confused pram virgin

[mrsSmurf]

Hello im 21 weeks pregnant with my first baby and im really confused about prams/pushchairs. I really like the bugaboo cam but my dh thinks it's not worth the money. So:

I need something that will do ok over rough ground but most of the prams i have seen like this look like they will be too big for around town/in boot with shopping etc.

To solve this do i get something like the loola/quinny buzz for around town and a mamas and papas 03 sport for walks.

Or another option is get something like a silvercross sleepover that will do both?

[castleonthehill]

My friend has a britax b smart the four wheel version. It is great off road the seat goes from brith if you want a carry cot if you get the one that goes in the car its can sit up which is good if they don't like being flat after feeds. It also folds really well. The build quality is really good.

[pop1973]

Britax B Smart is the same as the Britax Vigour model. I wouldn't personally pay the amount for a brand new B Smart. What size car do you have, you need to think whether or not you can fit a large pushchair into your boot. Where are you mrsSmurf ? If you were close to me, you could see if my britax was the kind of thing you were after ?

I also have a M&P travel system sitting in the garage looking lonely and the bog standard Maclaren. I am also thinking of purchasing another off road wheeler at the moment.

[mrsSmurf]

Im in Wales pop. Our boot is a tidy size but awkward to get things into. Thats another reason for me to think about getting two prams.

[pop1973]

Hi mrsSmurf where are you in Wales, we not long moved from Newport, South Wales ?

[BertieBotts]

The Britax Vigour is very good - I have a Loola Up and love it but I have heard the Britax is similar, but better if that makes sense.

You can get 4 or 3 wheeled versions, so it might be good for off-road? Another bonus is it takes the Babysafe Sleeper which is the only carrycot which actually gets any decent safety ratings for use in a car.

[pop1973]

Another tip, don't think you have to buy something new and shiny because it is your first baby.

Usually the grandparents buy the first pram/pushchair.

However, you might find you do better getting a used one, if you don't like it then you don't feel so bad and awful about getting rid off, or leaving them to sit in a garage !!!

I think I have had 5 or 6 of them and now on my second. You often get a new one and think - ohh I wished I hadn't paid all that for it and ohhh I like what my friend has got, wished I gone for that instead !!

[mrsSmurf]

Pop im in Cardiff. My dad has kindly offered to pay for the pram but as dh said the bugaboo is too expensive I don't want my dad to think im taking advantage.

Bertie how do you find the loola up. I really like the look of it and heard it folds up small and is compatible with the maxi-cosi seat, which sounds handy.

[pop1973]

mrsSmurf, as you are in Cardiff, go along to a couple of the nursery shops, there used to one down between Penarth and Cardiff - near to the football ground. Also JL might have a nursery department, have a good look at the different makes, and always see if you can get what you want cheaper online or second hand.
Also go along to your nct sale in Cardiff - 22nd May and see what they have in their pram section for sale, have a chat with other mums there with prams and see what they have to say as well.

Good luck with the pregnancy

[ThisCharmingFlan]

would you buy a Bug Cam second hand? I got mine on Ebay and I've never regretted spending the cash on that rather than spend the same on a brand new middle-of-the-range pram.

Also have a light Maclaren for a tenner from a car boot sale so all bases covered.

Buy the quality brands as they'll last through many owners. I'll re-sell my Bug when DS has grown out of it even though it's taken quite a kicking

[mrsSmurf]

Thanks pop the new JL has a great selection just need to make my mind up if i need one pram or two lol.

[tvfriend]

Definately go to JL in Cardiff- you can book in with a nursery advisor (at least you can in London)and they will take you through all the prams (don't have to buy there...).
I live in london and spend a lot of time in Wales- Bugaboo is great in City streets and ok on London buses. Phil and Ted Sport is great on rough ground, the beach and Welsh hills! (and handy if you have another..)

[BertieBotts]

I love it, but some people on here hate it, so it's a gamble. If you can find anywhere you can try it out that is a good idea.

It folds up small and in one piece which is good compared to most rearfacing/from newborn pushchairs, but it's heavy when folded. If you are using it with the carseat though you would end up with just the frame folded which is quite small and light. (It is the seat unit which is heavy) The bebeconfort creatis fix car seat which goes with it is very good as well, but not sure if they sell it any more as bebeconfort was bought by maxi cosi. It does take a maxi cosi car seat.

I like the fact the seat fabric reverses and washes well and the hood is good. The straps are a bit rubbish for toddlers though, I put some reins on it instead for my DS once he turned about 1. It has D-rings so easy to attach. I like how the seat is high up compared to other pushchairs and I like the rear facing option. I never used a carrycot with it, just the seat unit parent facing on the flattest recline. Suspension pretty good too considering lack of air tyres.

I think it's fantastic for the money, and was happy to put up with the slight annoyances for the huge difference in price.

[champagnesupernova]

Also quinny buzz not that much diff in size to a cam
Do you mean a quinny zapp?
if so can only be used with car seat for first 6months
HTH
and good luck with the search

[mrsSmurf]

No it's not the size of the cam im worried about it's the price. I havn't been very clear have I. I want a cam as it's good around town and off road but it's a bit pricey. So I don't know if I should get something lightweight for in the car and around town and then a three wheeler for walking the dog.

Definatley the buzz I fancied just don't know how it would cope with rough terrain.

[mel2005]

what about a mountain buggy? they are great for around town and off-road, you can add a carrycot and they last for ever. buy a pre-2010 one for better quality. there are some great bargains on e-bay the best ones have black bits on the sides of the footplates and adjustable handles.

[tvfriend]

Mrssmurf- the cam isn't very good off road- it gets clogged really easily with mud, leaves etc. 3 wheelers much better on mud, sand, snow etc.

[tvfriend]

What about a Bugaboo Bee for town/car?

[mrsSmurf]

thats the first bad point I have heard about the cam don't feel so bad about not being able to have one now. I like the look of the bee are they ok from newborn?

[champagnesupernova]

Buzz quite good with rough terrain but you need to slime the wheels

[tvfriend]

I do really like the Cam and it is perfect around town but if you are going to be doing lots of muddy walks etc I think there are better. Yes, the Bee is OK from newborn. Where I live 90% of people used to have the Cam (or Phil and Ted) but there are more Bees appearing!

[mrsSmurf]

Maybe I could go for a bee then and something a bit sportier for our walks. thanks it's great to get more info.

[faddle]

to be honest, if you are going to buy a bugaboo bee and a then something sportier for walks, then you are paying as much as you would for a cam anyway. And as PP's have said, buy second hand, you will get a good deal and the cameleon hold their resale value incredibly well, so if you treat it right, you can use it for a year and only lose about £50 when you sell it on.
And you can tell your DH, yes, they really ARE worth the money. I've had a lot of prams, and you cant beat bugaboo for style, practicality, ease of pushing and good seat size. The small front wheels do struggle in the mud, but you can get what are called snow wheels for them - the front wheels pop off and the bigger air tyre wheels for the front pop on. Then it really is all terrain. Or you can swap the handle over and do big wheels first, or even fold the small wheels away totally for sand or rocky terrain, and pull it like a chariot. DH was seriously impressed by this option!

[mrsSmurf]

thanks faddle, whats it like to steer with big wheels at the front?

[faddle]

to be honest, if you are going to buy a bugaboo bee and a then something sportier for walks, then you are paying as much as you would for a cam anyway. And as PP's have said, buy second hand, you will get a good deal and the cameleon hold their resale value incredibly well, so if you treat it right, you can use it for a year and only lose about £50 when you sell it on.
And you can tell your DH, yes, they really ARE worth the money. I've had a lot of prams, and you cant beat bugaboo for style, practicality, ease of pushing and good seat size. The small front wheels do struggle in the mud, but you can get what are called snow wheels for them - the front wheels pop off and the bigger air tyre wheels for the front pop on. Then it really is all terrain. Or you can swap the handle over and do big wheels first, or even fold the small wheels away totally for sand or rocky terrain, and pull it like a chariot. DH was seriously impressed by this option!

[faddle]

no idea why it just sent that twice!
I wont lie about it, its bloody awful to steer with big wheels first, but you get used to it, and really, when you are off roading, fine steering like you need round town is secondary to having wheels that actually turn rather than being clogged up with mud, if you see what I mean. The chariot option is dead easy to steer, and you can just pull it up steps or over rocks.
I wouldnt even consider a Loola up off road, no way would it cope. If you are doing anything more than the occasional walk accross a field, then you need air tyres all round, and thats a cam with snow wheels, a three wheeler or a mutsy.
You can pick up a nice second hand cam for about £350 with the newer style chassis, and the snow wheels are about £40 extra. Other nice thing about the cam is that if you have a really muddy walk, you can pop the wheels off the chassis and chuck them in a carrier so you dont get your fabrics or boot all muddy. Then you can stick them in the bath for a scrub later.