Help! First time mum confused by pushchair choice :)

[minitoot]

I've come over here from the pregnancy group... I'm just overwhelmed with the choice of pushchairs out there. Hope you can advise me! :)

My needs are:
I want it to work from birth and last for a long time - what I mean is, I'd rather spend more money initially than have to buy a new one after 6 months
It will need to go in a car now and then but I'll mostly be doing loads of walking and possibly going on buses (though as little as possible)
A big basket thing as I tend to carry loads of stuff about with me.
I'm about 5'3'', my husband's about 5'9''

I was looking at this: www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Xtreme-Pushchair-Travel-System/dp/B004EYGUT8

because of the discount. But 14 kg seems very heavy. Does anyone have one and have an opinion on it?

Also people tell me this: www.mothercare.com/Maclaren-Techno-XT-Stroller-Black/dp/B005GF0MCA?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=42764041&sr=1-1&qid=1327008391&pf_rd_r=1AEV22ZZFFEEGH22Z8S4&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=231490887&pf_rd_s=center-7

is good. It just looks a bit flimsy compared to the other one, and I'm not sure about the handles.

What would you suggest?

Is £200 your budget or can you go higher?

Step away from the Xtreme! And any other Mothercare ownbrand for that matter!!

Some people swear by the XT, but I don't like it to look at and the plastic bits look cheap to me. I've also been completely put of all things Maclaren by the twin Traveller.

If you're happy to have a forward facing seat, the Britax B-Agile would probably be your best bet. You can easily attach a carrycot or carseat onto the chassis if you like. Or a soft carrycot. I would suggest the Baby Joger City Mini, but it's probably a bit tall for you. However, if March isn't too late, the BJCM GT would be much better as it has an adjustable handlebar and air wheels.

If you really would prefer a parent facing pushchair, I'd suggest the UppaBaby Vista. It has everything going for it and you never hear a bad word said about it. They're about £550 and come with the carrycot and Maxi-Cosi adapters.

Another parent facing option would be the iCandy Peach or Bugaboo Cameleon (or Frog or Gecko if you want to buy cheaply second hand). The Peach has the benefit of being able to convert to a double in the future and is a lovely pushchair as both a single and a double. The Cam, Frog and Gecko are absolutely lovely to push, but access to the basket in pram mode is difficult. The Peach, Cameleon, Frog and Gecko all fold in two pieces which can get a bit irritating, but not if you aren't going to be in and out of the car all the time.

Honestly, I don't know. I know that sounds disorganised but I have no idea what an average price to pay for a pushchair is, and when it's just false economy. I would go higher if it was necessary to get something worthwhile. Let's say budget is £300.

The Britax B agile looks interesting. When it says suitable from birth, does that mean only if you use the carry-cot attachment? I'm not sure how flat it goes, and if that matters - isn't there some time limit about how long you can have your newborn in a pushchair that's not totally flat.
March would be fine, baby's due June.

I agree with Hypatia, for an all round pushchair, the B-Agile or the Baby Jogger City Mini would do you proud. You do not need a carrycot with either ie you can put your newborn straight onto the totally flat seat - but both will take a carrycot (there will be a choice of 3 for the City Mini soon - 2 at present) and both will also take a car seat. There are various cosy toes or soft cot options that we can tell you about as alternatives to a carrycot. Have a look at this to see the differences between the B-Agile and the BJCM. There is a 3 and a 4 wheel version of the latter. The 4 is more stable especially if you are putting a car seat on.

The Baby Jogger GT is coming soon and is a souped up version of the City Mini.

They B-Agile and BJCM both lie almost completely flat. There's no time restriction on that sort of seat,just carseats which are more curved and make the baby's head tilt forward, narrowing their airway. I believe the curved spine theory is a myth, it's just the breathing that's a problem.

You can use the seat from birth, but I would get some sort of cocoon to make it more snug. These both have windows in the hoods so you can still see the baby even though they're facing away.

I would say the GT is going to be a much better ride because of the little air wheels, but the rrp is £329, so may be too expensive. It'll be a good investment in my opinion and Baby Joggers hold their value amazingly well.

In terms of how much money people spend, £300 isn't a lot. I'd say-as a very rough guide-people spend about one week's total take home salary.

Baby jogger city mini or Gt are the ones to get if thats your budget, if you can stretch to more the the peach is fabulous but i'm lucky in that mine was a gift i would never spend that myself i just don't have that sort of money, try to get carrycots and things like that from Ebay, remember babys will only be in them for 6 months at most so most on ebay are like new,

Baby Jogger City Mini is brilliant for pretty much everything, and certainly everything you described. Also v well built, super easy to fold (impresses the most grumpy of bus drivers). I use mine for my newborn and 3 year old (newborn in sling). With newborn, I use a Phil and Ted's Cocoon too, to keep her snuggly in the winter, but I understand that Baby Jogger are bringing out a cot specifically for the City Mini later in the year, or you may not want or need one in the summer.

Step away from Mothercare.

Lol re stepping away from Mothercare. I agree totally. Go and find a really good independent nursery shop or three and have a really good play / chat.

i would save and get a vista, it ticks all your boxes, they are so easy to use, light to push, huge basket [its like a black hole] and very easy to get into, carrycot comes with it [included in price] as are the raincovers, the seat is large and roomy, it is just a perfect all rounder pushchair they retail at 550 but keep a look out for offers and discount codes, i got mine from kiddicare for 484 with a discount code. it really would be the only pushchair you would need, baby joggers are all well and good, but the baskets are not that big really and hard to get to, the carrycot and raincovers are all extra, so it soon mounts up anyway, also there is something to be said for having a pushchair that can face you after the carrycot stage.
also agree step away from the mothercare ones

sorry should have said uppababy vista

Thanks, that's all very useful. I'll look around.

If you want a pram that will last I would say get something with air tires as pushing can get really effortful as they get bigger otherwise.

Have you had a look at the micralite toro? I have to say that I haven't actually had a look at it in the flesh yet but I'm looking into it at the moment as it feels like I'm pushing my current pushchair through gravel now my daughter is big (3 in April - I do ALOT of walking and she sleeps alot before anyone asks). It looks like one that will see them through till they are 3 or 4. It's got big rear tires, it's lightweight, apparently has a one hand fold (umbrella) handlebars are adjustable plus add on handlebars that can make it really tall (sold as an accessory), you can get a carry cot for it and you can even buy (again as an accessory) all terrain front tires that you can use if you want to go off road (we currently need to use a different pram for that). Depending on the age gap you are planning for number 2 they also have a buggy board to fit. We're looking at the Toro because the seat looks more comfortable for a baby once they grow out of the carrycot but they also have the Ultralite which is cheaper (the new model - Classic? - takes a carrycot) but I don't like the look of the seat as it has no leg rest.

I just bought the Baby Jogger City Mini but once I tried it out on the pavement (rather than just in the shop) I really didn't like it so am sending it back. I love the fast easy fold and the huge canopy but hated the weirdly curved handlebar (gave me sore wrists and blisters), it was hard to push with my daughters weight, the suspension was pretty poor - a very jolty ride, and the handlebars were too low for me (I'm 5' 8.5"). I know that it's not the most important thing but it's not very nice to look at either (even with the new 2011 colours). Having said that it looks like the Baby Jogger GT fixes most of those problems (except the looks!) but is not out yet. I emailed baby Jogger to see when it would be out and they suggested contacting the UK distributor at [email protected] (I haven't yet emailed them). Beware that if you order a pram that isn't actually out yet you may be waiting quite alot longer than the date they originally give you.

Sorry - I've written an essay...

B

Honestly, I don't see air tyres as necessary. Just buy something with decent wheels - looking at them should be a clue! I have double pushchairs with no air tyres and they are easy to push even with two children on board.
The BJCMGT is due at the very end of March so should hit the shops in early April, fingers crossed.