2004 or 2005 Mountain Buggy urban?

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Nearly convinced myself to swap mugaboo for mb urban but will have to buy 2nd hand to justify doing this as mb will be 5th pushchair I have purchased!
Any advice on whether to get newer version or if 2004 version will be ok? Are changes to 2005 worth hanging out for as turn up less on ebay? Neither dp or I tall, so extendable handlebar is not an issue (although I do quite like them). We have sheepskin for extra padding & buggysnuggle as well. DS1 2.7 and DS2 due in December. Did read about 2005 model being less suitable for off-roading, has anyone found that to be true as I want to take it round local woods & so forth although not up mountains thus not considering the terrain.
There is 2004 model on ebay now which is bargain with carrycot, whereas 2005 models seem to go for more. Help!

Actually I wish I'd been able to download it

No, even I haven't got to the stage of preparing ppt presentations just yet! DH's standard response is always or

So, has it arrived???????

Arrived yesterday, just unpacked it now but ds away until tomorrow so can't try him out in it. First thoughts, it's huuuuuge, looks enormous folded & unfolded next to bug. And very long, esp with shade down, can't see the end of it. Easy peasy to fold & unfold but v.bulky and hard to lift because it's all one weight rather than in two like bug. Definitely would take up more boot space than bug does & less flexible. However, it is dream to push & manoevre (around house anyway) and the handle is so much more comfy than bug's. Imagine on the open road it's v easy to push. It's also less upright than bug although not as much as I thought it would be, but the seat doesn't seem very deep to take a 4 year old as advertised (a 4 year old with tiny bum?). Shopping basket excellent tho. Now that I've got it, I'm just not sure, so not taking it outside until I've decided to keep it. I'm just worried whether I can get it in and out of the car easily and how much room it will take up & also how I'm going to get in and out of all those tiny shops near me plus local library, cafe, that kind of thing. Bug fits fine although not that easy to manoevre once I'm in there. But on the way to the shops - MB would win hands down, I think!
Help, don't know what to do now, dp disgusted with me but if I don't use MB I think I can sell it on & not lose money. But issues with bug remain although the turning around seat is v.nice in first 18 months. Wish I could have both really, I'm quite surprised I didn't immediately love MB. Arrggggh!

Oh nooooooo!! Dilemma!

I have folded a MB 2005/6 version next to the bug and I thought it looked less bulky? And I do like the idea of one part rather than 2. But I do know what you mean about the size unfolded, and I think that's what's making me cautious about buying one.

Oh pants, you know, I think the answer is to keep the bug AND the MB. And obviously face instant divorce proceedings...

Or (just thought about this one last night) keep the bug for rear/forward facing, compact size unfolded advantages, then buy something cheaper like an out'n'about/instep nipper for off-road/non shop journies?? Only £160 and seat looks big, v light etc. Of course I've never actually looked at one in the flesh yet. My justification for keeping 2 would be that I've never bought a 2nd lightweight stroller.

Oh, I do hope you reach a decision you're happy with. You'll easily sell on the MB without making a loss if that's what you decide...

Then, let's get our heads together and design the ULTIMATE BUGGY cos it certainly doesn't exist yet!

Or even

What about a Phil & Teds? They're not quite as big as the MB and fold v flat? Wouldn't need to buy a cot! They don't fit a buggyboard tho' but your son could have the toddler seat option?

Bg*r this is making my head hurt

Keep repeating, it's only a pushchair, it's only a pushchair ! DP wants phil & teds but don't see the point as DS will be 3, he walks most places now anyway. Have tried one, they seem a bit flimsy to me, but like the idea. I already have 2nd pushchair which mum uses (graco citisport) so that's no excuse for me! Did think today that it might be nice with bug that ds1 could talk to ds2 whilst we were walking (if seat facing me) but not sure how realistic that is.

I think that's a good plus point - early sibling bonding

Hmmm, ds has just tried it, absolutely loves it & looked so comfy! He says we have to keep it & my mum totally sold on it so coming round to it! Plus don't think in reality them talking to each other will work as by time DS2 out of carrycot, DS1 will be walking all the time.
How old's your dd going to be when next one born? And how's the bed search - what can't you decide on? Aspace ones were v.v.nice, did dd not like?

Fab, sounds like it could be a winner Once you've got rid of the bug you won't think the MB is too huge at all.

Still searching for beds, love the Aspace ones (up north, so have only seen them in catalogue) but most are only 2ft6 wide and DH reckons we should go the full width - 3ft - so we can share a bed with her if she's ill!

Like the idea of the Flexa white ones cos you can make them into bunk beds/dens/cabin beds etc but they're just not that

So, absolutely no progress really!

DD will be 2yrs9mths when no.2 hopefully arrives. She'd better be walking all the time by then as I'm not buying a double. She used to be a fab walker (30-45 mins easily) but now won't walk more than 30 metres

so if I keep the mb, are you getting one?
I am getting used to it & did I mention all the neat pockets to store stuff in the cover & shopping basket? going to steal a friend's 9 month old tomorrow & try her in it, if she likes it, it's a keeper!
Did you see mothercare beds, they have several 3ft ones, New England one comes in pink! As our bed coming today, will be able to vouch for quality then but the cot, mattress & bedding we've got from there was great.
Think they go thru stages with the walking, ds went thru a stage of carry, carry carry a while back (he's 3 in december). Course, the MB is 'his', he doesn't care where the baby is going so will have to hard sell buggy board!

Yes, think I will so keeping reporting in

Off to investigate M'care this arvo.

I can't believe you've made your major purchases (buggy, bed). Now what will you stress over LOL?

cloth nappies

Oh, I can help you out on that one

Did TONNES of research when DD was born, bought loads, used them really well for over a year, then moved to a house without an airing cupboard when it was too wet to dry outside (in Manchester!) but too warm to put the heating on, and have hardly used them since Now DD just doesn't like them and I hope to start potty training soon...

Hoping to be committed again for no.2.

So, fire away with the Qs

Ooh, good, I shall pelt you with q's later! Potty training DS at moment (for 3rd time, 4 days in) but think I might get some for nighttime use so I can get some practice in!
What did you think to m/car beds?

Well, on the nappy front, I think I'm clear on what kinds of nappies there are it's just that I'd need to have some for night, some for nursery and then the ones I use at home. Not just one of the same kind, so it seems. So should I buy velcro ones (tots bots etc) for nursery and then nippa ones for at home, then some stuffables at night? I don't have an airing cupboard (we use the to-be-nursery spare room to dry all the clothes) and no dryer although may purchase one. Quite anti-them, though. Going to have enough stuff all over the house without nappies drying on the line all the time though.
The main thing that bugs me is how long it takes to do a nappy change if you have to do a nippa or poppas (obviously velcro pretty easy) and then put a wrap on and then take both off every time baby is wet or dirty. Newborns seem to do it a hundred times a day and if I'm tired already, will this just be too much? Plus I'm really not that keen on rinsing poo into a toilet, I'm still quite squeamish about poo. What about when it's runny breastfed poo, do I just dunk the nappy straight in the bucket? Hope this isn't too many questions!
Did I mention the raincover for the mb folds flat, I never take the bug's one out with me, it takes up most of the basket! DS sat in it again today and is enraptured with it, he's agreed to have a buggy board now.And already it doesn't seem so big or bulky, it's only a few cms wider than bug.
Did you look at GLTC beds, they have some nice ones?

I think you're right in thinking that you'll need more than one type of nappy for different occasions.

Have nursery already said that they'll use cloth nappies? Just that some are reluctant - I don't know why though, it's no more work for them. I think the easiest for nursery to master would be pre-stuffed stuffables (fuzzis, minkis etc), then there's no extra work involved vs disposables. Fuzzis are my favourites as they dry VERY quickly, and if you use microfibre inserts, they dry v quickly too. We did have a shortish period tho' when they used to leak, but DD did go through a very chunky thigh stage at the same time. I never tried any other stuffables, but some swear by happy heinys for better overall fit.

After Fuzzis my next best favourites are Ella's House hemp nappies because they're nice and slim and v absorbant. They do however take FOREVER to dry and go a bit stiff if they're not dried in an airing cupboard or tumble drier (we have the latter, but I hate using it too, seems to defeat the object)

Tots Bots are great because they're so absorbant but I don't really like them because they're so huge and I struggled to get clothes to fit over them. When DD was chubby they made her look HUGE. Now she's skinny and they just look, well, odd. And they take ages to dry too. I thought I'd hate the hassle of nippas, but they make the nappy fit better than velcro. A lot of people use Tots at night because they're so absorbant (I never used cloth at night just Nature Babies disposables, DDs nappies are always HUGE in the morning)

Rainbow Bots are slightly better as they're thinner (and so less absorbant) but I still think they're too big. Might be OK with boys' clothes though??

I have quite a few Motherease onesize which are pretty good, not too bulky, and should last til potty training unless you're likely to have whopper babies. DD is v tall, but they still fit fine. They have pop in inserts which you don't need to use at 1st. They're reasonably quick drying (but not as fast as Fuzzis).

If you go for 2-part ones, then the BEST wraps are definitely the motherease ones - the popper ones (airflow?) are best, but the velcro ones are OK too. Another reason I like Fuzzis, you don't have to faff with wraps.

I'm by no means a cloth expert, I got a lot of good advice from the babycentre.co.uk cloth nappy forum, also twinkleontheweb.co.uk and kittykins.co.uk.

HTH, or I may have just confused you more!

Oh, forgot, I really like the M'care New England bed (in cream, pink a bit much!), also seen some nice ones in GLTC.

Big bonus re raincover. I think we'll get the nuchal scan over with in a couple of weeks, then just GET THE MB

AW, nappy stuff really really helpful, thanks! Nursery are fine about cloth nappies, they'd use them on ds now if I asked them to. I have one motherease + popper wrap but bit tight on ds so ono used it once. Would quite like some I could use now for night-time (as he's dry quite a lot) and then on the baby. Have spent too much money this month, so will have to start buying nappies Sept or Oct!
Took MB out for spin with ds, with raincover on, and went to all the local shops inc diddy library. Plus bought loads of stuff and filled the shopping basket. It passed on all counts! So comfy to push, even when full of shopping, ds comfy, easy to put stuff in the basket, raincover a doddle & fits well, getting in and out of shops no problem. I could push it with one hand even when the shopping was all in & ds pushed it most of the way down our street coz he can reach with the handle right down! Handle feels really ergonomic, have never felt comfy with bug's esp when it rains & goes all soggy. Will be washing bug covers on weekend & putting on ebay as soon as I have the energy! No contest really, a pushchair's for pushing & the MB does that with ease. Plus it looks really smart!

Forgot to post re: bed. Seemed quite good quality, but I think the full size is a better choice if you have the room & money (we don't at present). DS looks v.sweet in it, but he's fallen out already as I didn't have time to put the rail on! Have had to persuade him back to nap by covering floor next to bed with cushions. Also worth spending money on a good mattress, we bought foam one on ebay & it's cheap-looking. By the time the scan's out of the way, you'll have purchased bed & buggy no worries! NewEngland bed really lovely but some of the truckle beds are v.sweet too, we just think we'll end up with bunks for 2 boys in the long run!

I think bunk beds are a great idea, I think it's good for siblings to share a room . Have decided I'd rather save a bit on the bed and buy a really good quality mattress, we'll definitely go for a full single.

Now you're just teasing me re the MB. I'm SOOOOO envious!

Forgot to mention the poo situation - you can buy disposable paper liners which you can just chuck straight into the loo along with contents for minimum queasiness factor. If breastfed baby poo soaks through the liner, then it'll be fine to just stick the nappy in the bucket, it's only solids you need to worry about getting in the washing machine! I cut out loads of fleece liners (poo just sort of falls off them) - they dry quickly, but a bit more icky if it's not your thing.

Also, dry pailing is better and less smelly (and hassle) than soaking, just put a few drops of lavender or teatree oil in the bucket. And get one of those mesh bucket liners so you can just throw the whole lot in the machine without touching the nappies.

If Motherease is a bit tight you might find that Tots large size are a bit small too. Think large Fuzzi Bunz would be OK tho', and you wouldn't need so many because they dry overnight.

Off to drool over MBs on ebay...

Yeah, must admit I felt it was a lot less tiring to push the MB & I'm really starting to tire now (23 weeks). I will miss the face-to-face thing, don't know for how long they stay in the carrycot. But figure I shall be too busy with ds1 to notice it that much! I do worry a little about lifting it in and out of the boot & how much room it's going to take up, but I think I can live with it.
I meant the motherease wrap was too small, the nappy seems fine. Also found poppers a bit hard, would prefer nippas or velcro. Are you meant to do up poppers & then slip them on? All the hints v.useful, didn't think that fleece would repel poo! Got disgusted enough with ds doing large poo in his pants (didn't make it to potty in time) today, so I'll have to find a way round my squeamishness - buying disposable wipes is so expensive, we have 4 packets going at once round the house.
I thought I was getting a sprung mattress, but it was just foam & too much hassle to return. Whereas the cot mattress we bought from m/care is brilliant (with the extra layer on top). But I figure we'll put DS into this until he's 5ish & then see whether bunks are the go or buy him a proper bed, and DS2 can have the junior bed. I did kind of wish I'd bought a full height/full width bed today as I could have read a book with him in bed tonight instead of on the chair next to him. Rats.

mothercare discount code elsewhere in case you were thinking of buying something from them (10% GH6).

until the 20th aug.

You're a star thanks for the code.

DD only rear faced in bug for 4 mths (from 5 til 9 mths) then was desperate to look at life rather than me (can't say I blame her), so don't think you'll miss the rear thing too much xx