BJCM did you miss forward facing?

[Autumn2014]

currently TTC and thinking ahead...
this is the only sticking point when comparing it to lots of other travel systems. but I really want the compact fold, neat styling, big hood, etc
The big travel systems that you need to lift the seat on and off scare me! the pushchair would mainly be a car boot pushchair. we live in a large village with primary school and small convenience shops but all the main services (GP, large supermarket, children's centres, play groups, cafes etc) are a car drive away.
I'm pretty sure we would get the carry cot but wondered if the seat only being forward facing would be a regret?

I'll tell you in a few months... DD is in the carrycot at the mo (she's 3m).

One thing i thought when having the same thoughts, was that unless it's raining or windy you don't need to have the hood up so you can still talk to them easily unless it's really noisy, and if the hood is up you can see them at least through the window.

The thing is, the bjcm is so good in so many ways, I figure if DD really hates facing out at the start I can always get an ebay rear facing buggy or wear her in the sling more. And we'll still get tons of use out of it hopefully when she's a bit older. But she's already a real nosy nelly so I think she'll love looking out. Plus she always falls asleep in the carrycot so I doubt that'll change too much until she's quite a bit older...

thanks for your answer. it's really useful to read your experience. what carry cot do you have? do you use it without the seat fabric?

I have the new deluxe carrycot in red, and don't have the seat fabric on. It looks great IMO!!

I was worried about the same thing, but the fact that the carrycot is obviously forward facing has changed my mind. After the first few months I'm not sure having the forward facing option is such a concern.

Autumn you can put the carrycot on without the seat attached. Thank goodness, because the way the website demonstrates it with the seat still attached is absolutely hideous!

Link

I have got a BJC Versa, similar to the mini but rear faces, I love it. Might be worth a look.

Not city mini specific but for dd2 I had a britax b agile with carrycot, when she outgrew it I did look for something with a parent facing option. For me I struggle with 6-18m facing only forwards, none of the dc were ever the slightest bit bothered however.

If I was to do it all again I am totally on board with investing in a good, lightweight robust pushchair and then a used or cheap new parent facer if it seemed necessary at any point.

I do think there are a few things now offering the best of both worlds though, like the easywalker mosey and new mini, the m&p armadillo flip/flip xt, that sort of thing.

thanks for your replies
Moggle- I think I have seen your photos on a previous thread. it looks gorgeous. I thought at first it was pink, but must be the lighting.
bue- thanks for your link
INF- I have looked at the versa but it seems much bigger
IHP- thanks for the other suggestions. I think I am scared of big travel systems like icandy and the likes where you have to separate components and they have massive wheels. I had a bad experience with a wheelchair services 'pushchair' and it drove me mad. I had browsed the mosey and armadillo.

all hypothetical at the moment but I can research!

My main pushchair is parent facing but I have a BJCM for transport.

I don't know if its just because I'm used to being able to see her but I definately missed parent facing when she was under 9 months, not so bad after that and she never seemed bothered.

We still parent face at 2 but we walk at least 6 miles a day so feel as though a lot of our time is in the pushchair.

Yes - I bought an eBay Bugaboo Bee precisely because I wanted parent-facing while DS2 is small.
He's 9mo now and I'm still mainly using the Bee, he's only been in the BJCM twice (I mostly carry him in an Ergo).
I miss using the BJCM as it's a far superior buggy in every other way (the Bee is so ridiculously flimsy!) but right now rear-facing is more important for me.
When he gets heavier/more interested in his surroundings I'll move back to the BJCM.

I never found it as an issue although ds screamed and cried in it every time until he was around 9mo ......don't think it was related though

It was honestly the best baby relayed item I bought and I would recommend it to anyone!!