E3 buggy owners - update please

[Gem13]

Due to a change in circumstances (moved to the country, need to drive everywhere then walk, DS has decided walking is more fun, looming c-section, etc.) I am very tempted to change my double buggy plans from a double Mountain Buggy to an E3.

So, I'm interested to learn how all those new E3 owners are getting on with their E3s now that several months have passed since the original debate and siblings have arrived.

Any niggles? Any must-have extras? All information gratefully received.

Hey Explorers! Buggy bag photos will go on gallery soon - ds's sleep deprivation torture means there's not so much time these days to do things like that. Sorry about largely repeating my previous post earlier - just so chuffed about how cool the bag is (and knackered beyond all recognition). It cost $60 US plus freight (Half of $20 I guess as we also got his last ever pair of blue panniers - only come in grey now).

Mumbo, DW thought we should try ds in the doubles seat with a car-seat head hugger/neck cushion thingy too - so will let you know when we give it a go. We had three teenage schoolgirls in hysterics yesterday as they walked past and heard screams from our buggy but could only see dd sitting serenely in the top seat, then they noticed the baby slotted in underneath. It's nice that even when he's going ballistic, he's brightening someone's day.

So that's why I had to settle for the charcoal panniers. Humpf! Rodney has assured me they will look fine with the blue/charcoal buggy.

Soooo excited about my parcel... It left LA yesterday and it's in Croydon as I type! Must be here Monday then.

It's worth the wait Gem! Sorry about nabbing the panniers. They grey ones do go with the charcoaly bits on the buggy. Grey is the new navy.

Off on a tangent - I was searching for dribble rash solutions last night as dd has a very spotty chin that sudocrem, vaseline, calendula etc can't help. I saw your posts elsewhere - did you get something that worked?

Yep, after 3 trips to the GP. It looked horrid so I was persistent. Couldn't believe it wasn't sore for him and he looked uncared for too.

We were prescribed 'Fucidin H' ointment. It's a mild steroid but spread very thinly and fine for thumb suckers (a contributory factor to the rash in the first place!).

Cleared it up in a matter of days and we apply it every now and then if it looks like the rash is returning. Haven't used it for ages though so hopefully it's gone for good.

My DS was older than yours though - round about 14 months so it might not be so suitable for your little one.

mumbo is yours red? LOL

dribble rash, tip use chamomile and honey tea, brewed and cooled as a cotton wool aplied wash, it clears up nappy rash overnight, sensational, natural easy cheap and it even tastes nice!
xx J

Hi kiwisbird

No, we went for the grey and black one.....loved the red but thought it might be a little bit bright!

There are a few in Basingstoke then! I've got blue one wanted red but it would have clashed with D's wardrobe LOL
Might see ya there one day!

Bear ... don't know whether u saw my post below, bu as someone using it in toddler/newborn mode do you have any idea where the elastic loops on dbl raincover go?

thx

Sorry, no idea - thought they must loop round something on the doubles seat as we haven't fitted that yet - they have had me flummoxed too. If I come up with the answer I'll let you know.

Anyone know what the 2cm x 2cm square fabric loop is for on the RH side just above the place where the buggy bar slots into the frame? If it's for an accessory we haven't got, I want one.

BTW Gem, dd's the older one - 26m - still has a dummy at night and last molars on their way I think, so very drooly while sleeping, leading to a spotty chin.

You could always invent an accessory! Seems like there is a positive correlation between e3 owners and the need for all the gadgets we can lay our hands on!

Will be checking out the raincover and the fabric
loop now next week.

Do try the ointment then, it sounds just like our problem with DS and the thumb sucking. That coincided with teeth too.

Just worked it out - it's for dd's i-pod to hang on.

Millie, the loops only become useful when you've got the doubles seat in place - they loop round the ends of the doubles bar that prodrude into the parcel tray. So they have nowhere to attach to when you're using it in "sibling" mode - ie with a newborn and a toddler. We've set the thing up with both seats now and will use it with ds (who is still not quite 4 months) in the next day or so unless one of you ladies comes forward yelling "STOP, ARE YOU STARK STARING MAD? YOU CAN'T PUT A BABY IN THAT SEAT UNTIL HE'S AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OLD, YOU DOLTS!!" Last chance to do the right thing....

Now the parcel tray has another use, I guess the panniers will come into their own.

Depending on whether I'm baling out a flooded basement or not, I hope to add buggy bag photos to my gallery tomorrow (nearly 300 hits so far - I should be charging!) Might add a pic of my ingenious Sainsburys bag carrying attachment (also works for bags from Waitrose and other major supermarkets) on which I hope to make a killing.

Gem, got yours yet? It's all gone worryingly quiet. Has it got beyond Croydon? Is it in one piece? PS DD seeing paeds doc this week re chin - thanks for your help.

fair enough then - I'll take that as an OK.

As threatened, the buggy bag gallery is here .

Don't worry DS2 is huge and we had to move him into the toddler seat when he was about 3/4 months old. He loves it, its the best way to get him to fall asleep.

Bear, great photos, your buggy looks the biz with the gear on!
How does one go about getting a cosytoes?
Accessory mania kicking in

Thanks Kiwisbird. Kiwidad Rodney's your man:

"The Buggy Bag is still available - Phil & Ted's send
them out for modification to suit the e3 Explorer.
Lead time is from 1-3 weeks.
e3 Buggy Bag (Navy or Charcoal) - US$60
Shipping/Insurance - US$20
Total - US$80
I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover or PayPal for
payment."

Am secretly in love with Rodney LOL
Adore my new pram am gutted DD is so ill currently she has not been out in it for 5 days!!!! also obviously gutted that she is ill at all ))

Just wanted to add a note about a small problem we've encountered - ds1 has worked out how to unzip the front seat - while he is in it!! Put paid to parking him in it for his nap - next thing we knew he was standing beside the pushchair, having extracted himself from the seat from which we'd strapped him in....now he's started trying to do it while we're on the move if he gets bored.
At least this will stop being an issue once we move to the doubles configuration - btw, I'd always assumed we'd do this around 4 months as I can't see a 4 months old being happy to be flat on their back all the time. Kaz33, do you have any problem with tipping back if ds1 gets out for a walk while ds2 is in the back?

Mine is here! Arrived Monday. Sorry I didn't update you before but I've been too busy playing with it to get onto mumsnet. DS thinks it is fantastic both for sitting in and for pushing.

Slight concerns though regarding his (toddler) seat in the newborn/toddler mode. It doesn't seem very firm and DH is worried about his back. Are we missing something here (there's only the soft padding, no hard seat) or is it ok for them? Also the cocoon does look very snug and I can't imagine being able to slot D? in and out very easily. Mind you, I can't imagine handling a newborn again so I'm sure I'll work that one out.

Great pictures of the buggy bag (won't mention the matching panniers...) I will try my original one and see if it fits before emailing Rodney and demanding one. Don't you have to get another one for DS now though?

Regarding your DS going into the second seat, we had to move our DS from a carrycot to a Nipper buggy at 9 weeks because of his size and used a head hugger to give him some more protection. Yours is older but it might be worth a go to make him extra comfy.

Good luck with the doc.

I think blue is great BTW kiwisbird - saw a red one the other day and have to say that I thought it a bit bright particularly if pushing a girl in pink!

Yes have to say the blue looks good with everything thus far...

Elliot

How is it going with 2? Must admit the last 8 months have been great and atrocious at the same time.

Yes, the buggy has tipped back a couple of times. But, I always put my bag in the front when DS1 gets out and if the breaks are on they are pretty solid so hold the buggy steady. Often leave DS2 asleep in the bottom whilst DS1 plays in the playground.

Gem, dd found the toddler bit of toddler/newborn comfy enough - esp when she was fully zipped up in her bag. This phase only lasts a matter of weeks as we've found out, so I didn't worry too much about problems with support. DS has a John Lewis fleece cosy toes - another bag would be too long for the rear seat/parcel tray - and I'm broke.

Cheers Kaz - we go tandem tomorrow.

Bear ... the pics look great. You've got me thinking about panniers now!! How big are they - do they hold much. I've found the parcel tray absolutely useless - too small and not well enough supported. Would the panniers hold, for example, a two litre carton of milk, a newspaper and a loaf of bread?!! Now you know what I tend to buy when out for a walk!!

Millie

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