Help - new to this

[Dancing12345]

Hi. First time mum of now nearly 2 and a half year old. We were lent a Bugaboo Bee which was brilliant. He is still not the most active child (adopted, and had some physical delay but has caught up brilliantly) so I anticipate still needing a pushchair for a while.

We were also given a Maclaren which I have started to use as lighter, thought older children should have this type of one but neither of us like it at all.

He looks fine in the Bugaboo but I am not sure if he should be in something else if he is still needing a pushchair for a while and if so what? I really don't like the umbrella buggies I have found so far as I don't like the 2 handles, all the bits sticking out, how they feel too light and seat back is just material/doesn't sit up properly.

Any suggestions please for what to do from experienced mummies? Thanks so much.

I'm not an experienced mummy, but the Baby Jogger City Mini range might work for you? They seem huge! (I think my new baby will be swamped when it goes in the main seat at 5 or 6 months!). It has a very easy fold (not umbrella).
Although if he still fits in the Bugaboo, how much space does he have left? Don't know how much difference there is size wise between that and the baby joggers.

There seems to be a bit of a rite of passage with many mums who switch their kids into Maclarens at 18 months ish. I don't really get it. If the bee is still working for you stick with it.

We've only ever had one buggy. DS who is 3 now uses it very rarely, but he still squeezes in.

I also hate umbrella folds so I used the Baby Jogger City Mini for my son until he was 3.5 years old and wearing 4-5 clothes.

The seat is huge, it fully reclines, has a huge hood, bar handle and has a super nifty fold. We're using it for our 18 month old now too :)

But that said if you like the Bee keep it as there's no right/wrong type of pushchair for any age so save yourself the expense if you can.

Really appreciate the great replies folks. I read somewhere on reviews that the Bee seat is not big enough for a toddler and I am not sure where there legs are meant to come as a max? yes the Bee does still seem great to me. Other than the wheels shuddering, so as I didn't spend any money on it might check out the Baby Jogger City Mini second hand. I am not one for doing much jogging though ha ha!

As he doesn't use a scooter yet either when they all seem to, if he is in a "baby" buggy does it look a bit odd? Don't want him to feel like an odd one out if it is not the "usual" way.

Dd2 is 2.5 all of her contemporaries are still using a buggy at least some of the time and quite a few varying ones so I wouldn't worry too much about the type. That's very much personal choice imo.

The city mini is good, the red kite zumi and graco evo mini are also good and a bit more compact when open if that's a consideration. The city mini is a lot wider than your bee so you might notice that aspect.

Your DS might not be quite ready for it but depending upon where and when you use the buggy, you might find that a smart trike gives you a useful alternative for the in-betweeny stage when they believe themselves to be far too grown up for a buggy.

m.toysrus.co.uk/home?fh_location=%2F%2Ftrus%2Fen_GB%2Fcategories%3C%7Btrus_trus%7D%2Fitemtype%3Dproduct%2Fbrand%3E%7Bbrandsmarttrike%7D

Alternatively if he likes to be able to hop in and out and walk a bit as he likes, you might like to check out a push along car such as www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/3975826.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:18091993285%7Ctsid:59156%7Ccid:189934165%7Clid:96721104085%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:53116093645%7Crnd:783700380193780077%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o3

The bugaboo bee3 is suitable up to 17kg, so if your LO is comfortable in it up until that weight, you should keep using it if it suits you!

Thanks so much for the help and messages. I thought it was usually 1 year olds I saw in the push along things but good idea with the car as he is driving obsessed. Might try and find one second hand. I am not sure he thinks of himself as too old for the buggy, it was more me not knowing the score! He is not even 12kg yet so if he still likes his buggy as long as he gets lots of exercise otherwise I think I will stick with it and not worry.

Loads of Bees near me and people use them up to 3+ if not longer. If he's not comfy he'll let you know.

You know that the seat and back of the Bee can extend, right?

If the wheels judder it sounds like it may have been part of that batch in 2010/2011 (can't remember) which had a wheel issue - Bugaboo can send you metal washers to put on the wheels to stop the juddering, I believe.

Very helpful indeed Minipie, thanks. I know the back does. I will look at the seat?

I still use my Bee for my 2.6 year old. It's so much nicer than a maclaren (I have one and don't like it). If you're happy with the Bee then keep using it, it's a great toddler pushchair.

The seat and back definitely both extend.

Yes the seat extends too - you just have to grab hold of both sides and pull hard.

I don't think he'd look odd at all. I see 3 and 4 year olds in buggies - including plenty of "from birth" buggies, not just maclarens - I think lots of parents use them if they are eg on their way to nursery school/school and don't have time to wait for tired 3 year old legs.