Can you get away without a pram/stroller for first 3/6 months
Looking around at prams/strollers the ones that you can use from newborn also seem the heaviest and largest. Is it feasible does anyone think to just use a sling for the first 3-5 months and then get a stroller later? I live in a flat, so the pram would stay downstairs in garage anyway and have a small car (Corolla), and use public transport a lot - so I really want a light and small stroller. I intend to use a sling (HUB type) where possible as that just seems more practical in the early days for us, so wonder how much use would I actually get out of a pram in the first 3-5 months and could I go without one and then just purchase one later? Anyone had any experience of doing anything like this?
We're doing this. Although hoping to use the sling until approx 12 months old before we get another pram. Mainly because DS is still in a pram and i dont want a tandom one.
We have a Maclaren Techno stroller, it lays back for a newborn but is very light, compact and folds/ unfolds easily. It's pretty affordable compared to other newborn to toddler strollers. You might be able to get away with a sling, but my DD hates them! We have 2 Baby Bjorn slings, one was a gift, one that we bought and she howls when we try to put her in. I think she doesn't like feeling so restrained. But if you can find a sling your baby likes it might work. Good luck!
You definitely can! I owned a pram but for the first 3 months almost exclusively used a sling. My pram generally got used to carry my handbag and my son's napy bag.
My son is nearly 11 months old (ETA and close to 11kg lol, and I have a shocking back and shoulders) and the only times the pram gets used is if we are going out for dinner, or to rock him to sleep at home. I would suggest not getting a pram straight away - you can always buy one if you need it once bubs is born.
Last edited by suse; October 19th, 2008 at 05:23 PM.
Defn think you can - i think its a great idea too in your situation. Infact i used my sling when DD#3 was first born, that when it did come time to use the pram (she would have been 10wks old +) that i forgot how to open/close it !!!!
I've had 2 prams and didn't use either of them ore than twice! Now that DS is a bit older I use an umbrella stroller but that only gets used once every few months.. He hates being stuck in the stroller and cries until he's out s now I only use it if its absolutely necessary!
Just a thought there are strollers out there that take a newborn. I have the steelcraft profile and it is a umbrella fold type stroller and can take a newborn. It cost about $170, and can be used when older two.
I have a fing sling and mai tai and bub does not like them to much she is not one for being wrapped or couped up tight.
I had DD in pram from very start - she slept in it at shops and friends houses and it was so much easier to shop knowing I could be hands-free. I know slings are awesome but I am still a little skeptical that you can do EVERYTHING like shopping with them. I find bending down difficult without tipping baby.
Anyway it sounds like others are very happy doing without one for awhile so good luck!
Definitely do-able! And bubs will love being carried as well. I carried all my three and they spent much more time being settled in the carrier than in a pram at that age. I loved my pram (an Emmaljunga) but when i was out and about a carrier was great if I really needed bubs to have a nap.... or if I wanted to go somewhere where bubs needed to be quiet... like a meeting.... or a place like a restuarant with not much room for a pram. Just make sure you get a comfy one!
Definitely. Slings are much easier for getting around. Especially when it's crowded, like shopping centres will be in the next few weeks before Christmas.
You can, BUT you need to think what sort of things you will be doing once bubs is born. Do you do any running, exercise or walking? If those are things that you do a lot (and not everyone does ) then you may find you need one as there are just some things you can't do with bubs in a sling/carrier. That said I have a hotsling and I love it to death and wish I had one for all 4 of my babies - I use it for shopping and everything. But for you on pubic transport then it would be ideal even beyond 6mths because I imagine it would be quite horrendous trying to get even the smallest stroller onto a crowed bus or train.
Oh re exercise, I walk for an hour with a friend of mine on Sunday mornings, and I often walk with Charlie in a sling on my back, and he weighs 15kgs now. It's great exercise and the best part is you build up your endurance as your baby grows!
Though Trillian is right about running. I can't imagine running with him on my back. Lol!
All mine hated slings and I bought a stoller from either Kmart or Big W. It was under $100 and folded up quite compactly. It saved my back and my sanity lol.
Thanks for all the replies - I think we will just plan on a sling and then can buy a pram/stroller if find is needed, is nice to know it might be do-able depending on how baby reacts to the sling. My main exercise is cycling so won't be taking the little one along with that for a while anyway. Planning to go back to the UK for a visit around five months for at least four weeks so the plan will be to see if can get away with sling till then and sort out a stroller/pram when get back. Will hire one for while in UK if necessary.
I say I could not really do without my stroller and pram...
I love carrying my ds in the sling/ergo, but there are many times when I love my pram. I use the pram for walking to the shops and around locally... My Ds is not good at sleeping in the afternoons, and I love to pop him down and take him for a long walk, and having him in the pram allows me to stop and find a tree and sit and have some time out, rather than in the carrier, and it gives me somewhere to put the groceries for the walk home... But I love the carrier for other things. I have a large peg perego, which I use from home and I bought an umbrella stroller from babyco for $135, which reclines well and folds right up and lives in the car.
And I must admit, when DS refuses to fall asleep there have been times when a good rock in the stroller round the house can do the trick.
I think that sounds like a great decision for you.
I did exactly the same thing, started with a sling and got a pram when needed. For us, the 'needed' came sooner than expected as our girl shot off the growth charts in the first few weeks, over the 95th %ile... I was unable to manage her in the sling for long periods quite soon after she arrived! (Needed a bit of baby carrying training perhaps!)
But, it worked, we managed to get a suitable pram really quickly and used pram and sling quite evenly.
Its definately doable, my 2nd child loves the sling, my first child hated it. She sleeps well in the sling even now however it does hurt my back as she gets heavier, also depends what you are doing, if you are shopping its a big awkward now and then. We dont use our large pram at all we only use our Maclaren Stroller which small and only 5 1/2kgs and umbrella stroller its great totally recommend the Quest when looking at strollers.
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Can you get away without a pram/stroller for first 3/6 months
) then you may find you need one as there are just some things you can't do with bubs in a sling/carrier. That said I have a hotsling and I love it to death and wish I had one for all 4 of my babies - I use it for shopping and everything. But for you on pubic transport then it would be ideal even beyond 6mths because I imagine it would be quite horrendous trying to get even the smallest stroller onto a crowed bus or train.
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