Can't decide what to buy!

[IndecisivePramBuyer81]

Hi all, sorry to start another 'which pram should I get' discussion but I'm really stuck here and keep swinging between buying something expensive and fancy or making do with what I have..

So I'm due to have my first baby in July. In January, OH and I started researching pushchairs and car seats. We found the sheer amount of information somewhat overwhelming and ended up impulse buying a second hand Pliko Pramette Travel System for the bargain price of £115 (includes pram, car seat, isofix base, cosytoes, parasol and cup holders). It's also clearly been looked after and/or barely used by the previous owner.

However I work in central Cardiff and on my travels I've of course been eyeing up other prams and much to the OH's annoyance, I've now decided I much prefer travel systems where the car seat clips directly onto the chassis, as opposed to over the pushchair bit. In particular, I don't like that the Pliko requires flipping between pramette mode and pushchair mode if the car sear is to be attached. I'm kicking myself for not doing more research before buying the Pliko, but I panicked! I know the reviews are great, but I just know I won't be happy with it..

I've now done more research and my favourite is the Babystyle Oyster, however poor reviews and quality issues have put me off. I also love the iCandy Cherry and Uppababy Cruz - if money was no object....!

We can afford one of the above without the carrycot, however it does mean we'll have to watch what we spend elsewhere. But I'm also wondering whether I should just go for a different Mamas & Papas model (Zoom?) seeing as I now already have the compatible car seat and base. Or should I get a Graco Evo?

I would love one of the expensive models, but am wondering if I should be more realistic and stick with something cheaper...I should mention that we're also limited by an awkward shaped hallway and narrow front door - a Quinny Buzz was too awkward so we're thinking a max 60cm width.

So basically I would love for someone to just tell me what to do as I'm stressing myself out a little bit!!

Firstly I don't think that you should worry too much about car seat clipping onto the pushchair. Babies should not spend too long in a car seat anyway, so it is always best to take them out and put them in the pram.

With the M&P you have it is a good sturdy pram, but fairly bulky. Will it be a pain to lift in and out of your car? Or are you going to have to take it on buses. These are big issues that can make your pram annoying.

It's not going to be ideal to take out of the car, and I find it difficult to open and close already, let along with a baby in tow! I also need to keep in mind that the OH's mother will be babysitting when I go back to work and she's only little so will definitely struggle! The Primo car seat is also quite heavy.

I quite like that with the MaxiCosi Cabriofix I can buy the FamilyFix base which will save us getting another base in a years time, but again I'm not sure if I'm just being sucked in?

I think you are being sucked in by the FamilyFix base, so dont worry about that. Second stage car seats really dont need a base, and can be directly fitted to Isofix or you can use the seat belt. Plus you may well need the base for another baby (?!)
However I think the Pliko isn't the best pushchair out there either. It is faffy and fiddly to use. Plus the M&P car seats are very upright and very heavy. I think they look really uncomfy for a newborn and I know several of my friends swapped to a lighter car seat after a few months of lugging their M&P ones around.

I agree with Lemon that babies should not be in car seats on chassis' for long. Its really handy for running into the doctors for an appointment but you should NOT be putting the baby in a car seat on a chassis for the average walk around the shops. If the baby will be in the car seat for some time when out and about then, you should always transfer them to the pushchair / carrycot. Babies grow in their sleep and their internal organs do not expand correctly in a car seat and the risk of positional asphyxiation from head on chest/semi-supine position are higher.

I think I would be inclined, if you can at all possibly do it, to sell the Pilko and car seat and start again. I would think you would get your money back if you sell it well.

Just to add... I have a babystyle oyster. It's light, and my britax car seat clips in and out really easily between isofux and the wheels. The carrycot wasn't used much as dd hated it ( but I think would've on any pram?!) but the buggy seat is great and clips in and out if same wheels as car seat v easily...there's not really anything wrong with it and dd sleeps for ages in it on daily walks....

...but.... I did get it cheap at a deal from mothercare, I only have the black colour pack which is boring and dreary( but free!?) and the car seat was free with the oyster in the deal....

And it's a bit rickety and noisy and just feels a bit cheap compared with my friends swanky uppababy/quinnys/bugaboos and I feel that I should have pushed the boat out more as its used ALL the time, everyday...

Actually agree with the m&p car seats, have remembered that db had one for dn but after a week of her being in it he went and bougt a simple britax one like mine as he felt she looked uncomfortable.

It's quite difficult to advise on the best pushchair for you until we know what you need it for.

I had the pliko for dd1 and hated it after a while. As she got bigger it was heavy and bulky to use.

Sil has the oyster and its nice. Even after 18 months use and dn being a big baby.

On the one hand the Pliko is a good pram. PLenty of mums love theirs. However if it's REALLY not for you then sell it on & get something you're happy with (as long as you can genuinely afford it). You'll be using it for a long time.

I had an Oyster for DS1 when they first came out. I have to say I LOVED it. It all fits together/folds up really easily. It's small enough to push round the shoprs/get on the bus but has a decent sized basket and still fits a toddler in it. I did have an issue when the brakes broke after 10m but Babystyle Customer Services were brilliant and had it fixed and back to me within a week. No arguments. Apparently the brakes were only an issue on the first model out (which mine was) and have since been re-designed to avoid the springs popping out as mine did. I would recommend it.

Thanks for comments so far all! I'm trying hard to think what we're going to use it for but it's difficult because up until two weeks ago we'd never had a car! so we were walking everywhere and very reliant on public transport. OH will have the car most of the time for work so I definitely envisage lots of walking to town or trains and plenty of time spent in shops.

Also we're hoping to visit my parents on caravan holidays so off road pramming isn't inconceivable.

And as mentioned before I need to keep OH's small Mum in mind! she's helping out with child care once baby is 6+ months old.

I like the carrycots to use as a pseudo moses basket so would prefer one if possible. I've also read about the snug seats you can get with uppababys to make the pushchairs suitable from birth - are they appropriate?

Also there will be plenty of quick visits to supermarket and family/friends visits! I suspect we'll be using the car much more than I can appreciate at the moment. .!

If you havent already been I suggest going into St Davids 2 to have a look. John Lewis, mothercare and Mamas and papas all under 1 roof.

(Im in cardiff too)

Going this weekend. Haven't been able to so far!

What about a mountain buggy?

Can use from newborn but also get a carrycot if you like.
Once no carrycot it folds in one piece
Large wheels for country walks
Not too large ( there are a few versions so some bigger/ smaller than others)
Very easy to push ( especially for grandparents)
Fits car seat if really needed ( not really recommended)
Has a rear facing seat as optional extra
The new mountain buggy mini seems a good option if you want something smallish when folded

That's interesting. .haven't heard of this brand tbh! shame the new one is only in red. ..currently researching!

The new one is black I think from pictures and you can choose good colour.. :)

The new one is black I think from pictures and you can choose hood colour.. :)

I dont think there are any colours other than red in stock at present. I have one and you absolutely DO NOT WANT one!!! If you are interested then pay the extra £50 for the Swift with some decent air tyres instead of the horrible vibrating rattly things they have put on the Mountain Buggy Mini. Plus the Mini seat is really really shallow, and the basket is so shallow at one end so things fall out. The handle moves too because they have made a joint on it rather than one piece. The one saving grace is that its light. The concept is great but it needs a deeper seat, some decent wheels, one piece handle and a better basket!

What about a micralite? they seem more reasonably priced although I don't think the pushchair seat looks the most secure!