Advice on prams/strollers?

[LuluHB]

My girls are 12 months apart so I needed something along the lines of what you're saying - toddler and newborn. I have the valco tri runabout (think that's it - the big side by side anyway) for proper walks. Its fantastic - comfortable for the girls, really easy to push, lots of lovely extras (sun and rain covers, pump etc), great storage. The downside is that it is heavy - 20kgs or so - and big when folded. So I got a tandem for shopping. DD1 hated it. Then bought a P&T - I hated it and so did DD2 once she got big enough to go in the toddler seat. I now have a steelcraft side by side stroller that I use for shopping. Cost $250 and its brilliant. Really lightweight, umbrella fold, good storage. Both the girls are really happy in it - individual reclining seats, individual hoods etc. Its not designed for newborns but FWIW I think it would be fine for a newborn. It reclines really quite flat - like you I have never had my newborns lying flat, except when DD2 was in the "cave" of the P&T.

[Paddywhacks]

I have the Phil and Teds sports and I love it!!

I do a lot of walking and I find it very easy to handle. It's light and folds up nicely plus there are soooo many accessories that you can buy for it to suit your individual needs.

The extra toddler seat you can buy for it is great and not too expensive. They also come in really funky colours!!

My friend has the Strider and she loves it. Just as easy to handle and has lots of extra room in the carriage compartment.

The only critisism I have for the P&T is that it's quite low to the ground and the storage compartment isn't very big. (I carry a lot of crap around!!)

[Glamourcide]

I now have a steelcraft side by side stroller that I use for shopping. Cost $250 and its brilliant. Really lightweight, umbrella fold, good storage. Both the girls are really happy in it - individual reclining seats, individual hoods etc. Its not designed for newborns but FWIW I think it would be fine for a newborn. It reclines really quite flat - like you I have never had my newborns lying flat, except when DD2 was in the "cave" of the P&T.

TBH that one sounds just about perfect for what I need - I will really only be using it for quick trips to the mall, I don't do much walking or exercise or anything like that so I don't really need one of those flash athletic ones, and I only use the storage baskets underneath to stick the newspapers in when I pick them up at the shops, so I'm not fussed at all about having restricted access to them...
and again I don't want to spend a fortune on something that in all likelihood won't get used that much, and will just be stuffed in the boot of the Commodore, so yeah, that stroller sounds great for my needs (lightweight, umbrella fold etc).
Do you remember the model name at all or just that it's a Steelcraft? They're good quality products too from my experience so yeah, sounds like I'm on a winner.

Thanks heaps for the advice, ladies, like I said this is all new to me and I live in a town that only has one baby store and very meagre stock at Big W and Kmart so I don't get much chance to compare things in person, only reading online reviews etc and crossing my fingers!! But your advice has been very, very helpful and it all makes perfect sense now, so I have a much better idea of what I'm looking for. Thanks girls

[LuluHB]

Steelcraft Duo Twin. And I'm telling lies. I just checked the website to get the proper name and it IS suitable from newborn - told you it laid back a long way

[Janie16]

I totally agree that Phil and Ted's prams are fantastic, especially as you can accommodate a newborn and toddler or two toddlers. We have the Sports model and it's great - really easy to assemble and fold away, easy to steer and the detachable cocoon is the best thing ever - my DD sleeps in at people's houses (just in the centre of a bed), rather than having to bring in the whole pram.