Please help! What do I actually need for a newborn?

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I'm totally overwhelmed by all the choices out there for transporting around DS when he arrives this summer!
Hoping to use a sling (if it's not too hot) for going for walks, and most of the time we will be going places in the car, so a car seat is essential.
Other than that, what do we need in the way of a pram? I don't like these HUGE travel systems that take up half your house and would rather just get a simple lie-flat pram, but such a thing doesn't seem to exist except as an add-on to a pushchair.
Any advice appreciated on the best option. We're happy to buy second hand, so how much it costs to buy new isn't the main issue.
Thank you!

I don't think you need a travel system as I think that babies should be able to lie flat in a pushchair rather than be in a car seat all the time

this then opens up a wider choice for car seat and pushchair.

there are plenty of umbrella fold pushchairs which can lie flat and this sounds like the sort you are after.

I have a Maclaren XT techno and have used it from the birth of DS2 (I had a travel system with DS1 which I ditched after only a few weeks as it was too big, too bulky and a big waste of money)
I love my Maclaren, it lies flat, but will then convert into a pushchair which will be good through to when the child no longer wants a pushchair. it is light and can be lifted easily into the car, as an umbrella fold buggy it can go on an aircraft.
it has extendable handles which works well for me as I am quite tall, and it also means I don't have to lean over too much even with a buggy board on the back.

some reviews I read about the Maclaren XT said that they thought it was not suitable for a newborn, but I don't understand this as it has been fine for us, the baby has been perfectly secure but this could be because I bought the cosy toes to go with it and this means that the baby is well cocooned

what about a mamas and papas p3 pramette? umbrella fold, pram/buggy. cheap secondhand, sometimes half price in store new.
or a bugaboo bee with a maxi-cosi car seat? if you are just popping around town etc.
if you are going off-road the mountain buggy is great (but bigger in size, does fold flat) you dont need the carrycot if you dont want one as the main seat is from birth, excellent quality and lasts forever acn clip a car seat on. some great bargains on e-bay. air tyres are better on a bumpy ride, we go offroad alot.

Hi
I also dislike the huge travel systems that I have seen here in England, so am going for the more traditional type of pram that we use in Denmark - this is a site I am getting mine through
babyparadise.dk/group.asp?group=179

Unfortunately I can't find any secondhand ones in the UK

Good Luck x

Ilovemyterrier - the prams we have that are similar are the Bertini and Emmaljunga range, both of which come up on ebay for about £150. hth

Ilovemyterrier, were going to use an emmaljunga, see pics on my profile-also has a bit that goes on when the baby has grown out of the carrycot bit.
Paid £200 but its barely used. they can be picked up very cheap especially if the seller states pick up only. They retail new with all access for £700 so big bargains to be had!

Just get a stroller. You can get them from birth and then a car seat (which can live permanently in the car). Travel systems are the biggest con imho, as after a few months you realise what a faff they are and trade them in for something smaller.

With DD2, I went straight for a stroller. I bought the Mammas and Pappas stroller for DD1 and SilverCross Pop for DD2. 3 1/2 years on / 5 years - both are doing fine!

Thanks guys, that's really helpful advice and narrows down the search quite a bit!

Thanks for the advice...will look them up today :-)

I would try and get a pushchair which you can attach your car seat too as your DC is likely to fall asleep in the car and its bliss if they then stay asleep when you get to your destination. This doesn't mean that you have to have a travel system as baby jogger city minis, maclaran xlrs, pramettes etc are all compatible with certain car seats.

If you're having a summer baby, consider how comfortable/safe the lie flat mode in the pushchair is without a foot muff/cocoon as obviously you're unlikely to use that on hot days.

One other thing - travel systems have rear facing options which I don't think strollers/pramettes have. I prefer being able to see DD as it makes life easier - I can see if she's falling asleep, been sick etc and if she's grizzly I can calm her down by singing/pulling faces. Even though the BJCM has excellent windows in the hood, its harder to see DD through it and I certainly can't distract her to the extent that I can when she's in her rear facing iCandy Cherry.