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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

My Stokke obsession...

28 replies

Umnitsa · 01/04/2010 01:06

I am expecting my first child and have experienced a total personality change: I'm off shoes and into buggies these days, spending an inordinate amount of time researching prams, baby furniture and other equally fascinating areas. In particular, I've developed an enthusiasm for all things Stokke - the pram, the cot, the high chair, even the changing table. They are all terribly pricey, but I am seduced by the beautiful design and the promise of longevity, as apparently all pieces can be adjusted as the baby grows, or transformed into another equally useful and desirable piece of furniture. I'd be grateful if proud owners of Stokke items could share their experience whether it really works this way:

Stokke Xplorer - did you use it until your child was 2 yo, or it is less convenient with a toddler? There are lots of accessories available for this pushchair, which ones are a must and which you never used?

Stokke Sleepi - until what age did your child use it? It's curved shape looks rather feminine, do little boys find it too girly (once they are old enough to understand what "girly" is but young enough to be still using the cot bed?) Once it was too small, did you transform it into two chairs? And are they comfy?

Changing table - did you turn it into a little desk eventually?

Would you have chosen to buy those pieces now, or opted for something else?

Sorry for a long e-mail, I am trying to be rational about it and not get carried away creating a perfect "museum of childhood" in the nursery!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RobynLou · 01/04/2010 01:15

ooooh I'm really not the person you want, we just had a change mat on the floor (easier once they start rolling)
a moses basket then a cot that's been in the family 70 years, and a sling and then a cheap buggy which was used for about 6m when she was 18m-2. then back to the sling when she couldn't/wouldn't walk.

With any big baby furniture I'd really recommend doing lots of research then waiting until the baby arrives before investing in big bits of kit, I found it so hard to predict what would be useful for us. most places do online ordering with quick delivery so it's not a big deal to get things once the baby arrives.

tjtheminx · 01/04/2010 02:17

The only thing I know is that of the (many) thousands of euros spent on DS1 ( now 3), the best investment by far was the Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair.
It does everything they say it does and more. I'm buying another one for DS2.

savoycabbage · 01/04/2010 04:40

I too was slightly doo-lally when I was pregnant. I nearly bought the cot - but I am glad I didn't. It is ridiculously expensive and it not 'better' than a regular cot. You are choosing a bed and then two chairs which means that you can't choose a bed that you want to choose three years later when you are ready for one. You are stuck with two chairs when you could have bought two chairs that you wanted to buy if you see what I mean.

You don't need a changing table. They are a waste of space. Will you want a desk?

I have a tripp trapp (well two...) and my 6 and 3 year olds use them as chairs. I didn't like them that much when they were little babies though, in fact I ended up buying a good old ikea highchair for my dd2 and then getting the tripp trapp when she was about 18 months.

MiniMarmite · 01/04/2010 08:42

We have the Stokke buggy and the tripp trapp highchair. DS is 19 months now and we're so glad we have them.

The only disadvantage with the buggy is that if we have another child there is not really a buggy board that is compatible with the Stokke (although there is one that you can just about use) and Stokke say they have no plans to make a buggyboard. DS walks quite a bit now anyway so I iamgine by 2 he will be walking to most places and, if we had another child, I might use a sling for the little one sometimes or DS could walk if the baby were in the pram.

As for the highchair we had the Ikea highchair until DS was about 10 months and then went for the tripp trapp without straps so it has been good for him to learn to climb up and down by himself and to start to ask if he can get down from the table...not that it always works of course .

Sorry, a bit waffly - just running to work!

CMOTdibbler · 01/04/2010 08:47

We have the cot, the changer and a tripp trapp. DS is nearly 4 now, and the cot has been expanded to the junior bed, and the changer has been a great storage unit with baskets on, but will ebay it now. Tripp trapp still in lots of use.

I don't regret buying any of it, and very very happy with the quality and flexibility. And you get a very good resale price too

zgaze · 01/04/2010 09:30

Minimarmite...actually Stokke have just brought out a proper buggy board - its on their website.

I have the Xplory and a Tripp Trapp. Xplory fab for urban streets, heavy to lug up stairs though (the whole 'flip to two wheels' feature I find impossible with a baby on board - could just be me though!) and doesn't fold down small / easily. But the eye level parent facing aspect really makes up for that for me, it makes such a difference on long walks to be able to talk directly 'at' them. I loved the carrycot attachment, although it didn't last my DS as long as I'd hoped, probably until he was 4.5 months, he wasn't amazingly big either. I didn't buy the proper Stokke accessories either - I used a normal cot sheet tucked in for the carrycot, not the ridiculously overpriced specially shaped one, and I bought a (much nicer) Cosyosko buggysnuggle thing which fit the three point harness on the seat. The bag underneath holds a lot more than you'd think to look at it, and I found some adjustable velcro handle hooks on Amazon to hang more stuff off.

I love the Tripp Trapp too but am regarding it as a longer term purchase and since I am attempting baby led weaning with all its attendant mess I also have the Ikea Antilop highchair, as I didn't fancy cleaning food out of the Tripp Trapp three times a day (just stick the ikea one under the shower when its REALLY bad).

I bought both these from the Back In Action store - highly recommend them, they pricematched with the much lower internet prices you can find and the customer service was absolutely brilliant both times.

MiniMarmite · 01/04/2010 09:37

Oh wow, thanks Zgaze!!!

How bizarre, I wrote to them about 6 months ago and they said they had no plans to bring one out

I can't believe how excited I am about this !

sunshiney · 01/04/2010 11:46

i don't have experience of the products, but thought i might add my thoughts from reading your post..

with regard to the cot changing into a chair and the changing table into a little desk, personally that wouldn't be a selling point to me, because:

a) once baby equipment is finished with, i'm sick of the sight of the thing!

b) if it's gone through toddlerhood as well is usually a bit battered and scribbled on with biro, among other things. i have a rule that my dc isn't allowed to user her pens anywhere but on paper but somehow a few transgressions occur!

(or it could just be my sour grapes as i don't have the budget for Stokke )

wahwahwah · 01/04/2010 11:51

Stokke cot is great. We now have the small bed and DS loves it.

witchwithallthetrimmings · 01/04/2010 11:58

Stokke Xplory is great and my eldest actually sits cross legged on the front platform when he gets tired. Can carry loads of shopping (in bag and on the handles) and is so comfy. Also great as lies flat for sleeps if you are out and about.

We do use a cheap as chips umbrella type stroller for bus journeys as have to go during rush hours.

cleanandclothed · 01/04/2010 12:13

I am a very money saving type and even I think my Stokke Xplory is value for money (we did by it second hand but still expensive).

It is not for everyone because of the size and I do find it tricky with stairs, but for my lifestyle (walking round, buses, tubes where the station has a lift, then wheel into the garage and leave it) it is perfect. I love the eye contact and that DS is up so high to chat to.

We did use the carrycot, but probably for only about 4/5 months - worth having but consider buying second hand as they won't get much wear, or selling afterwards (or when family is finished!)

DS is 18 months and still fits it fine, I am sure it will last until he is 2 and beyond.

We use the rain cover and the cosytoes, but not really much else - not the mosquito net nor the parasol.

designerjooles · 01/04/2010 13:24

Umnista - is that you Hannah? It's me - Jooles.... x

loobyboo · 01/04/2010 13:47

I have to say even though they are expensive items, like they say you get what you pay for.

My dh convinced me to get the stokke sleepi when we were expecting dd2 which was 5yrs ago (he is one for quality products) she was in the sleepi, then we turned it to a junior bed, it is now currently 2 chairs as we got bunk beds as dd1 was out growing her junior bed. it will now be used for baby no 3, it is still good as new.

we also have 2 tripp trap chairs which the girls still use (dd1 6 & dd2 4) and i'm currently sat on one whilst typing this and we will purchase another one for no 3.

Out of all the things that we have bought the stokke items are the only things that have lasted and will continue to last as they are well made.

dinkystinky · 01/04/2010 13:51

Have cot - DS1 used it till nearly 3 as cot bed and now DS2 is using it (he's 1). Not girly at all.

Have highchairs for both boys too - are great.

powerkitty · 01/04/2010 14:02

Hi....
I used my Stokke Xplory until my daughter was 4!
We still use our Tripp Trapps. Kids are 9, 8 and 6.
And my youngest still has her sleepi cot in her room as her sofa.
So yes they may be more expensive but they do last.
They have a new version of the Xplory coming out too.
www.stokkelovers.com

powerkitty · 01/04/2010 14:04

MiniMarmite, Stokke do now make a buggy board. It is called the Rider but only works with chassis produced after January 2010.
www.stokkelovers.com

Octaviapink · 01/04/2010 16:39

Tripp Trapp is great. We have the Stokke Sleepi but only because we got it for a good price from a friend. If I was buying new I'd go for the Boori Forever, which goes up through cot, toddler bed and ends up being a sofa and a double bed.(here)
Also, the price includes all the extra bits for the expansion, whereas Stokke make you pay extra for it all!

MiniEggsAndMarmite · 01/04/2010 22:47

Great about the buggyboard but a shame for me - mine's a 2008 model .

Umnitsa · 02/04/2010 01:45

Thank you very much for your responses, some food for thought (I am trying to get dh excited about the gadgety aspect of Stokke - mmm, all these transformations!..)

Designerjools - no I am not Hannah, sorry!

OP posts:
MrsAlwaysRight · 02/04/2010 09:38

I have the Sleepi and the changing unit. They are pricey but are very well made and I think worth the expenditure.

DD is 2.6 and very tall - she still fits in the cot although plan to move her into a bed shortly as DC2 due in June.

Looking to get the Tripp Trapp next.

titferbrains · 21/09/2010 22:40

I have the tripp trapp, the changing table and the cot. I loved the little mini cot at the beginning, thought it was lovely and cosy for my tiny baby. Still love the cot tho sometimes wished it had a dropside, but generally am delighted with the sturdiness of all items and the fact that they still look great. Am just trying to decide whether to get the junior bit for the cot, we are trying for another baby so would need to convert back to the mini cot in a year or so...

I adore the changing table, I cannot understand how people can change nappies on a sideways facing baby and my back would never cope with changing DD on the floor... Looking forward to continuing to use all three and am longing for the Xplory, I look at it enviously whenever I see one...

Am a bit gutted to see that they've updated the changing table and it now comes with baskets (I bought baskets from Muji that are ok but could do better...). I really recommend the table, if you have the money/space.

titferbrains · 21/09/2010 22:43

Also, I got the tray for the tripp trapp. I know it looks like a ridiculous piece of extra kit but I think my dd like knowing that everything on it was hers, and it saved our table from getting battered, and she loved the pics. Surprisingly useful, although a bit awkward to clean because it's quite big.

Rindercella · 21/09/2010 22:47

I love Stokke. We have the changing table and the cot. Brilliant, especially if you are tall like us.

We were going to change the cot into a bed for DD1 but then DD2 came along, so she is now in it and we got DD1 a full sized single bed. I am sure when the time comes, we will change it into two chairs or whatever. Not so sure about the changing table becoming a desk. May well eBay it when we no longer need it to change DD2.

DH hates Stokke though - he finds it a pain putting it together (but then he says this about most things).

lurcherlover · 22/09/2010 09:01

I'm picking my Xplory up this Saturday...am ridiculously excited about it! I had never heard of it until I went to the Baby Show and fell in love with it there. Since then I've met two women who own shops selling baby gear and both of them said it's the only pushchair they would ever use, so that's a good endorsement. I haven't seen that many in use here but I was in Belgium a couple of months ago and there were loads of them there - I think it's more popular in Europe at the moment but is starting to make inroads here. It is expensive, but everyone who has it seems to love it - and it's not too much more than a Quinny or Bugaboo if you got one of those with all the accessories. Plus they really hold their value on ebay in the future. It comes down to priorities really - we've got ikea furniture and an ikea cot in the nursery and will be economising in other areas so that we can afford it.

lurcherlover · 22/09/2010 09:02

I'm picking my Xplory up this Saturday...am ridiculously excited about it! I had never heard of it until I went to the Baby Show and fell in love with it there. Since then I've met two women who own shops selling baby gear and both of them said it's the only pushchair they would ever use, so that's a good endorsement. I haven't seen that many in use here but I was in Belgium a couple of months ago and there were loads of them there - I think it's more popular in Europe at the moment but is starting to make inroads here. It is expensive, but everyone who has it seems to love it - and it's not too much more than a Quinny or Bugaboo if you got one of those with all the accessories. Plus they really hold their value on ebay in the future. It comes down to priorities really - we've got ikea furniture and an ikea cot in the nursery and will be economising in other areas so that we can afford it.