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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Buggies from birth - the great debate

129 replies

imjin100 · 11/10/2007 14:18

I'm quite sure this question has been raised many times but as a first timer I'm keen to ask advice and thoughts of the pros on MN who have the real experience of which ones are good. On the march thread (as I'm sure has happened in others) there are lots of really useful points made about different buggies but spread throughout the thread and I can't remember who said what about which one so I thought I'd raise a thread (am i doing it in the right place?)
Obviously everyone can add questions/thoughts but the main ones I'm considering are
Mamas and Papas - Pilko
Phil and Teds
Micralite
Bugaboo....

(I think!) There are millions but all thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FioFio · 12/10/2007 10:36

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doggiesayswoof · 12/10/2007 10:41

I had the M&P pramette last time and will be using it again for this lo. When it's in buggy mode it's the same as the pliko, but the pram mode good for newborns imo.

Also works with the car seat as a travel system.

We've got a small car so a full size pram wouldn't have gone in the boot - pramette v good compromise.

Washersaurus · 12/10/2007 10:45

Spugs - DS1 is 2 yrs and walks/runs/jumps a lot but I don't use a car so the double is ESSENTIAL!!

nappyaddict · 12/10/2007 11:36

the platon 3 and the gesslein trend is good but its 15kg which is heavy. the zooper is quite heavy too but i don't think it's quite that heavy.

FioFio · 12/10/2007 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

nappyaddict · 12/10/2007 11:51

that's what i meant, to lift.

FioFio · 12/10/2007 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

asicsgirl · 12/10/2007 12:45

My contribution is ages old but I just wanted to express my awe at Thursdaynext being able to fold Micralite with one hand!! Th'art truly a Supermum. I can't do it with two hands sometimes, have to unfold it completely and start again (or throw to ground in temper and get DP to do it)

asicsgirl · 12/10/2007 12:51

Could I just also say to AprilFoolsbaby that we live in a pretty countrified place and the sling was The Answer IMO. We did loads of walking when ds was tiny and he was so happy in the sling. What worked for me was the newer BabyBjorn with the added back support. So comfortable. And it made shopping a breeze too, both hands free and no wondering what to do with buggy in small shops. It's lovely to have them so close to you too, and when they can hold their heads up and face outwards instead of in, they are almost at adult height and make friends wherever they go!

nappyaddict · 12/10/2007 12:53

only problem is with sling i don't using it if i know i'm going to be getting lots of shopping! i like to be able to dump heavy stuff in the pushchair

Jennster · 12/10/2007 13:19

I had a Quinny Buzz for dd, and we now have phil and teds. Loved the Buzz at first, but then found it plain irritating. It's not that manoeuverable and going from that to the p&t was a revelation. It's much better on rough ground and steers like a dream, even with both children in it.

PandT is very heavy and does not fold down small. Wouldn't attempt to take it on public transport personally. Not sure ds is going to last in the cocoon to 6 months (not that he has the choice) I do LOVE it though. Probably not the best first pram, although I do wish I hadn't wasted my money with the BUZZ.

VERY IMPORTANT THOUGH IS THE HANDLE HEIGHT. BUZZ BUGABOO AND PANDT ARE ALL NICE AND HIGH. I was REALLY limited as to which pram to buy because all the ones I tried raised the handle by ooo a massive INCH or two. PANTS when you are tall.

Good luck with your little ones.

MrsMcSpooky · 12/10/2007 14:01

imjin100 I am 26 weeks with my first baby and DH and I spent HOURS on the internet, looking at brochures and visiting shops. DH even did comparison spreadsheets. The thing that is really tricky is that the right buggy for one person could be totally wrong for another and you really need to think about your lifestyle and what you need the buggy to do before you can go any further. There were things we thought for us personally were essential like a carry cot, baby being able to face us and look away when in chair mode, extendable hand rail and light weight. In the end we ordered a bugaboo because it was the only one that did all the things we wanted and was easy for us to fold. If we'd got anything else, we would have been compromising because for us, the bugaboo seemed the best. Good luck, take your time choosing and compare as many different makes as you can once you know the model that is right for you and don't be scared to stop people in the street and ask them how they like their buggy if it's one you are considering. A lady on holiday in Spain even took her baby out of the buggy to show me how it folded with a full bag underneath! Also once you know what you want, shop around - we got a free maxicosi car seat with our bugaboo.

spugs · 12/10/2007 14:06

april - i used to live in the lakes and we had a big 3 wheeler, im there a lot still and find that my mothercare 3 wheeler (urban detour?) works really well. you can attatch a carrry cot and car seat, though it is a bit heavy and the pushchair cant face you. mountain buggies are ment to be really good as well. def would go with a 3 wheeler though we tried going of road with a maclaren not so long ago and it was a night mare

Brazilianmum · 12/10/2007 14:57

Lauren - I think what puts people off the Xplory is the price. I remember preggers saying on the March thread that it was a great option. I saw one the other day and I think they look great. (BTW - hope you are ok!)
We are leaning toward the Buzz i think but I am going to have a look around at the Baby Show next weekend and see what's out there. Also MC has a new buggy out called the buggster (v creative), but it's not in stores yet

nappyaddict · 12/10/2007 16:22

the buggster is like a zapp isn't it? it's ok but would be better with one handle and if the pushchair part was suitable from birth.

Brazilianmum · 12/10/2007 16:32

NA - don't know if the buggster is like a zapp, but if it is I was stay well clear of it. I was in a cafe the ther day and this lady came in with her baby in a Zapp. She put a bag on the handle and everytime she tried to take the baby out of the pram the whole thing would tip backwards, in the end I had to hold the handle bars for her.

nappyaddict · 12/10/2007 16:44

it is i just looked on the website

loonyballoony · 12/10/2007 19:12

Oooh, I just have to put in my vote for a Maclaren Techno Classic which I've had for nearly 3 years! I love it! It's a normal umbrella buggy, suitable for newborn, comes with footmuff etc and has the good oldfashioned Maclaren quality! It's been on countless flights (you've seen how they throw the luggage and buggies on!?) and is still in one piece and nothing broken off, fits in a Vauxhall Corsa and has really high handleheight. Blimey I sound like an advert! I know it's not as flash as a Bugaboo or Quinny etc, but it seems that most people buy a Maclaren anyway after 6-12 months so save yourself some money! I'm pregnant again and will treat myself to same one in a different colour, not even bothering to check out the competition!
Good luck choosing!

aprilfoolsbaby · 13/10/2007 09:36

Thanks for all the advice. I never dreamed there'd be so much to think about with choosing a pram. AAGGGHHHH! I hate the thought of getting one that turns out to be unsuitable and then having to fork out for another.
This baby preparation lark is a whole new world I never even knew existed!! How exciting!

spugs · 13/10/2007 14:34

have been pushchair examining today have ruled out the buzz - seat doesnt sit all the way up when facing you and is really narrow, put my skinny 18mth old in there and she was squished.

looked at herbie ziko as well, looks ace. bit heavy with 18 mth old in but not horrendus. just wish i could try out a hauck infinity before deciding

lubyluby · 13/10/2007 14:46

i love the silvercross 3d too, i would buy it over the m&p pramette, its much sturdier. my daughter is 18 months and i find it absolutley fine with her in it. i cna easily lift it in and out of the car boot and up and down kerbs.

fab value of rmoney too as comes with all the accessories.

phil nad teds is good if you are thinking ofhaivng another one asap after the first as can change to a double easily. however i don't like using it as a single for a newborn even with the cocoon as its quite low down and swings a fair bit, whihc is a shame as the p&t is a fab pram.

you say micralite do you mean the new toro? if so this is great too, i haven't used it with the carrycot as my daughter is too big for the carrycot, i used the origional micralite wiht the carrycot but it was tiny, however it looks like the toro one is much bigger. the toro seat unit is fab, excellent recline, great hood, nice apron/cover thing and comfy seat. good value for money only downside is no rear facing once out of carrycot. fab colours too!

bugaboo is my fave. i have had a cameloen since lucy was born, i had a frog as well and only sold it as i had the cameleon. the carrycot is a bit basic and most peopel don't find it lasts to the 6 months its says and the seat unit is not supposed to be used under 6 months, however lots of people do use them before.

i would say if you are going to continue ot use the one buggy form birth through to toddlerhood then go for the bugaboo as it will last and last, but if you plan on changing quickly for a lightweight maclaren or the likes then go for the silvercross 3d or m&p pliko pramette if you prefer it.

i have to say i prefer the silver cross ventura car seta to the m&p primo viaggio too, the m&p is too upright and babies head lolls forward making them very cramped and uncomfortable.

unfortunatley i am one of those peopel who love my buggies too much and have probably test driven most of them out there, so if theres any others then just ask i will try and answer for you.

oh p.s m&p ziko herbie, whilst it looks fab is heavy and bulky and awkward to use, i love the design and colours but wouldn't recommend buying one!

lubyluby · 13/10/2007 14:49

clapham lauren- i love the xplory too, currently have an orange one is is gorgeous. but i just tried to reply to the op's origional ones she asked about.

i am sure you will love the xplory, especially living in a city, its def a city pram and not one for any sort of offroading.

FrankAwenstein · 13/10/2007 18:10

just bought the bugaboo gecko tried the mama bebe loola which seems quite good too although a little heavier, half the price. Went for gecko as 2 year warranty and plan to 'off-road'.

hellnats · 13/10/2007 21:56

with dd1 we had a bebecar grand style with the classic chassis - very heavy but a stunning looking pram - i still love it. (trying to sell it if anyones interested?) With dd2 we have a mamas and papas modo - nice and light but not got great suspension and no where near as sturdy as the bebecar. Both need a decent sized boot.

nappyaddict · 20/10/2007 01:10

the FP kuji is only 8.8kg and suitable from birth.

the 2008 vigour 4+ is suitable from 6 months and is 10.6kg.

so it doesn't seem like they are the same pushchair after all.

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