prams, strollers

[aadam2009]

hi i wanted to know that if you have a child with spina bifida do you need a special stoller what are the criteria needed?

[Dodger67]

Use whatever you and your baby like.

[Kari]

No special stroller needed.

That being said, I knew we would use the stroller longer than we did with my other kids, so we bought one that had a higher weight limit, was really easy to push over any terrain, etc. Zach is almost 4, and does use his wheelchair a lot when we're out, but there are still times when I put him in the stroller (like going to the soccer fields).

[Dodger67]

Good point Kari! Choose one sturdier and a bit larger than usual.

[Jill]

No special stroller! We have a Phil&Ted's that has been awesome. It goes flat, which has been immensely helpful after his detethering and with the appointments we had to go to during that and his initial recovery when he needed to be horizontal as much as possible. It rides well through parks and through rough areas, it has the double attachment for my middle child to ride as well when necessary and it's light enough to pick up with one hand and drop in my trunk. I rather love my stroller. :D I got it after my second child was born though, so not picked with SB in mind at all.

[janjanwhit]

i love my Phil and teds sports. it can go completely flat and its quite sturdy. Easy to attach a second seat if you need one.

[Kari]

I think it also depends where you live (pricing). Stollers that are popular in some parts of the world are extremely expensive in the US, and vice versa.

[Ziggy]

Another vote for the Phil & Teds. I love it. We have the Sport, got it from Costco.com when they had them a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if they still do or not.

[janjanwhit]

I reccomend that you dont go too cheap. I went stingy so went through a lot of pushchairs before spending a bit more and buying my phil and teds. Most children with sb will use a pushchair until they are quite old so you want something good quality that is going to last that long.

[Jill]

Phil & Teds also have great resale. I believe they are dropping the sport (which is what we have also) and that's why the price has dropped. They had them at toys r us here last month for under $200 with the double seat. I bought mine for $650 with the double and carseat adaptor 2.5 years ago! Canadian $. Pricey, but not a moment of regret. I also have a cheap Graco from my oldest that I loathed and had to give it away for free when I bought my P&T because it was worthless.

[janjanwhit]

They have renamed the sport the explorer i think. it has a much bigger sun hood on it- the one thing that is wrong with my sport, i think its also got a new brake system

[jveprek]

In addition to a good stroller, you might want a good baby carrier, like an Ergo or Beco :). THey are great on the spine/hips and you can use them to carry your little one on your back.

[Jill]

Oh good! The sun visor was my one gripe as well. Barely does anything.

I also agree about the carrier. I have a custom made Mei tai that I wear him in all the time. It's so easy when strollers are too big or too slow to get out. I couldn't shop without it bc Kingsley still doesn't sit up well in a grocery cart. He's too heavy to carry long in my arms but with a good carrier I can wear him for hours.

[aadam2009]

can i get one of the material baby carriers looks like a big bed sheet rather than a clip one etc? it looks comfier and less bulky especially as i live in israel which is really hot weather too!!

[sbmama]

Oh good! The sun visor was my one gripe as well. Barely does anything.

I also agree about the carrier. I have a custom made Mei tai that I wear him in all the time. It's so easy when strollers are too big or too slow to get out. I couldn't shop without it bc Kingsley still doesn't sit up well in a grocery cart. He's too heavy to carry long in my arms but with a good carrier I can wear him for hours.

What kind of Mei tai do you have? I had a babyhawk MT when my daughter was smaller and now we have a babyhawk Oh Snap that is a bigger buckle carrier similar to the ergo. We also use ring slings and wraps. I love baby carriers. My daughter has a very limited tolerance for the stroller and strongly prefers to be held or in a carrier.

[Gymp]

I bought mine for $650 with the double and carseat adaptor 2.5 years ago!

Holy Cow !!! that is pricey.

Gymp

[jveprek]

can i get one of the material baby carriers looks like a big bed sheet rather than a clip one etc? it looks comfier and less bulky especially as i live in israel which is really hot weather too!!

A wrap? Yup :). We have pictures of Madi in wraps on our blog :). Her neurosurgeon was excited we'd be putting her in one

[janjanwhit]

my phil and teds was about 800 NZD all up- expensive for me but it was totally worth it. Fergus loved being carried around in a ring sling- like a sheet that does up with a ring on the shoulder. I also have an ergo which he still fits

[jveprek]

What kind of Mei tai do you have? I had a babyhawk MT when my daughter was smaller and now we have a babyhawk Oh Snap that is a bigger buckle carrier similar to the ergo. We also use ring slings and wraps. I love baby carriers. My daughter has a very limited tolerance for the stroller and strongly prefers to be held or in a carrier.

I love babyhawk! I just ordered a toddlerhawk for Madi :)

[sbmama]

I love babyhawk! I just ordered a toddlerhawk for Madi :)

Oh cool! :) babyhawks are awesome.

[Jill]

I have a mom-made one. Natural Mother Productions, she's local to me. She makes incredible MT's! It's my second and I looove it! Never got into wraps or slings, though I've had both. Kingsley loves being in the MT and never complains.

[Ziggy]

wraps tend to get really hot because of the amount of fabric involved. I prefer a Mei Tai or Beco for hot weather...

[sbmama]

Yeah, I don't like wraps for hot weather either, especially now that my daughter is on ditropan and very warm.

[jveprek]

I love wraps, even in our horrid hot weather, BUT it has to be a guaze or water wrap so it's light weight :)