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Can I expect my travel system to last for next child?

19 replies

kimmykimmykim · 08/05/2014 14:26

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy a Mothercare Expedior Travel System for £250 for my 1st baby due in October.
Obviously it's quite a cheap system anyway but my question is can I expect it still to be in a condition once im done with it that I would keep for any future children that may come along? Or is it more realistic that it would be done with it anyway and ill want a new one for any future children?
I'm happy with the above system in terms of quality but my question is because I'm trying to decide on either getting a nice girly colour for my little girl that is due or if its likely that I will be keeping it or a second child then I will make the sensible choice and get a unisex colour.
My husband had said get a unisex one and we will save it but I'm just not sure after 2+ years of use that it will be something ill want to save anyway! And I like the purple one :-) Let me know your thoughts - thanks x

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TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 08/05/2014 14:27

Yes, especially if you move onto a stroller within the first year or so.

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ThereIsIron · 08/05/2014 14:37

Ours (unisex colours) lasted all 3 kids (2 girls 1 boy) over about 11 years.

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IdaClair · 08/05/2014 14:38

I sold my travel system within weeks of it being bought for me. In the experience of my circle of friends no one used the travel system idea much at all. So I expect it would last fine as it gets little use! But you would need to think of storage solutions. I also know of people getting things out of loft eaten by mice or out of garage covered in mould. You will also need to look at the car seat component and it's use by dates - car seats expire, and new safety standards and regs come in all the time. Equally, car seats need to be replaced after an accident, no matter how minor, so you would need to think how various components of the system would work individually and could they be replaced if need be.

The other thing to consider is if having children close together and using an infant car seat or pushchair the older one could well still be using it when the new baby arrives, I should imagine. You would need a plan for this.

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IdaClair · 08/05/2014 14:39

Equally you can put children with all types of genitals in all colours. Honestly. Nothing happens.

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stargirl1701 · 08/05/2014 14:39

We bought a a Stokke Xplory and we are planning to use it for DC2 who is due in Aug. It'll be 2 years old by then. We went with the colour red.

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bronya · 08/05/2014 14:42

I'm going to reuse the buggy I have for DS, for DC2. It will have had two years of use, but will be fine. So a travel system would be no problem to re-use.

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rowna · 08/05/2014 14:42

We bought quite a big bulky thing then went to a stroller (much lighter and easier to maneouvre) at around 9 months. So yes the travel system did last because we stopped using it fairly early on but we went through two strollers with the first because we walk everywhere and the wheels wore out.

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stargirl1701 · 08/05/2014 14:46

Ours has been used daily for the last 20 months. We switched from the carrycot to the seat but not to a different stroller.

I must admit we are the only parents I know from the baby groups still using our original travel system. Most people switched theirs. We just haven't seen or pushed anything we feel is as good as the Stokke.

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spottydolphin · 08/05/2014 14:47

Why can't you put a boy in a purple buggy??

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kimmykimmykim · 08/05/2014 14:50

Brilliant, thanks for this advice as being a first time mum I had no idea what to expect really.
IdaClair - thanks, I do know you could put any gender in any colour and nothing terrible will happen to their health and safety! :-) But most mums I know not put a boy in a girls colour if it was easily avoidable, which it is.
Based on what everyone has said and I hadnt really factored in that I might not even use the travel system for the full 2-3 years it can be used for, I will go with a unisex colour and keep hold of it I think. Storage wise, we have a summer house which is quite a big building at the bottom of the garden, just used for storing things anyway.

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kimmykimmykim · 08/05/2014 14:53

Sorry spottydolphin, not judging anyone else that would put a boy in purple but I personally see it as quite girly and would rather have a colour like black or red for unisex use. I'd worry about people asking me if my little boy was a girl or assuming. That might be silly but like I say, I can easily avoid that by just selecting black or red so thats what i'd do.

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WaitingForMe · 08/05/2014 15:17

I have a purple buggy which DS goes in. Personally I see buggies as a bit like handbags - some people get the appeal, others don't but it really isn't about carrying wallets and babies around.

Sensible people just use pockets and slings Wink

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 08/05/2014 15:35

Can you get colour packs for it? looks like the colour isnt over masses of the buggy just hood etc. Maybe you would only need t replace part of it if you really cant face using purple for a boy.

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kimmykimmykim · 08/05/2014 15:50

Thanks ThinkIveBeenHacked - ive just looked and you're right, the colour pack is separate so I could indeed refresh it later on for an extra £50 anyway. The guy in the shop did say because its a cheaper travel system the material isnt as good so maybe it will need replacing in the future anyway so good to know that option is there. The purple is back on! :-)

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NaturalBaby · 08/05/2014 15:59

Mine lasted through 3 kids and I sold it on in decent condition. I did end up buying, selling and using several travel systems (ended up needing a double), strollers and slings so nothing got completely worn out.

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rowna · 08/05/2014 20:36

Yes I didn't realise. Depending on how you manage the huge great thing with pump up wheels was great for the woods and the beach. For heaving into the boot, getting round shops, or getting on a train, a stroller is a lot easier. You can't use them until they can sit up but most people I knew went to them asap.

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beccajoh · 08/05/2014 20:42

Colour aside, I would expect a pushchair to last more than one child.

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imip · 12/05/2014 06:38

Just an obervation, but I notice that the 'cheaper' type travel systems didnt last so long with friends. I've seen mclarens last really super well, but people did eventually abandon travel systems as someone mentioned above for mclarens way before that babay turned one.

It's made me think travel systems are a little rubbish? It is because you need to put a car seat in it? I just wondered whether a really good maclarens would do the job, saving you £250?

I personally had a bugaboo and a phil and teds sport. I had 4 dcs in 5 years and two months, so in some combination they were always in use. When dc4 was about 18 months, I had to concede that my buggies had given up the goat, I now have a cheap maclarens.

We walk everywhere and quite far (london), so particular set-ups may suit particular regions. However, I've oft wondered why people get travel systems. If you are looking to save money, would getting one of ebay be an idea, and a nice sling? Good luck, exciting times ahead Smile.

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imip · 12/05/2014 06:40

Oh, just noticed something above, some maclarens can be used from birth. Mine can, I think it is a quest....

It's just that looking back after having my dcs, I do see how much cheaper it could all be done, saving money for other completely lovely baby things :-)

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