Prams!

[MummyTummy]

I am just researching different prams and I would like to hear rave reviews or not from everyone about their experiences. I know this seems a bit of an open request by not telling you what I am looking for, but the truth is I need to figure that bit out!!

I currently have a 17 month old who will be 21 months when my next child is born in May, but at the moment he is pretty much refusing to use the pram and I am pushing it around for no reason while he runs along beside or gets carried. I am a huuuuuge fan of slings so when the next is born I will most likely be using a sling so don't necessarily need a pram for two, but of course this may be a handy feature. But if it is a feature it can't sit too high as I am not very tall (I have seen the ABC pram with the toddler seat which sits so high I can't see over it!!)

I do a reasonable amount of walking, sometimes on quite rough terrain so it needs to be fairly robust I guess. Price is no object unless you are talking about the $10,000 diamond encrusted one!!

Thanks in advance everyone. Like I said, all experiences with your prams, good and bad!! I will ask for more specific information as I narrow my search down!

[Ellee05]

We have a P&T Vibe and love it. While we don't have 2 children... yet I love the fact that the oldest child is always at the front and the weight is always at the centre as opposed the toddler seats the sit on the front of the pram. But just a thought, if your son isn't into the pram and you are going to use a sling could you use a pram with one of those skate board things fitted for DS to stand on?

DD just woken, will come back if I think of anything else. Good Luck.

[squidipa]

o.k i have the twin techno pram i bought for joshie and bub when born it lays semi flat and came with storm cover and boot covers and infant head inserts. Its good i like it and being mclaren i expect it to last and be worth the 600 it costs. Whilst this has a so called large canopy it really doesnt compared to my other pram. It fits in standard door ways and is light and easy to move around. every strap is adjustable crouch and shoulders. Came with two bottle holders to at back of pram. Whilst it is padded it does not compare top my graco. Its great as a twin pram/stroller But once again i prefer my graco for overall happiness of child and comfort but as a twin pram its good i have had ds 4 in there with josh many times and fold up small.

we do also own a single pram that cost me 500 about 5 years ago but u can still get them i believe, its called a graco coach rider.. this is a stroller convertible pram type thing. While it is big and bulky as such it does not substitute on comfort we used this for ds whom is now 4 and joshie as a bansinette and as a pram and it is in as new condition still. It came with a boot cover and has a large over sized canopy. If i am going out for a long day this is the pram i take on trains and for walks. Whilst it is NOT a 3 wheel or off road pram it is great it can be moved around so child faces you or away. EVERY bit is washable. The large canopy is fab fab fab ya can put suncream on but having a large canopy really does help. If you look at my profile pics i have a pic up there of it. It lays flat and has several positions for sitting up. Its designed for larger kids too as you can take off the pram bumber bar. Its a very well made pram. You do need a large boot to fit like a comodore or magna. But for comfort i have not seen better that i would spend my cash on. The pram seat fully comes off of the base of frame too. MY best every purchase.

When bub come son long trips we will use sling and put joshie in the graco. For short trips use the twin techno

hope this helps MT

[*Beema*]

For me it is the Bugaboo, 18 months on and I haven't even thought about going out and buying a brolly stroller to replace it These are the reasons why I love my Bug!!!

• The pram is very light, 8-9kg, with each component is less than 5kg, there isn't one that matches it weight for weight with all the plus's below.
• Easy to steer, even one handed
• Once you know how to fold and un-fold, it one easy movement, quick and simple
• Rear and Forward facing
• We used ours as our basinette for our bubs, she slept in it for 5-6 months before she put her feet on the edge, so for us it was great that her "bed" comes with us anywhere, she sleept in our room at night, then I just pushed her out in the morning.
• We can even use our Angel Care sound and movement monitor in it - but I asume you will probably co-sleep again so not really important
• The bassinett or seat clicks in - simple to put on/take off
• The large tyres are inflatable - one of the big negatives about the Strider - crappy on any surface other than nice flat smooth pavements, they don't have any "give" iykwif, making the ride not a smooth, I take my Bug "off road!!!"
• The Bugaboo has suspension which is also adjustable, makes a big difference in comfort for bubs.
• Hunt around for a good deal. The RRP was $1599, I got 10% off plus an $150 instore voucher I could used for anything - I bought Bug accessories
• I have ignore the "status symbol" that apparently comes with a Bug, I bought it for so many other reasons then who else had one. And we have gotten so much use and value out of it, with no desire to buy another pram.
• It fits in the back on my hatch - with the bassinett, more room again with the seat attachment, I just unclip it!
• If you want to make it more compact, you can take the big wheels off very easily - this pram doesn't require a degree inrocket science to use it!!
• You can take it through the snow and the sand, great for us we love both
• The adjustable handle length, DH is quite a bit taller than me!
• Some complain about the storage bag being difficult to get to with the bassinet on it - yes it is, but damn I can still get a lot in there and it isn't that bad, and with the seat attachment it is a breeze and it can hold a lot!!
• The wheel base isn't as wide as a lot of the three wheelers, I can easily navigate the baby around
• Turning circle of a pinhead - amazing
• We will be getting a skateboard for DD for when the next one and we have a variety of slings and carriers so we will use that for the newborn, our age gap will end up being greater than your as we are NOT UTD

We wanted to by one pram the would last us a long time, the best investment I have ever made.
I have a friend who wanted one and didn't end up getting one, bought an Emmmaljunga, it was too heavy and difficult to steer, then bought a Beema Q also a Quinny and is now looking at another pram, should have just bought the Bug to start with would have saved a fortune

I hope you find the pram that works for you, it can be a real minefield out there and I think there are more pram choices than there are cars to chose from!

[thepixie]

completely OT sorry MT but

as we are UTD

Vic?? I had my suspicions but are you keeping it ??
On topic we love our maclaren techno, used it just about every day since DD came home from hospital, she has slept in it overnight for weeks at a time (sometimes she would sleep in there but not in the cot) quick, one handed movement to fold, folds very small, foot muff is great, only down side is not much storage space. but for the price we think it is the best buy.

[MummyTummy]

Don't worry Pix, I just asked her the same thing! hehe

[*Beema*]

completely OT sorry MT but

Vic?? I had my suspicions but are you keeping it ??
On topic we love our maclaren techno, used it just about every day since DD came home from hospital, she has slept in it overnight for weeks at a time (sometimes she would sleep in there but not in the cot) quick, one handed movement to fold, folds very small, foot muff is great, only down side is not much storage space. but for the price we think it is the best buy.

Sorry Hun it was a typo, I changed it quickly too plans are on hold for a little longer, need to make it a stress free as possible financially, as I sure with my risks I will be stressed enough

[thepixie]

LOL! you had me going there for a minute! And yes, low stress would be nice.... hopefully next time it will be a breeze for you!

[*Beema*]

LOL! you had me going there for a minute! And yes, low stress would be nice.... hopefully next time it will be a breeze for you!

That's the plan Sorry MT for the slight interruption in your thread

Please return to the topic of Prams

[MummyTummy]

After that brief interruption.... anyone else got some experiences with prams to share?

[Socks]

I just brought the Strider Deluxe but maybe the Strider Plus would suit you. My friend has a P&T and that looks good as well.. Both of those are like a single pram for when you don't need the second seat. Good Luck deciding..

[MummyTummy]

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

Ellee - I actually have the P&T Vibe now, and I love it. But I have had endless issues with the front wheel wobble/steering that I just can't justify keeping it for now. So it is going back to the store and I am starting again in time for the new bub! I am sad to be returning it, but I hope yours continues to behave.

Thanks everyone else for your thoughts. I am starting to do my research now!

[Kailani]

We have a Peg Perego Skate, which if I had the option, would have gone for the Bugaboo instead I think...

The reason I liked it was because it had all the features that *Beama* listed about the Bug, apart from the skateboard attachment. You can also buy the matching baby capsule that just clicks unto the pram frame, which was a major selling point for us.

It's a great pram, but if it wasn't as heavy and had a skateboard attachment, it would be perfect!

[Ellee05]

Funny you mention the front wheel wobble. Since we flew ours has been the same. Driving me insane. I need to ring the store. But since we live in the middle of nowhere I ordered it online and it will cost a fortune to post back. Good luck with your research.

[MummyTummy]

Ooh, not good Ellee. It is a design fault that they seem to be unable to fix retrospectively. I've taken mine back 6 times - more times than I would normally, but because I love everything else about it I let them try everything to get it fixed for me.

Thanks Holly. I was looking at the Skate the other day....

[Cassius2]

we have a bugaboo and have never looked back. for us it was a complete system that offers extra benefit of being light, and very easy to steer and can be dragged on trams and fit down normal checkout aisles. we have never needed another pram and with a new bubba on the way we will get the 'twoo' buggy board (has a bike type seat and handle bar on it).

absolutely love it! also, you can pick up some great offers on Ebay for the prams! like Beema mentioned if you do buy in store they do tend to offer you discounts (i know baby bunting here in melb do) and gift vouchers etc etc.

[melbel]

I have a brand new skate which I am about to sell as there is a new English pram finally being released in Australia at the end of february. It is the ICandy range of prams and the apple and pear models are due end of feb with the Peach model due mid march....either the pear or the peach twin would be right up your alley I think....... google Icandy pram etc and should find a link to their UK site which is very informative....as a price guide the peach single will a bit less than the skate.......oh apparently it will be able to take the safe n sound unity capsule as well to make it a true travel system.

[MummyTummy]

Looks interesting MelBel! Do you know who will be stocking them? How did you hear about them?

Thanks Cassius. We will be buying instore because we will be getting a credit on the Vibe. They know me there (Baby Bunting Thomastown) and treat me well so I am sure they will do me a good deal.