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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to spend a small fortune on a new buggy

70 replies

Wispabarsareback · 27/11/2008 14:49

Apologies for the dullness of the topic, but I'm having a genuine dilemma. I don't usually get drawn in by stories in the media about all the things we may be doing wrong as parents - but the recent one about forward-facing buggies has thrown me into a bit of a spin. I've always been keen on good old Maclaren buggies, for all the obvious reasons, but even before this research was reported in the media, I'd begun to fret a bit about DD2. She's 15 months old but very tiny for her age and developmentally delayed, so she's not speaking yet and isn't very responsive. She likes being out in her buggy, but I'd begun to feel all wrong about her being 'out front'. (With DD1 it was never an issue, as she would turn round from an early age to have conversations as we went along - but DD2 doesn't do that.)

So I thought I'd have a little look at various options for parent-facing buggies - had always thought this kind were too big and bulky to be useful to me. And I came across the Bugaboo Bee, which is very appealing (I've always been quite snotty about Bugaboos, on grounds of cost and general ponciness - but I hadn't seen the Bee before).

On impulse, I ordered it - but I'm now slightly reeling at how much it costs. We can afford it I suppose, but it's a huge amount of money that could be spent elsewhere. I could still cancel the order, or return it when it comes.

AIBU to buy a new buggy when the old one still works perfectly well, simply so DD can face me instead of the outside world? I admit that I've been suckered by the design of this particular model, which I really like, but I'm also very anxious about DD2, who has SN, and I want to do anything I can to help her - the point is there doesn't seem to be much we can really do, so buying a new buggy might be a bit of displacement activity.

What shall I do - go ahead and buy the thing, or cancel the order??

OP posts:
misdee · 27/11/2008 16:08

if you do keep the bee when it arrives. then i recommend a can of wd40 being in your tool kit. just spray moving parts every so often keeps then moving nice and easily.

Wispabarsareback · 27/11/2008 16:08

Pliko pramette is cheaper, yes - but much bulkier. Wouldn't fit comfortably in my narrow hall or on the bus!

OP posts:
jammi · 27/11/2008 16:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

nappyaddict · 27/11/2008 16:09

You can sometimes get them for about £200 on ebay.

Mumsnut · 27/11/2008 20:32

The seat is ridiculously little though, and the hood v v low. The nice man in John Lewis advised me not to buy one (had credit card out!) because it is being outgrown before kids are 2. Bugaboo are remodelling it already because of this.

SparklyGothKat · 27/11/2008 20:39

I have the new model one, I love it. Ds2 is 14 months and still rearfaces me in his pram and his bee (bee is my car buggy) Ds2 has a good 10-15ins before he outgrows it

Umlellala · 27/11/2008 20:43

I could have written this post. I have been completely obsessed with the Bee (or lightweight, rear-facing equivalent) since yesterday. Spent all day spotting them while out. Have a Maclaren which tbh is cumbersome enough for me, and it does just feel wrong having to stop constantly to talk/listen and not being able to see dd (2.6). Ds is in the sling at the moment and so buying a £350 pram for one, well, that would be madness. But I think it looks like the perfect pram

(PS my maclaren is filthy)

strawberrycornetto · 27/11/2008 20:49

I have it and I like it - but mine has broken after only 3 months and is being replaced by bugaboo, so I'm not sure how well made it is.

oldraver · 27/11/2008 20:55

I bought a Bee when my LO was 2 years 4 months as I had got through a few buggies chasing the elusive 'right' one that would fit in my car AND rear face. I am so pleased with it as we live miles from shops so most outings take up a far bit of time and love being able to interact with my LO. He is 3 in Jan but ever so little about the size of an 18 month old so this is perfect for him, till he can walk longer distances

I'm comtemplating getting hima new hood made in Bob fabric.... yes I'm ever so slightly obsessed by buggies

pushchair · 27/11/2008 21:00

I have been looking at the Hauck Infinity wich is cheaper though similar and has an angled handle which I think I would prefer. here Love the look of the Bee though. you will find a lot of alternatives if you change your mind.

BettySwollux · 27/11/2008 21:02

I have the icandy cherry, it's both rear and forward facing, am still using it rear facing for DS2 (almost 15mo and a big lad), the front wheels get stuck a bit sometimes, and you have to take the seat off the chassis to fold, but I love it. Cost about £250 with cosy toes. Next model up is the icandy apple, only differences are, it comes as a 3 wheeler and a 4 wheeler option, so you can chop and change if you like. It has adjustable height handle (whereas the cherry is fixed), its a bit heavier, oh and about £100 dearer.
Cant do links, but check out the icandy website for stockists as not widely available. (also compatable with maxi cosi car seat if you have any more kids)

MommyHasaHeadache · 27/11/2008 21:25

I also have the iCandy cherry and it's great. It is really light and like Betty says, you can have it facing rear or forward.

See link here

Wispabarsareback · 27/11/2008 23:12

Thanks for opinions. When I got home late afternoon I found my Bee had been delivered! DH and I have spent much of the evening assembling the bugger and trying to figure it out, and squabbling with each other over the whole thing. Anyhoo, I love the look of it, it's all assembled and perfectly parent-facing, has the footmuff attached and the raincover on standby - all that's needed is little DD2 in it, and knowing her she'll look vaguely pissed off at the change and look around for her old buggy.

I agree that the hood does seem rather low. But DD2 is so small that she should be fine for a good while yet.

So my question is answered, I guess - this buggy is staying!

One way it's definitely inferior to the Maclaren though - can't hang my handbag on the handle, and no pocket in the hood to put my phone and keys. Ah well - a worthy sacrifice in the cause of improving DD's communication skills...

OP posts:
Umlellala · 28/11/2008 08:11

Ohhh the icandy Cherry looks fab!

Hang on, you can't fold it? That might not be great for us, in a flat so it gets folded in hallway everyday.

MadMarg · 28/11/2008 08:19

Good for you, OP! I had my DS in a rear facing buggy until he was about 14 months - actually, it was one that could be turned around,and I used to do both after 10 months!

There was a big difference to the way I interacted with him the times he was facing forward and the times he was facing me. I think if your daugher is delayed developmentally, the stimulation you can provide by talking to her, and her seeing your smiling face will be so much better for her.

Umlellala · 28/11/2008 08:31

Wispabars, that's great. Glad you are pleased with it. I missed that your daughter had SN in which case think it is v important that she can see you and talk to you...

2point4kids · 28/11/2008 08:45

Good for you!
I ahve the yellow bee, have had it 10 months and LOVE it.
I use it for DS2 but did put DS1 in it up till about 2.5yrs and he is very tall (but skinny) so its not that small!
You can fold it up with seat attached rear facing as well so no need to take seat off and fold in 2 parts like the other bugaboos.
Its the best pram I've ever tried/used I have to say.

SilverSixpence · 28/11/2008 09:09

oh no now i want an icandy cherry too!

Reallytired · 28/11/2008 09:25

My little boy had developmental issues. I can sympathise, I bought him loads of different shoes and at the age of two he had a collection to rival Elmda Marcos!

Whether buying the buggy is sensible depends on your finances. If you can afford it easily then why not. However if you are struggling with mortage payments then it would be a bit silly.

My son was not confident walking until he was two and half years old. Ultimately I don't think spending money on lots of shoes made a difference. He walked when he was ready rather than following some baby book.

Reallytired · 28/11/2008 09:29

Just wanted to add, its most unlikely your fault that your daughter's speech is delayed. My son's speech was very delayed due to hearing problems. It was pretty imcomprehensible to people out side the family until he was three and half years old.

Once my son had grommets and later on hearing aids his speech really developed. (This is inspite of me being a bad mummy and using a forward facing buggy) At the end of reception he had a 9s (Ie. full marks) for his speech in the foundation profile.

What the programme said about children with delayed speech not catching up children with better speech is bollocks! I also think its bollocks blaming the parents. These things sometimes just happen and there is no point in parents beating themselves up about it.

Wispabarsareback · 28/11/2008 09:52

OK, had our first outing with it - walk to DD1's school and back. It's a dream to push - so light and easy to manoeuvre - and DD2 seemed really happy in it. And I loved being able to see her - it felt like it made a really big difference, like I'd been spending proper time with her rather than just taking her along, IYSWIM.

2point4kids - I have the yellow one too, it looks great. (Tho as a former Liberal Democrat councillor I think I might endure a bit of piss-taking from people - it's the exact same shade as the party's logo, just needs a bird of freedom to complete the look.)

But one thing baffles me a bit. With the seat in the fully upright position, it feels like there's hardly any space for DD's little bum - she's basically being kept in place by the straps. Those of you who have Bees - am I doing something wrong?

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 28/11/2008 14:48

The seat come out, it pulls out.

Wispabarsareback · 28/11/2008 16:18

Figured out what the seat does after I sent that last post!

OP posts:
oldraver · 29/11/2008 00:28

Lol at the seat

For your handbag have a look on Ebay for some puschair clips. They velcro onto the handle and you clip handbag on (best to have bag with some kind of ring either side. Very secure as well

And you can get them in yellow to match the Bee

mm22bys · 29/11/2008 00:36

Only you can make this decision.

I heard an interesting conversation on the train the other day:

Pregnanat mum (to her mum): so do you want to buy us something?

[wait....]

Pregnant mum: "father-to-be's parents are going to buy (guess the bugaboos) - it costs £800. You can buy the cot, it's only £200

gawking...and KNOWS after having two children, one with SN, that there are many MANY better ways to spend £800 on a child......

They are status symbol.

Not necessary

But if they make you feel better about "helping" your DD....

your money, your life, your dd's life