where to start on the pram????

*niptuckfan*

hi mums

i am 13 weeks pregnant due start of march, we move in a month so not overly thinking of buying stuff yet but do want to start the ball rolling so to speak....where do i start re a pram...it seems online there so much info and some prams are ridicolous prices, i am not totally against buying brand new but do also think if could get a decent second hand the extra money would be better spent elsewhere, we will only be having one baby so not like i would re use again for baby 2, really looking for any thoughts/or advice on what i should be thinking about for a pram

we will live in the town so ideally i will walk lots of places with baby and dog but also i have to be realistic there will be times i need to use the car so pram would have to fit in my clio

also do i want a pram and seperate car seat or one that does both?

We do have dog so would a 3 wheeler or other style be better suited to country/beach walks – but can these be used from birth?

we dont have stairs to get into the house and i never use public transport, we have a utility room that could house the pram when not in use so space isnt a massive issue

any thoughts would be gratefully received

GwylimT

If you want a car seat that clips onto a pram frame you need one that lays completely flat, young babies shouldn't spend more than two hours in a none flat seat.

Personally we never bothered with prams, we used a sling for all of ours.

*niptuckfan*

i am very interested in sling also as think that would be good out with the dog but do want a pram too, its so hard to know what i will want lol

Rambosmum

I bought a second hand bugaboo from ebay. It is in fantastic condition, came with loads of accessories and cost less than 1/4 price.

We have fairly active lifestyles and wanted something which fitted that. We visited friends who had a bugaboo and I got to try it out in real life, not on a shop floor (which being flat and smooth always makes them feel really easy to push). This was invaluable for me, how you buy a pram based on a trip to a shop I'll never know. And no way was I paying £800 for the bugaboo new!

GwylimT

Oh I forgot to say, whatever you buy never ever buy a second hand car seat unless you are very close to the person and trust them, eg a family member.

SmlSave

I got a complete travel system for £200 from a good friend

The grandparents bought us a umbrella pram, new for £40.

And a work college gave us a pram for free!

I found the three wheeler pram best for dog walking and rough terrain, it had proper air wheels and good suspension. The umbrella pram was great for town visits.

The main thing to think of when picking a pram is whether it will fit in your car and budget first.

Slings are amazing too but I'd highly recommended finding an expert to show you how to wear it properly - not a shop person

*niptuckfan*

thanks folks few friends have said the bugaboo would be great for my getting out with the dog and do see them go for decent price second hand.

CindySmithers

if you have a pram and car seat combo it is the best!! you do not want to be waking up your baby to switch them from car seat to pram at a young age. I found it much easier to take the infant car seat out and snap it in to the pram!! fast and easy. I used Britax everything. a bit pricey, but very safe!

Diamond_Orchid

What we did was go to Mamas and Papas and Mothercare etc and tried some out. Some you just won't get on with.
Then I'd go home and do some research on them, check they fit in your car etc, before going back and ordering or ordering online and be MSE and get cashback :beer: <- non -alcoholic!

Wellyboots6

We got a travel system cheaply from the green supermarket. We are going to mainly use a sling as we live in the sticks and so a pram isn't going to be used very often at all.
We went in after their baby event and there was a safety 1st travel system left on the shelf above the others on display, with a sale sticker still on it. I got a staff member to climb up and get it down for me and they sold it me at sale price despite the sale being over. Very nice of them!

We then bought another decent car seat from an Emma's diary offer. £40 down from £120.

We now have two case seats, one for each car, a pram we can use when needed and a sling we hope to use regularly. Think we spent £150 in total so well worth shopping around!