Pushchair recommendations for a one-handed Mum

[Rosieposy89]

Hello,

I'm 23 weeks pregnant with our first. I have a disability which means I can only use my right hand.

I'm looking for pram recommendations please - they must be easy to fold/unfold one handed and be lightweight. I am going to have a look in a shop next week but there's so much choice I don't know where to start!

Uppababy vista or cruz may be good because there is just a single button to press to remove the carrycot as opposed to multiple buttons/ levers. I also find it fairly easy to fold, though it isn't the lightest.

Babyjogger city Mini has a single handed fold and a a single “handle bar” rather than two separate handles, which make it easy to push single handedly.

You need something light and with a single bar handle. But also that folds easily and without having to press two buttons at once. Years ago I had a mother care 3 wheeler that would have done the trick so there must be something similar out there.
Also check that the straps can be done up one handed and aren't too fiddly.
Good Luck.

I've got an ergobaby metro that I can use fold & unfold one handed. You can buy a carrycot for it too although I've not used it. The only problem would be that the seat is only forward facing once they're out of the carrycot.

I think anything with one bar and decent steering (most these days) would be easy to push one handed, I'm clumsy and have never had a problem pushing a buggy and drinking something, for example, so I don't think that would be a problem.

With the fold, I'd encourage you to get to a shop and try them in person. The Vista, for example, is heavy but I found it easier ergonomically to fold and lift than other lighter models. I do think it would be a struggle one-handed but obviously you'll be far more used to that than me. What is helpful is that it stands up when folded, so you can stand with it by your side and lift that way rather than with two hands in front, if that makes any sense at all.

I think it will be really important for you to go to a good shop and try them out. Maybe identify a couple of brands you want to look at and then check their websites for stockists local to you.

If the shop has a demo weighted "baby" to put inside then even better.

Handlebar rather than two handles will be imperative, but not all handlebars are equal. Some of them are clearly designed to be used with two hands, not one. I'd look as how the height adjusts. One that is telescopic should be fine. One where you "angle" the handle up and down is likely to struggle with being used one-handed.

Check the recline mechanism, the mechanism for taking the seat unit (and/or carrycot) on and off as well as the fold and push.

Try carrying it when folded.

Try pushing down on the handle to lift the front wheels as though to get up a kerb or step. If the shop has any steps, try the opposite.

Try changing direction sharply or maneuvring around tight spots.

Check whether it has built in hooks for attaching a changing bag. Hanging them off the handles, or adding third-party hooks where none were actually designed to be used, will put extra strain on your buggy. Or you could opt for a rucksack style.

I've got an out and about which can be folded one handed and is really easy to push one handed too.

A pram with one handle is key. So is it's weight. And ease of 'flipping out' into pram mode. Ease of harness doing up is important to test out.

You need to go to a shop that sells lots of prams! If only kiddicare was still around.

Yo-yo might fit the bill.

I would say an icandy peach might be okay, you could use one hand to push the handle bar in which folds it and it has a carry strap which would help you lift it. The carrycot has two buttons to release but you can push one then the other and they would stay out if that makes sense and the seat and carrycot both have a bumper bar to lift one handed.

I've seen someone recommend the vista - I don't know about the newest version but I wouldn't say its a one handed fold. there is a trigger button on each side that have to be pressed at the same time to make it fold. It's also heavy and I need two hands to lift it.

Definitely get to a shop and test them out if you can. John lewis is great for this and the staff are really helpful

Good suggestions above!
Come back and ask for sling/carrier suggestions too if you like, I can imagine getting a carrier that works for you could be really enabling especially if you have fussy young’un.

I agree that the Vista isn't an option. I have one and yes it's 1 handed to get the carrycot off but it's a two handed fold and it's super heavy. My friend has a Cybex that is v light and a one hand fold, so worth a try.

Just to note that Babyjogger city mini is indeed simple to fold, but only if you're using it as a buggy. They come with clip on car seats/carry cots for newborn stage, which I found a complete pig to attach/take off, which you have to do to fold them, unfortunately.

I had a mamas and papas armadillo push chair and it could definitely fold with just one hand. Not sure it's suitable from birth though but I'm sure they had a pram version that was similar.

If you want to use it with a car seat, look at Britax car seats which have the "single hand release" - this might limit you to brands that take a Britax adapter.

I once pushed a bugaboo bee one-handed for miles, and remember noticing that my wrist didn’t ache at all after. Not sure how easy it is to fold - but I found I hardly ever needed to fold it as it fit nicely on buses and trains.

I second the ergobaby metro. Similarly I only bought as a push chair but am pregnant again and planning to buy the newborn carrycot. Lightest by far, very easy to steer one handed and can fold up with one hand. Good luck. I feel like you should document all your finds on a blog as there must be others in the same boat.

I too was in the same boat as you - I can only use my right hand! Although it is going back some years I went to several shops and tried loads out. The only one I could use with any easy was the Silver Cross Pop. Good luck xx

Another vote for the baby jogger city mini. Easy one handed fold and fairly light and compact to carry. Suitable from birth so no need for carrycot. Can also attach car seat/carrycot if you want but not sure that would work one handed as you need to use both hands to release from adapters (which we rarely did as was a pain, mostly used sling instead).

Book a John Lewis advice appointment (free) and write in the notes what you need the pram to do so they can research for you before you turn up. Depending on where you are, there are some independent pram specialists around who carry a wide range of demo prams too which may be an option for the ‘less popular’ brands/models that JL don’t always have available to try.

I have a peach, definitely requires 2 hands to fold as doesn’t fold with seat/carrycot on and it’s big button on each side to release. I struggle with it due to weakness in my hands/arms. I have a cybex gazelle coming for new baby which is doable one handed and folds easily with seat attached. Seat lies absolutely flat so suitable from birth and you won’t have to use a carrycot (requires 2 hands to release ideally)

I have a babyzen yoyo which is so light and easy to use. Anything too big will be too heavy imo. Try John Lewis and test them all out!

We’ve got the baby jogger gt and you fold that by pulling a handle in the seat up. It’s super easy to push as well. I believe you can get a carry cot.

I second what someone else said about booking a John Lewis appointment. They’re great in there and will show you everything.

The other thing you could test is car seats. We have a Britax spinning one but I’m not sure how straight forward that would be with one hand. I’m not how the others work so it might be useful to have a look at those as well.

My friend was born with one arm and found vests from h and m really useful. They popper down the front as well as under their bum. It was much easier for her then getting her babies head in an over the head vest. She had a mothercare spin pushchair, i don’t think they’re around anymore x

Definitely NOT the bugaboo fox 2 - or the cybex cloud z car seat - I absolutely love them both but my major criticism of them both is that you have to use both hands which is infuriating.

I have two hands but very limited upper body strength. We’ve gone for the the Micralite Fast Fold - it’s designed to be pushed with one hand! And it’s only about £200 but really good quality. Very very easy to manoeuvre.

You need an adapter though so that you can use of from birth with a car seat. You might find it difficult to unclip the car seat and support the seat at the same time so worth trying it out.

I've got the Joie Litetrax 4. Its got one handle and only needs 1 had to fold. Its lovely and light too.