Pushchairs

[violetsky19]

Hi all
I have a 3 almost 4 year old daughter who is diagnosed ASD & GDD.
I need a new pushchair for her as she will elope every given opportunity making taking her somewhere alone difficult without strapping her in! She has very very limited understanding of anything being said to her as well as dangers, she is also non verbal.
She is quite tall/ heavy.
Currently we have a Bugaboo Bee 5 which is great size wise but not secure when she has a meltdown & when throwing herself about strapped in she can tip the pram/twist the frame making pushing it near impossible.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a pushchair? I was looking at the Outnabout Nipper V5.
Thank you

If DD is nearly 4, tall/heavy and you think she will need the buggy for the foreseeable have you considered an SN buggy? That will last longer. For example, the Special Tomato EIO, Special Tomato jogger, Excel Elise, Maclaren Major, Mobiquip XL.

My DS is 4 and is the same, he is so tall and strong that he was actually able to stand up in one of our smaller flimsy strollers so he was wearing it like a backpack!

He refuses to walk every time we go anywhere but I didn't want to commit to a SN pushchair just yet as they're very expensive. I found similar pushchair to the Outnabout Nipper for less than half the price in Smyths called the Zummi Trekker 2 Jogger. It's absolutely brilliant, so easy to push and he loves it, it's massive with a big hood so he's sort of in his own little bubble when we're out and he's getting overwhelmed. It's also nice and high so his feet can't go near the wheels or floor when we're moving. They actually have them on display in our local Smyths so we were able to try it out before we bought it.

My only complaint is that it's a bit tippy if you're trying to move it side to side without moving forwards (like moving aside in a narrow aisle in a supermarket) but I think that would happen with all 3-wheeled jogger pushchairs.

It has a weight limit of up to 22kg but when he does eventually outgrow it I'll probably get a SN buggy if he still needs it.

Thank you!
I had looked at the special tomato but also wasn't sure if it's too big & bulky for now. It's so bloody difficult! Will have a look at both your suggestions & venture to Smyths to take a look 😊

We have a Mobiquip XL and a Special Tomato jogger for DD (nearly 5 and very long legged). The Mobiquip is great for a quick trip out on pavements or in shops, very lightweight and easy to fold. It has no basket but I just hang a bag on the handles. We picked it up on Amazon for the nursery run and it's been fine.

The ST jogger is a beast but can cope with fields, woods and going off track. It's very comfortable for DD snd despite its size is fairly easy to handle. It is massive though, we have a big car boot and it takes up 3/4 of the space. DD would happily spend hours in it! It's very expensive but we got our funded through a charity grant that DD's occupational therapist found for us.

Ideally we wouldn't need a buggy at all but DD is both a flight risk and a walking refuser so the buggies have been great. If we go out with the car, we just take whichever one is most suitable for our destination.

If you do look at SN buggies there are various charities that can fund or part fund them.

ImprobableJesters I used to think the special tomato jogger was big, now we have 2 even bigger ones for teen DS1. If you wanted a basket for the Mobiquip XL you can buy them.

@OvertakenByLego I bet it is! I'd got quite used to the Jogger's size until I pushed my niece in her toddler size buggy recently and now it seems huge again. DD loves it though and that's the most important thing.

Thanks for the heads up about the basket, I kept meaning to order one but I'm kind of used to it not having one now. I'm a bit put off if I have to keep taking it on and off before I fold it up.

@ImprobableJesters I completely agree, DC being comfortable and happy in it is the most important thing. DS1 has a wheelchair but hardly uses it because he prefers the SN buggies.

@OvertakenByLego @ImprobableJesters thank you will definitely look into it. I just don't know whether when DD outgrows a standard buggy whether she will still need one. But I also don't want to spend half to two thirds on something sturdier than her current Bee to realise i should have just bitten the bullet & bought a ST Jogger!
I have a Discovery 5, so boot size not an issue.
Do either of you know if you can go anywhere to see a ST Jogger before purchasing? I want her to be comfortable & have plenty of space but want to be able to use it day to day also.
Upon further looking I have realised that an Outnabout Nipper V5 won't be big enough for long!

@OvertakenByLego@ImprobableJestersI like the look of the ST Jogger as DD likes to have something surrounding her, just worried it will be too big

Honestly, at nearly 4 and tall I would be looking at a SN buggy because it will last. DD will fit fine in a ST jogger, it won’t be too big for her.

I don’t know anywhere you can try them, sorry. If you ask around in local SN groups you can probably find someone with one who would let you try DD in it. We no longer have DS1’s as he outgrew it otherwise I would let you try that. There is often ones available second hand that someone may let you try.

@OvertakenByLego
You're right, I don't know why I'm even questioning getting one. DD will outgrow a standard buggy in no time. ST Jogger is the one we need.
Thank you for your help.

@violetsky19 I agree, it definitely won't be too big for your DD. We've had ours about a year so DD was 3.5 when we got it and she fit in it without looking swamped. The seat is roomy but also very secure and cosy as it's harnessed. It's the back wheels that make it seem big I think, they are quite wide. If boot space isn't an issue, you'll be fine.

If you ask on some of your local SEN FB pages, there might be someone near to you who can let you have a look at theirs?

Psychologically it is an adjustment.

The other reason to start looking at SN buggies now is if you want charity funding it takes time.

@ImprobableJesters
I ordered a ST Jogger this morning! It's arrives tomorrow!
Haven't seen one & couldn't find any second hand anywhere near me but decided to just go for it!

@OvertakenByLego
After a brief look, we wouldn't get funding I don't think as presumably they take into account financials/ salaries.
Would also feel like I am taking funding from families who really need it.
Really hope ST Jogger is worth the £££'s!

IMO it is worth the the money.

Some grants are means tested, but not all. We have a relatively high income but some of DS1’s equipment has been partially or fully funded via charities.

We've recently got Execl Elise. All good apart from the sun hood, which is crap and easily blows off in the wind. Ok with rain cover on though. Its pretty sturdy and not bad for the price, but they do need to sort the sun cover issue.

Hey. Do you know how tall your little one is ? I’m looking at buying a tomato jogger she’s 9 but small so hoping she fits she’s around 122cm x

@Specialneedsparent DD will fit in a special tomato jogger, but it may not be suitable for very long, so depending on how long you want it to last/how fast DD is growing at the moment you may be better off looking at another SN buggy.