
The generous height the handle extends to is perfect for tall people - also goes very small.
Great basket
The fabric is hard wearing, looks lovely and is also soft
Seat handlebar is moveable and removable
Amazingly lightweight, even with 2
The little side mini handles are very handy for shopping or securing the changing bag too
Adjustable footrest
Very, very easy to lay them back in the seat
Easy to adjust straps

I don't think many people have them, I haven't yet seen another but I get stopped a lot for compliments - maybe that's a potential negative

lils888 · 05/03/2018 12:58

It's also very decently priced in my opinion

isittheholidaysyet · 05/03/2018 13:12

Where to start?
Grab a second hand one that will work from birth if someone offers or will sell for cheap. Don't worry about condition it is just to buy you time, because you don't really know the answers to following questions.

Then think about lifestyle after baby. (Not lifestyle now)
Is one of you going to be a SAHP? Are they likely to be walking/public transporting everywhere on their own during the day? Do they need to be able to fold the pram one-handed to jump on a bus, whilst carrying baby in the other?
Or do they have access to a car?
Are baby groups nearby?or at a distance?

Are you the kind of people who will take baby out and about a lot, so she'll spend a lot of time in pram? In which case she'll need space to sleep and play.
Or are you more likely to be snuggled up at home for bedtime and naptimes so she will spend less time in pram.

MAKE SURE CHOSEN PRAM FITS IN YOUR CAR BOOT! Leaving room for other stuff as well. Can you fit luggage for 3 in there as well, if you are likely to be staying away from home a lot?

mrssmith1415 · 05/03/2018 13:57

Never pay full price for a pram! Decide what one you want first and then hold out for a good deal. Mothercare often sell their ex displays cheap and then you still get a guarantee. Mothercare and mamas and papas both have outlets in Rotherham and Huddersfield and you can call ahead and see if they have what you want, I have head the mamas and papas one deliver. There’s a seller on Facebook called icbabyuk who reconditions icandy prams, and there’s a bugaboo selling group that is really helpful if you’re buying a bugaboo (though questions on other prams are welcome there too). I wish I knew all this with my first, I really wanted a bugaboo but didn’t even let myself look at them because of the price. This time I phoned around all my local mothercares until I got my hands on an ex display bugaboo buffalo for £450 instead of £900. If you know exactly what you want it may not be out of your reach if you shop around 😊

TheRealCinderella · 05/03/2018 14:03

I would say take a walk round the shops and get a feel for what you want, some look really nice on the internet but feel shoddy in real life, then try and find the one you do want second hand. I spent quite a lot on my travel system and LO is now 10 months old and I'm already thinking of getting a buggy! If you drive then the travel systems with a car seat that clip into them are handy.....but I wish I just bought a normal pram and a stages car seat that stayed in the car. I've swapped to one already so feel like the original car seat was a waste of money.

Bobbiepin · 05/03/2018 17:33

Toys R us have a closing down sale so if you are insistent one getting it new have a look there for a discount.

Original poster

LouiseofChalky · 05/03/2018 21:30

Thank you all so much for your advice. This has given me lots to think about. I’m certainly going to look into ex display and second hand for a more affordable option.

A couple of friends have also recommended mothercare journey as an affordable travel system. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks

OP posts:

Loosemoose28 · 05/03/2018 22:29

I got my pram second hand well within your price range. It was 6 months old and was 1k new. Other than use on tyres and a few scratches on chassis the seat and bassinet appear almost brand new.

Shop around and keep an eye on facebook market place so much comes up daily.

Fakingit36 · 06/03/2018 12:32

Same as above. Look at the good quality ones and then look for one second hand. We found an uppa baby vista for a few hundred dollars which served us well.

LeighaJ · 06/03/2018 14:06

I did research on Which? as well as looking at reviews on sites like Amazon. Made a top 3 list then started hunting for second hand ones on eBay and Gumtree. Got a full iCandy Peach travel system for £255 that would have cost £1250 new.

Bobbiepin · 06/03/2018 21:39

OP a mothercare sales person told me they have lots of people returning mothercare prams with problems. It put me off. Not heard of icandy or bugaboo etc prams having that many problems but try to find someone who has one and can answer you.

Kayleigh1986 · 07/03/2018 16:23

I'm not spending much, I'll attach 2 photos, the grey one is £400 for everything and the black one is £290 for everything. How amazing is that!

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