Ok, so does anyone NOT use a pushchair? Ever

[redheadbedhead]

I'm wondering if a pushchair/pram/buggy/plastic sci-fi monstrosity is actually worth it. I like the idea of strapping the baby to me until it can walk or is this unrealistic?

Am quite tempted to post this in AIBU to see who tells me I'm being an unrealistic woo-merchant, but actually I really want genuine opinion.

If that is your attitude then dont buy a pushchair until the baby is born maybe?

I had a sling but used the pushchair a lot as well - chucking shopping underneath, and esp as she got older as I never got the hang of the back carry. But I think plenty don;t

I have an AP leaning friend who might well have done this, but was scuppered by a bad delivery (pelvic floor damage that needed physio) so she physically couldn't sling her DS 24/7. I sling a lot when I don't need loads with me, but actually having a pram to load up when you're out for the day is pretty useful!

You can definitely get through the early months without, which will give you time to work out (a) if you need one and (b) what you need (e.g you may find having one that folds in the car easily is less important than you thought, as we did). And if you're really unlucky, end up with a bad CS and need one, there are loads of online stores with fast delivery!

FWIW we have a bugaboo and love it. Survived 3 years and 2 kids so far, with no sign of giving up the ghost yet. Also make daily use of woven wrap sling with DS2.

I met a lady who was still carrying her near 2 year old in a back sling...She did have a buggy but didn't use it much.

I use both, but during the week only the sling (pushchair lives in the car and dh is away to work early).
dc is now 20m and 14kg and we both like being so close. have her mostly on my front.
went hiking on holiday and a sling/carrier is unbeatable for that. up and down hills, mud paths, giant sand dunes, beach...places where you wouldn't want to take a pushchair!

I does depend on how you usually travel.

I walk nearly everywhere, and find a pram/pushchair great for doing the shopping. If I am going somewhere by car/bus, a sling is fantastic.

I can still carry my ds nearly three years old on my back.

I had the same plan! Didn't use the pushchair during the first year, but after that she became too heavy really. Depends how much you walk places.

yes stealth that's what I'm thinking, wait til it's born and see what I can handle and what makes sense. The idea of pushing a big buggy all over London makes me feel stressed before I have even given birth!

sorry x-post with everyone else!! mousey that is exactly what I'm thinking - walking up and down hills etc.... but then realistically I do live in London most of the time. Just can't decide what's more practical. I just hate having to lug things about without my hands being free.

I walk a lot most days, but use the car to go the supermarket or to visit friends/family.

I didn't have a buggy with DD1 until she got to 12 months and MIL was going to be taking her occasionally (MIL doesn't really get on with slings except for tiny babies) and DD2 is 6 months and hasn't been in a buggy yet.

I certainly don't think you need to buy a buggy in advance -- try slinging and if you feel the need for a buggy you can always get one later.

Def don't need one for first nine months or so. I live in London but also traipse around countryside. I have a buggy (DS is 7m, also have two DDs; 2 & 4) but rarely use it. We've just been away for three weeks camping, hiking, mooching, and didn't take the buggy with us. Sometimes used baby bjorn thing, mostly used a basic rucksack <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=karrimor+baby+carrier&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&tbm=isch&tbnid=NcvF6_sG6k_gaM:&imgrefurl=www.loot.com/advert/karrimor-baby-carrier-/3122551&docid=5C2Udr2cY-qvLM&itg=1&w=320&h=213&ei=MPNZTt7lK8Kj8QP9w_iMDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=977&vpy=106&dur=3812&hovh=170&hovw=256&tx=172&ty=120&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=189&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&biw=1280&bih=599" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a bit like this (bought from charity shop for a tenner). Used a slightly more robust one and DD1 (now 4) could be carried in it until quite recently.

If you're going to do this, though, make sure you get a good sling maybe go to a slingmeet and try a few out rather than just go by what's available in Mothercare etc.

that's a good point herd I hadn't thought about old mothers/MIL's staggering around the park with a sling. My mum seems to have some balance issues for some reason and I am slightly worried that the extra weight would just tip her over into a tree/pond/lamp post or something...

oooh a sling meet. sounds like something from the wild west.

I've got a LOT to learn in the next 4 months..

ds rarely goes in a buggy. dd4 rarely went in one.

i do find buggies handy for chucking all the other stuff we need on them though. and i do own a double buggy. which i hate as i cant get it in the house unfoled.

def get a good sling, and if possible learn how to wrap your baby. i prefer wrapping over other types of baby carriers as more versatile. but i know others prefer MT of SSC's especially as a child gets bigger and is wanting up and down through the day to toddle about.

also join naturalmamas.co.uk for a wealth of sling knowledge :)

eeeek acronyms - what's MT of SSC's??

will check out that website misdee thanks

mei tai
soft structured carrier (buckles etc)

a good mei tai will make baby feel weightless.

SSC's are nice and quick for up and down toddlers. i have an SSC for dd4 as it a custom and is toddler sized. its too big for ds.

I wanted to do a lot more baby carrying that I then ended up doing as I simply did not like it much: too sweaty, difficult to get sleeping baby off me without waking him, made me feel 'claustrophobic' after a while etc.

I did have a variety of slings (BabyBjorn - the worst IMO but DH liked it, ring sling - ok, quick to get baby in and out of, but sore on the one carrying shoulder with an older baby, Moby-type wrap sling which was by far the best thing for a newborn and an ERGO which is fab except that I never got to grips with the high-up chest/back strap and always needed assisstance with it...).

I ended up liking my double buggy (out'n'about double nipper) the most as it was light and even when I had only 1 DS using it, it was great for shopping/carrying older DSs' scooters/school bags etc.

My worst investment was the massive does-everything-pram that was hardly used other than for babies sleeping in it in the garden.

I'd agree: wait until your baby is born, look at a soft wrap sling initially and trawl charity shops if you do want a pram - my friend got a phantastic all singing and dancing travel system for 20 quid: looked brand-new and had all sorts of bits thrown in like foot muff, rain cover etc.

I do think that there are women who take to baby carrying more easily than others though. Try it out.

and just for the awww facttor

ds in his wrap at a day old

and asleep last night in the same wrap at 8months old

thanks misdee! Just looked at the website and it's interesting - I hadn't thought about just generally 'wearing' the baby as you go about housework or whatever - this seems like a nice thing to do if you have the stamina and strength. It fits with my ideas about attachment parenting generally.

and thanks pacific - I am a bit concerned whether I'll like it too as I have some minor back issues from playing violin for years and years, but I thought if I was finding it hard I might combine slinging with some physio sessions or pilates/yoga to try and strengthen it a bit.

misdee - CUTE!!!

I bought a buggy and used it as well as a sling at first but each time I took it out I just found it bulky and a nuisance and ended up putting DS in the sling. He's 14mo now and I haven't used the buggy in months.
It depends what you're doing. I thought the buggy would have come in useful in the early months before he was big enough for a highchair, because everytime we ate out or went out for a coffee, I had to have him on my lap rather than being able to put him somewhere safe but that was the only negative.
I'm considering selling my buggy because we never use it and I won't bother buying another one if we have another DC.
As far as slings go, the most essential thing is to go for a good quality one that's right for you.
A moby wrap is probably best for a newborn but you might want to graduate up once your DC starts getting bigger.
If you have the right one, weight shouldn't be a problem as it should distribute it correctly and should be no more stress on your back than wearing a good quality backpack.
I second the suggestion that you go to a slingmeet and try a few out.

i find wearing around the house and going for short walks in the first weeks helps build up stamina and helps with getting the carry comfortable

I used a sling most of the time (Ergo) but was glad to have a pram during the winter when the pavements were icy. But for the amount of time it was used, I wish I'd bought a cheaper pram.