Best stroller, pram, pushchair, whatever...

I had an old Graco travel system which saw me through my two youngest sons. It was cheap and got us through just fine. I recently gave it away on freecycle and the woman who picked it up was thrilled with it. Now Jack has just a Maclaren umbrella stroller we got from Toys R Us.

I've been looking around myself and , by the way, isn't everything cheaper in the US?!?  Drives me nuts....  Oh well, moving on...

I hear the bugaboo is the latest thing, but it is expensive and I'm not so crazy about the colors, for me anyway.  I'm sure it's great.

I do have my expensive one that I like and that's the Silver Cross.  I know it's expensive and like Stacey, we're hoping for another one soon after as I'll be 38 at delivery of our first one in August.  So, I'm still on the fence.

Where has everyone been looking for cots, etc?  We've looked in Mothercare and Mamas and Papas so far.

For a buggy?!  Holy hell!     I didn't even realise they made any that were that dear.  Dang. 

FWIW, we have the Graco travel system as well.  Pretty inexpensive and fit the bill perfectly.  Used it on Aillidh and now on Roisin.  It's still in great shape.  It's going to the Edinburgh Council Furniture Initiative after we're through with it and I give it a thorough clean.

Then went for the Maclaren when Aillidh got old enough.  It's been a dream in the urban setting - easy peasy to fold down and even carry over the shoulder, to manouvre w/one hand, over all sorts of surfaces.  Hell, it's even been on a hike in Argyll! 

 

The twin buggy you see in the photo is also a Maclaren, snagged it for £50 from a pal.

So here's a REALLY dumb question for Expat, when you use the old buggy with Roisin, is that when you're with someone else to push Aillidh in the pushchair?  I KNOW it sounds dumb, but just thinking of our logistics down the road....

So here's a REALLY dumb question for Expat, when you use the old buggy with Roisin, is that when you're with someone else to push Aillidh in the pushchair?  I KNOW it sounds dumb, but just thinking of our logistics down the road....

Yep, or when one of us has Roisin on her own.  We also have Aillidh's original Maclaren pushchair, still going strong, for when one of has her out on her own. 

A pushchair is going to be one of your most important purchase in the UK.  And you'll probably own more than one before you're through. 

Some things to look for: 

Swivel wheels that lock-you can't maneuver around town without swivel wheels, but make sure you lock for any footpath/rough terrain type walking.

Adjustable handles-you'll kill your back if the handle isn't right.  Don't buy a pushchair without pushing it first.

Weight-go for the lightest one you can-those things get heavy lugging them in and out of cars, on and off busses and up and down stairs.

The baby must be able to lie flat at first-look for one 'suitable from birth'.

Ease of setting up, putting down-does it take an engineering degree?  Six hands?  Could you do it with a baby on your hip if you had to?

Front facing/Rear facing-when babies are teeny tiny it's good to be able to see them and them see you.  When they're a little older they like to look at the world.

Colors and washability.  Go for one with stuff that comes off and goes in the washer, if there's a removable pad that you can buy extra, get it.  Dark colors hide the dirt better. 

Maneuverability.  Go to the shop and try it out.  It should go in a straight line without too much pressure, but should be able to get through small spaces and around old ladies.  Not only will huge prams be hard to push, but they won't fit in a lot of lifts.

Shopping.  You'll need one with a good sized shopping basket at the bottom that you can get things in easily.  Try fitting a pack of diapers in. 

Sun hood/Rain Canopy.  If you do any sort of walking you'll need the rain canopy, and one with a sun canapopy that comes right down is a must. 

Personally, I'd go with the best one I could afford.  It's a good investment.

The Bugaboo covers all those bases, just so you know and in addition you can use either the small wheels at the front for city use or you can use the big tyres at the front for 4 x 4 terrain   Great post Mindy.

I have to say when we purchased this pram it was strictly for it's functionality, dh and I both thought it was quite wierd looking, of course it grew on us. I think the main difference is this is a solid built tool, it's actually more like a piece of machinery.

What other prams are you new mums looking at? Maybe there's something better out there now, I'd love to check them out.

For a buggy?!  Holy hell!     I didn't even realise they made any that were that dear.  Dang. 

when we were looking I remember seeing some that were over £1000!!!!

Good Lord! They had better be diamond encrusted for that

Mindy, THANK YOU so much for all of that.  I just looked at the Babies R Us page and they have the one I want, so I will take Rich to Woking and test it out.  I read the description and saw the pictures and so far so good on everything you mentioned.


LOL, diamond crusted with their initials of course

1000?!?  Yikes!!  I was hoping to get everything we need for that, but I am not sure if we can...  I feel the need to have that nursing chair that glides with the gliding ottoman   My husband did try it out and he loves it too!

You can probaby get all you want on that budget.  The pram is a big spend though. Don't forget Ebay, there is lots of brand new stuff on there as well as used, at good prices.

Except if she gets the glider, we are talking another £400!  I have seen it for £300 at the lowest

Ikea has a lot of stuff too.  I don't know how good it is, but my friend had a cot from there and said it was fine.

Yeah you might have to forgo the glider unless someone buys it as a present     I don't know anyone who had a glider or any kind of rocking chair.  There is so much baby paraphanelia you COULD spend money on but could cope equally well without.