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Pushchairs

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Original poster

Silvercross Kensington- any oppinions?

61 replies

Needle · 06/03/2010 20:54

Hello all

My mother always had a Silvercross Kensington pram, and has offered to buy one for my husband and I for our first baby (due July 2010) I was just wondering if anyone had ever had one, or used one, and could provide any advice, as I was really too young to form an informed oppinion of the one my mum had!

Many thanks,
Needle x

OP posts:
Original poster
Needle · 07/03/2010 12:21

Oh God! Hadn't thought of that!

OP posts:
stinkypinky · 07/03/2010 12:31

My mother wanted to buy me a brand new one too, and I had to say 'no'. Am expecting DC2 in 6 weeks and have compromised on a sleepover. I work full time anyway, so someone else would have got to push it most of the time...

Original poster
Needle · 07/03/2010 12:35

That's a shame though. I will measure the front door and make sure that it fits through- it should be fine because the house was built in 1897, when that kind of pram would have been the norm, so I would have thought it would be ok.

OP posts:
stinkypinky · 07/03/2010 12:41

You should be fine then... I live in a newbuild.

QBEE · 07/03/2010 13:06

Oh Needle, you must take her up on the offer!
Fabulous prams, I had the balmoral for mine and walked twice as far just because it was so lovely.

johnworf · 07/03/2010 14:20

stinkypoo I too have a Sleepover this time. It was a concession to not having a hard bodied pram this time around. I insisted to DH that I needed a pram with 'bounce'! I'm not a fan of these buggies with no suspension for a tiny baby. Although I do have a Micralite Fastfold now she's older and walking.

Once you've had a bouncy pram, you'll never go back

ka32 · 07/03/2010 14:58

Folks

I am going to have to get off this thread. Its making me jealous lol. so so so want a proper pram. maybe sell the car?? persuade dp that i NEED a new car to accommodate silver cross pram? help me out here ladies......

on the other hand, could just steal his car and leave him the ka???

tethersend · 07/03/2010 17:23

Needle, I'm in Bethnal green- if you're near a park (and you're near enough to Hampstead Heath) then it's worth it. I lap Victoria park in mine.

Could you perhaps buy vintage and get a slightly smaller one?

Mine's a 1970s silver cross and although it won't fit on a bus or tube it will -just- fit in a black cab. If you breathe in.

You know you want one.

I couldn't find any vintage maternity wear when I was pg, but vintage polyester dresses (or something with a bit of give) a size or two larger worked a treat...

BertieBotts · 07/03/2010 19:42

Why not get a sling for the tube/buses? Then you can use the pram for walking and the sling for more difficult outings - and you never have to put your baby in a pram/pushchair you really hate

Original poster
Needle · 07/03/2010 20:42

tethersend- don't worry, I'm on it! I've been scribbling designs all day and I think I've come up with a couple of things that will work, once I've managed to dig one of my sewing machines out from under the massive pile of everything DH and I own

we are nice and close to Hampstead Heath, although it's a two hour walk (I know, I've done it!) we take the dogs several times a week though, so I should get my use out of it.

BertieBots- a sling does seem like a good option, but how convenient are they in conjunction with a handbag?!

OP posts:
Habbibu · 07/03/2010 21:17

Sling plus cross body bag is a winner. Would not be without my sling now - use it all the time, and if I lived in a city I'd never take it off. You're going to need something bigger than a handbag...

BertieBotts · 07/03/2010 21:19

Very, unless you like to take the kitchen sink out with you If you get a decent sling then it shouldn't hurt your back. I usually take a shoulder bag out with me when I have DS in the sling, a backpack type bag would probably be the best thing, but any bag is fine really.

mowbraygirl · 07/03/2010 21:35

I still have the Silver Cross hardbodied pram I bought new in 1973 for DD it cost us £39 when DS came along in 1976 I bought a toddler seat for £3 and used it with reins. The pram is still in very good condition could do with new tyres as I walked so much with it. It was bought down from the loft in 2001 when GD was born she loved being in it and used to sleep for hours, came down again for second GD. My DD only wished she had had room in her house for it as would have got a lot of use out of it. I have never had any problem with the hood getting wet and going mouldy. It is back in the loft again as hopefully DS may start a family in a couple of years.

BigMomma3 · 08/03/2010 16:15

My parents also are getting me a Kensington for baby No4 due in July (snap Needle).

I have had one already for DD (age 13). I also used it briefly for twin DSs until they started rolling and had to get a side by side pushchair. I actually had a rain cover for mine so had no mould problems. Also had no problem with getting it in the front door (1980s build) or in the back of an estate with the wheels taken off. It is a phaff but definitely worth it. Baby so comfy and protected from the elements (none of this flimsy material flapping about ), no bending down and doing you back in when you have to see to them either - you can even change a nappy with baby lying flat and no one noticing! When we moved abroad, my mum gave it away as we certainly did not expect to use it again - ah well at least I get a nice new one now .

bev2102 · 11/06/2010 02:00

I had to reply to your thread. I've just got a Tenby Silvercross pram (same as Kensington but has 3 small stripes down the side instead of 1) and cannot rave about it enough.
It is so easy to push, I even stand taller and have a better posture than modern prams/pushchairs.
My little man's 19 months old now and I thought he'd be too big, but no, he's very happy in there. He goes to sleep almost immediately in it and even flat out he has lots of leg room (and he's tall for his age!). When he's awake he loves talking to whoever's pushing him and looking at the traffic going by. When he's in a pushchair and a lorry or bus goes past he gets scared and jumps but doesn't in this pram. He loves being high up and is so comfortable (we have a mattress, pillow and quilt extra for him) and protected from the elements (even sat upright with the storm flap down he doesn't need a raincover as he's so sheltered). He also loves having the flat apron to play with his cars on when we're walking!
I really can't recommend it enough. It'll last all your children and probably your grand/great-grandchildren too (mines 33years old and still in fab condition!).

suzie38 · 31/07/2010 10:10

I've got a more modern 80's soft bodied oval shaped 'proper pram'...I was only able to use it up to 2 months as DD hated lying flat and not being able to see...Was able to use it again from 5 months when she was sitting enough to be propped up with a cushion...We went through a phase recently where she always wanted to go out in her 'big pram' and got upset if i needed to use a pushchair because of the weather...My pram doesn't have such a big hood plus DD would protest if the hood and apron was on but that's just her being her...I really wanted a hard bodied pram but lost out on the 1st one i bid on next one i bid on was the one i've got...Mines slightly smaller which is actually better for our small house...Fits in the back of our Meriva as i've taken it out to places as well as using locally...I do wish i'd held out for a Kensington as i didn't realise there's always some for sale on eBay...Will probably buy DD a doll version if she loves dolls when she's old/tall enough to push one.

1944girl · 06/08/2010 14:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

silvercross2010 · 26/08/2010 09:05

cant beat the silvercross coachbuilt prams you know is any 1 have the a 1960s pram

silvercross2010 · 09/04/2011 12:53

these prams are so nice is any 1 had pram seat on them

Georgimama · 09/04/2011 12:59

my mum had one which had already done both her older sister's children and then did her three and was then passed on to someone else. Huge but she loved it. she walked everywhere though - bit of a faff if you are in and out of car or buses. she had a pram seat too. i would have loved one but have to drive to reach civilisation so got the sleepover classic instead - similar styling but much easier to fold up.

silvercross2010 · 09/04/2011 13:03

did the pram tip much at all with the seat on the end of the pram ?

silvercross2010 · 09/04/2011 13:06

and some people have said the linings can get warm in summeris it true

Georgimama · 09/04/2011 13:06

dont think so - i was the final baby in it so cant remember! but elder brother was a sturdy chap and she has never mentioned that happening.

one thing is though in 1970s it was more usual to leave pram and baby outside shops so you may have an issue navigating around shops in it.

mamatomany · 10/04/2011 23:44

My mum used to sit me onto of my sister pushing one of these, no seat but I don't know how she didn't tip it up because I have enough trouble handing a nappy bag off the end of it.
The linings do get hot if they are placed out in direct sunlight which I've done when washing and drying it but you wouldn't do that with a baby in it.

silvercross2010 · 11/04/2011 00:05

what colour is urs inside mama ??

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