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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

Do I need a proper pram?

39 replies

treesoup · 14/09/2019 11:28

Or will a from birth stroller with a footmuff be fine?

Money's pretty tight at the moment I can't see why we need a bassinet plus I'm going to be using public transport a lot so I think an umbrella fold would be easier but I don't know if I'm missing something because everybody else seems to go for proper prams?

OP posts:
JohnLapsleyParlabane · 14/09/2019 11:36

I didn't have a bassinet the first time but got one that clipped onto the buggy chassis for the 2nd and found it really helpful in the first 3-4 months. I bought it 2nd hand though, wouldn't have paid full price. My buggy was 2nd hand too.

treesoup · 14/09/2019 11:45

Sorry to sound awkward but how was it helpful?
I don't really see how I'd use it differently from a stroller

OP posts:
JohnLapsleyParlabane · 14/09/2019 11:49

In a basinet you don't need to fasten baby in, I found straps hard the first time round. Also our buggy is forward facing but having the basinet kept baby facing me for the first few months.
I also used it as a nap location on the ground floor.

bookmum08 · 14/09/2019 11:50

It will be fine.
I would get a simple sling for the first months too so when you fold the buggy down on the bus you pop baby in the sling rather than just holding baby - it will feel more secure.

Nat6999 · 14/09/2019 11:51

I had an all singing & dancing travel system when ds was born, by the time he was 3 months old I had bought a MacLaren buggy because the travel system took up all the car boot, had caused me to have a bad back lifting it in the boot. If I had my time again I would buy the lightest pram I could that folded up as small as possible with one hand.

bookmum08 · 14/09/2019 11:58

More secure than just holding baby loose I meant. When baby is more solid you just sit bubs on your lap.

Paddy1234 · 14/09/2019 12:01

I got a free hand me down (standard pran nothing fancy) and then went to a buggy.
No problems
Just bought a new car seat and that's all

bookmum08 · 14/09/2019 12:02

Argos do some that are suitable from birth that also come with a car seat that clips on. This saves you money instead of buying one separately - even if you don't have a car there will be times you use one. Taxi to the doctors etc.

treesoup · 14/09/2019 12:31

I thought you had to clip them into a bassinet too. I can see how that would make life easier but I'm not sure it's worth the extra money for me at the moment.

There's not much of a second hand market here and I don't have anyone I could get a hand me down from.

I'm not really interested in having one you can clip a car seat into because of the aids risk

OP posts:
bookmum08 · 14/09/2019 12:51

It's more about saving money to get the car seat included but obviously it depends more if you have a car and are using one regularly or don't have a car and just need one for odd use.

fivelittleducks1 · 14/09/2019 13:54

I know a few people who used strollers with a footmuff or fleece liner dependant on season to create a sort of cocoon - mostly with doubles but the seats are the same on singles! Mine is a lie-flat seat with a specific newborn insert, but its a flat seat so would be fine without.
You may like the look of the baby jogger vue or obaby zeal which are umbrella folds you can get a soft carrycot.

fivelittleducks1 · 14/09/2019 14:01

Or the maclaren xlr you can get one for too. But if you'd rather not get one with soft carrycot, as long as its suitable from birth with something to make it a bit more cushiony like a footmuff it'll be fine

1Wanda1 · 14/09/2019 14:04

Newborn babies need to lie flat and strollers don't recline fully flat.

You could look at getting the Yoyo Babyzen, which is a brilliant little stroller for urban use, and has the option to get its newborn cocoon thingy, so your newborn can lie flat and then later you just use it like a stroller.

treesoup · 14/09/2019 14:40

The babyzen and the maclaren are a bit out of my budget Shock

We're looking the joie nitro which does lie completely flat as far as I can see.

OP posts:
NanooCov · 14/09/2019 14:45

I don't recommend the Baby Jogger Vue. Had two that broke (the original and the replacement). Customer service was good but still a pain in the butt. Have a look on eBay for something. I've had some excellent buggy bargains on there.

GoldLeafTree · 14/09/2019 14:47

I can't see anywhere that the Joie Nitro does lie completely flat. does it?

If it does lie flat then that would be great as it's super cheap compared to a lot of others but I think it's just a stroller

FairyDust92 · 14/09/2019 14:51

I love my carry cot my boy is 10 weeks old. I just like the fact it's comfier in there for him as it has a nice mattress with it aswell.
I recently brought the Joie LX stroller. Not used it yet but already worrying it isn't as comfy as his carrycot for holiday. I know I'll end up taking the pram already 🙈

soupmaker · 14/09/2019 14:59

@treesoup you absolutely don't need anything more than a from birth stroller and a sling. That's what I had with DD2. Just need to make sure you have a warm foot muff and plenty blankets to keep your LO warm when it's chilly. I had a Jane one - was brilliant.

Starrynights86 · 14/09/2019 15:00

I loved having a carrycot too. My new baby will be a wrap/front pack a lot though so worth thinking about those as alternatives to a carrrycot until you want to use the pram properly. my oldest sometimes needs the pram still so I will use my proper pram when I’m out just with the baby but the wrap/front pack with our mountain buggy nano for the oldest when out with both on my own.

Starrynights86 · 14/09/2019 15:02

Our nano is fabulous and I see you can get a cocoon to use it from birth if you want to. A way cheaper option then a full pram set up.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/09/2019 15:03

As long as the stroller lays completely flat, then go for it.

Expressedways · 14/09/2019 15:06

We had a big expensive pram with a carrycot and DD hated it, it was heavy, you definitely don’t need one!

However, you definitely want a lie flat stroller- even if you use a sling until 6 months, you’ll want something that reclines for naps. If you plan on using it before 6 months then you’ll need to make sure it’s suitable from newborn. If the Joie Nitro is then it’ll be fine.

NapsAndTea · 14/09/2019 15:09

@treesoup I've only bought a pushchair / stroller. It says suitable from birth so I'm sticking with that - I know it won't be as convenient at first but I can't justify spending that extra money and the extra storage!

TheCraicDealer · 14/09/2019 15:12

OP the Uppababy Minu is well reduced (half price) at the moment on a few sites- Natural Baby Shower have it for £200 and the newborn kit is £50 down from £150. You can also fold it with the newborn kit on which is unusual, plus you can convert it to a travel system with car seat adaptors. It's essentially a travel pram but sounds like it would suit your needs.

Mamamooligans · 14/09/2019 15:13

My sister had a cosatto umbrella fold with a newborn wedge/insert off amazon from birth. They're 10 months old and walking so clearly did no harm!

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