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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pushchair for disabled parent - I can’t lift things!

54 replies

PinkPlantCase · 19/12/2020 07:19

Posting here for traffic, I’m really worried about not being able to lift a pushchair/travel system once baby is here.

For context I think I’ll struggle to lift baby (we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it) so the idea of also lifting a pushchair in and out of the car or folding it up and moving it around on public transport seems even worse.

Anyone have any experience?

I also don’t think a sling will help, I will try one but I can’t really carry a backpack without hurting myself anyway.

I have damaged nerves in my upper body from a car accident, can walk and am generally mobile just not very good at lifting and carrying.

OP posts:
NoMansAnIsland · 19/12/2020 07:26

Oh God I thought this was a thread asking for a buggy to put a disabled parent in.
I came on to say that it doesn't sound like a good idea and to consider a wheel chair instead.

OP theres a really lightweight buggy you can get but the issue is it's for an older baby.
A tiny baby tends to go in a bigger contraption or stay in the car seat which gets lifted in/out of the car.

So in other words, when the baby is older and heavier, the buggy becomes lighter and easier to move.

If you don't think you can lift a baby then I think you will struggle with most buggies.

I'm not sure what to suggest.

But hopefully some more wise MNers can help more than me!

Brogues · 19/12/2020 07:32

Have a look at Micralite pushchairs they are super lightweight.

Original poster
PinkPlantCase · 19/12/2020 07:32

@NoMansAnIsland oh dear 😂 sorry I didn’t meant to phase it like that.

Yes I’ve seen really light umbrella buggies for toddler etc but nothing that really works for a few born.

OP posts:
FestiveStuffing · 19/12/2020 07:33

If you can't lift a baby it might be an idea to get a mother's help or something if you can afford it. Babies do tend to require lifting a lot and will need lifting in and out of the pram.

If you can lift a baby but not a baby in a car seat I would get a car seat that swivels and stays in the car. We never bothered with travel systems because we think it's easy to fall foul of car seat requirements that way- it's a max of 30 minutes in a car seat for a newborn and two hours for an older baby. Putting them in a car seat for the journey to from plus the time in the shops- it adds up fast.

I would probably rely on public transport if I were you (there's always someone nearby who'll offer to help you getting the pram on and off in my experience). What's your house like? Do you need to go up steps to get into your house? Is there a side gate you could go down with the pram to leave it in a she'd or something on the garden- save lifting it in and out of the house?

FestiveStuffing · 19/12/2020 07:34

Shed not she'd

BeaufortScale · 19/12/2020 07:35

I’d book a consultation with a sling consultant - a stretchy wrap for a newborn is more like wearing a tight body warmer than a backpack, so that might work.

On buggies, it’s a lifestyle thing as to whether you’ll need to lift it. Do you have a hall you can roll it into and leave it? And would you just walk from home or would you need to get public transport or put the buggy in the car? I rarely lifted my buggy in and out of the car boot as I walked everywhere, but I did have to lift it on to tubes and buses sometimes (though stations now often have lifts, so it is just the train itself, and people will often offer to help).

Cupoftchaiagain · 19/12/2020 07:36

Give us a bit more detail on your living situation and where you will use it most and the hive mind ought to be able to suggest the most appropriate buggies. Then I’d suggest you speak to your OT (can u ask for a referral to support you in your parenting) and go try some out in person. (When u can).
So..
stairs?
Storage - do u have somewhere indoors you could store it unfolded or must you fold every time?
What support from partner - can they set it up each am and put it away after work?
Where will u be going? Narrow uneven pavements and tiny shops, or fairly open and flat and supermarkets? What is GP surgery access, local park, friends and families homes.
Will u be mostly driving and have to get it out of the car constantly? That’s going to be trickier probably than if u can walk from your door.
Black cabs you don’t have to fold the pram.

AIMD · 19/12/2020 07:40

Op do you have access to an occupational therapist or have an OT when you first recovered.

Sounds like you need an assessment and support to access some specialist equipment.

Do you have family/friends who are going to be around to help with the baby at the beginning until you get into your groove with things.

CovidCakeConundrum · 19/12/2020 07:43

Agree with previous poster, get a sling consultation. Stretchy wrap really spreads the weight and is tight on the body. If you start baby wearing soon post partum it will feel easier than carrying your pregnant belly. And then if you wear it a lot you don't really notice baby gaining weight. Basically it just feels like part of your body.

If you are worried about being able to lift baby then I'm not sure you'd manage a newborn safe pram, they are all heavier than a baby and bulkier too.

Cupoftchaiagain · 19/12/2020 07:46

Also, how is your grip, is there a risk you drop things?
Any sense how you are with pushing and steering? Getting up and dow kerbs requires pushing down and liftin up. If this is difficult then the three wheeler, wide handle bar, out n about or baby jogger buggies are good. But they are heavier in themselves to lift.

In general try
Baby jogger city mini
Out n about
But not if u have to get them out of a car.

If u have got to use the car then try the lightest around but be aware they are less smooth to push.
Baby zen yoyo
Bugaboo bee
Micralite

Pandabuzz · 19/12/2020 07:49

Congrats on your upcoming baby OP!
This might be way off but like PP said, do you have any support from an occupational therapist or similar? They might be able to point you in the right place to start looking?
I’m a bit stuck on what else to suggest I’m afraid! Is anyone else going to be around to help support you with the baby?

MrsLebowski · 19/12/2020 07:51

I agree you need some specialist help from an OT especially if you might struggle lifting the baby, as you would need to lift it a lot throughout the day.

movingonup20 · 19/12/2020 07:54

I would consider getting a note or something to explain you have a disability if you plan to use buses otherwise you could be asked to fold it if a wheelchair needs to board, as a person with a disability you need to be able to identify that you can't, otherwise using buses should be fine plus trains with flat entry (you can book a ramp) I would also advise you just ask for help, most people (off peak at least) are only too willing to help if someone asks, but won't offer due to others being offended if you say "can I help you?" too many times

supersonicginandtonic · 19/12/2020 07:57

Baby zen yo-yo is very very light. Would that be an option? You can get a newborn adaption too.

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/12/2020 08:00

I had a bugaboo chameleon. Bought due to chronic pain. Lightweight and easy to use / push. Suitable for a newborn. The carry cot does need to be removed before putting it in the car.

Have you seen the self folding didofy? They do a complete travel system for about £600. It is a bit heavier though at around 14 kg.

SushiGo · 19/12/2020 08:02

Occupational Therapist is your best bet for specialist advice, as there's lots of issues to consider.

However, I really folded and lifted our buggies because I didn't drive. So, the buggy was just left up all the time near the door. When I went out put baby in, and away you go.

While being a light buggy will be helpful, I would also be looking for good suspension and tires, this means a slightly heavier buggy but much easier to push.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 19/12/2020 08:05

A soft stretchy wrap may be useful around the house instead of carrying Baby around.

ergobaby.com/blog/2019/10/what-are-hip-seats-and-are-they-good-for-babies-and-toddlers/

Have you seen these? Its to wear round your waist to help you carry older babies and toddlers to the the strain off your back and arms. Sorry that doesn't much help with what you were asking with pushchairs, but it may be useful to you.

And yes to the swivel seats in cars, we had a joie 360 and it was great, so much easier to put the baby in than twisting over thd back seat!

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 19/12/2020 08:09

You can get a hoist out in the back of your car if needed .

ForeverBubblegum · 19/12/2020 08:11

Definitely look into slings, and visit a sling library if they're open. Not quite the same thing, but I wasn't able to lift a pushchair for the first 2 months post c-section, and my stretchy wrap was fantastic. There's steps to get out our house, so there's no way to get pushchairs out without lifting so I would have been house bound without the sling.

Its nothing like a backpack as the weight is spread really well across your body and hips, whereas backpack just hang off your shoulders. To start with it feels about the same as still being pregnant, and by the time baby gets heavier it will be old enough for the light weight buggy.

Or another idea, do you have a shed or garage that's at street level? You could leave the pram up in there and just carry baby to it when you need to go out. If it came to it a bus driver would be able to put out the wheelchair ramp for you to push baby up, though I imagine most people would also be happy to lift it on for you anyway.

DahliaMacNamara · 19/12/2020 08:12

I've been there, OP, and it can be very difficult. I would say that public transport is much easier than wrestling with car seats. You can use the buggy to lean on and to put shopping on as well. I always found people very happy to help out. You do get used to identifying likely candidates and asking, and a surprising number will volunteer anyway when they see you are struggling. Do check the weight and manoeuvrability of pushchairs before you choose one.
I can see why you're reluctant to consider a sling. I would have been too, but if you think about it, it's not more weight than you're carrying around right now. If you're managing that (you may not be), it might be worth looking into it at least.
There are lanyards you can get for hidden disabilities. Maybe the sunflower ones would be suitable. Not sure about that one, but worth looking up.

MauisLeftNipple · 19/12/2020 08:13

What are your specific issues with lifting weights? Is it pain? Physical inability to do so? What movements are you able to do with your upper limbs - do you have full range of movement?

Dillydally2020 · 19/12/2020 08:14

Hello congrats on your pregnancy.
With regard to light weight buggies cybex eezy s range are light and suitable from birth as is the cosatto woosh. I have three c sections and I purchased a blanket called a snugglebundle which has handles to lift baby from car seat into pushchair or vice versa. You can buy them on Amazon.
Most umbrella folds are lightish in weight and suitable from birth I had a cosatto supa with my second baby I'm currently using a out and about nipper with my third and it's light but hard to get up and down curbs so I wouldn't advise that. I'm actually looking at the cybex myself good luck with finding the right pushchair x

Hazelnutlatteplease · 19/12/2020 08:28

Maclaren techno xt is umbrella fold and suitable from birth. I had one very many years ago for DC, fantastic little buggy.
My back at the time didn't tolerate a sling.

Meatshake · 19/12/2020 08:36

You're lucky with your timing, the last few years there's been loads of super light buggies come ok the market Babyzen yo-yo is really light and has a newborn carrycot bit.

I'd have a look at the Doona car seat (fold down wheels). The lightest, easiest steer buggy I found was the babyzen yo-yo. They're expensive but sell really well second hand.

DGRossetti · 19/12/2020 08:37

26 years ago the Oak Tree Lane Rehab Centre made a 2-wheel buggy that clipped onto DWs wheelchair, with a car seat fixed into it, so she could wheel DS around herself for the first few months, and lift him in and out to change etc. It got featured on Midlands today (slow news day).

Since it (obviously) wasn't for long, it went back. Presumably to be lost forever and the OP told how it's never been done Sad

Maybe there's a starting point there ?

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