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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

Original poster

I really know nothing about pushchairs. Can you ladies point me in the direction of something flat like a bugaboo cameleon but not a bugaboo.thanks

26 replies

SpottyFrock · 01/08/2011 23:04

Title says it all really. Expecting 4th baby in sept and need a new pram. Really want something where baby can lie flat and face me. Bugaboo seems to fit criteria but everywhere I turn there's a bugaboo round here. It seems that is the pram to have and that really puts me off.

So what else is easy to manoeuvre and lies the baby flat initially? Thanks

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Mortal · 01/08/2011 23:11

I've got a M&P Zoom, great carrycot, great pushchair if a little heavy but folds up all in one (as a pushchair) which is great as my last pram didn't. but my friend just got a Quinny Buzz 3 that I'm all green eyed over, so I wish I had that one now, it's really light and just checking the carrycot online - it lays flat too.

thisisyesterday · 01/08/2011 23:22

I don't think the bugaboo seat is recommended from newborn as it isn't flat? do you mean the carrycot?
most pushchairs come with a carrycot...

what other criteria do you have? does it need to fit in a small boot? be good off road?

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 01/08/2011 23:37

Yes, sorry, I mean the carrycot. I'm not as keen on a pushchair that lies flat though I'd consider one if it faced me. I like the carrycot as it faces me.
I drive a discovery so have a very good sized boot though with 4kids I'll need the third row of seats up but should still be quite roomy.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpottyFrock · 01/08/2011 23:42

Do most come with a carrycot? I have only really seen the bugaboo and the stokke thing which just looked a little silly but then I think it's the ste accessory thing that's putting me off the bugaboo.
I have a phil&teds for off road.

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Tiggywunkle · 02/08/2011 00:13

Have a look at the iCandy range, or if you want to be different the Mima Xari or Baby Orbit!

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 00:36

Thanks but I don't like the icandy one either as again it seems too trendy. I guess what I want is something that is really functional and easy to use and does all the things the bugaboo does but maybe looks really bland so nobody would buy it as a style statement if that makes sense.
I really don't want my pram to look cool or attract comment of for people to notice it much but I do want it to be great to use.

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MonkeysPunk · 02/08/2011 07:10

Uppababy Vista! Comes with organic lined carrycot then toddler seat which has more growing room than the bugaboo one.
The basket beneath is strong and huge, ideal if you have a large family.
I would say the uppababy quality is superior to the bugaboo, having owned both. The wheels are top quality on the uppababy Vista, with fab ball bearing units which make them spin and spin and spin! So light to push and easy to manouverable. It can tackle pretty rough ground without bother, which the bugaboo could not without the snow wheels on.
The seat is easier to change direction on the uppababy Vista, and the recline is also easier to do and has 4 positions. The uppababy Vista seat and carrycot sit higher up on the frame, so it saves you back strain and the baby is out the way of traffic fumes or dogs!
The bumper bar on the uppababy has a gate opening style which is easy to use and invaluable with a toddler.
The carrycot and seat units are two seperate items, no swapping fabrics over on the same frame.
Uppababy carrycot is suitable for overnight sleeping. They make a stand for this purpose, which later can convert into a laundry hamper.
No wonder its Americas number one choice.
I love mine!

MonkeysPunk · 02/08/2011 07:18

Also the uppababy Vista can fold in one piece with the toddler seat on forward facing, and takes up appropriately a third of the boot space of a bugaboo cameleon.
The uppababy Vista does not seem to be well known here yet, and comes in a variety of colours from bright to subtle.
All UK models have the larger seat unit, whether they state 2011 or not. The older one with smaller seat has never been sold in the UK.

mamadivazback · 02/08/2011 07:57

I'coo Pacific - includes carrycot, forward/rear facing and folds in one piece.

Norton Storm - Forward/rear facing, lay flat carrycot style and not particularly eye catching :o

Loola Up - Folds relatively compact in one piece compared to most, seat faces either way and lays flat as a pramette but you can also add a carrycot.

Micralite Toro - super compact fold, comes with carrycot but does'nt rear face after carrycot.

Jane Solo Reverse - Looks bog standard in every way, folds with seat facing parent or away, compact(ish) fold and the carrycot is available seperately.

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 08:18

Thank you very much! I'll have a good look at all those suggested. There's seems far more than i thought. Told you I didn't have clue despite this baby being my fourth!

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mamadivazback · 02/08/2011 08:26

That's the problem SpottyFrock, there should be government issue ones as soon as you give birth :o

1 stroller, 1 offroader and a double/triple if needed nothing else would be soo much less hassle...

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 08:47

Yes, government regulation sounds just what I'm after! With ds we bought some pushchair that John Lewis told us was good. Then when dd1 came along we bought a phil&teds as it seemed the best for 2 under 2 back in 05. Then dd2 came and she used the p&t till it almost fell apart. I will probably still use my old black p&t for walks in the woods etc but that's really all its fit for now.

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thisisyesterday · 02/08/2011 10:39

do you want the seat unit to face you as well once baby is big enough to go into it?

if you don't then you could do a lot worse than your bog-standard mamas and papas pliko pramette or similar?

thisisyesterday · 02/08/2011 10:42

from £250 bargain!

or a few rear-facing ones

Kveta · 02/08/2011 10:47

Britax smart are good too. very sturdy but light as a feather to push. Or Britax Vigour if you're looking for 2nd hand.

aswellasyou · 02/08/2011 11:32

Do you have a budget? There are loads of pushchairs with carrycots on the market. I would try to steer clear of M&P personally-their customer service is appalling and there have been issue wth quite a few models recently. I'd also not get a Buzz. Firstly, you see them all the time, but secondly, they're a pain in the bum. Mortal, I'm amazed you think they're light-they weight 11.5kg!Shock That's the absolute maximun I would ever even consider.

One that's sprung to mind is the Seed Pli.

aswellasyou · 02/08/2011 11:51

Or a Concord Neo.Smile

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 12:51

Haven't really thought about budget. Maybe £800 max? As this is our fourth, and we have a ds and two dds already, then the pram is our only outlay so happy to spend a bit more to get a good one. I was warned off m&p in 2003 when ds was born as a friend had had terrible service trying to return a faulty pushchair. Her ds was 3mths and it has given way. They tried to argue that she must have been carrying a much bigger child in there even though he was her eldest!
I quite like a few of these so will show dh tonight. I'd only been to John Lewis and mothercare and I guess a few of these are mainly stocked by independent carriers. So it's good to know that there's more choice than I'd thought. I really didn't want to join the bugaboo club but I wanted a carrycot which faced me as I haven't had that with the other 3 so would like to indulge this time!

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Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 12:51

Haven't really thought about budget. Maybe £800 max? As this is our fourth, and we have a ds and two dds already, then the pram is our only outlay so happy to spend a bit more to get a good one. I was warned off m&p in 2003 when ds was born as a friend had had terrible service trying to return a faulty pushchair. Her ds was 3mths and it has given way. They tried to argue that she must have been carrying a much bigger child in there even though he was her eldest!
I quite like a few of these so will show dh tonight. I'd only been to John Lewis and mothercare and I guess a few of these are mainly stocked by independent carriers. So it's good to know that there's more choice than I'd thought. I really didn't want to join the bugaboo club but I wanted a carrycot which faced me as I haven't had that with the other 3 so would like to indulge this time!

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thisisyesterday · 02/08/2011 14:33

baby jogger are an excellent make, and you can get a carrycot, but once they're out of the carrycot the seat is only forward facing.
ditto mountain buggy who i would recommend in a heartbeat because they're just so incredibly well-built

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 14:55

Thanks, thisisyesterday! I think I looked at them and they seemed very like my phil&teds which I will probably still use even though the girls have wrecked it somewhat.
I have taken my friend's twins out in a twin jogger and was amazed at how easy it was.

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MonkeysPunk · 02/08/2011 14:57

Baby joggers are really fab but although I like the mountain buggy, I have found their customer service truly appalling so I couldn't recommend that brand.
My experience was a spring in the safety lock had unwound, so the safety lock was not working and therefore the buggy unuseable.
I contacted mb via their website. I got a receipt saying they would deal with this soon. Three weeks later, and I have contacted again saying i would appreciate a response and still they have not contacted me.
As I bought from www.boots.com I've been able to return my mountain buggy for a full refund. Boots were fantastic. Mountain Buggy couldn't care less.

thisisyesterday · 02/08/2011 15:01

ahh i only have dealings iwth them before the phil and teds buyout, when they were extremely helpful!

that said, i contacted ABC buggy who are also owned by phil and teds, and had a response from phil green himself telling me all about them, how to order, that they'd ship free from new zealand etc etc.... !!

Original poster
SpottyFrock · 02/08/2011 15:11

Yes, as dd1 was born in 2005, they weren't around in the uk at that stage. We saw one being used in nz and they shipped it free which was amazing. I think they saw it as a marketing exercise to get them noticed in the uk. Within about 18mths they were everywhere!

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thisisyesterday · 02/08/2011 15:36

yeah they still don't stock anywhere in the UK though, which is weird I think because they're very sought-after.
we have a single with a toddler seat on and use it SO much