Lightweight prams for flat and city living

[Chester1980]

Morning all.

I’m looking for recommendations for lightweight prams. Something for a newborn that’s useable for as long as possible.

I live on the first floor with no lift, so I’d like something that’s easy to take apart to get a sleeping baby downstairs to upstairs with minimal fuss. Also if it can be used as a car seat - even better!

Does a pram that can do all of this actually exist?

Any tips?

Thank you.

Have you looked at the Doona? Its basically car seat with wheels ☺️

I imagine someone will have suggested it by the time I finish typing, but I'd really recommend a sling (and a visit to a sling library) for at least the first 6 months. Cheaper, more compact, lighter, most babies prefer them ime, solves the sleeping issue. And then the most basic of umbrella-fold Maclarens will do.

I know that sounds rather dismissive, but I've a nearly 10 month old and it's a reflection of my experience. Once they get past about 6 months a lighter, fold-type stroller is better anyway, and rice cakes/vomit stick to cheaper prams just as well as they stick to Bugaboos/iCandys.

Bugaboo Bee

There is a reason that London is crawling with them-lightweight without being flimsy and it will see you through from birth until your toddler no longer needs it

It's all very well getting one of those carseats on wheels-they look dinky but a baby will soon grow out of it-with the bee you can have the car seat adapters for the first few months if required. A maclaren type buggy/umbrella fold is good....but I don't believe you can lie a child flat in one although I stand to be corrected on this

I've had the same bugaboo bee for the last 4 years-served me well with baby number one (in a flat with 2 flights of stairs to access), and is now in use for baby number 2 with a buggy board attached for the toddler-occasionally baby goes in the sling and toddler goes back in the bee

Would also echo what a pp said about getting a sling-I use mine all the time in conjunction with the pram

We live on the third floor with no lift and with nowhere to store the pram downstairs. We bought an Uppababy Cruz which we have been very happy with, except that it’s too heavy for me to lift up and down stairs and the pram frame alone takes up the whole car boot (small car). We very much underestimated what it would be like going up and down stairs with the pram. My husband works from home and I need his help to get out which is very much not ideal. However, we loved that the carrycot and frame feel solid and secure (some others felt too flimsy for us) and that it’s a good size for us because we’re both tall.

Baby is now four months and we have bought a Babyzen Yoyo as a second pram for travel and so that I can be more independent. I love that we can also attach our car seat to the frame which is a major plus at this stage because he’s too big for the carrycot on both prams and too little for the pram seat.

Buying both was a huge expense and we should probably have opted for the Babyzen from the beginning, though I do like having the Uppababy for longer days out as a family. I wish I’d known how short the carrycot stage is and bought that second hand. Though I loved that the baby could sleep in the Uppababy carrycot when we travelled (by train) so we only had to take the pram and not both pram and travel cot.

I went to John Lewis with exactly your brief. Live on first floor - non lift. They recommended;

Bugaboo bee
Uppababy cruz
Yo yo baby zen
I candy raspberry

We got an uppabbby cruz, it was expensive but we were lucky grandparents chipped in. Got a second hand maxi cosi car seat for £40 on gumtree this fits the adaptors.

Baby not born yet so I’m afraid I can’t comment on how good a choice this was.

A friend also gave us a mothercare pram and car seat. We’ve left these at my parents for visits. I have to say they are pretty good too. Very likghtweight and good value. If we the grandparents had not chipped in I’d have bought this. The only downside was that the carry cot wasn’t suitable for overnight sleeping. This was important to us as we intend to use it as a travel cot when we visit our family.

I second the Bugaboo Bee (and a sling). We lived in an apartment in a large city when DS was born and I relied on public transport a lot. Could not have lived without the bee! (And a sling).

Bugaboo bee or baby zen yo-yo. But personally I'd use a sling for the first 6 months then buy a mamas and papas acro.

Another vote for bugaboo bee. You don't need the carry cot attachment, the regular seat is suitable from birth. It was manageable for us in a similar situation with DD1, who is now 18m and still using it.

Thank you for the tips. I’ve had a search online of some of the suggestions. The bugaboo bee and uppababy Cruz are appealing.

The thought of a sling is scaring me a bit. I know it sounds silly - it’s the thought of tripping over! Did you guys find it ok for getting the bus etc? Or would you have the baby in a sling and take the buggy with you?

Sorry if I sound like a complete dunce. I still have so much to learn!!

What about silver cross reflex? DH once fell over with DS in the sling. He was fine and i’ve never heard of anyone else ever falling over. I always wonder about how to carry everything you need for a trip out and only taking a sling. Others seem to manage it fine though so i think i must just take a lot of stuff around with me!

I'm a central Londoner with a bugaboo bee 5. I love it.

Totally valid questions OP and stuff you wouldn't otherwise find out until you are stuck trying to get around with a baby.

I loved the carrier and used it a lot but I pretty much always had the buggy with me but that is because ds was only happy to be in the carrier for a certain length before he'd lose it.

I used the ergo baby and loved it. Never fell over, or came close - a proper baby carrier worn correctly will distribute weight evenly. The bee is only 6kg I think so if I absolutely had to I was able to fold it and lift it in/off public transport.

Another vote for uppababy cruz and an ergobaby, although since we bought our cruz the babyzen yoyo was brought out and everyone I know who got one raves about it - cheaper too. Would probably have gone for that if I was buying another. A sling is invaluable but I'd have struggled to survive with just that - the best thing about the cruz is its huge storage basket! I'm not sure I could carry or feel safe carrying the sling, the nappy bag and a bag of shopping. Maybe I just buy a lot but having things to pick up from the shops got me out of the house! Good luck op

I'm a Londoner and I say Babyzen Yo-yo and a sling.

We are in London and getting a bugaboo bee 5.

Ladies, any of these prams are suitable for a winter new born baby as well? Ideally I'd like something portable (tube, bus, flights), light but in the same time stable, good for a new born (proper back support).

Silly question perhaps, but could I use a sling/carrier in the winter as well or baby will be too exposed to wind/cold?

could I use a sling/carrier in the winter as well or baby will be too exposed to wind/cold?

Absolutely. One, your body heat acts as another layer. Two, you can buy "sling coats" or even just use a normal maternity winter coat to cover the baby's bottom half, and then put a warm hat over them.

It's much easier to keep a baby appropriately warm (but not too hot) in a sling than in a pram. Your body regulates their temperature and warms them and you can tuck them inside a coat or jumper.