First time mum needs help choosing a push chair

[ABQ]

Hi,

I have a budget of around £500 for the pushchair and carseat. I went to a nursery store around here and narrowed it down to the Bugaboo Bee and the Jane Carrera. Then I went online to research them and neither had good reviews.

Criteria I'm looking for --

• Light weight - for public transport and getting in and out of car
• Fold up easily - we live in a flat and need to be able to get it out of the way when at home
• Safe, easy to use car seat
• Be able to have the infant face you when in the push chair

Questions -
Do I need a travel system?
Not planning on a carry cot - that ok?
Am I missing key criteria?
What would you get given budget?
What would you get if there was no budget?

I have MIL sending me pushchair reviews on a daily basis and reminding me daily that I need to order one soon. I'd really like to get this out of the way, so all help really, really appreciated!!!

THANKS

Try New Look for cheap maternity clothes, I recently discovered them and they are great.

Excellent - thanks.

Now I just need to drag myself there.

I don't know if there has been a counter opinion yet but I HATE MACLARENS! And I do have a travel system and it's fab...

It's a maxicosi speedi taxi (now I think the Quinny summat or other)...

It works for me because I liked having something to clip car seat onto up till about 3-4 months old (not having to wake baby up when getting out of car); it had a carrycot which did work for my little ones on the school run since we walked and other pushchairs were too open. Where we live a 3 wheeler is a good thing though as there is quite a lot of 'off roading'.

I have to say I haven't tried the Techno but the Maclaren we did have with DS2 was shite. The brakes were awful - you had to kick them sideways to put them on or off and it was difficult to do. It was heavy (Techno may be lighter) and awkward to fold. TBH when junior was bigger we just bought a cheap umbrella buggy from Mothercare - and the travel system did us fine for two babies - will keep using it till DS3 is about 1 I imagine...

all maclaren have shite brakes.

agree that forward facing is fab.

i would buy a nice traditional pram for the first 3 months, maybe second hand, so they can lie flat. then by a nice compact buggy at 3-4 mo.

your options are much wider at that age, in terms of what suits baby. its so hard getting one that suits every stage from birth, imho- unless you can afford a bugaboo!

In London Lilliput have a reasonable selection I believe (not been there myself)

Brakes on the techno are fine, totally different to the quest/triumph etc which are indeed poor

Lilliput is the only place I've been. They do have a decent selection, but not all the brands/models suggested here.

I think I will have to brave the Mothercare near Kew. Never been there, but hated the Mothercare in Kingston, so not looking forward to it.

Mothercare World in Croydon near Ikea?

Could do and drag DH to IKEA at the same time...