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Original poster

Rear facing pushchairs... opinions?

58 replies

MrsMar · 15/05/2007 12:19

I quite like the idea of a rear facing pushchair, I'd quite like to see my baby when I'm pushing along. I've also read they are better for a child's language development because you can chat more easily while walking along, and they can see your face while you're talking. Does anyone have any opinions? I've only seen one in Mamas and Papas (tbh I've not looked very hard!) which was pretty expensive, much more than forward facing ones, so is it worth the extra expense?

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Mumpbump · 15/05/2007 12:21

I bought a second-hand bugaboo frog for exactly this reason and ds still looks completely dazed whether he is facing backwards or forwards. I keep chatting to him in the hope that he will answer, but the motion seems to send him into a trance. I like being able to see his face, but I suspect there isn't much other real benefit! So probably not really worth the expense...

goingfor3 · 15/05/2007 12:24

It's so nice to be able to see your baby as you push it along. I much prefered using my pram to the pushchair. I told one of my friends that she should buy a rear facing pushchair, she didn't listen and it was her biggest baby buying regret.

JoolsToo · 15/05/2007 12:31

I don't like them at all. I've never been able to understand the design. Surely every parent/carer wants to be able to see their baby/toddler and communicate face to face. They can still see the world around them for goodness sake!

ScottishMummy · 15/05/2007 16:33

with the rear and forward facing pram u have a choice of seat position how baby faces so that is nice imo

MrsBadger · 15/05/2007 16:51

depends on you (and the baby)

A prammy type one that lies flat and faces you is my preference for when they're very small, but I'm less convinced about rear-facing once they're in the seat bit rather that the carrycot.

Ones that have a rear-facing seat tend to need the seat taken off for you to fold the pushchair, which may be a problem if you're getting on buses, slinging it in the car for quick trips etc.

Original poster

MrsMar · 15/05/2007 17:55

I was thinking of something like \link{http://shop.babyworld.co.uk/DisplayDetail.aspx?which=1135/this} It looks like you can have it front and rear facing, depending on your mood (or baby's ). Has anyone had one of these? I guess there's no substitute for going to a shop and seeing if I can fold it easily....

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsMar · 15/05/2007 17:56

sorry this is the link hopefully.

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 15/05/2007 17:58

Think the Loola is probably the best of the bunch if you want a rear facing seat rtaher than just a rear-facing pram (like the M&P Pramettes, Silver Cross 3D etc have)

It folds pretty small once the seat's off but it's a lot heavier than it looks and (IMO) it's not especially attractive.

Ceolas · 15/05/2007 18:01

I like the Loola. You can get a carrycot but it's quite small. It's a bit heavier than the pramette. It folds very small without the seat and quite small with it. It can be folded with the seat rear or forward facing which I think is a plus.

Original poster

MrsMar · 15/05/2007 18:46

cool, thanks for that mrsb and ceolas. I think I might go to a shop and see what the loola feels like, see if it's too heavy for my puny arms!

OP posts:

NotanOtter · 15/05/2007 18:56

I pushed my 15 month old baby in the bugaboo facing forward today...it was hell
He got annyoed and i had to keep stopping to peep round at him
he was eating a naan bread and kept making these dicky noises so i thought he was choking
For all the HUB2DEEs of this world that sing the praises of forward facing i just dont get it
Why cant he still see the world rearward s AND be talked to?

hana · 15/05/2007 18:59

with regards to the communication with the baby - had dd2 in forward facing stroller ( got rid of pram when she was big enough for stroller) and didin't hamper her ability to talk at all. not one little bit
I mean, how much time exaclty are they going to spend in the buggy talking to you each day?

KDRacey · 15/05/2007 19:04

I got the Hauck Infinity here as I wanted a pushchair that could face in or out. This seemed to cover all that I wanted and I've got the carrycot for the early months. It's not the lightest and as Mrs Badger says its one you'd have to take the seat off the frame if you want to fold it (but only if in the rear facing position). My friend has one which I've man-handled around town and it's great imo. I guess it depends on how often you'll be folding it, etc. I'll be doing a lot of walking with mine so will be together most of the time.

Bad news is I couldn't find them in shops to test drive so was lucky my friend had hers.

twelveyeargap · 15/05/2007 19:26

The Quinny Buzz faces forward and rear and you can get a carrycot attachment. Quinny Buzz

BandofMothers · 15/05/2007 19:31

I also have the Hauck Infinity and I LOVE IT.
The pram bit was great for sleeping in in the day too, so no carrying moses basket up and down. I found the folding ok, once you know how, and it is light. Bit bulky if you haven't got much boot space beware, but it is wonderful.
I have just put dd2, 9 mths facing forward as she is so nosy and when facing me she was having to crane around all the time to see, but it was lovely to have her facing me all that time.

SofiaAmes · 15/05/2007 19:31

I had one from the usa (very cheap, by the way) and it was lovely. Only really makes sense when they are very young babies and still lying down. After that, they want to look out at the world, not at their boring old mom and dad.

ChasingSquirrels · 15/05/2007 19:32

I have the Bebe Confort Activ (the model before the Loola, small, lightish, umbrella folding with seat on) and I love it. Had it from when ds1 was 9mo and only had it forward-facing if we were eating somewhere as rear-facing it doesn't pull upto the table well, never used it forward-facing on the move (he used it until he was 25mo).
I am now using it with ds2 (15mo) and also have a Babystyle Cyclone (big bulky 3-wheeler, folds with the seat on but it takes up most of my estate boot, use it for walks rather than round the shops etc) which I have never even had the seat on forward-facing, its always rear-facing.

ChasingSquirrels · 15/05/2007 19:34

Also had a Britax Travel System for ds1 from birth, and when we went of off-road when he was younger I had to use it as the Activ wasn't up to the job. Most of the time he would be stood up in the seat facing back towards me.
I can quite see that ds2 isn't as interested in facing me, but ds1 made that choice himself when presented with the forward-facing model.
And I don't agree with the facing parent or facing the world - when they are rear-facing they can still see things other than the parent.

bilblio · 15/05/2007 19:36

I've just spent 6 months trying to make decisions about rear facing pushchairs. I too wanted to be able to see and talk to my LO when I'm pushing it around. I spend a lot of my work day pushing wheelchairs and know how hard it is to try to talk to someone who's facing forwards.
Also it probably makes very little difference but in my head I decided the baby would be a bit more protected from exhaust fumes, rain etc if they were facing backwards.

Anyhow after 6 months of hunting, reading, trying out and chatting on here I finally put a deposit on a Firstwheels City Elite last week. It faces forward or back, the frame will take the pushchair, carrycot or car seat, and it seems sturdy enough to go trekking across fields and parks. Yes it is a bit more expensive (even though I got a good deal with the carrycot free and money off the carseat) but I hope all the research means I've picked a pram that'll last until LO is walking.

There are quite a few options out there you just have to work out exactly what you need ie, Will you be going on public transport with it? Are you a walking round parks type person or a shopping centre person? Do you want it as a travel system? erm probably loads more things to think of, but there are people on here who know a lot more about prams than I do.

twocatsonthebed · 15/05/2007 19:36

I've also got the Hauck Infinity - and also love it, even if the shopping basket is the smallest thing known to mankind. We got ours pretty cheap on eBay. But if you want to try one out, it's in Mothercare as their own brand Maui (but in a horrible colour scheme).

nickytwotimes · 15/05/2007 19:38

i have a silver cross which can be forward or rear-facing. ds is 9 mo and still loves the interaction with mummy but also loves facing away from me when he is really alert and being nosy. i like having the option, but i really think it is more for my benefit than his as he seems happy either way. i certainly don't think a forward facing pushchair is in anyway inferior to a rear facing one - it is personal choice.

misdee · 15/05/2007 19:38

i am a rear facing fan. as most will know lol. dd3 is now over 2years and still rear faces most of the time. dd3 loves chatting to me and her sisters as we walk along. I can see when she falls asleep, i can see what she is pointing at.

regarding speech development, dd2 does ahve a speech delay, which is why as soon as i ditch the phil and teds and dd2 was walking everywhere iwanted a rearfacing buggy, just in case it has any bearing. at 2yrs old, dd3 speech is fast catching up with dd2 and is already clearing in some areas.

LucyLu1981 · 15/05/2007 20:09

I have the Inglesina Ottuto (link here - btw how do you do the jazzy link thing?? www.preciouslittleone.com/acatalog/OGOTTUTOF.html). I love it - the 3 in 1 has a v.comfy pram top, rear or forward facing pushchair and car seat which can be used with or without a base. I LOVE IT!!

ChasingSquirrels · 15/05/2007 20:18

otutto
It tells you how to do links at the bottom of the smiley info next to the box you type in.
Is the Otutto as fab as it looks? I just can't justify it, ds2 is 15mo, not having another and already have the Activ and the Cyclone, but I really want to play with one!

lapsedrunner · 15/05/2007 20:19

Bebe Confort Activ was great for me.

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