Any advice - buggies/prams..?

[legallyblond]

I am just starting to choose a pram/buggy (mainly because my MIL has very kindly offered to help me buy one!) and am a bit stuck. I know there a lots of reviews available, most of which I have read - I have narrowed the list down to a few models (based on my requirements) and wondered if anyone has an opinion on which would be best.

These are the things that are important for me (pretty much in order of importance):

• MUST have rear/parent facing option in buggy mode;
• I would like a buggy that is also a pram (eg where you attach a carry cot to form a pram) so that newborn can lie flat;
• I am not bothered about attaching a car seat to the buggy - I don't think I am going to do this at all;
• I will be walking quite a bit, mainly in the city;
• I want space for shopping/acceessible basket;
• I am prepared to spend up to about £600ish (I'll shop around on the internet to get the price if necessary), but obviously I don't want to spend that much if I don't have to!;
• It can't be too bulky as we live in a small flat (but the flat is on the ground floor, so no stairs issues!), but I can live with bulk if its brilliant in every other way;
• we have a VW Golf (so a medium boot size?); and
• Taking the buggy on public transport by myself is not really a big priority, as I hope to use a sling (baby bjorn) for the tube to begin with, but the easier the better I suppose as it will give me extra freedom.

My shortlist so far:

1. Stokke Xplory with carrycot
2. Silver Cross (probaby linear frame with sleepover body)
3. Mamas and Papas Sola with carrycot
4. Quinny Buzz with carry cot
5. Bugaboo Chamaeleon
6. Mamas and Papas Rubix (when it comes out)

So far, I am most keen on the Stokke, the Silver cross and the Mamas and Papas Sola.

So far not too keen on the Bugaboo for some reason....

Any advice/opinions from those of you have have more experience than my zero experience?!

Thank you!!!!

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Hello!

We've noticed this thread is quite old and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing out buggies and strollers to find the best of the best.

Hope this helps!

MNHQ

HI

Just my opinions

Quinny Buzz - Alot of my friends have used this and advised against it. They have all said that it was wonderful for newborn but when DC reached around 18mnths was too cramped for them ?! I was suprised as was going to get this for myself but i want it to last me all the way through and would not be happy if i had to by another after a couple of years.

Bugaboo cameleon - i have gone for this one as a 2 friends and a cousin have had these and have absolutly loved them! I know they are epensive (£749) in most stores...but i bought mine second hand on ebay...the seller had only used it for a year but had got pg again straight after having DC1 and needed double buggy. so i got nearly new bugaboo for £350....so i would say its worth looking at. Ebay also had ex-display ones for £600! so never been used!

sorry for the long post

xx

oh and forgot to say the bugaboo also seems to match all your requirments

xx

Which ever you choose, before you buy it, try and fit it in your car boot!

We bought a travel system for Dd and had to remove the wheels everytime we put it in the car!

Also, another vote here for the Bugaboo!

I have mamas and papas ultima, which can be used with either the xcel chassis (spring suspension) or MPX chassis

I have both chassis's and also a stand, which means the pram becomes a moses basket, the pushchair a highchair etc. And I have infant seat, with the surefix for the car (I have a megane, so similar boot size to the golf)

Either chassis fits comfortably, with either pram or chair bits in the boot (can't get much else in mind!)

You can get them from mamas and papas here and that's everything, stand, infant seat, pushchair, pram and chassis, for £605

Or you could explore 2nd hand - I got mine with the MPX chassis for £80, and bought the stand and the extra xcel chassis separately.

Thanks guys! I shall look again at the Bugaboo!

Any views on the Stokke Xplory? x

I agree with Katie on the Buzz - fab for little babies but when DS1 hit 1 he was almost too big for it and we moved to a forward facing light weight buggy for him.

Stokke is brilliant but takes up most of the boot (and not sure it can fit in some). I have pushed both this and the bugaboo and stokke is much much nicer

Hi legallyblond,

Me and DH went to a baby show in London a while back and saw these on one of the stalls

www.daisysuk.com/index.php?ActinicSID=cf866d06729d0419e727422bef197f73

They have recently become available in the UK and had a great demonstration, it meets all your needs you listed and is quite modern with compartments I've not seen on any other models!

We got a huge discount (went for the XV) which cost about £500.

I love my Stokke as does DS he is 2 now and we still use it parent facing. He loves being up so high - when you go into a shop he can see over the counter so people talk to him more, he can post letters and press the button for the green man to come! It's easy to push and turns very well. Was also dead easy to fix the car seat onto though you said you don't care about that. Cons are it's not super easy to fold though it does just fit in the boot of my small car (ancient Citron AX)and it's not great on public transport as it is quite heavy. I was commuting with my son for over a year and I ended up buying a Maclaren for this (and for taking on aeroplanes) as it fold up so much smaller - DS hates being in the Maclaren though and loves the Stokke. We didn't have the carrycot attachment though as I had him in a sling for the first couple of months and the seat pushes back pretty flat - still very handy when he wants a doze while we are out. You do get quite a lot of comments about the buggy - nearly all good - men and cyclist in particular seem fascinated by it

My check of a good buggy:

Can you push it with one hand?

If that's the case, then just go for the one you like...

(My biased opinion: Mountain Buggy or Easywalker - both great in carrycot mode and great to push - both quite bulky though so would need to check your boot space.)

Good luck - and choosing the buggy is one of the lovely jobs pre-baby...

I had almost exactly the same wishlist as you! and I ended up with the Stokke with the carrycot. I absolutely love it, have no issues at all - however, I have a camper van not a car so the bulk/weight when folded is not an problem, and I also usually use a sling for public transport (am in London). If there are any negatives it is that I cannot get the hang of the 'flip to two wheels' feature that you have probably seen on the youtube video thing, so bumping it up and down stairs is not the easiest. Also the carrycot didn't last quite as long as I hoped - DS was too big for it really at about 4.5 months. However I got my full use out of it before that as I used it for him to sleep in during the day, and also as a travel bed when visiting grandparents etc.

As a non pram related comment I would highly recommend looking into other slings than the BabyBjorn. BBs put a lot of pressure on a babies pelvis and do not support them safely in the recommended positions, plus are supremely uncomfortable after about the first two weeks (I started off with one so can speak from experience). There are many far better options. I used a stretchy wrap sling for the first 6 months and now have a selection of buckled carriers and more supportive woven wraps (its very easy to get addicted to slings). I loved my Sleepy Wrap and also enjoyed using a Kari-Me. Theres a sling section on here, or a really good forum called Natural Mamas if you need any advice (or CAT me!).

I can highly recommend the Silver Cross Linear Sleepover pram. I had it for DS1 and will be using it again for DS2 in a few month's time when he is born. They are expensive but I wouldn't even consider another model because it's been a great pram for baby and later on a buggy for a toddler.

Thanks ladies!

So advice so far =

People like:

• bugaboo;
• xplory; and
• silver cross

And I won't be getting a Quinny!

Also, Babybjorns arn't that great for baby (I KNOW I will be be using a sling loads, so this is important) so maybe try a wrap type sling...

Any other thoughts?

I had a Silver Cross. It was lovely for a newborn, but was bulky and it didnt fit easily into my car. The basket was roomy and the quality was v good.

Because of my car, I bought a city mini when dd was about 1. I know it isn't rear facing but does have a v good viewing panel in the hood. I suggest it for you because it can be easily pushed with one hand, it is incedibly easy to fold and can be done with one hand (useful for the tube) and it is roomy. dd is 2.6 now and still has lots of room.

Anyway, happy shopping

I had the linear freeway, it was great. I picked it because of the rear facing and being able to convert from pram to pushchair without needing a separate unit. Great amount of room - dd will fit in it now at 2 1/2 if I needed,though I use a buggy as she walks more now. About to have another baby in august, and thinking at least if older dd needs the pushchair I can just stick the baby in a sling and convert straight from pram to pushchair.
It was lovely over the winter months, and even if I got caught out without a raincover, she didn't get wet. It also pushes easy with one hand/stomach!

Go to Mothercare and try out a few. See if you can actually get it around the whole shop without knocking things over (you'll rule out the Quinny Buzz in about 30 seconds with this test )

Check the width of the wheel base and make sure it fits through your front door (Quinny fails this test also)

Being able to push it one-handed is very very useful. (Quinny = fail)

I think I'd get a bugaboo bee if I was starting all over again, but I would love an M&P sola (although I haven't test driven it yet)

RE Saslou post about the babyjogger city mini. Can now have a carrycot attached (therefore rear facing) to it and a car seat. After all the buggys I have had I will be choosing that next time.

Hi
I have a stokke xplory with all the attachments and I adore it because:

• it's high so baby can see more and "talk" while walking.
• it's height means I don't have to bend ( have sore back).
• it doubles as a highchair in restaurants.
• very easy to manouvere.

Disadvantages - shopping bag isn't great. Bit bulky.

Other than that no moans really. Would definitely recommend it.

Oh be prepared for lots of staring/ questions as people haven't seen many of these around.

i vote stokke. my neightbour has one which she spends all her time bumping up steps. it has lasted her through two dcs. if i was shopping again i'd go for one. personally i love my quinny buzz but dd is only 6 months so i have no idea about whether she will be cramped!

i was advised against m&p by friends who said they fall apart - but that depends on how heavy the use is i suppose

I have a mamas and papas ultima and both chassis. it is a great pram and does fold reasonably small and will last you, mine is over 5 years old and still going strong.
Friend has the Sola and she loves it although the carrycot is not as large as the ultima. That is something you might want to think about, can the carrycot be used overnight as the ultima can? Will it be big enough to take baby after 4-5 months as some are really tiny.
Like the Stokke and if you want something different go for that. Have only seen 2 near us.

The Silver cross, if it is a 3 part stystem is good, the one where the buggy lies completely flat to be a pram doesn't fold up when child is facing you

meant to also say that with a lot of pushchairs you have to take the body off the chassis before you can fold it. Obviously, this would make using public transport on your own a bit difficult, so worth considering before you make final choice.

I'd second the 'push with one hand'. This was a must for me as i'd got 2 dds before ds arrived! I eventually bought a Britax vigour 4+ which is reversible, suitable from birth, and has a carrycot/car seat that fits on the chassis. You'll get it for under 500 too.

I'm anti Quinny for more reasons than i'll list, and the Stokke just seems really pretentious to me. I was also advised against m&p, fall apart, really heavy, and no way worth what you pay for them. Quite like the bugaboo though.........

I really like my Quinny Buzz as it feels solid and well built when out and about, has a really smooth ride and I can push it/turn it with one hand, but like sungirltan my baby is still very little so can't comment on the outgrowing the seat. I think the newer models (like mine) have an XL seat for that reason so it might not be a problem.

I found the Stokke to be a PITA with steps/uneven ground which was important to me. Did not try out the Sola but have heard good things about it. I just couldn't consider the Bugaboo because I couldn't get past the extortionate price! (and the cost of the accessories you might need later e.g. cosytoes)

I would also possibly rethink using the carseat on the buggy, it is really great to be able to move your baby from car to buggy without waking them esp. as most babies will fall asleep in the car and be very grumpy if then woken up to be pushed about in the buggy! Most people get the Maxicosi car seat as it has excellent safety ratings, and you can use it with most frames. Worth keeping your options open

agree with getthe re the car seat business. i didn't think i'd use it nearly as much as i have but its so convinient for short trips and also my dd got quite snotty when she was about 6 weeks and seemed more uncomfortable flat in the pram so i took her shopping/walks in the car seat on the buzz which seemed to help alot. dd was titchy when she was nb too so the car seat was a good stop gap before the carry cot stopped drowning her.

i must say also in agreement with getthe - my quinny (also with xl seat)is 6 months old and as new. other girls from my ante natal are on their second or third pram due to breakages/wear and tear. i have just bought a quinny zapp to keep at grandmas and it feels so flimsy and as if dd felt every bump compared to my lovely sturdy buzz which just glides in comparisom!

i rejected the bugaboo even though i am pretty pretentious re prams because i think the front wheels on the cameleon look daft.

I love my chameleon but the shopping basket is not accessible with the carrycot/carseat attached.If that is really important to you in the first 6 months I'd go for the Silvercross.