which pushchair for new born and toddlers on London buses ?

[Hpbp]

hello Ladies,
I face a dilemna and surely other mums can help me sort it out. I have a 3 1/2 year old son and am expecting a second baby for July 2012. I will have to use the Tube or train or bus to get my oldest son to school in Sept 12, only stairs, no escalator, no lift, I am in London.

I would like to purchase a pushchair that is comfy enough for a new born and can be used later on when he/she becomes a toddler. Also I'd like this pushchair to allow the second baby to nap while we are out and about with the first one.

I have looked at 3 types :

• Stokke Xplory: I am not sure how easy it is to use on stiff staircases (I am not very tall, 1m60 and average weight 53kg) and I also read that the baby's head bounces everywhere in the carrycot because there is no suspension but hard plastic wheels. And it is expensive. I am almost sure that it can go on a bus from the front door. But I love the height of the seating : no legs, no dog lickings, no ash from cigarette flicks, less fumes
• Baby Jogger City ELITE single: it is very comfy, can lie flat even without the carrycot, very easy to fold but it is very wide, 68cm, I am not sure that it would fit in a bus from the front door and people just kill you with their eyes when you get in with a pushchair, not to mention that this one is BIG. Half the price of the Stokke but less high, obviously.
• iCandy Strawberry with carrycot and seat: more conventional, pricewise half way between Stokke and Baby Jogger, comfy for a new born and a toddler, quite low, would certainly fit on a bus - 60cm wide. I could not find anywhere customers review. I have tried it at John Lewis.

I have used a McLaren Triumph for my 1st baby from 10 months but did not find it very comfy to nap.

Any one can come up with ideas ?

Thank you very mush for your inputs.

Jane

Everyone seems to use Phil and Ted's round here for toddler plus baby. I'm currently trying to decide myself, so I'll be interested to see what others recommend.

Don't use the p+t on the tube, it's a nightmare on stairs and escalators (but a breeze in the bus). I'm sorry I can't comment on your other choices, I had a maclaren xt which if I'd known better if have put the p+t cocoon or a sheepskin for the newborn as DC1 hated it until he was a year old!

Can you ask MNHQ to move your post to pushchairs? You'll get some seriously good advice over there!

Hi there - congrats on the new baby when it comes! I lived in London when I had my twin girls. We had a Mamas and Papas double pushchair at first but when that died, got a City Jogger City Mini Double, and absolutely loved it. Easy to steer with one hand, lightweight and narrow enough for doorways, Tubes and buses. The twins slept like logs in it, and still do! I have also since used it occasionally for my little one, so it's fine for newborns too. ipanicked is right that Tubes can be a nightmare for access, but if you learn which stations have lifts and/or escalators, you can get around OK. Good luck!

Hi there
Congrats on the impending arrival
We have moved this thread to pushchairs where you're most likely to get more advice.
MN Towers

Thank you for that, I actually posted a thread in the pushchairs section as well, so there is a duplication here. So sorry for the confusion.

sling and walking? at nearly 4 a child should be able to walk a stretch (if there are no special needs).
if there are no lifts or escalators carrying baby + pushchair + plus keeping older child in check is difficult.
for the bus, at busy times anything larger than buggy/bjcm/icandy might be difficult.

With a 3.5 year old I would seriously consider sling + single buggy and not get a double at all. I used sling + single 98% of the time and I have a 16 months gap (I'm also in London, so same issue re stairs etc). I did buy a cheapy ebay double but am about to get rid of it even though I'll have a just-turned 4 year old, 2.7 year old and new baby in the next few days.

You'd need a good sling (not a bjorn type thing - something that is comfy for both of you for longer periods). Check out local sling meets or sling libraries to get some ideas.

Hi again. I have replied on the other thread but I just wanted to point out that the OP isn't looking for a double, but a suitable single.

Doh I'm sorry I should read properly

In my experience sling + walking smallish child is much easier than buggy + walking smallish child. You can always buy a buggy later if you find it doesn't work out.