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Can I mange with a large and slightly unwieldy pushchair?

12 replies

speedyboots · 16/01/2013 17:49

I'm due in May and trying to get my head around things we need. We live in the middle of a big city and have no car, so I am totally reliant on public transport (under/overground trains mainly). Our flat is on the second floor and the lift is very small. I'm hoping to be out and about a lot with the baby and want to be able to go into shops and cafes etc, and of course still use public transport.
We've been given someone's old pushchair - it comes with a carry cot so is suitable from birth. It is very solid and has good suspension so will be great for walking. However, it is very wide and it is quite hard to fold it; the carry cot sits on top of the seat and you have to remove both, and the folding mechanism is pretty sticky too so it takes a lot of jiggling. Trying to bring shopping home too would be a nightmare.
My question is, is it realistic to try to manage for the first six months or so with it, and then buy something lighter weight without a carry cot, or is it stupid to make my life even more difficult during a very stressful time, just to save a few hundred quid?

Sorry if this is long and boring - thanks for reading and any input welcome!

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Ihateparties · 16/01/2013 18:04

Personally I always think it's worth the money to have something which suits your lifestyle if you can get your hands on it but equally I know plenty of people of an ' if it has wheels and moves forwards it will do the job and anything else would be a needless expense' school of thought. It's really up to you and your own sensibilities as whether you think it will be worth spending money or not. In general every time you leave the house unless you plan to use a sling too (which in your circumstances sounds like a pretty good option btw) then you will be taking your pushchair every time you step out of the door. This is something to have a good think about, imagine conducting your life with the pushchair you have been given in tow...

Questions like will you need to fold it for public transport etc. crop up. What you have doesn't sound ideal if you do. Will you have to fold it to store inside your home or can you leave it up.

People vary in their acceptance of these inconveniences :-)

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5madthings · 16/01/2013 18:07

I think you could manage but for the stress if trying to fold it and deal with crying baby etc it would be worth investing in one more suited to your needs for your sanity. Or get sling for the first few months?

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speedyboots · 16/01/2013 20:36

Thanks for the input and useful advice! Definitely planning to get a sling too but trying to imagine carrying heavy shopping too. Will keep thinking it over...

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Purpletoes · 16/01/2013 20:43

If using a sling and getting shopping I would recommend buying a shopping trolley so you don't have to carry shopping as well.

It would get very annoying having to dismantle a tricky buggy everyday.

I don't drive and walk everywhere. I have a sling -or 3- which I use on different occasions but I also have a pushchair the vista which I love if not taking the bus and walking for miles it also has a mahoosive basket for shopping.
I always have a sling that folds neatly in the buggy for when DS gets fractious.
The slings are also good for breastfeeding on the go.

Hth

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VinegarDrinker · 16/01/2013 20:51

We used sling exclusively for 6 months at least, (also live in a flat, in a city, with no car). For weekly shopping I have a decent rucksack and for bigger/heavier stuff internet shopping is your friend.

We still use the sling 95% of the time (fir convenience, mainly) at nearly 2.

I personally wouldn't fork out for an expensive buggy until you know how much you need to use it.

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blossombath · 16/01/2013 20:54

If you are already worrying about it then it might not be for you, but if you're in a big city near well stocked shops, could you wait and see?

We were given a buggy which, while light and great from six months, was a bit heavy and clunky with it's carry cot. It also, after serving two children before ours, broke when DS was just six weeks old. We bought a new pram and felt much more confident in our choice because we'd had six weeks with a buggy already and knew exactly what had annoyed us and what had turned out to be not such a big deal. We chose one which didn't have a carry cot (but reclined fully, so suitable from birth) so it was lighter and easier to fold. But I am really pleased we did have the carry cot pram at first since it was nice to have our wee newborn snuggled cosily in a proper cot iyswim.

So essentially, I would keep your big pram, get yourself a sling, and reassess when DC is here and you have a more accurate idea of what you will need.

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blossombath · 16/01/2013 20:57

PS we are also city dwellers, no car, in a flat, with a couple of slings as well as our pram, so i know you can manage with a clunky pram if you need to, but glad I no longer have to.

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hazeyjane · 16/01/2013 20:58

I would get something like this. They are suitable from birth, easy to push and very very easy to fold if necessary.

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blossombath · 16/01/2013 21:02

hazey that is what we now have, though I would have felt a bit unhappy putting pfb in it at birth without a carry cot as it does wobble. They have their own carry cot but I thought it looked a bit small and not as good quality as the one we had (micralite). Though one can get a Graco soft and fit it in the city mini.

Sorry, all a bit OT!

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Tiggywunkle · 16/01/2013 22:32

To be honest, I would start to look at potential other options. I think the one I would maybe lean you towards is the Stokke Scoot which is suitable from birth, faces both ways and is small and easy to carry. Its a one handed fold too. Or a Baby Jogger City Mini as has been suggested. The Bugaboo Bee is a popular one for city dwellers. Long term consider throwing some money at a Babyzen YoYo. Its fabulous and is perfect for people with stairs and go on public transport.

I have to say online grocery shopping is also the way to go :) Finding enough time between feeds, nappy changes, etc can be fun and games. Believe me, get someone to deliver for you and use the time to play instead :D

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peanutMD · 16/01/2013 22:46

I'm in the same position as you, we have a Babystyle Luxe for walking but I'm currently looking for a City Mini to use on public transport.

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speedyboots · 19/01/2013 14:26

Thanks for the input - I appreciate it!

Keep changing my mind, as I think the anal organised part of me wants to find the perfect one and have it ready and waiting for when DC arrives. However, I think, as some people suggest, giving it a go with this one is a good idea and then at the very least I will have a better idea of what I do and don't want. Also if I can wait until around 6 months, then I will have more options and be able to save money by not getting an add-on travel cot. I will definitely have a sling too and try to do my shopping online! In the meantime, I have been doing some research; the Bugaboo Bee and the Baby Jogger Versa both look like great options, but I will check out the other ones too.

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