Prams

[P.J.]

I don't even know if they're called that in American, but in British that's what they call those little push beds for babies. Would that be a buggy, or a baby carriage or something else?
Anyway, whatever it's called, do you use one? What's your opinion of them?
I used to turn my nose up at them, thinking why doesn't that mother just hold her baby? I still think it's kind of silly to push your baby a meter out in front of you when you could be carrying.
However, our DS has a really hard time falling asleep for naps during the day. He sometimes like being carried, but sometimes he's just not into it and squirms and gets all stiff and screams so I have to take him out. Plus it's been really hot and uncomfortable to be carried for too long. A few people have suggested that we get a pram and when he gets tired but won't fall asleep, put him in there and go out for a walk with him in it, that the rolling motion will lull him to sleep. One friend warned me that if this becomes the only way he falls asleep during the day, we'll be in trouble once he outgrows the pram and we can't help him get to sleep otherwise.

So, should we try it or are they just another useless piece of baby equipment? If you like them, do you have a recommendation?

[Ninetales]

Most people here call them strollers. I have a frame that the infant seat snaps into, and I use it on an occasional basis. When we're just running in and out of someplace, so I don't have to unbuckle and rebuckle her, or if she's asleep and I don't want to wake her. When she outgrows the bucket I'll buy a lightweight stroller for those times that it's easier for one or both of us to use it. On other occasions I wear her in a carrier of some sort. I don't have a problem with them.

[mommajb]

Often it is called a stroller in American English, pram is a specific type, the bed on wheels if you will. The bassinet part is removable and you can put a seat on the same frame with many of them.

Our house can be a bit crazy at bedtime. Ds2 will be 3 next month still gets a walk at bedtime though he may not fall asleep, it resets his mood. If he is tired during the day he might tell us he is ready for his walk. Today he just went to nap on his own.

It can be used wisely or not like any piece of equipment. I think it is a useful tool. If you are in Cologne I would go to a baby store and test drive to see what suits you and your needs best.

[HonkyTonka]

I call it a pram or carriage. My mom's friend sold us her really expensive one for cheap, and it is the only rolling thing we have.

We have a 2 storey house. I use the pram as a napping place during the day sometimes. I can easily keep an eye on the sleeping baby, I just wheel her to the kitchen, den, outside... I also put her there when I need a safe place to store her for a minute, like when I use the washroom. I hang a mobile from the top to give her something to look at. Since I have a fancy one, it rolls really nicely, and I love walking with it, especially lately with it being too hot to have her in the wrap. HOWEVER, it has fixed wheels, so turning is a PITA. It is also quite large and doesn't fold down very small. The bassinet is removable, though, so it will grow with the child...

Overall it has been pretty useful for us.

[Tway]

I call a pram a carriage (guess I'm old fashioned!), but my Irish DH calls them a pram, too!

I've always spent a lot of time holding DD at home, and every day I dance with her, carry her around the house, have her sit on my lap on the balcony to watch the world go by, and so on. When Daddy's home, he carries her in his arms to the park after supper--and he tends to carry her everywhere we go on the weekends.

However, we do have a compact, easy-fold carriage and I take her for walks in it every weekday. I find it too hard on my back to carry her for long periods of time, so the stroller is ideal. Plus, she'll often get her 2nd nap in while we walk. I make a habit of taking her out of the stroller at the park, the café, or anywhere I stop so that she can be in my arms and see the world.

Plus, she falls asleep at the boob, in her carseat, and with DH patting and shushing her... so I don't worry that she'll become dependent on the carriage for her naps. Do what you need to do to get her to nap! It's OK. By any means necessary is a great motto.

[Nicole730]

I'm picturing a rolling bassinet-type thing as a pram, right?

Since it looks like your baby is already a few months old, I'd probably just buy a regular stroller if I were you. You can find some that you can have the baby face towards or away from you if you want both options. Most have seats that recline quite a bit, so that should be fine. You have potential to get a little more use out of a regular stroller.