Parent Facing for 2 year old?

[ihearttc]

I have a 2 year old who it appears has some hearing loss. We've been struggling for the last 6 months or so since he had his tonsils/adenoids out in the hope that it would get better but it's not and I cannot cope with the hysteria everytime we go out in the pushchair. We have to do school run along a busy main road so although he walks some of the way he also has to go in the pushchair (we've got a Techno XT) cause I haven't got the time to do a 2 year old pace lol! We don't know the extent of his hearing loss yet because they refused to do any hearing tests until they were sure the tonsils/adenoids wouldn't have helped but he has virtually no speech and gets very distressed when there is lots of background noise cause he can't hear/see me.

So DH is going to go mental but I need a parent facing pushchair. He is a tiny 2 year old as was 2 months prem (has just gone into 18-24 month clothes to give you an idea of size). Hopefully I won't need it for long but just wondered if you had any ideas? Ive got about £200 to spend-would love a Frog but can't seem to find one for that price.

Ah sorry to hear about your ds, hope he's ok after his op!

You could look at a teutonia. I got one for ds1 and use it now for ds 2. I have the spirit s3, it folds in one piece, is very easy to push and has a large seat. They are about £500 new, but come up quite cheaply on Ebay.

Thats great thank you-will have a look!

He has already had the op but unfortunately its not made as much difference as they'd hoped so now got to wait to have his hearing properly assessed so see how bad things are.

The M&P Sola looks good. Or the Babystyle Oyster.

Good luck.

I've got a petite star Bubble Njoy up, the seat unit can be used in either direction, umbrella fold and very light, folds in one piece. Dd is 18 months and plenty of room, they are around £200 but could be found on eBay cheaper, mine was £115 with delivery brand new.

Was going to suggest the Bubble but been beaten to it - so second choice is Zapp Xtra

Oh bless your ds! Ds1 had grommets so we've had some exp of poor hearing, though thankfully all seems ok now.

I have a Britax Vigour 3, the old version of a B Smart, and also have a B Dual. I occasionally have ds1, who's 3, in the Vigour and the top seat of the dual, both of which are parent facing, and he still fits ok. He's an average size 3yo, in 2-3 clothes. I'm sure you could get a v cheap Vigour on eBay

Does the zapp xtra still not sit upright when parent facing though? That might annoy a 2 year old. The new baby jogger versa is the largest parent facing seat i can think of but it's over budget and probably a bit much for the time you think you'll need to use it for. I can't help feeling like 200 is loads for a frog, we have been trying to work it out and as far as most of us remember the cam replaced the frog in this country so the last frogs are from 2006 at the latest, over 200 for a 6 year old pushchair is a lot! If you want something vaguely small maybe an oyster is your best bet, maybe even an older bee but i think the seat is lower, which may or may not hamper communications?

I have a Brio pram. I just saw one on ebay for £150, new ones cost an arm and a leg.

Good Luck!

Wow thank you all so much-wasn't expecting so many great responses!

Yes Zapp extra was my first thought but there is no way he would be happy in the seat cause it doesn't sit up straight. It would be perfect if it did.

We actually had an Oyster when he was tiny and we sold it cause I hated it...which Id kept it now though cause would have done the job perfectly.

Ihateparties-I know I thought I could pick up a Frog really cheaply but we live in the middle of nowhere and all the cheap ones on e-bay are pick up only...the nearest one was 150 miles away. I could probably stretch to £250 for a Bugaboo of some description if it was in good condition as I know I could resell it but the problem is I need it fairly quickly and at the moment there doesn't seem many about at that price.

Will search for Britax ones and will go and try him a Sola at weekend-it doesn't help that he hates being constrained in anyway (ie pushchair,carseat,highchair etc) so as well as parent facing it needs to be right for him-I realise that sounds really precious but Im so not like that normally! He is very very hard work but totally adorable. He is so so frustrated that he can't talk bless him and spends a large part of the day screaming!

DS1 had some hearing loss and speech delay as well but he had huge tonsils/adenoids and once they were removed at 2.5 his speech came on almost immediately once they had been taken out so his consultant (who now sees DS2) assumed that his hearing loss was caused by the same thing. He has got loads of other medical issues as well so they wanted to try to see if it would work but it appears that it hasn't as yet. He is saying more than he was in the summer but by more I mean 2 words as opposed to none...but its progress I suppose!

Never heard of Brio prams...am intrigued! Brio as in the train sets etc?

Once again huge thank you!

The mama and papas urbo can be parent facing or forward facing so you can change it to suit you and seems sturdy so your Dc can grow in it. Not sure of prices on eBay and that though

Hope your DC is okay too Op

Yes- Brio is the company that makes train sets and quality wooden toys. I love our pram, it is very large and comfy.

A word of caution, they also make toy prams so make sure you don't buy one of them!

The Urbo had almost no suspension though and it hurt my hands within a few minutes of walking.

Suggestions to throw in would be the Hauck Eagle and the I'Coo Infinity. If you can spot a Mutsy Evo or Graco Evo on Ebay they could be worth a look. Mutsy's in general are usually nice pushchairs and sell cheaply.

A few more to add to your list : Mura, streety and maybe the loola up though not sure if it is parent facing. I hope you get the help you need for him, it must be frustrating for both of you .

Ive found a Mutsy Evo for £250 which is a possibilty however I have also found several Mutsty 4 Rider Lights for £150. Reviews look fantastic and Ive got a black buggy snuggle which would fit nicely.

Anyone had one? Am very tempted!

Thanks everyone and yes it is really frustrating for both of us.

I have a Mutsy stroller and I have nothing but positive things to say about the company. Great design and very good customer service.

I've looked at the evo lots of times, mutsys are very robust by reputation and it looks great but they are all large, as long as you are prepared for this if buying unseen then it's fine!

If you're still after a bugaboo, I can recommend the gecko as an alternative to the frog.

The seat is smaller than the other models but I easily fit 3yr old mindees in mine. I bought one off ebay for £65 last year. For some reason they have a very poor re-sale value on eBay compared to other models.

Silver Cross linear freeway sits both ways. It's quite a tank so should be roomy!

People seem to sell them on eBay fairly cheaply (don't know why as I adore mine)so you might get a bargain :)

I was going to suggest the gecko too. I love ours, lighter and more compact than the cam but good off road, nimble round the shops etc.

Hi I'm selling my Cam on a variety of sites..they're not that expensive..