No handle bar on joggers - Mountain Buggy and others

[Marta]

Hi to everyone :p - I have just joined this fantastic community forum and wish I had done so earlier.

I am expecting my first in 8 weeks time and have hardly bought anything and am now starting to get stressed out!!!! As this is a completley unplanned pregnancy I am not as financially prepared as I would like to be but still want to purchase good quality long lasting products.

I have been looking at the extremely pricey Mountain Buggy but have noticed that it dosn't have a handle bar option for when the baby is older and wants to sit upright. Does anyone out there have one or another jogger/pram that dosn't have this feature and if so is it a problem for your toddler? I imagine that at a certain age they like to sit forward and for comfort or safey, they lean on the handle bar in front but Im not sure.

Also, are there any other great baby products that are a must that anyone can share or recommend?

Please, please help, am running out of time (completely my fault I know)

Thank you

[draught]

Marta
I had a mountain buggy and absolutely loved it. The lack of a bar was never an issue for my daughter - she was sitting up and checking everything out very happily and having always worn the harness, she never needed the bar. In fact we now have a Phil and Ted's explorer, which has the removable bar and we have removed it - it just gets in her way for climbing in and out. And the reason we switched prams - the only feature of the mountain buggy which is less than perfect is that it doesn't take a toddler seat.....and we had another baby quicker than we planned. So we sold our beloved buggy and bought the Phil and Teds. We are happy with it, but the MB was better - handled easier, the seat adjusting was easier, the sunshade was easier to put on and take off, the basket (although not huge) was bigger, the travel bag was easier to put the pram in, and the plate over the front wheel is solid and therefore can't be pushed down on by toddler feet.
A couple of ways to buy them cheaper - the MB is cheaper if you buy it in NZ (significantly so) so if you have any friends or family travelling there in the next few weeks line them up to get one for you. Otherwise, check out ebay - most of the ones on there are people selling because they need a toddler seat, and they are normally in pretty good condition.

Other products which I have found useful - the zoopillow breastfeeding pillow (www.zoopillow.com) has saved my back second time round. I have used a baby bjorn in the past but have just bought a sling and am loving it - check out www.carryingaway.com.au or www.hotslings.com. The best book of advice, in my humble opinion, is "Baby Love" by Robyn Barker - lots of sensible advice. Things like baby rockers are optional - some kids love them, others don't. A baby bath is useful, but they are out of them by about 3 months so if you have a good sized sink, use that. Apart from that - check out some of the other threads here - there is lots of advice from people with all sort of different experiences.

Enjoy and good luck!

[pinkandblue]

Hi
I have a Jeep 3 wheeler and think its fantastic. It doesnt have a front bar but it does have a tray which is great because you can put food or toys on it. The only problem is I bought a new car and it doesnt fit in the boot so if I need to take it anywhere I have to put it in the front passenger seat so just make sure when you buy the jogger stroller you want it, it fits in your boot.
Natalie

[Marta]

Thank you so much for all that info - that was more info and advice than I had expected. :) :) :)

All the best to you

[Marta]

Hey Theresa

Just another quick question, you said you had a baby bjorn, did you like it? I have thought about both the baby bjorn and a sling but have not seen many in shops and although I would love the way they would feel with the baby being close and horizontal, I feel that the carrier would be a better and more practical option?

I also checked out the zoopillow and I can see what you mean. Thanks again for the links and info. :)

[redbaby]

Hi Marta,..

I have a baby bjorn and my bubba loves it,... She is 8months and 10kg, and I can still carry her around in it! Get one,..it will be worth it,. Also, re: Prams,. I started with the Emmuljunga Minor Classic ($1100),....but yesterday bought the Phil & Ted 3 Wheel jogger,....and it is brilliant! Easy to manouvre, fold and also has room for another bubba underneath (for unexpected number 2!?),... It was $550 from Babies Galore,.... Hope that helps

[draught]

Marta
I used a baby bjorn with both my girls and was happy with it - very useful for grocery shopping, travelling on planes etc. I borrowed the first one and bought the second on e-bay ($55). The only limitation I found is that by 6 months they were too heavy for it and my back was killing me.
I recently bought a sling and an ergo baby carrier and am absolutely in love with both. If I was having another baby I would use the sling for it from birth, as opposed to the baby bjorn. The horizontal position is great for them to sleep and your hands are still free. As it is I am using it to carry Chloe around on my hip, which saves my arms. The ergo carrier is the same idea as a baby bjorn but it is better, in my opinion, as it has a waist band which means that the weight goes through your hips and not just your shoulders. You can also use the ergo until they are about 5 as it is also useful as a back carrier. I carried Chloe (8.75 kgs) in it on my back for two hours on the weekend and did not have a twinge afterwards, whereas a half hour session in the baby bjorn saw me at the masseuse not long after. A lot of it comes down to price, and what you plan to do with your baby. Slings are certainly cheaper than baby bjorns and quite versatile. If I was doing it again I would probably start with a sling and see how you go. If you decide you want a carrier later on, you can always pick up a second hand one.
Hope that helps!

[Marta]

Definately too many decisions to make. :confused:

I have been at a few baby stores lately and have seen the Emmaljunga and it is a very stunning pram, very old style and classical.

Yes, many salespeople have told me how popular the Phil &Ted’s has been and that they are struggling to keep up with the demand. I don’t know why but somehow the look of Phil & Ted’s makes me dislike joggers and I know that the look of baby products is not as important as quality, practibility and child comfort, it’s just nice to buy things that are visibly appealing I guess. But it is a jogger I am really going to consider since hearing such great things about it all the time, the price is quite reasonable and it folds quite compactly which a lot of other joggers do not. I did see the Jeep jogger also and liked the bar at the front but I only have a small car boot aswell.

As for baby carriers and slings, I guess maybe I should wait for my bub to be born and then try one?? It’s all very personal by the sounds of things, it’s just so hard to know in advance what would be the best.

I am yet to see a zoopillow in a baby store and could not find a rec. retail price on the website, do you know roughly how much they are?

Thank you all again for sharing all the info and opinions, it is really so very helpful. :)

[draught]

The zoopillow is around $60 from memory. My local kids shop had them on back order when I asked, and most of their order was sold before it arrived in the shop, so it might be worth asking around at your local baby shops.

I agree on the sling thing being a personal choice issue. All I can say is that I was very happy with the baby bjorn prior to using a sling, so whatever carrier you decide to go with will be fine I am sure. :)

[Marta]

Thank you.

Can I ask which sling you have? It's quite hard making a purchase over the internet without seeing, feeling or trying on. I did try the baby bjorn in store but rarely see slings. (sorry for the question-after-question!)

[draught]

No worries on the question after question - I am currently addicted to this website and love a chat, whether it is in real life or on the net.... :D

I bought a "hot sling" but I purchased it from Amanda at the carrying away website - she is their Australian distributor. But she also makes slings herself (which are cheaper than the hot slings) and will tailor make one for you (I just couldn't wait - I wanted one then and there!). Although she is based in Brisbane, as hers is a web-based business I am sure that she would be able to help you despite you not being there in person. She is very friendly and helpful, so send her an email on her website and she can point you in the right direction. The sling is a very simple design, but there are lots of different ways to wear it - I used the instructions on the hot slings website to practise different ways of putting Chloe in it and to see whether I was doing it correctly. Also - in terms of expense I think her tailor made ones are about $45, so not one of the more expensive baby items you will end up with.

Slings tend to be something that you buy at markets in my experience, rather than in baby shops - but I don't know why as the concept is a great one, and certainly not restricted to those who have embraced alternative lifestyles. I have had a lot of people ask me about my sling in the time I have been using it, so there is definitely a mainstream market out there!

[Marta]

Addicted to the forum, I know what you mean, I am logging on at every chance I get which isn’t as much as I would like.

Thanks for that, I will e-mail her and see how I go. I never thought about the markets but it makes perfect sense and I agree, there should be more available in stores as the message you get from stores is that carriers are the only option. I don’t see many slings out and about (possibly due to them being not so accessible) but have always liked the idea of them.

Thanks again. :) :) :)

[draught]

Hi Marta
I have just looked at your profile and realised that you live on the Coast - I had been thinking that you were interstate for some reason. I actually went and saw Amanda to buy my sling in person - if you want to do the same just email her, or call her using the number on the bubhub website. She is in the north of Brisbane (Mitchelton), but would be great for you to talk to in person as she is just lovely and very helpful.

Theresa

[Marta]

I do go to Brisbane every now and then and I like to do things in person, so I will give her a call I think. I was also thinking of taking a trip to the Byron Bay markets one weekend.

I feel like there is so much to get and so little time. :(

Thanks again :)

[Marta]

Would Amanda's number be the mobile number listed beside the carryingaway website under Carrier and Slings, Specialty products?

[draught]

Yes that is it.