Pushchair, buggy, travel system whatever... help!

[itsjustmeanon]

My DH would describe me as a bit of a hippy. If it was left to me, baby would be co-sleeping and carried in a sling everywhere. DH is very traditional, and left to him baby will be in the nursery after 6 weeks and he?d like an all singing all dancing travel system.

DH would like to buy the pram/buggy/ travel system new, I?d like to save cash and buy second hand.

We are both self-employed, although DH has a good income, often cash-flow is an issue with our jobs, and as a result of this we are both careful with money, and have agreed not to go crazy. It?s our first child.

Re: Travel System / Pushchair / Buggy

If I go shopping with DH, we?ll end up with one on order. I?d rather leave it to Gumtree, NCT Sales, Ebay, and avoid the shops. I'm trying to be frugal.

We live in the country, and need something quite durable, and have a reasonably big house for storage. However, I don?t want something too bulky or heavy lifting out of the car. I would like a travel system, that baby will be comfy in. Other than that, I have no specifics. We?re not finding the sex, so would like to keep it neutral coloured.

We have a moses basket already from DH?s sister. We?ll probably get a cot on Ebay and buy a new mattress. Not sure if we really need the pram part of travel system? I don?t think the babies are in the pram part for very long anyway. What accessories do I need for pushchair?

I've been told iCandys are good, but they are very expensive. DH's sister loves her vista push chair. The silver cross are very pretty, my friend has one of these, but they look rather bulky to me. Another friend has a britax pushchair, which I understand are more reasonably priced. I'd love you to all make my mind up for me, then I can keep my eyes open for the recommended pushchair.

If you could all be angels, and tell me what I need.

Ta very much!!

xxx

P.S. I'd prefer 4 wheels, to 3 wheels.

P.P.S. I'm 5'11 and DH is 6'2 so a tall handle would be great.

Hi
I've just ordered a Mutsy Evo, had pretty similar requirements to you and we're about the same height, 5'9" and 6'2". Managed to find a supplier where the whole package, (pushchair, carrycot, carseat, change bag, raincovers and footmuff) was £500, was with Baby Chariots of Colchester. Its usually £400 for the pushchair/carrycot combo without the rest of it. We liked that it folds compactly, the seat can be used from birth but they include the carrycot anyway, seems pretty easy to manoeurve.
We were getting so confused but all the various options and this seemed to get everything done in one hit!
Hope that helps a little!

Hmmm....thats a wide open playing field!!! LOL

I agree with the above poster about the Mutsy Evo. Its definitely worth a look for all the reasons above.

Other suggestions are as you say the Vista although its fairly big folded and I have to say its not one I want to lift in and out of the car all the time although the seat does fold in situ; Bugaboo Cameleon - to be honest this is one of the best but there are plenty to be found on Ebay; iCandy Cherry, Apple, Strawberry or Peach - the latter is my preference, again there are some bargains to be found on Ebay and a Cherry really is not that expensive new. But they are lovely pushchairs; the new Baby Jogger Versa really does everything you could want and more. The Easywalker June again has everything you could want and more, including a fab carrycot, but the June is expensive new and isn't yet out in the UK so you wont find a bargain on Ebay. I think if you stuck with one of these pushchairs, you wouldn't go far wrong.
Avoid the Silver Cross like the plague, and anything Quinny! I am struggling to recommend you a Britax pushchair TBH either.

Thank you for this.

My SIL has the Uppababy Vista and Maxi Cosi car seat. She's happy with both. I'll have a look, next time I'm out and about with her, at lifting in and out of car.

I'd never considered the Mutsy Evo, so thank you for this recommendation.

I'm going to keep an eye out for second hand bargains, till 30 weeks, then start looking at shops. MY DH thinks we should start looking in the shops at 26 weeks.

Thanks again.

I was v lucky and got given a bugaboo bee by my sister with maxicosi car seat that clips on. It's light and manouverable but i hardly ever use it. My ds loves his sling and it's so much easier to carry him in that than use the pushchair. He also sleeps a lot better in the sling. If money is key then i would seriously think about whther you need an expensive pushchair.

Lirogiro - I've been questioning whether we need an expensive pushchair, but it seems the pushchair is also DH's domain, and he thinks we need said expensive pushchair!!!

To save money, I'm going to see how we get on second hand, to begin with. As I said, if we go to shops, we'll end up with said pushchair.

It's interesting hearing everyone's views.

Just bear in mind you may not simply be able to walk into a shop and buy a pushchair. There may well be order times. Its worth starting some research in shops now TBH and at least finding out what is of interest, and checking order lead times. Some brands you will be able to buy there and then, but some you won't. Some have very long lead times.

Thanks tiggywunkle. I've been told that iCandy have very long lead times, but that we should be okay with other makes. We wouldn't be able to afford iCandy new, but there are lots of them on Ebay. Similarly the Bugaboo Cameleon, would be an Ebay purchase rather than new. I think if buying new it'd be the cheaper Uppababy Vista.

The nearest Mutsy store to us is about an hour and ten mins away, which isn't ideal for shopping and collection re the Evo.

My husband and I have agreed not to hit the shops for baby items till after the second scan.

We might keep an eye out, for the Easywalker June, come October. Although I expect it'll be too expensive for us.

I'm 15 weeks today. Eek.