Stokke Xplory for newborn - no carrycot

[freelancegirl]

First baby due in a couple of weeks and we have bought the Stokke Xplory. Looks fab so far and I have read a lot saying we didn't need the carrycot as the seat lies flat enough for a newborn. Looking at it though I feel a bit nervous about the baby and the fact that it doesn't look like a nice comfy flat place for it to lie down and sleep!

I really didn't want to go down the route of buying the carrycot and haven't even looked at how much it would be to now but it separately, but will the baby be ok in it? Any other tips would be great too.

I have a stokke xplory newborn wedge (not an xplory, I use it in something else) do you have this? Head hugger looking thing or wedge shaped material bit depending on the version you have. It does make the seat a lot shallower.

Hello! Thanks for the reply. Yes I have the newborn wedge. It's a shop bought brand new model so all intact - just not with the carry cot.

I was thinking that the newborn wedge making it shallower was a worrying thing as, I don't know, I guess am used to seeing newborns in prams lying down in a traditional manner, with a lot of pram space. But I guess I haven't really looked around at many newborns being that I am a newbie at all this! Surely if it says it is suitable for a newborn it is suitable...? And they will be surely strapped in.

Oh yes, definitely strap them in. I actually haven't got a newborn as such in mine, I started using it at 3 months. I'll put a pic on my profile then you'll be able to see it with a baby in.. on... one sec..

Should be able to see a couple now...

Awwww! Gorgeous pics! Thanks so much for posting. Actually that has been really useful too as I wasn't quite sure WHERE the baby sat in relation to the head thing and that makes really good sense. I am guessing that it will be ok for a newborn to be in the seat itself rather than having the carrycot, even though your DC was a little older when you started using it.

I had a quick look at the newer version in mcare this afternoon, there isn't as defined a head bit is there. A newborn is going to look a lot smaller than those pics obviously, I think possibly on one pic I had already added an extra bit of foam in the seat below the wedge itself to make it longer.

I think you will be fine but I do get what you mean, it is not the same as them lying in a carrycot. You could always see how you feel after using it a bit then buy a carrycot then if you feel you need one.

You can definitely use it with a newborn though they do look terribly tiny in there. I used the carry cot but only for a few weeks - the Stokke carrycot is smaller than a Bugaboo one in my opinion and she outgrew it very quickly. It's handy as you don't need to strap them in, especially if it is hot but I wouldn't bother unless you really want one. You'll probably only get 8 weeks out of it and then have to store it. I did buy a sheepskin from John Lewis to line the Stokke seat with as I felt the seat got a bit sweaty in the heat but otherwise, it's a fab pram. Enjoy!
If you are buying one, or getting one secondhand, they are usually shipped without a cover as you transfer the one from your regular seat so worth checking that it is either coming with it, or your model is compatible with an older one if secondhand.

Hi,

I know I am a little late but for future reference...

I think you should definitely get the carry cot! All babies should lie flat to support their spine. Otherwise, you create pressure points and compress the spine which will have a negative impact on their physical development.

This is also the reason, why babies should not spend more than max. 3 hours in a car seat!

Please Mums and Mums to be, try to lie your babies flat as much as you can until they can hold themselves up. Putting them on their tummy is great exercise for their muscles.

The same applies to sitting them up. Don't do it until they are around 6 months and their own muscles are actually strong enough to support the spine.

Frankly, if you spend so much money on a great looking pram, make sure your little one is comforted and protected and spend the extra money on a carry cot.

Btw. we have a Stokke Xplory (incl. carry cot) and I love it and cannot recommend it enough (except if you like to go for extended walks in uneven terrain - the suspension is not good enough to support your babies spine - you will need something with bigger and maybe even air filled wheels.)

Our boys both outgrew the carry cot when they were around 5/6 months.

Good luck with your baby.