Pram for clueless London first-time parents?

[piglet81]

Can anyone recommend us a pram/buggy? I'm a big boggled by the sheer number of options! My thoughts/wishlist so far:

• small/light/easy to fold (will be using buses and trains a lot; tubes probably less so. Also walking lots, I hope.)
• something suitable from birth, and ideally with a parent-facing option for as long as poss
• will hopefully (!) want a second child in a couple of years but appreciate that buggies which convert to doubles are probably too large
• keep seeing Bugaboo Bees (I think) out and about, but never pictured myself as a Bugaboo sort of mum (I know I'm stereotyping!)
• would prefer not to spend the earth. Bit horrified to see people spending £700 or so!

We're in SE London, zone 3, on a Southeastern rail line, and don't drive. Our house is a small terrace with a fairly narrow hall so I'd love to be able to fold the buggy and stash it in the cupboard under the stairs, but not sure how realistic this will be on a daily basis!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

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Hello,

We've noticed this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing buggies and travel systems. Here's our round up of the best pushchairs newborns, including lightweight pushchairs and double buggies.

Hope that helps!

MNHQ

I've got an uppababy Cruz, very happy with that. We are both quite tall and find the bee very low. I also wanted a real bassinet even if we only used it for about 3 months. Go to john lewis and try some out!

I've got an oyster it's sometimes a tight fit going down the bus aisle but fits well in the buggy space. It's not good for folding because it's 2 parts. Tbh you never see people fold buggies because then you have bags, the child and the buggy to manhandle. It's easier to wait for the next bus, but that rarely is necessary in my area (similar to you). Also if you know it's going to be particularly busy - an event for example - or there are steps use a sling.

I have the old (2009) bee. It really has been great. They're relatively cheap on eBay etc now. Be warned the back wheels wear out and you can't get them any more. I replaced mine with bee + ones, which are ok though the brake is not as secure.

However, have a look at the baby jogger city mini. It's the easiest fold / open of the lot, not too huge when folded. I take mine on buses / tube all the time. It's not rear facing but you can get a carry cot for and / or attach the car seat,both of which will face you till around 6 and 12 months respectively.

Oh, btw. I have on occasion carried my buggies, complete with toddler and bags in them, up stairs on the tube. I'm smallish and only averagely strong. I've never needed to remove the child and fold the buggy on the tube. I use it lots, with 2 year old in the buggy and nearly 5 year old walking. No mishaps.

I wouldn't spend a fortune on a pram though, tbh you will prefer a fold up MacLaren in a year...

ocelot I didnt. I hated the MacLaren with a vengeance.

I didn't either, hence why I still use the Bee.