Baby Bargains thread

smurfette84

I have a Babystyle Oyster and love it. We did lots of test drives before we decided on this one. It is a good all rounder - good on dirt tracks and also in town. It is not a budget pram but it is not the most expensive either - we shopped around and managed to get a good deal by going to a small local pram shop (they agreed to give us the maxi cosi or britax car seat for free). If there were any negatives I would say that the shopping basket isn't massive (but I bought buggy hooks from Amazon which solved that problem) and the suspension could probably be a bit better (going up and down a few steps can be a bit bumpy for baby - thankfully he seems to quite enjoy it! Lol!).

silverchair

vickynleon wrote: »

i had the silvercross 3d for my first and i hated it and everyone else i know who has had one hated it to. i know they have adjusted it since i had it but i still wouldnt recommend it. i had the babystyle oyster this time around and my son it 8 months now so been using it since then and i love it, soo easy to use and light weight. the m+p sola is very similar but comparing the both the hindges on the oyster looked safer and sturdier. its a good price to for the oyster compared to most pushchairs i cant fault it at all hope this helps x

Yes, the silvercross 3d is truly awful. Some reasons why:
-Really heavy
-Difficult to fold
-Difficult to steer one handed as the handles are too far apart (didnt realise the importance of that until I had my LO)
-There isnt a separate carrycot which I didnt think was important at the time.
-Time consuming to put together
-My LO who is just over 4months has outgrown the carrycot already even though he is small for his age.
-Quite wide too so doesnt fit through my front door whereas my new one does

Theres loads more negs if I have to think about them
I ended up just using my baby carrier (baby bjorn...fantastic) until I got a second pram

buffy1981

Thank you everyone I ordered the 3d yesterday on the mothercare babyplan, I'll be cancelling at weekend. I saw some ladies say the obaby zezu was good and at the min mothercare are offering the free carseat. I will take a look at all your recommendations, plenty of homework for me :-)

Chopsie&Chelvis

silverchair wrote: »

Yes, the silvercross 3d is truly awful. Some reasons why:
-Really heavy
-Difficult to fold
-Difficult to steer one handed as the handles are too far apart (didnt realise the importance of that until I had my LO)
-There isnt a separate carrycot which I didnt think was important at the time.
-Time consuming to put together
-My LO who is just over 4months has outgrown the carrycot already even though he is small for his age.
-Quite wide too so doesnt fit through my front door whereas my new one does

Theres loads more negs if I have to think about them
I ended up just using my baby carrier (baby bjorn...fantastic) until I got a second pram

I agree with all of the above about the 3d - I had massive bruises across my thighs for the whole time I was using it, because it's so heavy and hard to fold to put in the car boot. I now have a Brevi Twin and even with 2 children in it, it is still lighter than the 3d!

GreatBigBookcase

buffy1981 wrote: »

Can anyone please recommend a pram? its my first baby and I have no idea.
I would like a travel system and the baby to face me, I dont currently drive so I would be walking everywhere. I currently have the Silver Cross 3D on order but the reviews are mixed.
I dont have any pregnant friends or new mums so no one to ask advice from. Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated TIA x

I've got the Mamas and Papas Zoom which might suit your requirements - it comes with a carry cot and pushchair which can be positioned to either face you or face the other way. It's also a pretty good price compared to other travel systems, I think. I managed to get it for 250 pounds in the Xmas sale, but I think it's on offer again at the moment for 299. But you do need to buy the car seat separately.

Have to admit to not using it with BabyKay yet as s/he's due to arrive by c-section on the 29th, but I thought it worth mentioning to you. From playing around with it in the house it's pretty easy to attach the different bits and is easy to collapse. Moves easily and can turn it just using one hand, but probably not the lightest on the market when collapsed. The back wheels do seem wide and as I don't have a car I'm a bit concerned about getting on buses with it, but from looking obsessively at other people's prams when I'm out and about, most other travel systems seem very large too.

Good luck deciding! There's an overwhelming choice out there...I was struck with indecision paralysis for ages!

twinklyeys

buffy1981 wrote: »

Can anyone please recommend a pram? its my first baby and I have no idea.
I would like a travel system and the baby to face me, I dont currently drive so I would be walking everywhere. I currently have the Silver Cross 3D on order but the reviews are mixed.
I dont have any pregnant friends or new mums so no one to ask advice from. Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated TIA x

I cannot recommend the Emmaljunga enough, it has fabulous suspension, a proper carrycot when the baby is little and is larger than most so the baby is in it longer. Lovely soft mattress for baby to lie on. Both the carrycot and pushchair face you. I have a Maclaren XLR also but only used that when using the car. The Emmaljunga is a dream to push (I have pushed many prams as was a maternity nurse) but I understand it is not for everyone, especially those that have cars as it is bulky and heavier than the compact prams. I just cannot believe how tiny some of these travel systems are, my wee one would have been out of most already and he is only 15 months but tall.
The things you really need to look at are:
Your space for storage
What uses ie car, long walks, travel
How easy to fold, dismantle and put up
Height, check handles for comfort
Suspension, tip the pram to see how it tips, quite a few are horrible as stiff and heavy. You will use that movement going up and down pavements.
Tyres, air are better than plastic as give a smoother softer ride.
Size, how long you intend to use before move to buggy as some are very small and will only last until the bay is about 12-18 months.
I would suggest going to a pram center and playing with them instore, don't be afraid to push, dismantle, lift, put back up. Make a short list then come home and check reviews online.
I hope this helps a bit.

PS I bought the Zezu in the New Year but returned it as it was too small for my son who was only over a year. I must admitt I was v impressed with it, lovely to push, seat unit goes both ways. The hood could have been bigger and the seat unit definitely needed to be longer, it will not last if you have a tall child.

lolly_896

Having had a few prams over my time - I would like to say never again for the Silvercross 3D

i think i'm going for a Silvercross Wayfarer this time, they've just released it (Today) and it looks lovely, sturdy, lightish, travel system compatible. My Mum had one for me and brother - and nostalgia has hit her and she kindly offered to buy baby one

andthethreebears

Hi buffy, I have a three week old baby and like you don't drive.
We have a bugaboo cameleon 3 - not very MSE but love it so far.
Very comfortable ride for baby, sturdy, easy to steer, easy to get on/off bus, suspension makes up/down curbs smooth.
They sell for a decent price secondhand too so you could make most of your money back when you no longer need it.

Nasyas

andthethreebears wrote: »

Nasyas where did you find the baby bjorn bouncer for £50? I'm desperate for one but haven't seen it less than £80ish anywhere!

w123kid wrote: »

a few months back mothercare had the black n silver on sale think it was 25% off but then there was an extra 20% code off to which brought the price right down.

Really great buy as the baby bounces himself and will suit him/her from birth till 18months +

I brought it from mothercare when the black and grey one (which happened to be the one I wanted anyway!) was on clearance for £57.50 - there was a 25% off code at the time too so I ended up paying only £43! Best deal at the moment I can see is for £65 (see my earlier post)

Agree with w123kid. It was well worth the buy for me. I also use a Fisherprice Rainforest bouncer when visting my mums - that has a few more things to help stimulate the baby and is fun and colourful so would also recommend that for anyone who wants something a bit more techie!

Catriona_P

silverchair wrote: »

Yes, the silvercross 3d is truly awful. Some reasons why:
-Really heavy
-Difficult to fold
-Difficult to steer one handed as the handles are too far apart (didnt realise the importance of that until I had my LO)
-There isnt a separate carrycot which I didnt think was important at the time.
-Time consuming to put together
-My LO who is just over 4months has outgrown the carrycot already even though he is small for his age.
-Quite wide too so doesnt fit through my front door whereas my new one does

Theres loads more negs if I have to think about them
I ended up just using my baby carrier (baby bjorn...fantastic) until I got a second pram

Nodding along to this! I had the 3D (not by choice, a relative sold it to us as she'd got something else, now I know why!) but due to lack of finances I struggled on with it. My OH managed to break the chassis - the basket underneath got caught on the footbar at the front and being a man he just forced it until the metal bar of the chassis just snapped! I used that as a good excuse to get rid of it! But then unfortunately ended up with the Silver Cross Pop which is bad in its own way (apparently seats an up-to 4 year old, my small sized just-turned 2 year old hangs off it as the seat isn't deep enough to sit in and reach the foot bar). I was going to buy a new pushchair but she's almost at the age when she can walk places so won't be bothering.

After 2 bad Silver Cross pushchairs, I'd never recommend them to anyone!