Can anyone help me with a pram dilema?

[alfiemama]

I have a real pram issue and I'm struggling, so would love someone's advice or experience.

Basically I have 2 children, one who is 3 and the other who is 5 and bubs on the way. My issue is my 3 year old can't walk very far due to a heart condition, he will walk though and would like to encourage this.
I have tried buggy boards but find they hurt my shins, can't use a sling as a) have heavy babies and b) c section. What I need is something that is a single but will convert to a double if needed, or a sit down stand up (been looking at Joovy Ultralight and Mia moda Compagno.

I know there is the Icandy peach but find it very heavy and bulky,
My concern with the Joovy is when the baby is out of the car seat and in the front seat you cant recline fully for naps.

My other problem is my other son is autistic and has mobility issues, although can be a good walker but sometimes tires easily so need to accommodate him ie his age.

So to sum up looking for a stroller and a half (preferably) or a twin tandem that converts to single to accommodate ages newborn/3-4/5-6.

Any help appreciated thanks

[thelittlebluepills]

would this be any good?

bertini shuttle with toddler seat

[alfiemama]

Ooh that looks quite good thelittlebluepills, is it yours?
Do you know if the buggy board sticks out or is it in line with the pram (ie so it doesn't hurt your shins). Also does the toddler seat come off easily and fold down.

[thelittlebluepills]

not mine - I am just a pramaholic and as my second DS is getting beyond the need for prams now I am indulging my fetish via proxy!

I believe that the toddler seat folds up as you take it off and it fits in the shopping basket under the pram.

I do know that it is a walking pram - i.e. ideal if you walk everywhere but it's quite heavy folded so not ideal if you are in and out of the car the whole time

don't know about the buggy board sticking out though - sorry

[thelittlebluepills]

sorry just to add that although heavy when folded it is extremely easy to push and steer as I noted you were not keen on the icandy peach

[alfiemama]

thanks thelittlebluepills, I won it for £26 so if it works youve saved me £250, as the ultra light was £275

[thelittlebluepills]

excellent news! how lucky was that timing?

[CarGirl]

I've seen one of these, the buggy board is really low to the ground and you can push it away under the pram when you don't need to use it!

[thelittlebluepills]

let us know how it works out for you Alfiemama

[CarGirl]

the other thing to look out for is a kiwi or ozzy explorer which is the original phil and ted tandem - the main seat is huge and suitable for a 7 year old and is always used for the older child.

There isn't one I can link to at the moment though!

[CarGirl]

Here are some photos of one

mamakath-ivil.tripod.com/mystrollercollection/id6.html

[alfiemama]

I will do thelittlebluepills, thanks for your help, perfect timing.
Cargirl, thanks for the link, I will have a look, have to say, and hope no one minds, but I have a slight aversion to P&T's not sure why, just not keen on the look of them, but if they do the job then so be it.

[CarGirl]

I have to sat I prefer the kiwi to the newer one, baby was higher up and older child had a huge a seat still!

[alfiemama]

yes I agree, the kiwi does look better.
I'm being greedy now, but really like the Bertini, can you not buy them new anymore? And if so how?
Also I don't know the gender of bubs yet, is it possible to re upholster say a pram hood?(its blue you see)

[wonka]

Oh I had one of these with my first two.. fantastic pram.. the 4 wheel steer takes a bit of getting used to especially when reversing! the top seat cones of really easily.. its lovely.. They are quite heavy though

[alfiemama]

Thanks Wonka, did you buy it from the uk? can't seem to find them new anymore.
Can I ask, the toddler seat how is it reversible? Does it mean it can go on the back of the pram or just turned round in the position its in (hope that makes sense)

[wonka]

The todler seat is not really reversible if the new baby is in the buggy as I'm sure their feet would be in the baby's face? it just clicks on to the frame of the buggy.. I got it new off ebay but that was when my son who is now 5 was born.

[Multimummy]

I'm pretty sure this company has the thing you want!
One of the mums at our school (who has about 6 kids I think!) has a double - then a toddler seat on top - she has been using it for years (she has the funky camo one) and it still looks like new - awesome. They have an excellent resale value too.

Other than that - I would look for a Mutsy Urban rider with Duo Seat.
Mutsy Urban Rider Duo Seat

[alfiemama]

thanks Wonka, I thought that was the case, just I saw on google someone say you put the seat where the hood and vice versa, would be a clever pram if thats the case lol.

Thanks multimummy, not sure if would hold my toddler though, as hubby hates phil and teds because they look weird, cant see him liking this. But will check it out.

Will check out the Mutsy aswell.

Seen the Graco Symbio today, its a lovely pram you can push one handed, wondering now if I could get a buggy board to fit? Buts its a funny shape.

[Multimummy]

There are a couple of ABC Adventure buggies on ebay - the lady I see (at school gates) has a 4y old in the top seat! The top seat is bigger than appears - whole thing is very sturdy - and I'm sure the weight limit on the upper seat is quite high (23kg or 25kg or something!) Yes they do look different - but seem most practical!

[alfiemama]

Ooh thanks Multimummy, will have another look at them, maybe hubby will have to get past looks fo practicality.

[alfiemama]

OMG you would have to really trust that abc pram. Can imagine hubbys face now when I show him this one

[5inthebed]

Would a buggypod work for him? They fold up onto the pram when he isn't using it.

I had a Mia Moda, and it was really heavy, like driving a tank!

[alfiemama]

thanks 5inthebed. I had one of those when they first came out, by Revelo, and it was a death trap, I never actually got out of the house with it, it toppled over on my pram with ds in it. I sold it on Ebay after 2 weeks. Granted its probably on about version 6 of this now lol but hubby really would freak if I suggested this to him.

I liked the look of the Mia Moda, looks more elegant that the Joovy, but hubby also says cant buy anything without seeing it in the flesh, he's a pain I know .

How was the recline on the Mia Moda?

[5inthebed]

I only used it for the car seat, had it about 4 weeks and only used it a handful of times. Too plasticy for my liking, but it was sturdy.

Reline, iirc, had three settings, so wasn't too bad, but still not that great if it was going to be a main pram.

[alfiemama]

hmm I agree, I just don't like the idea of using the car seat all the time, until 6 months of age.
Anyone tried the obaby xi?