Which pram for newborn til 3 years do you recommend?

[pram buyer]

I have been considering a bunch of brands.  we don't have a car, so need:

- light
- easy to fold
- car seat attachment would be good (just in case we get a car)
- can lie flat for new born to sleep

which brand do you recommend?

[Maclaren]

I have 4 children and think we've owned about 8 prams/buggles at various points in time.  IMHO the Maclaren Techno XLR is the best all rounder; lightish but still robust, easy to fold, can use a car seat attachment (although very limited on car seat range) and manoeverable.

I think the Bugaboos are overrated; have tried 3 models as friends kept convincing me that 'the latest one is amazing'....thousands of dollars later, I'm still unconvinced.  Quinny is deceptively heavy and not very user-friendly. Stokke was a novelty for a while, but it wore thin.  Still really like the Phil and Teds though; very versatile (especially for subsequent children) but it's pretty bulky for taxis etc.

[mothercare]

I bought the mothercare my4 which is compatible with the maxi cosi car seat and starts as a bassinet which allows baby to sleep very flat and comfy. Then the bassinet converts into a sit up type pushchair, nice and robust. ITs easy to collapse and put in the taxi, not heavy etc. Its not as expensive as some of them, and I will be selling mine second hand, but not for another 6 months!

[Dr. Phil]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr3p

There is an interesting item on BBC2 Radio, Jeremy Vine shows available and the above is available for another 12 hours. It follows an Australian report which warned against carrying babies in buggies facing forwards. The various mothers'  opinions included those who believed facing the baby and having constant eye contact gave important reassurances, telling the baby what is good, bad, interesting etc. Also they spoke at an earlier age than siblings in forward facing buggies. Opposite views claimed forward facing buggies helped children to become more independent at an earlier age.

[NMS1]

I'm out of touch on exact models to recommend but my main advice would be not to spend a lot of money. Some children never really take to pushchairs and prefer to be carried or, once they can, walk. I remember buying a nice foldable Maclaren for my daughter, carrying it all the way to the UK and back on holiday and it wasn't used for a minute.

[lemonshark]

The boogaboo bee wins hands down. It's not cheap, but perfect for an urban envrinment like Spore. We never owned a car here, so being lihght , flexible and easy to fold is very important for taxi drives and the bee works like a charm. You can change the seating from forward to back facing so it works from 0months to 3 years. I had envious comments from mums in supermarkets because you can drive it with one hand and turn on the spot.
We're having our second one now and I'm looking forward to getting it rolling again.
 

[Techno XT]

I second Maclaren Techno XT. We bought it for our 1st child and 2 kids, 4 years later, we were still using it. The only reason we replaced it was because we left it behind at Changi Airport's taxi rank after a really long flight! Argh!

[pram buyer]

thanks for all the tips, guys.  I like the look of the maclarens too - are you sure they're fine for a new born to lie right back in? 

I saw the bugaboo bee but didn't see what the hype was about for that price!

We are also considering the city select mini, and the nuna pepp.

would love to hear more tips and experiences - many thanks indeed :-)

[MollyDolly]

we had a big expensive pram with the lie down detachable cot section which also had a buggy for when older which could face to mum or away, also had great suspension and big rubber wheels. Loved it and used it all the time but that was in the UK where we walked all the time or had a car with a big boot when not walking.

Needs in singapore are different, too hot to be out walking for long, pavements and road system are not very pram friendly, neither are some of the shopping centers and shops can have very narrow aisles.  Also if you are relying on public transport then you will need something light  and easy to fold etc also if you travel by plane often.  I think thats why you see so many locals carrying their babies and toddlers (also they usually go about en masse and have plenty of hands to help).  The McLaren techno is a good lighter buggy that can lie back and will see you through to the older age.  I must admit I hate to see little new borns not being able to lie down properly (even the mcLaren techno isn't that great but better then the smaller, cheaper alternatives) and I think it's nice for them to face the mum when they are very young but you have to weigh up your needs and get something that is practical for living in singapore and your lifestyle or you will end up buying buggy after buggy (like I did) and spend a fortune.

[Bugaboo all the way]

I would highly recommend the Bugaboo Bee. Its light, a breeze to steer and so easy to fold....a dream when you are using taxis. I used the Maxi Cosi on there for about 14 months and then switched over to the toddler seat. Now with number 2 on the way, I am using a Maclaren for my toddler and will be using the Bugaboo Bee for the baby...cannot wait to use the pram again as I have really missed using it!

[Bee is adequate....]

....for a year or so.  My youngest is a small child, but outgrew the Bee before 18 months.

[durable this mccy]

I second Maclaren Techno XT. We bought it for our 1st child and 2 kids, 4 years later, we were still using it. The only reason we replaced it was because we left it behind at Changi Airport's taxi rank after a really long flight! Argh!

i'm with this... 3 kids, 6 years, dragged all around the world, and not a single bolt loose...

[Pram buyer]

Have ruled-out the Bee due to the high cost.  yes it looks stylish, but not THAT stylish.

For the Mclaren Techno XT, does it go flat for a newborn to lie in? 

[170 degrees]

The Techno XT and XLR go almost fully flat; 170 degrees.  It's deemed flat enough to put a newborn in I believe, but I've never tried.  They do come with a head support cushion for newborns though.

[Stonehenge Mum]

The Techno XT and XLR go almost fully flat; 170 degrees.  It's deemed flat enough to put a newborn in I believe, but I've never tried.  They do come with a head support cushion for newborns though.

The baby must never be laid flat. Always inclined slightly with its head up to prevent choking.

And preferably with head pointing towards the magnetic north pole when sleeping.