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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

A pushchair question with a difference

14 replies

cktwo · 27/12/2007 19:58

HI, not sure whether to post in SN or Muliple Births so I thought I'd try here first.

DD1 has undiagonosed developmental delays and has limited mobility si we'll need a buggy for some time to come. We bought a Mountain Buggy when she was born and this will do her easily until she is 5 or so.

However, we now have DD2 who is 1 and when she was born we opted for a double Nipper. This has been great until now - we struggle to fit DD1 in it with all her winter woolies on so we're looking for something that will fit two fast growing girls. Now DD1 is slight in frame but her sister is a big chubby thing so they're similar in size (in fact we're always getting asked if they're twins). Any ideas on which pushchair to try next? Would a double mountain buggy be any better than the Nipper??

Many thanks for any advice

OP posts:

lottiejenkins · 27/12/2007 22:14

cant help but will bump for you!!

aquariusmum · 28/12/2007 13:03

when my two were smaller I used a one in front of the other from mothercare, which was easier for me than a side by side (for getting through doors etc) though on the heavy side for stairs. But it suited mine up till quite large sizes so might be worth a look, can't remember make, sorry, but know it was from either mothercare or john lewis
, which has a good selection! good luck in the search

mummy2aaron · 28/12/2007 13:07

seat size is the same in the double mb as the single so worth the investment imo.

Original poster

cktwo · 28/12/2007 13:36

Ah, thats interesting. We're debating whether to get another single Mountain Buggy but I'd hate to be unable to take both out on my own so I'll check out the double ones.
Thanks for your help.

OP posts:

mummy2aaron · 28/12/2007 14:08

i have a single mb myself and my friend has the double, the best ever made in my opinion, so easy to move even with large toddlers in

r3dh3d · 28/12/2007 15:33

I've heard great things about the double MB.

Though DD2 is now large enough to go on the kiddyboard behind DD1's SN Mountain Buggy - I was lugging her around in a sling (the hippy sort) when she was your DD's age.

sarah573 · 28/12/2007 21:56

Could be worth looking at one of the buggies that has a toddler seat, the bertini springs to mind.
here.
The marco sky is quite good too, but smaller.

Original poster

cktwo · 30/12/2007 14:02

Thanks Sarah573 but we live in the Pennines so I think the MB is the way forward - lots of big hills round here!
The only downside to the MB is the cost. I can feel DH's wallet complaining as we speak...

OP posts:

deepbreath · 30/12/2007 22:32

Has DD1 been assessed by wheelchair services at any time?

I'm asking because even if you don't like the options that they have for buggies (usually just the Maclaren Major), they should give you a voucher towards the buggy/wheelchair of your choice. Most retailers will accept this.

This probably won't cover the whole cost, but might help a bit.

Does anywhere lend buggies out, so that people can try them? I know some companies will do this for mobility scooters, for example. You really need to be able to try something like this before you buy, to see if it suits you.

Original poster

cktwo · 31/12/2007 13:14

No not yet. She was assessed by the Child Development Unit early december and the report came back to us the week before Christmas, therefore we're waiting until after the New Year for the action/support plan to start. It looks like we'll be eligible for DLA and possibly a blue badge for parking but as yet we're not had the opportunity to talk to anyone out further help. We should be seeing the OT and physio in the New Year aswell as starting portage.

OP posts:

r3dh3d · 31/12/2007 20:34

Get someone (anyone - GP even) to refer to WS. Their waiting list if you're not already on their radar can be months (3 months here) and so you might as well join the queue now as not. OT might push you up the queue when you see them.

If you get a blue badge and mobility I'd be astonished if you don't get a wheelchair. Whether you get an actual buggy or a more useful voucher depends on where you live, alas.

Meantime, have you considered getting a Phil & Ted's 2nd hand on ebay, and selling it on when you are done with it? Next door but one's (SN) LO is 3 1/2 but very tall and just outgrowing hers so it might be an option for a bit while you collate more info.

Original poster

cktwo · 01/01/2008 21:58

I got talking to someone on holiday last year who had a Phil and Ted's for her 3 year old twins as they had outgrown the Nipper.

I will explore all these possibilities with the CDU people when they re-open.

Is wheelchair services part of OT?

OP posts:

deepbreath · 01/01/2008 23:43

Where I live, wheelchair services is a separate department. I'm not sure if this is the same all over the country though.

Dd was referred to them by her physio, but as r3dh3d says, even a G.P. could refer you to see them. Or an O.T.

I had to fill in a short form and post it to them before we were seen. It was mainly asking about dd's problems, what the buggy/wheelchair would be used for (ie, would dd need to use it all the time, on buses etc.) We didn't have long to wait for the appointment.
When we got there, they'd ordered a Maclaren Major buggy for us to try. We liked it, and brought it home with us! I just wish some of the other hospital departments were that efficient.

babyjjbaby · 07/01/2008 12:51

have u looked for a maclaren major elite double buggy might be ideal they go upto about 12 years old ebay is probably best cos there very rare but they are nice to push and have big wheels

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