Pram advice

GwylimT

Remember a baby can only spend two hours in a car seat so really would you actually benefit from having one?

We got separate car seats and prams because it took half an hour to get to town, so then we would only have an hour and then half an hour back and it would her limit up for being in a car seat. For our little one at the moment we have bought the Britax travel cot so he can lay flat in the car as well and can spend as long in it as we like, but I think he will have out grown it before he is even out of hospital, so might be an unused one for sale soon.

Walk with them before you buy them, we struggled as we aren't midgets and found it difficult to get a pram that we didn't kick every time we walked. Test to see if it fits in the car in the car boot if you have a car. Can the cover come off, or is it dark enough to hide stains?

Test the handling, shove something heavy in it and push it around with one bag, does it move well, do you think you would be confident enough in the shops, dodging pedestrians etc?

kerri_dfw

Thanks Gwylim We're going to test some out on Saturday, early I know but I like to plan (I get a bit control freak about these things). My sister is telling me I should get an all in one with car seat, but I really don't think that's for us. Did you find moving baby from car to pushchair woke them lots? Or did they fall back asleep if handled gently?

Gillyx

That really depends on the baby :P mine would ALWAYS wake but I know of others who wouldn't so it's a wait and see situation

There is no harm in buying just a pushchair at all, but make sure if it's from birth it lays flat. Also if you'd like baby to face you, not all strollers will do this. x

kerri_dfw

Thank you Gilly I've just tried to have this conversation with both my mother and my sister. They both said get the full travel system, both my nephews were fine being in the car seat all day...blah, blah, blah. Spoke to OH and he said, get what you think is best we earn enough to buy differently later and can sell the one you don't like. I love my other half he knows exactly the right things to say.

I feel a lot more informed about pushchairs having read this thread however, thank you everyone.

fluffysox

kerri_dfw wrote: »

Thanks Gwylim We're going to test some out on Saturday, early I know but I like to plan (I get a bit control freak about these things). My sister is telling me I should get an all in one with car seat, but I really don't think that's for us. Did you find moving baby from car to pushchair woke them lots? Or did they fall back asleep if handled gently?

We originally bought a Silvercross 3D travel system (free Silvercross Ventura carseat) I had an emergency c-section and the pram was a nightmare to fold down and to put back up (due to lack of strength after surgery it was impossible for me) Also I couldn't have lifted carseat and baby out so was much easier to move baby into pram. Additionally my 9lb 10 oz newborn barely fit in the carseat. Thankfully mothercare agreed to a 90% refund. I bought a traditional pram (Silvercross sleepover from ebay)- also used for naps in the day- and separate carseat. Then later a lightweight buggy. Friends of ours bought the mothercare My4 I think its called with maxi-cosi carseat and got 18 months use out of it. They would still recommend it but now have gone for an I-candy double buggy (via ebay) as they have a newborn too.

Now we are expecting another (also October) so debating whether to bother with a double buggy lol.

dizziblonde

I've always bought the travel system with carseat - but then got irritated with the car seat within a couple of months and swapped to a fixed in the car group 0+/1 one. They weigh a flipping tonne and are like the most arkward shape on the planet to carry around - you have these women carrying them around like they weigh nothing and then my arms coming out of their sockets in pain.

Not having any more kids but if I was I WOULD be keeping my "not buying the carseat bit" vow next time.

Sus1e

If I was buying a pram again, I would decide which one I wanted based on the advice given by other posters, and then get it second hand off eBay or local Facebook selling pages!

Most mums look after their prams so you can get good quality second hand.

As for car seats in travel systems - for me it was a must as both my boys wake up at the slightest disturbance!

kettlenic

Thanks for all the replies!!

I dotn have a free weekend till the 6th July but have now been reccomended :

the Graco quattro travel system delux
The Quinny
and the mamas and papas sport

anyone else used these? pro and cons welcome...

tiny_tear

Another vote for the Uppababy Vista like Helen above...

Massive basket, carry cot suitable for overnight sleeping, faces in and out - only just moved my daughter out at 17 months because she kept wriggling and wanted to look forward.

has car seat adapters and many shops will make a deal with the car seat

flyingmamma

have had 10 buggies....bugaboo my fav..good all round pram well made and comfy to push and sit it!