First time pushchair buyer - where do you start?

[CakeBump]

Hello, I'm expecting DC1 in December and am starting to look at what sort of pushchair we might want.

Where on earth do I start?

I am looking around 200-300 pounds, not fussed about having a travel system, have a large boot (4x4) but may need to use the train sometimes, so it would help if its easy-fold. Don't use buses or other public transport. I walk quite a lot.

I live in the countryside and need it to be able to manage forest paths when we walk the dog, don't need to haul it upstairs as we have downstairs storage....

what else? Oh I'm also planning on using a wrap sling if I can, so hoping the pushchair will be not in constant use, although really I don't know how this will work out at the moment. We've also been given a baby bjorn.

I know the Maclaren in popular so I've been looking at that, plus I quite liked the Baby Jogger 3 or 4.

I'm looking at from-birth pushchairs, obvs and don't mind if its front or rear facing. I wasn't planning on using a carry cot type attachment.

Can someone please help steer me in the right direction?

TIA

I think you are doing right looking at something like a Maclaren or Baby Jogger although IMHO the latter are much nicer (but I know the Maclaren fan club will disagree!). Either the Baby Jogger City Mini 3 or 4 would do you great TBH. I wouldn't bother looking any further :)

Good to know Tiggy, thanks.

What is the reason for choosing the 3 or 4 wheeler? Are there advantages to a 3 wheeler?

The advantages are really with the 4 wheeler (the newest one) if using a car seat or carrycot or holding a toddlers hand thus pushing one handed as it just feels a little more stable. I have had the 3 wheeler and prefer the 4 wheeler. The 3 wheeler is fine though :)

Would a BJ city mini do ok on forest paths though?

Probably not. Have a look at the BJCMGT or Elite because both those should cope fine and are similar in style.

They're starting to get out of my price range, Tiggy. How is the Maclaren on rough paths, do you know?

Thanks for all the advice :)

Go for eBay.... You'll be able to get a lot more for your money and won't mind when it is covered in rice cakes, sun cream, dribble etc.... Good luck!

Once you've worked out which make / model will suit you best of course! I find the saved search function really useful. We have bought everything (bar cots, mattresses and car seats) from eBay.

We had a McClaren Ryder for 5 years and 2 children. It went everywhere. Up mountains, across beaches (dragged backwards), abroad etc.Their wheels are pretty robust.

There was also 10% off at Boots with a further 10% off on top plus the Boots points this week on Baby Joggers. Baby Joggers have a lifetime warranty on the chassis (not fabrics or non forever air wheels) so they are always a good bet second hand.

I have a maclaren quest and a bugaboo cameleon. I would never push the maclaren over forest paths. I assume you mean something like those in the new forests. You can push those small wheels over healthlands, muddy paths and gravel paths, but it'll be a struggle. The ditches sometimes are bigger than the wheels on my maclaren! And it's also very very bumpy without suspension. The cameleon, on the other hand, is a dream over rough offroad. I tend to switch to the large wheel in front if it's gravel, btw.

TBH, on really really rough forest paths, your best choice is a baby carrier. Have you looked at the size of those tree roots on the paths? We've had to lift ours off the ground sometimes to get over them. I've the baby bjorn and it's great until DD is about 6mo. Many of my friends got a back carrier after their LO grew out of the baby bjorn.

Oh and another thing is the maclarens are very low on the ground. If the grass is long, they tend to brush against DD's legs. The cameleon is much higher, especially if you recline it to the 'newborn' lie flat position. Something to consider if your area have very long grass.

just marking my place, i have the same kind of needs as you cakebump may as well tag onto your thread ;)