Travel system purchase?? Help

[dkb15164]

Hi my partner and I are struggling to find a travel system that meets all of our requirements. I can't drive but it will need to fit in my PIL boot - they have a medium sized car. I'll be using it from newborn so I needs something that adapts/includes a carrycot. We live on a first floor flat so I need something that folds up to carry with one hand - leaving it downstairs is not an option as thieves recently cut through DH bike lock to steal his bike. Lightweight is also important as I will get the bus to my local university (they have childcare facility for while I'm in lectures) most days. As I'm in Glasgow something warm would also be appropriate. I'm hoping to find the pram second hand as my budget is maximum £200 (and that's saving up so please don't ridicule me on not being able to spend more, I'd rather put savings towards diapers and formula if it comes to it).

The reason why we need a carry cot we think is because we went into mothercare to get an idea of brands and the woman told us that carry cot is the only thing appropriate until 6 months and that they shouldn't be in a car seat for more than 2 hours - meaning I can't go for a coffee or something with baby without the carry cot. Do you think the women was right? Or was she just trying to sell unnecessary stuff?

We have a Joie Litetrax travel system and really recommend it. We got the pushchair, car seat, carrycot and adapters for £260 all new, by buying the bits separately from different places (pushchair from Argos, car seat from Halfords, carrycot from Mothercare) and buying the cheapest colours. My son is now 6 months old and we use it almost daily - the car seat goes up to 15kg and the carrycot is now in the loft but got good use as a downstairs napping place too. It folds really easily with one hand and is light to carry. Fits easily into our boots (I have a Honda Jazz, DP a Peugeot 308 so not big cars). You can also get a 3 wheeled version which might be easier to get on and off public transport

You don't need a carrycot if you choose one with a lay flat seat. Ones with the contoured bucket type seats are not suitable. Been years since I bought a travel system so I can't advise on current models!

Hmm, I'm not sure I would have wanted to forgo the carrycot if we were doing a lot of walking to be honest. Mine has a lie flat seat but still a newborn would just roll around on it, and generally they face away from you whereas for tiny babies you want them facing you. As it turned out we mostly used the car seat (don't really live somewhere we can go for walks safely, v rural no footpaths) but was happy to have the carrycot and plan on using it again for the next one

You don't actually need a carrycot as long as the seat lies flat but they are handy if you want to use in the house instead of a Moses basket.
www.kiddicare.com/p/Joie_Muze_Travel_System_in_Universal_Black.htm?product_id=780870
In your position I'd pick some thing like this I had similar for dd1 but it was a hauck she's now 9 and I can't find a hauck 1 similar.

The mamas and papas armadillo flip. No need for tge carrycot as the seat lays completely flat.

OP have a look at the babystyle oyster. This has lay flat seat and can face parent. You can use with a car seat too.

What about something like this op ? Its a lie flat car seat
www.preciouslittleone.com/product-information/97/54448/jane-transporter-2-carrycot-car-seat-black/?gclid=CjwKCAiAj53SBRBcEiwAT-3A2OBLr_2KwkFSpl8v9eKLYqIJANWtPH3iwtU5aFQMS3k-bxyFQOxsyBoCFWkQAvD_BwE

I dont have one personally. I have a regular car seat and the 2 hour rule is true. It is due to their breathing in that position for a long period of time not being good for them as they cant support their heads well . Google it. It will explain better .

The two hour thing is definitely true, but it’s very rare that you wouldn’t have had them out of the seat for a nappy change/ feed/ burp- no more relaxing two hour coffee meet ups ;-)
I live in another country where space is premium and everyone uses public transport and the smaller, lighter travel systems are popular- Mountain Buggy Nano just straps any car seat you like in and folds up tiny. No idea on UK price but I’d always go for second hand for the pram as you’ll get food/ milk/ god knows what on it so soon!!
Good luck- I found it a real challenge to decide on a travel system and always got 2nd hand and tried it all out... and then for the 4th and last DC I went and blew the budget on a super expensive travel system which I now love and wish I’d bought 8yrs ago But we have a car and have heat to battle here so different criteria to you.
Whoever invents the ideal system is on to a winner!

Personally I preferred to use a lie flat seat than a carrycot as I like having them harnessed in but I'm very much a worst case scenario person, when my second was in the carrycot I felt like she was just rattling around as we walked everywhere so switched a few weeks in!

Can I also suggest that if you intend to buy the travel system second hand that you look at getting a new car seat atleast as safety can be compromised through improper storage, accidents, dropping etc.

This is the thread of my dreams! I am also a Glasgow Uni student, exactly in the same position as you with similar needs and I have also been struggling to find something. The only thing I found was a Doona car seat that converts into a pram but that might be too expensive? Also it doesn't solve the 2 hour rule/struggle xx

My baby is due 4/2/18 (eek!) and have ordered this www.amazon.co.uk/Obaby-Zezu-Multi-Pramette-Lime/dp/B00DV8B9D0/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby&keywords=zezu&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1515008316&sr=1-2 along with www.amazon.co.uk/Ickle-Bubba-Stomp-Group-Seat/dp/B072MMQ2JC/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&keywords=ickle+bubba+car+seat&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1515008382&sr=1-1 ... while technically not a travel system they go well together and we don't really need a car seat as we don't drive (will need to get baby from hospital and for the odd journey) both from amazon and total cost was £166 delivered.

Pramette weight is 14kg so you'll need to decide if that's too heavy for your needs. I'm excited about building it and seeing how it feels once done. I plan to build the pram tomorrow so can update further, then if you'd like me to?

Mothercare Orb! Loved it!