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Original poster

Help us decide - pushchair decision nightmare

29 replies

Beantin · 28/12/2008 19:35

We are due in Feb and have started to look at pram/pushchair options. Every time we think we have got it right, we find a bad review or someone comes up to us in the shop and tells us not to buy the one we're looking at due to their bad experience. We aren't looking top budget and space in the car boot and in our house is at a premium. We'd love to be able to see the baby (parent-facing) at least for the first few months, but there seem to be few of these about. Thinking we should go for a v v cheap buggy-style that goes flat and can be replaced easily if it's crap.

Please help us wiht any thoughts/experience/etc.

OP posts:

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:39

I'd go for a 2nd hand something substantial & rear facing and buy a maclaren techno new/near new as well.

M&P pramette would probably serve you well & be a good compromise but I would buy new as they are so expensive.

ballbaby · 28/12/2008 19:39

I wish i'd bought my maclaren quest from birth of ds1 instead of getting v expensive, v pretty but v bulky, heavy and useless pram!

ballbaby · 28/12/2008 19:41

Good for you by the way for not feeling pressurised into getting a "posh" pram like many of us seem too. They're so overrated!

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:42

I would think about buying something rear facing 2nd hand such as a mamas & papas pramette or a bugaboo bee. If bought 2nd hand they keep their value well and are both decent pushchairs & compact when folded. I would save up and buy a maclaren quest for later on once they are old enough (4ish months)

Wouldn't use a cheapy buggy on a winter born newborn they aren't warm enough and very few are actually flat enough

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:42

Lost the internet connection half way through posting!!!

Quest isn't suitable from birth though.

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 19:46

the Maclaren's I have looked at so far fold up well, but are still long......our boot space is short. We were considering getting a cheap M&P pramette (which just about fits in the boot) for a couple of months and then go for the cheapy option

OP posts:

ballbaby · 28/12/2008 19:48

I used a pushchair from birth of ds2 as i needed a double buggy - no problem even in winter if you wrap them up well in a snow suit etc

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 19:49

that's what i was thinking - cheap pushchair and quality cosytoe thingy

OP posts:

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:50

Beantin sounds like the way to go.

Look at the baby jogger mini city - they are on offer at Argos at the mo, these fold very small & light and will fit up to a 4 year old and go flat for a newborn - could be a good 2nd puchair after the pramette or use the pramette for the first 18 months if you like it and then go down the mothercare cheapy route - they are horrendous to push though!

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 19:52

which are bad to push?

OP posts:

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:53

cheap umbrella buggies, they are hard work compared to "better quality" designs. By then you will have a dc to try them in first so I wouldn't worry.

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 19:54

pramette/P3 are a lovely pushchair until they around 2, with a heavy toddler in them they get hardish to push but are okay IME

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 19:56

the jogger one looks interesting - would want to see it in the flesh though first - why are so many available online but if you go into mothercare they only have a few to show you it is soooo annoying

OP posts:

QueenFeeUntoUsAChildIsBorn · 28/12/2008 20:05

How about something like the silver cross dazzle which comes with a carry cot but converts to a stroller here

However on the flip side I used my 3 wheeler for 2 years with my first and 2 and a half years with second and counting so I have had my moneys worth. I cant stand strollers to push as they are hard work.

I am buying this for DC3
here as it is similar to the one I am still using which I cant get anymore

I bought a second hand mclaren for £10 to keep in the car when dcs were slightly bigger.

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 20:12

it seems that lots of people have more than one - i can see why as no one seems perfect. We would struggle with space in the house though to hold more than one.

OP posts:

mrsgboring · 28/12/2008 20:17

I would say try to borrow or get dirt cheap any kind of buggy that is suitable for newborn and use it for a couple of weeks. Then you will have a much better idea of what you want and need out of a buggy, rather than try to buy one blind as it were.

Also, get a stretchy wrap style sling such as a Kari-Me and try using that too. I ended up not using a buggy much at all - it's handy to have the sling option if boot space is tight, as it means you can go buggy free on trips where you're happy to babywear.

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 20:21

I agree it's worth trying the sling option - I didn't get on with it as i have a bad back.

The baby jogger is fab! Do you have any independent retailers near you?

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 20:22

am looking for local stockists of the jogger - one site says it is 'near flat' recline, rather than flat though...

OP posts:

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 20:25

It's flatter than the pramette or techno xt tbh (sorry mine is folded up in a box ready to sell, bought it and then dd started walking & scooter everywhere so don't need it anymore!)

Presumably if you get a prammett first of all by the time you switch you don't need completely flat?

tassisssss · 28/12/2008 20:27

It's just so personal though isn't it?! What works for one won't be right for someone else.

I spent around £500 on our M&P 3 in 1 5 years ago and will be using it (hopefully) most days for the next 2 years.

I love the flat carrycot and the rear facing pushchair and the option of putting car seat on the wheels. Downsides are that it's heavy and bulky, but I can live with that.

I do have a maclaren quest also but wouldn't want to only have that.

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 20:36

yes absolutely it is personal and everyone has different requirements/restrictions.

I had a coach built pram which was divine and acted as a huge downstairs moses basket for all of mine. I ended up with a bugaboo frog as it is the lightest thing to push that is rear facing for a toddler (dd4 has speech delay).

I always recommend buying something substantial 2nd hand but buying a buggy new as they get far more battered and abused and used for heavier toddlers which is what wears them out.

nicolamumof3 · 28/12/2008 20:36

yes you will most undoubtably end up with more than one, depends on your lifestyle, your childe where you live, do you drive or walk mostly? so many factors. I would always go rear facing and have baby as cosy and flat as you can particulary for a winter baby. I too would recommend a s/hand pramette. Then a quality maclaren you will use and love every day once they are around a year old.

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 20:41

no wonder i have a headache!

OP posts:

SleighGirl · 28/12/2008 20:43

us pushchair addicts do like to share our knowledge!

Original poster

Beantin · 28/12/2008 20:45

i welcome your addict knowledge

OP posts:

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