birth to tots buggy conundrum ?

[cheekbyjowl]

My dh and I are trying to work out this conundrum. We've been reading a lot of reviews and we get the impression that those with lovely travel systems like the Uppababy, bugaboo etc love them when their child is young but get lighter buggies when the child is say 18 months. Those who love maclaren xts, and or city joggers buy them once the child is 6 months or more. Is that a fair appraisal?

If not which buggy have you been happy with from birth to an older child? We'd love to get one that sees it through the years.

Lots of my friends with travel systems (bugaboos, p&ts etc) bought Maclarens at 3-6 months.

We've got an Oyster and still use it with 21mo DS. Sometimes it'd be easier to have a maclaren but oyster is definitely more comfy, better for rough ground and we kept DS rear-facing for ages so we could chat to him.

Have not got room for 2 buggies and we're a bit stubborn anyway,

Hth

To be fair, this is something that was happening many many years ago. I could never understand why people spent a small fortune on a pushchair, only to swap to an umbrella fold later. And to be fair, I think to some extent the same is true today but with heavier pushchairs like the Silver Cross, Emmaljunga etc. It also happens with other brands of pushchairs, but I believe part of this is because people dont realistically buy a pushchair to suit them. One big factor is that they try a pushchair in the boot, and see that it fits - but they dont consider that you need a changing bag, your hand bag, maybe a cool bag, and there may need to be space for a weekly shop as well. Even if you have boot space, I bet all of us have stood at some point wondering where on earth to put everything in your boot!!

I also think people feel the "need" to have a pram or a carrycot for a baby. Also there are those who advocate "parent facing" for good bonding / speech development - which is important if you are out 12 hours a day, but realistically most of us spend our waking hours interacting for a good part with our child at home or elsewhere, not in the pushchair.

I also think peer pressure comes in too - from other parents but also your own parents / in laws. I know a lot of people who have a pushchair for their parents / in laws to use. I often hear people say X is wondering when they will get a "buggy".

On the other hand, if you buy the right pushchair, first time, whether its a Bugaboo or a Baby Jogger or a Maclaren, then you should have no need to swap it. The right pushchair, for your needs, and to suit your child from birth to 3/4 should never need to be replaced by something smaller or lighter. I would much rather reach for my iCandy Peach and fling it open, than an umbrella fold.

And then you have the people like me, who DID buy the right pushchair first time to last from birth to three...and would still actually be happy with that original choice, except a sibling scuppered plans and we needed a double pushchair...

Plus there are those nutters - me included who just enjoy trying different pushchairs out....

I dont think you would go far wrong with a Baby Jogger though - whether its a City Mini, GT, Elite or Versa.....whichever one suits you. They are nicer than a Maclaren :)

Hi, we have a mamas and papas pilko pramette. DS is 22 months. I think he is little bit squashed in it, but he can still just about have a nap in it. The buggy is light, most of the weight is DS. I think it is possible to have the same buggy but you do end up with a compromise somewhere. Buggy is narrow so can get on bus easily.

We got a Bugaboo and have used it daily from birth. DS is now two and a half and still fits in it comfortably. It is also lovely and light to push and has an extendable handle for tall DH. It has been on countless flights across the Atlantic and is still in good nick. We are due DC in August and will be using it for him/her when the time comes. I never understood why on earth people spent money and time deliberating over which buggy/pram to get and then switching to an umbrella one once the baby was older. I also liked that you could have the older baby facing you until you wanted it to face. Totally worth the money, especially considering a lot of my friends and DSis are onto their second baby and have gone and bought another new pushchair....

Ive got a Maclaren XLR. Its a stroller so great til 3/4yo but it also lies flat and is compatable with a soft carrycot and also a recaro car seat clicks into it. Travel system and stroller in one. DD is 15mo and we will.never buy a second buggy.

The baby jogger city mini is a great buggy and suitable from birth to about 5.

Thank you. I didn't realise that about the maclaren and car seat, will look it up. Glad to hear of someone whose bugaboo is still going strong too. I really like the city jogger so will re look at them all

I might be wrong but I heard Maclaren had stopped making their pushchairs car seat compatible. I would be interested to hear if you find out more :)

We are also one who have used bugaboo from birth until not needed. Never used an umbrella style