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Original poster

Phil & Ted cocoon - stupid question - how do you use it?

39 replies

notsolilKel · 11/05/2007 16:53

Hiya

Just about to have DC2 and realised I need to figure out how it works with the bassinet/cocoon bit in.

Do people generally line it with something (sheet?)?

Do you use it for naps on its own - like on the sofa or a table or so?

What about putting the cocoon inside the moses basket for naps so transfer is easier?

And um, stupidest of all really, how does it secure inside the buggy? Dont' think I got any instructions on this...?

Cheers!

OP posts:
BalletMum · 12/05/2007 10:06

I have lined mine with a sheepskin pushchair liner and then a muslin folded at mouth height for ease of washing. My friend just has a sheet folded in hers. I use mine in pushchair and then leave on floor when we come home from walks out. I personally don't straps mine in as it is already very secure but the harness straps fit into the clips on the side of the cocoon if you do want to secure it. Hope that helps!!!!

TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 10:10

I line mine with a toweling nappy
Sometimes use it for naps but on the floor (my toddler is likely to pull it off a table/couch)

It has clips to secure it to the seat harness but I don't bother

foxcub · 12/05/2007 10:12

I've just bought a P&T and didn't buy the cocoon.

Do people us eth cocoon a lot - i.e. do you think its worth buying?

My P&T is standing, all virginal and clean, downstairs. Might take it for a walk later but don't want to get it dirty!

lispy · 12/05/2007 10:19

We bought the p&t with all accessories and was beginning to think the cocoon was the biggest waste because it is no help really if you are going from pram to car to house but good if you skip the car step. We used it in the early weeks to move him around the housewhile sleeping so I could keep an eye on him. When we went away for weekends we took that as his cot and still do even though he's really too big for it. I always put a towel down incase his nappy leaked. we never secured it in the buggy...Buy one on ebay - they are only used for a bit then sold cheap!

foxcub · 12/05/2007 10:22

good idea!

TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 10:42

fox - i think cocoon is good for winter but i can see myself not using it in 4 weeks time

ds has drawn on my lovely p n t

foxcub · 12/05/2007 11:14

re the graffitti

think I will keep mine indoors so it doesn't get and mud on it!!

My DS1 keeps drawing Daleks on the walls then tries to claim "it wasn't me Mummy"!

lispy · 12/05/2007 11:25

Hi, just had an after thought, maybe the better purchase would be a sleeping bag with hood thing that can be used in the pram and as easy bedding that can't be kicked off. They tend to be bigger and last until the child is at least one. They can also be used as a makeshift bed when out and about. Check ebay, sometimes they're called a footmuff/sleeping bag. In hindsight it would have been much cheaper and better to have bought it. The brand i'm getting is oi oi I think. I hope you know what i'm talking about!

lispy · 12/05/2007 11:28

Sorry, I have one last afterthought - The cocoon has a hard base which means it's useless in the pram once baby wakes and can sit up leaving you to carry the thing while pushing the sitting one! that's why i thought the sleeping bag thing is better.

Original poster
notsolilKel · 12/05/2007 11:28

thx for the tips

mine is relatively new - got it in anticipation of DC2 arriving sometime before end of May - so far I'm in love with it and will mourn the day when it gets truly muddy/graffiti'd on!

course I had to have it in Sand. Aka, stupidly impractial colour....

OP posts:
Original poster
notsolilKel · 12/05/2007 11:31

Lip, I guess tho that the cocoon is good for new babies in that you can use it round the house for naps? Moving the moses basket is such a PITA...

can see how the sleeping bag would come in useful when the baby's a bit older (can sit up) and wants to nap in the buggy, instead of sit up in the 2nd chair. Would a buggy snuggle serve the same function perhaps (she asks, hopefully, as there is a waiting-to-be-used and supercute buggy snuggle waiting for DC2 in the hall closet...)

OP posts:
lispy · 12/05/2007 11:33

What's a buggy snuggle???

lispy · 12/05/2007 11:42

By the time my baby was 2 months he didn't like being in the cocoon while awake in his pram so i put the seat to the lowest setting (zip undone but clips at the back done up). I felt a bit guilty as his neck wasn't that strong but he much preferred to see what was happening. That's what i meant by pushing a sitting baby while carrying the cocoon as it doesn't squish up and that's why in hindsight i would have bought a sleeping bag thing so he could stay snuggled up while sitting/dozing as well. Love the pram though, it has the biggest basket that you can actually access (once baby isn't lying down).

Original poster
notsolilKel · 12/05/2007 11:44

buggysnuggles

they have a zip around the sides and bottom and generally are used to line buggies instead of muffs. thinking maybe I could line the bottom of the P&T (when flat) with it.

OP posts:
foxcub · 12/05/2007 11:44

notso/lipsy - we have a buggle snuggle - one of those woolly red ones with sheep on which used to be trendy (and think still are actually). We have used it for 7 years with the older DCs and it is fabulous. I am thinking of putting it in the lie down newborn bit of the P&T as a liner, which would mean cutting an additional hole in it so we can feed the "between the legs" strap through as its rather large.

We also have a sheepskin buggy liner, so can't decide where to put the snuggle and where to put the sheepskin!

On another subject - If I put the baby in the newborn bit at the back (i.e. the integral seat in its newborn position) and DD (who is nearly 4) in the clip on second seat - at the front, then the clip on seat is so high up that her head is squashed againt the roof of the hood. Anyone else found this? (The blonde I know you said something similar). I cannot see her face when the hood is down!

Also there appears to be a design fault with the "double addition" seat for the Sport. The seat is able to recline if you undo the zips at the back. However, if you recline it, there is a metal bar which gets in the way, which the child can hit its head on..anyone else found this, or am I doing it all wrong?

Oh and a couple more things (massive apologies for the hijack ):

HTF do the brakes work?

and how does the swivel front wheel work? Everytime I clip the front wheel on and drive, the wheel, turns and clicks into its non-swivel mode.

Sorry for the hijack and the stupid questions...hope you don't mind.

foxcub · 12/05/2007 11:47

this is the one we've got (tis fab)

buggysnuggle

foxcub · 12/05/2007 11:49

buggysnuggle

hope it works this time

lispy · 12/05/2007 11:54

Don't have a double and i have the latest model so don't know of any bars sorry but i have had the front wheel lock accidentally. Basically behind the tube thing is a button thing that you either pull out as if you are removing the wheel and give the wheel a jiggle and it might kind of click into place. I once had to do it about 5 times but haven't had trouble since. I never remove the wheels completely though so maybe you'd have to do it every time. I often need to use my hands to undo the brakes because they are a bit strong for the old foot! I think the snuggle thing is the same thing i'm talking about but maybe less structured. Much more practical i think, don't bother with the cocoon!

lispy · 12/05/2007 11:58

Just googled buggy snuggle (link didn't work) looks perfect! The one i was talking about looks more like a miniature adults' sleeping bag. Not as cute as the snuggle...

TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 12:00

Fox - someone else suggested that you can drop down the double seat by undoing the poppers at the sides (near the top), this will work but not sure it won't ultimately damage the fabric of the seat
We too have issues with the head hitting the bar

Now for my questions

  • from what age can the baby go in the seat instead of the hanging parcel shelf?
  • when you fold it how do you stop the front wheel flailing about?

(sorry for continued hijack)

Original poster
notsolilKel · 12/05/2007 12:02

foxcub no worries re the hijack - in fact i am curious what the answers are to your questions!

OP posts:
lispy · 12/05/2007 12:08

In my model under the triangle bit near the front wheel is a strap with a stud thing. if you undo it, when you fold up the pram you kind of loop it through the wheel or around the pole that holds it (going by memory the pram is in the car)and the stud clips back onto the strap. Does this make sense?? I'm not sure what you mean about the baby going into the seat but as i said, i just sat mine up when he was about 2months because he seemed bored. He looked a bit ridiculous with the big harness and his crumpled body (not too crumpled - he seemed ok )

TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 12:13

Ah I can't seem to find a strap on the sport

P&T if you are reading this please rewrite your instruction manual as it is rubbish!

lispy · 12/05/2007 12:19

Bugger. It was a good month before i found the strap. It isn't easy to find if you don't know it's there. The wiggly wheel kept annoying me when i tried squeezing it in the car. Is the sport an older model? I haven't heard of it. When we bought ours i read a review saying that p&t had addressed the problems of older models... String perhaps?

lispy · 12/05/2007 12:24

Gotta go, being kicked off the computer by hubby. he wants to play some dumb war game online.. He doesn't share my interest in prams!