Our first pram, stroller, buggy...?

caelshorn

Hi folks

we are expecting our first child and are therefore facing an expensive time

First of all I have to say: I am not a shopping person. Also, I am terrible at making decisions. So I am dreading the whole "outfitting"stage. I am a member of Which, to ease the pain, but I know that nothing is better than word of mouth. So I'm asking all you lovely parents out there what you recommend?

Some things to keep in mind:
- I'm 5'8"
- the transportation will have to live in my car boot, since we live in a flat (no lifts :eek:) and I ain't carrying it up the stairs
- money isn't the biggest consideration (I want to be MSE, but if I can get exactly what would suit us for a bit more, that's fine)
- my car is an 02 Astra, i.e. as far as I know: no isofix

Really looking forward to your experience and wisdom!

Thanks very much!!

mirrorimage0

we are planning on buying most of our stuff second hand, there are some great shops arund us where people exchange stuff they no longer need etc, i find even if you just want info theseshops are great as they know which are the lightweights what goes in what car boots etc. i havent bought a buggy for 8 yrs now so am really out of date, will be watching this thread with intrest

jcr16

i second buying second hand.

alot of mums ( hangs head in shame) have a buggy addiction and only keep a buggy or pram for a few months before selling it on for much less that it is worth and in very good condition so they can get another.

i have looked at loads already yet i'm proberly gonna get another Mamas and Papas Pliko. i've had 3 so far and i love them. can get the pramette one, so can be mummy facing in the early months, has adjustable handles ( i'm 5ft 4 and hubby is 6ft 4) and it was comfortable for us both. it folds down very silm, the covers come off for washing, has multi back rest postions so baby can always be comfy, is lightweight, the newer ones weighing only 9kg. i have found on ebay you can get the whole package for about £50 depending on the colour design you go for.

With prams you cna spend £1k on a buggy which isn't any better than a £10 one. it all depends on your personal taste and what you like. and budget of course.

proberly my worst buggy was the chicco winter london i think it was stroller, i did alot of walking and within weeks i'd warn the back wheels out, my dd was only 7 months so it wasn't like i could get her to walk every where or that she was too heavy.

pigpen

I have to agree... having had loads of pushchairs (9 children so you can imagine) M&P Pliko is the dogs balloonies.. I've just got my 8th pliko, i think... light, lays flat, carrycot attachment if you want one car seat base fits in with seat belt and car seat clips in.. not that i have ever used it, manoevrable and franky quite fabulous... if this one breaks.. I'll get another exactly the same..

oh.. both OH and I are happy pushing it.. I am 5'2 and he is 6'4

hulagirl79

I have been a nanny for 14 years and have used lots of prams/ buggies, i am also expecting my 1st baby.

Graco, mamas and papas are both very good, long lasting and sturdy and easy to fold and store not taking up too much room.
I have also used the (imo) very expensive and over priced bugaboo, I have found them too bulky with not enough storage underneath.
I have found a graco travel system for £250 which includes a car seat, rain cover, changing bag and foot muff it is suitable from birth-4years.

Good luck
xx

brazilianwax

I have a Stokke Xplory and I *love* it. I'm 5' 9" and this is the tallest pram you can buy. Everyone comments on how lovely it is to have baby up so high. It's been a godsend for saving my back. Only downside is that it doesn't fold up very small and I had to buy a new car to put it in, but it was completely worth it. Didn't look at any others as it was recommended by a trusted friend. LO sleeps in it during the day so I didn't bother with moses baskets etc. Bought new, but didn't pay full price. :money: With adaptors the car seat goes on it too (maxi cosi cabriofix).

My mum bought a M&P Pliko as a spare to keep at her house (about £30 on eBay 2nd hand). Baby takes her naps in there when at her house (pram mode). I've just taken the baby abroad with it (wasn't entrusting my Stokke to baggage handlers :eek:) and it was brilliant for travelling, and for use while away. But there's no way I could use it as my main pram. It's just too far down and would destroy my back. My LO is a very long baby too, and she won't be able to use the pram set up much longer, and is a little bit young to go for full pushchair. It's a pain in the ar5e to fold down (you need 3 more hands) but it was okay for a fortnight away.

Bella56

We have 2 LOs in a tiny flat so used a sling to begin with (Ergo baby carrier, also have Olives and Applesauce carrier) then moved on to Maclaren pushchair ASAP - worked great. We did try the Loola stroller but weren't impressed. Make sure to try Ebay - lots of great deals to be found, so long as you can collect by car.

PinkLipgloss

Hi there,

I have been looking at prams/pushchairs recently with OH as new baby on the way.

Having read loads of reviews we have finally decided on the Mama's and Papa's Sola.

It's suitable for newborns and is IMO very good value!

Counting_Pennies_2

I had a Mama & Papas with my first, a travel system, of pram, car seat and pushchair on the same chassis. I wouldn't have done it again though, as the pushchair attachment was really bulky. So I ended up buying a Maclaren XL and it is still in operation now, seven years down the road, with daily use.

Second time around I used the pram part of the travel system and then begged by DH for a Mountain Buggy, which I felt very proud pushing around the streets, and was by far the nicest pushchair I have ever pushed.

I had the Mountain Buggy in one car boot, and the Maclaren in the other.

hth

caelshorn

Wow! Thanks for your quick and honest opinions!:T

I LOVE the look of the Stokke. I always wonder why pram makers insist on putting our children at the same hight as exhaust pipes... but it's supposed to be fiddly to collapse, heavy and bulky. If I could just store it in a front porch I would totally go for it, despite the hefty price tag.

Thanks to your feedback, I've narrowed the handling test down to four:
The Stokke (just to convince myself to stop hankering after it)
Bugaboo Bee Plus (the best "Best Buy" on Which, although still pricey considering infant bed needs to be bought separately)
Mapas and Papas Sola (looks like a decent price and a decent pram)
Mountain Buggy (to see how it compares for off-road usage)

I'll be going in a few weeks (after my 20wk scan), but I'm glad I have a list now.

Thanks again! (and of course, all additional feedback will be devoured):)

building_with_lego

Bella56 wrote: »

We have 2 LOs in a tiny flat so used a sling to begin with (Ergo baby carrier, also have Olives and Applesauce carrier) then moved on to Maclaren pushchair ASAP - worked great. We did try the Loola stroller but weren't impressed. Make sure to try Ebay - lots of great deals to be found, so long as you can collect by car.

I was about to suggest an Ergo- I carried DS till he was 21 months in it, and would have carried on had he remained amenable to the idea. Excellent resale value too

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!