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

[asuwere]

Alfiemama - how did you like the bertini?
I had seen it on ebay but I wasn't nearby for collection. Am hoping that you can tell me that it's not very good so that I won't feel so bad at missing out! LOL Of course, if you think it's really good but you won't be using it, would you consider selling it?

[alfiemama]

Ah thanks so much for your help multimummy, I will have a look into those, very helpful indeed and yes definitely gives me a few more options. Hadn't really thought about going down the Sn route but makes sense really as one child asd and the other heart problems, sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees. Thanks again.

[Multimummy]

There is a buggy called the "Easy Life Sport" - which you can pick up for quite a reasonable price on ebay - they are very sturdy - and suitable up to about age 7y (they are sometimes also used as special needs strollers!).
If you contact secondchildhood.co.nz They can send you a toddlerseat with wheel conversion kit - which makes it into a tandem buggy.
If you email them - you can find out the cost including postage and they'll help you calculate it in £GBP - as the website shows it all in NZ$!
This does sound tricky - but I did it myself - and they are fab to deal with - and sent the parcel out all fully insured - it arrived within 10 days - and it made a very sturdy and durable tandem - which I believe would be ideal for your needs given the ages and weights of your children.

Alternatively - you might consider the baby jogger city elite twin shown here:
Baby Jogger City Elite Twin I know it's side by side - but each seat is suitable from birth - and big enough for a 6/7y old and it does have a really quick fold mechanism - so might be okay to fold in order to bring indoors (assuming you might be preferring tandem - in order to fit through your front door).

Also - you can get a single baby jogger city elite or city classic and import a toddler seat (not yet sold in the UK) from country moose kids usa again, if you get the single baby jogger off ebay - they tend to be less expensive - even the new ones!
The jump seat will only fit the elite or classic models - and it won't go on the city mini. The jump seat is very roomy - it states it is suitable up to 15kg - but I have used it with my dd who is 20kg - and it was fine - no problems at all. The jump seat is for a baby who can sit - so the newborn would have to be in the rear seat until 6 months or so of age.

I hope this offers you a few more options you may not have heard of.

If you are lucky and keep looking - sometimes an easylife sport buggy with the wheel conversion kit and toddler seat appears on ebay from time to time!

[alfiemama]

Just realised that ds will prob be over the 15kg seat limit for the Bertini. So looks like it would have to be a board or strolli bike, or a tandem.

[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?

[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]

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]

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]

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

[alfiemama]

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

[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]

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]

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

[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.

[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]

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]

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)

[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]

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]

Here are some photos of one

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

[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!

[thelittlebluepills]

let us know how it works out for you Alfiemama

[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]

excellent news! how lucky was that timing?

[alfiemama]

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