travel system options...

hi, I am 19+1 with our first, am excited and looking forward to buying things although haven't got anything yet as moving house. I have been thinking about pushchairs/car seats/travel systems and am just wondering what you guys think is the best travel system out there. My boot is quite small (new shape corsa) so I need something that is quite compact when folded and something that isn't going to break the bank, theres just so much out there and being a first timer am just overwhelmed by all the options. any advice would be welcome.

[Kaleidoscope]

I got overwhelmed by all the choices too. Couldn't see for looking. iCandy are popular but oh so expensive, phil & teds also popular, especially so is the Quinny Buzz. There are shops on brands as well from Mothercare and Mama's & Papa's. If money is tight then perhaps, as you're having your first, you may find family and friends want to help and might chip in for you to get the pram system of your dreams. My dad and sister put money together and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have got my dream system, which was the uppa baby vista, very good quality and excellent service from having bought it in John Lewis. I would suggest going in and wheeling some around, also some stores will let you see if it will fit into your boot before you buy it. Take your time with choosing and also look for second hand as well as you might pick up a really good bargain! Have fun and enjoy the choice! There really is a lot out there. It took me till I reached 8 months before I could decide and get the service I was looking for. Congratulations on your pregnancy too! x

[Kaleidoscope]

*own not on! What am I like, should read through before I post!

[Hidden]

thank u, yeh I plan to go to bluewater shops and test them out and get lots of my things in couple of months. I hav a few ideas then I change my mind. My parents have offered to give money which I am very grateful of but I still don't want to over do it. I have seen a hauck one (if thts how u spell it) but just don't know what to do. x

[Flossieflo]

I have a tiny boot too (peugeot 107) and I have decided on a mamas and papas Luna and a car seat that attaches to it. I have also bought a carrycot that fits on on ebay as I couldn't justify a £70 carrycot that I may not even use so much, but for £15 a bargain.

[Allyemo1985 in reply to Flossieflo]

I've gone for the same but minus the carrycot as the pushchair lies flat for newborns and in the heat of 45 degrees will be cooler for baby

[Flossieflo]

Ps, I am also ordering the Luna from boots, not mamas and papas as I have a money off voucher and can also get the points for the big purchase.

[Hidden]

Theres so much choice out there now i think it all depends on how much you're willing to spend. These days i think budgeting is better than spending. If you have a good look online you'll be able to get full travel systems with accessories for a good price.

xx

[Allyemo1985]

With my first I have a baby style lux pram old fashioned but brought into the new age. Loved it but wouldn't use it again, second time had a Phil and ted purely because my two where close together and it was a twin enable pram, I've still got it although its quite weighty. This time round I'm having a mamas and papas pushchair travel system, it was light to carry holds in one click and my savour is the ease to add the cars seat to the pram as I don't need to be rushing with kids at school pick up time. tried and tested a few my feelings are the lighter the better but make sure its a sturdy frame don't be afraid to give it a wobble in the shop fold it and unfold it really test it out

[Hidden]

I have the mamas and papas sola, and how I love it! Should definately go in store and try them out. Take a weighty bag with you (as if a changing bag, not that they're heavy aha) and push the buggy about with one hand. That's how I chose my buggy (price also came into it but it was at the top of my 'budget'. I brought the buggy itself from mamas and papas then brought the carrycot and maxi cosi car seat off ebay. If you keep an eye out, people often put brand new buggies up for auction and I've seen them go for cheap (a brand new sola and car seat + adapters for £150!)

[Hidden]

U will probably move to a pushchair as soon as ur able for ease. So don't go spending loads. And most people drive 2 so get very little use out of them. U can get super condition 1s so on ebay or gum tree for a fraction of cost , I wish I got in to all this b4 I had my son 2nd time around iv learnt my lessons on what to and not get.

I had a silvercross 3d for my 3yo son and I love it but it's very bulky and doesn't fold down well so would not advise 1, we didn't have a car at the time and my dad always has a big car so didn't need to worry about size. I still have my silvercross and although I got some fair use out of it its still in near perfect condition and will use it for my 2nd expected in summer .

My boyfriend drives now but I don't so use a trolly alot, iv worn out a obaby pushchair ( lasted 18 months) and as my son was around 2 by this stage and I was ttc at the time I decided to invest in a maclaren xt and love it ! My son is lazy and i still use it going to nursery and we we go out shopping! He's comfortable and it's big enough for him not to look like he's too big 4 it it drives easily too. it fully reclines and had accessories that make it suitable from newborn so although I'll use my Silvercross when out myself this will not fit in our super small car so if we're out for the day as a family I will have to use my mclaren for baby ,

although it would not be my ideal choice for a newborn depending on how much realistic pram use ur gona have it would consider investing in a good quality pushchair that will last the child through , a good maclaren will probably cost around £250 new and foot muff £60 ( shop about, u can sometimes get these on sale ) , in my opinion its money better spent than on a travel system in the long run . Defiantly something to consider.

Just have a look on ebay at how many travel systems there are that have barely even been used after spending hundreds of pounds on them and the ridiculously cheap prices they go 4, even if u have no intention of buying , just for reference.

[Rjalmondo in reply to Hidden]

Dear Ceribean,

The one thing I wanted to buy new was my pram, after much shopping around I chose the Bugaboo cameleon 3, and have no regrets whatsoever! I have used it non stop! Including walking everyday twice a day with 3 dogs, in and out of the car and I use it for my baby to snooze in downstairs while I potter around the house!

She is 3 months already and it still looks brand new

I knew I was having a little girl, but chose dark grey and black should I ever be lucky enough to have another!

I found watching videos on YouTube very useful on how to assemble/use them!

They are pricy but it had a 3 year warranty when I bought it and I saved by buying second hand on other things

Enjoy your pregnancy and have fun shopping!

[elmo1983]

This is the item i'm finding the hardest to decide on! currently thinking - Mamas and Papas Urbo - seems reasonable in price and neat in size. The Bugaboos are nice but expensive and also very large.

This thread should be a sticky thread!

[laurah123]

ive picked mine from Mothercare, its the Graco Evo. light and easy to put down. and it comes as the standard push chairs which goes up to 3yrs old. and you buy the car seat seperately. i also have the carry cot on my list. but i will not press order until tomorrow. that way i can choose if i want colour or plain black. (all depends on my scan tomorrow :D) but prams are expensive and my mum is paying for mine luckily. kiddicare do good offers on Travel systems too. x

[Hidden]

the only thing stopping me with certain pushchairs is the size as I have a small boot so thts the first thing I have to consider, the mamas and papas luna is meant to be gd and hav been reading reviews. yeh my parents have offered money towards it, until I actually go somewhere and look at them and get a feel for one and see if it fits in my car then I cant really make a decision. my friend has got a maxi cosi iso fix base i can have so i am gonna get a car seat tht wil stay in the car then get a pushchair with a carry cot separate..well thts my plan x

[sarah9]

Maclaren XLR's are fantastic! They are compatable with car seat and carry cots! And the buggy itself is sturdy, very light and will last until your baby is ready to walk!