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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

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Original poster

2 major stroller providers cannot help me. Can you?!

23 replies

AndTwoBits · 05/02/2014 12:30

Hi there. We have a very tall (90cm) 19 month old dd. We are also tall parents, surprise surprise! She is in a maclaren xlr a year now, as our older dd was before her.

Here is the problem. As much of a workhorse as the Maclaren has been, and it has been, the straps just aren't long enough! Both my dd's have had to be bet into the buggy!! The straps are obviously on the highest setting but they are far too short. We are not going to get much longer out of it.

I have been to mothercare and eurobabies. Neither company can help. They don't sell strap extenders or other strollers that can take very tall toddlers and have height adjustable handles. So basically we need a lightweight stroller because i walk and bus it everywhere in the city. I need height adjustable handles as we are both tall. And we need long straps. Has anybody got any advice for me? I have even emailed maclaren but they don't sell strap extenders. Help, please!!

OP posts:

MerryMarigold · 05/02/2014 12:33

I'd say don't bother with the shoulder ones, as long as she is strapped at the waist. She won't be in it a whole lot longer anyway. Or use some reins and somehow tie it to the buggy so she can't get out and run away.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 05/02/2014 12:37

What Merry said. I haven't strapped DD2 in at the shoulders since she was about 18 months. She likes to move about a bit, sit forward if she sees something she's interested in etc. As long as she's strapped in at the waist then she's fine.

UriGeller · 05/02/2014 12:37

Can you use reins instead? You can usually take off the long (leash) bit and just use the harness to clip onto the D rings on the pushchair.

RoganJosh · 05/02/2014 12:42

Are you sure you can't extend further from the back? Would be worth looking at and googling for a demo video. 90cm doesn't seem tall enough to have run out of strap.

Original poster

AndTwoBits · 05/02/2014 12:49

thank you. she has defo run out of strap! the guy in mother care checked just to be sure. i might try attaching her reins. she is going to be in a stroller for at least two more years because i live in a busy city and don't drive so have to get this problem fixed. so no stroller suggestions perhaps? i would honestly prefer if she were fully strapped in. worried about her falling out!

OP posts:

DisneyAddict88 · 05/02/2014 13:22

have you tried baby jogger city mini gt or elite- very tall seat and has adjustable handles. not as slim as maclaren but v easy one hand fold. I had the normal version (not gt or elite) and was very good. used occasionlly for my 5 year old!!!

apparently out and about nipper and phil and teds very good for older toddlers but bulkier and harder to fold than a stroller.

Original poster

AndTwoBits · 05/02/2014 14:26

Thanks disney. I will google both of those suggestions. Ive just been to another pram shop where the only suggestion was the out and about nipper but to be honest its very bulky and heavy.

OP posts:

MerryMarigold · 05/02/2014 15:03

I live in a city! It generally means most transport is not a long walk away. Why does she need to be in a buggy for 2 more years?

Original poster

AndTwoBits · 05/02/2014 15:35

Because its safer and i can walk much faster.

OP posts:

adagio · 05/02/2014 15:47

Not sure if relevant, as my nipper is tiny (still in 6-9m clothes and the infant car seat at almost 14m!) but I can tell you that the Mamas and Papas Sola has D rings at the waist bit of the harness, and that john lewis harness and reins came with two bits to attach to D rings, as well as the usual loop rein.

Maybe look for a pushchair specifically with the D rings to use? Or, have you considered improvising i.e. with pet leads/luggage straps/a replacement harness from a wheelchair or similar? Looking at my pushchair, I can get the harness off (if I want to) and so could in theory swap it.

strawberryswing · 06/02/2014 08:28

Not sure about the harness issue but if you want an actual umbrella stroller the cosatto supa has adjustable handles, they go very high! The lowest setting was quite big for me and I'm an average 5'4.

Original poster

AndTwoBits · 06/02/2014 14:31

Thank you for all the suggestions. The cosatto supra is fabulous! Wow, I really like the bright funky designs and high handles. It only goes up to 15 kg and dd is already 14 kg but i am going to try find a supplier so i can go in a take a look at it, see how long the strap is, how big the seat is etc. failing that, i will perhaps get a seamstress to add a piece of material into the maclaren straps to extend them.

OP posts:

strawberryswing · 06/02/2014 16:50

Ah I don't look at the weight limits, my 18mo is a little one so never something I needed to consider. I think a lot of pushchairs say 15kg how awkward. Apart from that the supa are fantastic designs. Best of luck :)

hazchem · 07/02/2014 03:59

You probably have done this already but have you got the crotch straps to their full length? I'm thinking the middle one is the most important. My DS is over 90cm and still fits in his XT but I do make him bum scoot right to the back of the chair to do it up.

AliceMum09 · 07/02/2014 12:33

I've just had a thought - I used to have a Techno XT ( and have a Quest at the moment) and I always thought there was a lot of 'strap' in the plastic bit on the harness, like it was almost doubled over. I'm sure you already have, but have you pulled all the strap through that you possible can? It's not just a case of sliding the plastic bit right up to the top, you also need to feed some of the harness straps through.

Hope that makes sense! My friend has a Techno XLR for her almost 3 year old DD - her DD is tall for her age (she's got to be over 90cm) and she still fits in the pram fine with the harness done up.

Vajazzler · 07/02/2014 12:58

Are you also trying to strap her in with a bulky coat on? That would take up unneccesary amount of space and could get more room with a not so bulky coat.

SarahJinx · 08/02/2014 08:11

We have a Techno XT, DS 2.8 is 98 cms tall, 91st for weight and has plenty of space, and strap capacity, particularly for his length.

Twattyzombiebollocks · 09/02/2014 13:31

I used to be a custom maker for pushchairs, I could rustle you up a set of strap extenders for about £6 including postage?

MyNameIsKenAdams · 09/02/2014 13:33

Thats really odd. We have the XLR and dd is at 2.2 100cms tall and the straps still have plenty of room....very odd!

Jumpingovaries1 · 15/03/2014 22:10

I had this issue and called maclaren and they sent me out a longer crotch strap which fixed the issue my daughter was 4 in august was still comfortably using it while we were on holiday last year.

Mycatistoosexy · 15/03/2014 22:17

This is a bit of an old thread but my DS is 20 months old and 90cm. My Mamas and Papas Luna is doing him just fine with room to spare.

JellyTipisthebest · 15/03/2014 22:30

Instructions for adjusting the harnesss

katrina8989 · 19/01/2021 15:17

Hi there, I’m looking for some strap extenders for my kinderkraft buggy. Are you able to help?

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