Pram/buggy in Singapore

[pbear]

Hi there,

we will soon have a baby and might move to Singapore in a few months.

I'm about to buy a City Mini GT with bassinet. This is the smallest buggy/pram I have been able to find that is still suitable for my height. I am very tall, so most very light models are not suitable at all. (I have tried heaps and was happy to finally find this model.)

The buggy/pram is 62.2cm wide. I am wondering if this will be fine for navigating through shops as well as on public transport?

(Of course, it cannot be folded with a bassinet which is needed for a newborn.)

What are your thoughts?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Have you done a search on the forum? Baby transport systems have been discussed numerous times already and may well answer your questions already. Use the search tool located at the upper right side of this page just below the "Profile" link.

moderator

[pbear]

Thank you. Yes, I have read many of the threads. However, I don't find that any of those answer my question which is very specific concerning the width.

[JustMyself]

I have not seen many people with a pram that could not be folded up. While you will be fine with it on the MRT (during non-peak hours anyway), you will really struggle trying to get it onto a bus.

Aisles in many stores tend to be cramped as well and during busy shopping times you will have trouble navigating around.

The majority of parents that I have seen with younger babies carry them in slings or baby-packs of some sort. The strollers come into use when the babies get too big to carry easily or if there is more than one child in the family. I used slings to carry my children when they were little, but the last one was 10 years ago so I don't know what the best brands are anymore. You might try checking if there are any discussions about recommended baby sling/pack brands on this board as well.

[pbear]

Thank you - I have already bought a Baby Bjorn. But of course one is not supposed to carry a baby in there for more than a hour.

How wide are other people's prams/buggies? If you have one that you have no trouble with, let me know the width? How does 62.2cm width sound in relation to shops and public transport?

[poodlek]

I see a lot of people with the City Mini. I haven't asked them how it works, but it can't be that bad as it's pretty popular. As an aside (I know you already have a stroller...) but you didn't find the Maclarens with the extendible handles tall enough for you? Admittedly I'm short, but even on their shortest setting it's still a little high for me.

As for the baby carrier I recommend using a soft carrier like a Pognae or ErgoBaby instead of the "crotch dangling" types like Bjorn, as they're better for the baby's pelvis. The Pognae has a mesh back with a zip-out panel to keep the baby cool too. When my son was tiny I carried him mostly in a (non-branded Moby type) wrap carrier. Not for everybody, but my son and I loved it!

[JustMyself]

As for the baby carrier I recommend using a soft carrier like a Pognae or ErgoBaby instead of the "crotch dangling" types like Bjorn, as they're better for the baby's pelvis. The Pognae has a mesh back with a zip-out panel to keep the baby cool too. When my son was tiny I carried him mostly in a (non-branded Moby type) wrap carrier. Not for everybody, but my son and I loved it!

I agree with Poodlek. You can adjust the sling type carriers to give your baby the back and neck support he needs and they were much more comfortable for both me and my babies than the Bjorn style carriers. They make nursing when out of the house simpler too since you don't have to take it off like the Bjorn style, just rearrange it a bit for access and privacy. I haven't heard of a time limitation for sling type carriers either, but again it has been 10 years since I last researched this topic, so I'm not up on the latest trends.

The size of the pram isn't an issue so much as the fact that it is not flexible. MRT is easy during non-peak times because there are wide doors on the cars to roll the pram through. However, during peak times you will have a hard time shoving on with the pram. Not all of the buses are accessible to anything with wheels.

Finally, there are stairs everywhere here in Singapore, so you will spend a lot of time lifting the pram up or down steps. That is a problem faced by any type of stroller however and explains why so many parents use the carriers.

[poodlek]

As for the baby carrier I recommend using a soft carrier like a Pognae or ErgoBaby instead of the "crotch dangling" types like Bjorn, as they're better for the baby's pelvis. The Pognae has a mesh back with a zip-out panel to keep the baby cool too. When my son was tiny I carried him mostly in a (non-branded Moby type) wrap carrier. Not for everybody, but my son and I loved it!

I agree with Poodlek. That was the type of carrier that I used for my children as well and we all loved it. You can adjust them to give your baby the back and neck support he needs and it was much more comfortable for both me and my babies than the Bjorn style carriers. I haven't heard of a time limitation for sling type carriers either, but again it has been 10 years since I last researched this topic, so I'm not up on the latest trends.

For my wrap, it became less stable/comfortable as my son got stronger and more wiggly. The fabric is fairly stretchy so he was able to move it around and I just didn't feel it was as safe or convenient anymore. A different, less stretchy material in the same type of carrier (just a 5m x 0.5m length of cloth) would prevent this, but I chose the Pognae instead for variety. Also, my husband refuses to wear the wrap, but he will wear the Pognae.

[pbear]

Thank you guys!
Poodlek - I have tried nearly everything available here incl. the MacLarens. They are not high enough - same with the original City Mini. But the City Mini GT seemed like the solution as it adjusts high enough. (If I were to stay here, I would go with the Elite;). Most people here have big buggies like the Mountain buggies - and take them on the bus here. But it's of course not that busy.)

About the baby carrier: too bad that I already bought the Baby Bjorn. It was extremely expensive. I actually chose it specifically for a hot climate as it is the "airy mesh" kind. I looked at a lot of others here but they all seemed to be so much heavy fabric. Of course the selection of carriers here is not that big.

Thank you for your thoughts - please keep them coming .

[poodlek]

Thank you guys!
Poodlek - I have tried nearly everything available here incl. the MacLarens. They are not high enough - same with the original City Mini. But the City Mini GT seemed like the solution as it adjusts high enough. (If I were to stay here, I would go with the Elite;). Most people here have big buggies like the Mountain buggies - and take them on the bus here. But it's of course not that busy.)

About the baby carrier: too bad that I already bought the Baby Bjorn. It was extremely expensive. I actually chose it specifically for a hot climate as it is the "airy mesh" kind. I looked at a lot of others here but they all seemed to be so much heavy fabric. Of course the selection of carriers here is not that big.

Thank you for your thoughts - please keep them coming .

I would say it's worth selling on ebay or kijiji and buying a different one. I bought the same Bjorn for the same reason and I much prefer my Pognae-a cheaper, nicer (IMO) Korean made version of the ErgoBaby that is partly mesh. They don't sell them in shops here but you can get it from http://www.babycarriersingapore.com in SG for $89 SGD with free delivery within 2-3 days or from a similar site in the USA...not sure where you are at the moment.

As for strollers on busses-most busses here are not the "kneeling" wheelchair accessible type ones. They almost all have steps and a bar in the middle of the doors that makes it impossible to fit anything bigger than a small umbrella stroller through. It is the rule that strollers must be folded before boarding, and while they may not necessarily enforce it, it's pretty much impossible to board any other way.

[archcherub]

does anyone have any suggestions on good baby sling wrap or ring sling? wanted to order my favorite from amazon but the shipping is not worth it.
went to the local shops and not what I am expecting. appreciate if there are recommendations