Parent facing, all terrain buggy needed

[bloodywhitecat]

Does such a thing exist, something that can really handle off-roading? I am fostering a baby who has a neurological injury and a visual impairment and he has taken to hating facing away from me. He hated it when he was smaller but that was more easily fixed by keeping him in the bassinet but now he is 11 months old and he screams on every single walk we take. He is slightly better if we are on pavements so I think my ancient Phil and Teds probably doesn't have good enough suspension for him but he hates not being able to see me (like lots of babies and children in care there are issues around attachment). At almost 58 I struggle with having him in a sling but we do need to get out every day to walk the hell hound. Does anyone have any ideas? I can't afford to spend £££ on something else he might hate too.

The mountain buggy all have parent facing option with the carrycot plus. My 11 month old is still using on the swift. The urban or terrain are more off road. However, I don’t think the seat will last him much longer so it’s probably a bit expensive for 3-4 months. If you can get the carrycot plus bit second hand it would be good though

I think the newer Phil and teds also rear faces.

Actually the perfect solution would be get an old bugaboo runner frame. They don’t make them new anymore but you should find secondhand.
Then it’s compatible with any bugaboo seat forward or rear facing. So you could for example get the runner frame, then second hand bugaboo bee. Then use the bee parent facing on normal frame in shops or non off-road as smaller folding option, then just clip seat off and use same seat on the bugaboo runner for all terrain

Wow caspian that would have been perfect for me some years back! Sorry op I just came on to see if some clever clogs had finally invented the buggy I wished for when mine were wee. Sadly it seems not...

Would it be safe to keep him in the bassinet, sit him up eg with rolled up blankets and use a clipped on harness (you used to be able to buy these separately and all buggies had clips on the seat for a universal harness)?

As Caspian mentioned the mountain buggy is rather good. Here’s other’s that are an option

• Bugaboo fox - very popular and easy to find second hand. Would also recommend taking a look at the buffalo if looking second hand as I believe that it has better off road capabilities

• UPPAbaby vista - comparable with the Fox, huge basket too and has option to convert to double if necessary (though might not be the best if going across fields when using as a double due to the positioning of second seat!)

• Mountain buggy - again though the parent facing seat won’t last as long as the others mentioned. It carries up to 15kg though he may not necessarily be ready to forward face by then as the seat is small-probably would last to 12-15 months for an average baby and maybe 18 months if he’s small

• Bugaboo lynx - rather new over here in UK though seems rather popular in the USA, might not be within your budget but worth a mention

• ICandy peach all terrain - don’t know much about this one, is the only three wheeler that parent faces until whole pram is outgrown

• Stokke trailz - bear in mind that the frame is large and unwieldy so may not fit in your car boot. I had an Xplory at one point and found the seat rather supportive on there and it is similar on the trailz so worth a mention (though it is a beast!)

• Bumbleride era - have seen other threads about how bumbleride’s (specifically the indie) aren’t the best though this one does offer parent facing and all wheel suspensions

• City versa - would have to be second hand but very similar to the city mini (but can parent face past carrycot) and rather reasonably priced. Would be better with the GT wheels if they’re available

And finally the TFK combi. IME has been rather hard to get hold off in the UK but worth a mention

I see the new Phil and teds do have parent facing option if you buy the doubles seat to use that way. Might be a better investment if your fostering and potentially needing again for two children or different ages again in future.

I would buy another P&T but I have a Mountain Buggy Duet (I had unrelated babies 4 months apart in age for a while).

Thank you for all the suggestions, especially for your comprehensive reply @teaandlotusbiscoff I am going to check them all out.

Have a look at Emmaljungas, especially the older ones on ebay.

You’re welcome glad I could help!