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.

Safe for what exactly is your concern? Once washed and cleaned it will be fine for an occasional use.
It may not be as practical due to size and features but for in the back yard, front room or for them to keep at their home it will most likely be fine.
Do you honestly think plastic tat from Asia has less toxins and toxic fumes than an old pram?

But how do you know that wouldn't be up the loft and cleaned? Of course it's up to the op to refuse to use it but there is nothing to say its mouldy because she hasn't seen it.

This just seems like massive PFB.
The fabric parts are going in the wash, you’ll probably find out soon enough that new parents are marketed these huge travel systems that are a total ballache to use. They’re clunky, take up all the boot space and heavy. The vast majority of mums prefer to swap to a stroller at 1 after spending 100s and 1000s on a big pram anyway.
You might find you want to nip for a food shop on the way back from your mums and not have a huge pram in the boot and one in hers is a lifesaver for the baby going down for a nap or something.
Either way it’s not worth this huge drama when the baby hasn’t even been born yet.

It’s really helpful getting different views, thank you. Interesting to see that some are saying yes and others are saying no absolutely not - without much in the middle! I’m still swaying towards no, but it’s useful to read other views.

My pram from the 90s was a Mamas and Papas one that folded down with one hand. It fitted in the boot of the car with the carry cot/seat unit still attached to the chassis, too. Not like the cumbersome thing that DS2 and DDIL chose for DGS. You don’t have to have what your mum’s saved, it’s up to you, but prams from the 90s aren’t like the Arc.

Is it worth the risk with a newborn? It might not be visibly mouldy but that means nothing after 30 years in storage… It’s also just 30 years old, understanding of safe sleeping, technology around things like UV protection etc. have come a long, long way. OP can decide the risks she is willing to take or not, it’s her baby.
What I’m saying is I would not be comfortable chancing this to appease someone’s well-meaning nostalgia. They’ve clearly kept it hoping to use it again one day, but they are not the baby’s parents and it’s not their decision to make.

Did no one reuse some of their cute baby outfits on their own children? I did and I know several people who did too.

Where are some of you living if you can’t store something without it being riddled with mold??

Honestly…. NO! Not everyone keeps everything for 30+ years?!? Especially not in a loft or garage where things DO go mouldy. We are also talking about a buggy. It’s not like it would be carefully vacuum bagged up and sealed from the elements. I certainly don’t have a house big enough to store an actual buggy for 30 years when not in use 🤣

My DM and MIL pull out random old things for my 2 who are now toddlers (60yo high chair, 30yo doll with no nose that belonged to MIL's friend who we don't know, filthy soft toy that belonged to DH). My DM kept an old baby blanket which I know was covered in rat poo at one stage so I just don't trust how other people store things.

"No, thanks" often doesn't work because they don't want to accept they've hung onto something for 3 decades for no reason. If I were you, I'd just say things like "I think we're fine" or be non-committal if pressed, then turn up with your own pram and say, "No, thanks. We have one." The reality is they can't make you put your baby in pram you don't want to. When the baby is here, I think you'll find it less of an issue when baby arrives just choosing not using it when they bring it up or pull it out.

It won't be unsafe, however, your baby your decision!

I wouldn't use a mattress that had been in the loft for 35 years but you might be able to replace that (if it has a mattress) and wash the other parts thoroughly?

Ha ha 😂 I loved my old mother care bouncy pram got lots of admiring looks. I fully washed it all and got a brand new mattress. Only stopped using it when the brake snapped as sadly it was plastic so couldn't be fixed. I've pushed prams older than 30yrs 😸. Let them be excited, a quick walk around the block in that pram won't be harmful. Just check for mould/ dust. Obviously use your pram for the main one.

Has your mum seen your new pram yet?
My mil and mum were both loved getting a shot of our big prams when they were new so her tune might change when she sees the new one.
My mil also kept the pram she used for my husband and his siblings and although we never used it properly for our kids each of them had a photo in it just for nostalgias sake so that could be a suggestion if you want yo soften the rejection a little

We've used a 30-year-old pushchair and travel cot at in-laws' house. The pushchair was a bit clunky but got us to the playground. The travel cot is just fine.

My eldest is 26 and her pram was fairly similar to today’s offerings except her was less plasticky and stronger. Mamas and papas. You are always advised to change the mattress between children but quite possible to clean up a 35 year old pram

I would suggest that a cheap reclining buggy is actually really useful if grandparents are doing regular childcare or you visit a lot, the boot is full enough when visiting!

Rats and bees in the loft? For heavens sake OP get a grip. You are being massively over precious about this.

Prams, car seats, any kind of sleeping equipment (Moses basket, Next2Me, Cot) had to be new. Clothes can be washed. But no way would I put a newborn baby in something that’s been in the loft so long. I left a buggy in the garage for a year and it was covered in mould by the time I used it for my next child, it all came off but I didn’t end up using it. We left a car seat in the shed for a weekend as we took it out to do a tip run and it had mouse droppings in.

Happened to a friend of mine once she didnt want the pram her mum offered she didnt have to use it it was just a pass down.
She said no thanks to old disgusting etc.
Her sister said yes ill have the pass down pram after a good clean and dust omg it was a bloody gorgeous pram.
She still has it first sister as asked if she could have it but she wont let her and i didnt blame her either.
Its stunning its old but in a good old and will live any modern pram out.

I'm the same age as the pram and the thought of putting a newborn in something that's been in storage for nearly my entire life gives me the ick. It's easier to put your foot down before baby is here OP. Better to disappoint your parents then take a risk with your baby that you do not want to take.

Not a chance for me personally.

Rodent droppings can carry airborne viruses etc (not if very old) and I’d just be saying that, not to mention things like damp and mould too. Start putting your foot down now OP or it’ll be an exasperating time bringing up your child as the interference doesn’t stop.

Yes, it’ll provide nesting material/warmth for nesting for mice.

No way.. unless it’s some kind of pram you could use for the Goodwood Revival.

pretty sure the smell and looks might be off putting though. Same with handling.

@Deanthescream My MIL is trying to get me to take a Moses basket which has been in the attic for decades. It is dusty but very pretty.

I already have extreme anxiety without thinking about mice/the cat that used to sleep in it/mould/dust. Apart from that, they had their house treated for woodworm last year and I don't want to bring woodworm into our already knackered house via ye olde wooden base.

I've said "that's very kind, thank you, but we'll be using this other cot". No reason given, discussion over. Her other grandchildren can use it for dolls or teddies if they like, but I don't feel comfortable putting my baby in it.

(By way of an olive branch, I've accepted the 88953216800653 itchy blankets she wanted to give me. She's had the last laugh because the blankets take up much more space...🫠)