35 year old pram

[Deanthescream]

Is anyone else struggling with parents / in laws trying to hand down the items that they used, from when they had children, over 30 years ago?

My mum has a pram that is 35 years old, and has been in the loft for 29 years, which she is suggesting she will use for my newborn when we come and visit. It will “save us from lugging ours around”.

I am so grateful for second hand items, that’s not the problem. Almost all of our newborns clothes have been second hand and we are so grateful. But a pram that is so old and has sat in the loft for so long screams unsafe to me.

Am I in the wrong? I keep saying no and it’s falling on deaf ears.

Surely you just give it the once over, good clean. Check wheels etc in working order?

Nah I wouldn’t want to personally.

if they really insist you can get it professionally cleaned like a pram valet.

I would agree with you. A very sweet thought though. I would either a) get them one for their house or b) buy attachments/accessories that only fit your pram and just take it round and ask them to use that, and that be that. Have you thanked them but told them that your concern is the safety of it? Surely they would want to err on the side of caution too.

I know someone whose pram went mouldy/was unfit for use after being in the loft unfortunately.

We have a pram, so in any event they can just use ours.

I just wouldn’t have thought using a pram that’s sat in a loft for so long would be safe? And I’m thinking that as someone who isn’t overly precious about that kind of thing. It would probably get a bit damp in winter and then have sat there sweating in summer. She has removed the fabric and put it in the washing machine.

Ha yes been there. Including the cot that had been used as a cat bed for years.
Fortunately mine came round when it became apparent how impractical the old pram was. Could barely get it through the front door, didn't fit in the car etc. I imagine the mattress would need replacing and you are unlikely to be able to get one that fits (hopefully!)

The pram stage for us was really short before they started sitting up. If you are there with yours suggest it is easier to settle them in what they are used to. They'll be in a sit up pushchair before you know it.

@Okdaisy so glad you’ve been there! You’re right - I can’t imagine it folds down at all so they won’t get it in the car in any event. I also don’t understand where they think they be using it to be honest!

I would just say a firm no and bring your own pram around.
I think people get excited about seeing a new baby in the things they used which I do understand. I happily had second hand prams/pushchairs but not ones that had been stored for 30 years!

Have you even seen it? It could be bloody wonderful!?

I mean prams 30 years old is hardly decrepit! Get it down from the loft a good clean and it is probably good to go ! It's up to you obviously but older doesn't mean as dangerous as you think,

Why wouldn't it fold down is it a silver cross ?

You know we had trading standards and kite marks in the 90s.

YANBU unless it's a silver cross Balmoral, in which case I'd be taking it home!

@Coffeeishot to be fair - I haven’t seen them try!

I absolutely know you had trading standards - I would just assume that something sitting in the loft for so long probably wouldn’t be the best, safety wise. A lot has changed in that time with guidance etc. we also have a pram? Do babies really need 2?

I mean your parents just wants to be involved and helpful there is no reason you have to.use it but there is no reason after a good clean and airing it wouldn't be safe.

It’s lovely that they want to be involved and helpful. They absolutely will be involved, and have been incredibly helpful to date. But how many more times do I need to say no!

I don't understand how you can dismiss the pram without looking at it first. A carseat, yes, because there are clear safety requirements for those. I used a 50-year old cot for DD, passed on by a friend who had used it for her three after buying it second hand. I replaced the mattress.

really, you say thank you, you wash it up, check the wheels and use it on a few occasions for photo ops.
it might be perfect in the living room at nap time.

I have looked at it briefly. But we wanted a new pram, for our first baby. Which I also don’t think is a problem. It’s not about the look per se, I genuinely wondered whether a pram would be safe after sitting for such a long time in the loft where there has previously been rats / bees nests etc

Regardless of whether people here think 30 years isn’t a long time (sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it is considering it’s about a third of a human life span), the newer prams simply have much better safety and convenience features. OP has obviously picked the one that works for them the most, so it makes sense to just take it round and ask them to use that. OP, PILs are clearly trying to be kind, but they should respect your wishes at the end of the day as LO is your child.

@moonmaker93 thank you. Perhaps I’m being a little overly conscious re safety (and obviously I completely respect and understand the difference re car seats for example) but even with a good wash I just cannot see that it would be the most safe.

It’d be a ‘no’ for me. It’s likely moldy having been in a loft that long, and for all those saying “just wash it” that’s absolutely not how mould spores work!
Realistically to safely reclaim an old buggy you would need all new materials, including canopy and that would cost a fortune. You’d be better off buying a modern, second hand, mould-free one.

My mum had saved my old pram for 30+ years. It was completely impractical and huge but she got it all cleaned up and loved pushing my daughters around the village in it... I had my own, new practical one that I used of course but it made her happy to take them for walks in hers and show them off.

If you really don't want it just change the subject or a dismissive we will see don't fret yourself about it and just take your own stuff when you go, it sounds like they are just over enthusiastic.