Do I want a Baby Jogger City Mini?

[Spindelina]

Not been looking for very long, but so far the BJCM is the best I've seen. Does anyone have any other suggestions for me?

My main concern is that our house has loads of steps up to the front door. The bottom of the steps is out of sight of the front door. Too many steps to bounce a buggy up and down I think. I love the idea of taking baby in one arm and buggy in the other, at least up the first bit of steps until I can see the front door. Is that realistic? Otherwise I'll either need to leave buggy out of sight while I take baby in and then leave baby while I get buggy, or bounce up first bit of steps (about 12 steps with a right-angle corner).

We live near the city centre, so it'll mostly be used around town and on the train, occasionally on the bus. It's hilly, so not having to push a tank uphill or stop it running away downhill is important. Will rarely (if ever) be used off-road, but the pavements aren't all lovely smooth tarmac.

We don't have a car, and we've got space in the hall, so I dont care if it takes up loads of space when folded.

This is the one big thing we need to buy, so while not made of money we are reasonably flexible re: budget. If it's going to save us hassle, it'll be worth the money.

If the BJCM is the right choice: would you recommend the compact carrycot? I expect to be using a sling / carrier a lot of the time, at least for the first few months. So could I get away with the lie-flat seat on the buggy and whatever slings / carriers I end up with? And three wheels or four?

Thanks for any wisdom!

I think a BJCM would be great for you. You should in theory be able to do what you want (with changing kit in a backpack in your back!). With your steps, the carrycot could make things easier as you could set the baby down if necessary or it could be harder....or just as you say, put your baby flat onto the seat. I prefer the 4 wheel version but the 3 wheel is still very good and apparently there are some great deals on the old ones at Halfords. The other option could be to get the new GT version as you may well be able to bump it if you wished. A 12 month non walking baby can be a real lump to carry!

Thanks Tiggywunkle. Glad to hear I'm not completely mad in my aspirations. I've got a rucksack fairly permanently attached already, so there will be no change there. My house is great in so many ways, but the baby-path combination isn't going to be one of them!

We have steps to our front door. A recommend a buggy with large rear wheels or a BJCM. A maclaren for eg will scrape at the back as you haul it up and down and trash the brake mechanism in no time.

A large rear wheeled buggy may be best to start with but after 12 months you may want to downsize so going for a BJCM would be more economical esp if you use a sling for the first few weeks.

I do the nursery run with 2 DC in P&T explorer. All other trips are in BJCM (single). Look forward to the day when the BJCM is my only buggy. Fab investment. Good luck.

Thanks Clara.

How many steps do you have? Do you bump up and down with them in the Explorer? Do they mind it? Do you find it easier to bump or to carry?

I've got a total of about 20 steps (about 12 before I can see the front door), and about 20m of sloping path between that first set of steps and the steps immediately in front of the door, iyswim.

Spindelina only 9 steps but deep ones. I've always bumped up/down but in a controlled fashion. I only do this with 1 in the explorer though, the bottom of the steps are in sight. I used to leave DC1 at top, bump down and then collect him. Nowadays he walks down before me and waits at the bottom and goes up the stairs first when we return.

I find it much easier to slowly drop the buggy down or lift it up, you'll get good at in no time. DH still struggles! Most of the time when you return with a newborn they'll be asleep and you won't want to disturb them! Only problems are extra weight - if I do a lot of food shopping the buggy can be too heavy so I take the bags up first.

No complaints but they soon get used to the routine. I did use a sling a lot when they were tiny though, esp DC2 who never liked laying down.

Clara that's really helpful, thanks. 9 deep steps is still a fair few - not just a couple in front of the door! It's good to hear someone's actual experience, rather than my imagining what it might possibly be like.