buggy help please (for a disabled parent)

Anthillmob

hello all

some of you may know im 3.5 months pregnant and have a little one of 18 months.

so ive had a look at double buggys in preparation and because i have psoriatic arthritis that affects my hands, thus meaning i have no dexteriry in my fingers whatsoever, i am extremely limited to the choice of one double buggy that i can actually undo the harnes on.

has anyone here got the maclaren techno xt? (single version). thats what i have for chops and its fab. however the twin techno has a completely different harness like the one you find on most buggies where you need to do a pncer grip to open. i dont have a pincer grip.

the only option i have is buying a twin techno and then getting a maclaren service centre to change the harnesses at a price or go for the phil and teds double decker one that i can undo (with difficuly) and that costs over £300 plus accessories.

anyway ive googled to no avail. so has anyone got any tips? ideas? know of any buggies tandem style (tandem is better because i used public transport a lot) that have an easy to undo harness? obviously i understand that the childrens safety is paramount but why are there no buggys made for ease of use for disabled parents? its rediculous!

BernadetteN

Have you tried writing to Maclaren and asking them if they will change the harness for free? It might even inspire them to consider changing the harness on all their double buggies?

littlemissmoney

If you email Maclaren explaining your condition and saying what buggy you want with what straps I'm sure they would sort it out for free. Lay it on a bit thick about how much you like your current buggy and will be devestated if you can't have a Maclaren for your next child. I can't see any reason why they would not do it.

earthmother

Would this be another option? It turns two single buggies into a double - which would make it cheaper to start with, would mean you get to keep the buggy you know you can manage, and you can go back to singles if you needed to. Don't know how it would affect collapse though, but people like Kiddicare and JoJo Maman Bebe sell it also, so someone may be able to advise.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Instant-Twin-Pushchair-Buggy-Stroller-Connectors_W0QQitemZ260130095869QQihZ016QQcategoryZ121634QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

TheWaltons_3

I have the MacLaren Twin Techno and I have hurt my hands many time trying to undo the damned thing... I don't blame you wanting one that is easier!

joannasmum

Just wondering if keeping the single and using a buggy board would be an option. Obviously it will depend on how far you walk and how well your LO walks. Also would a sling be an option for afew months for the new baby and keeping the LO in the single. Very MSE and more bus friendly than a double.

black-saturn

Couldnt you get your oldest to walk and still use a single buggy?

Anthillmob

BernadetteN wrote: »

Have you tried writing to Maclaren and asking them if they will change the harness for free? It might even inspire them to consider changing the harness on all their double buggies?

i phoned them today and they said i need to go to a service centre direct.

Anthillmob

black-saturn wrote: »

Couldnt you get your oldest to walk and still use a single buggy?

she will only be just turned 2 when baby arrives and i dont think its fair for a 2 year old to walk everywhere. plus if i did do that then id have to wait until she had had her nap before venturing out and given at this age they nap when they feel like it there would be no guarantee that id ever leave the house again (slight exaggeration)

TheWaltons_3

Anthillmob wrote: »

she will only be just turned 2 when baby arrives and i dont think its fair for a 2 year old to walk everywhere. plus if i did do that then id have to wait until she had had her nap before venturing out and given at this age they nap when they feel like it there would be no guarantee that id ever leave the house again (slight exaggeration)

My little one sits on her Buggy board - she's 22 months!

I would NOT recommend you getting a Buggy board and keeping a single Pram, believe me, that would be hell for you, it really would. It is difficult for two of us to keep her on the Buggy board for more than 10 minutes and that is only to the local Park. You could not use this as a means of getting around.

I have a Hauck Marlin single pram and that was so easy to undo the straps on, with minimal difficulty, however, I am unsure whether they do a twin pram.

What you could do, is go around as many places as you can to get an idea of which prams are going to be most manageable for you - then buy one second hand.

jungliemac

Hi, have you looked into the marco tandem or jane powertwin. Personally I have a phil and teds and can't rate it highly enough.Best piece of baby equipment I have ever bought. I tried the powertwin but its very heavy...on the plus side it has a break which would be handy for going down hills. The straps on Phil and Teds are fiddly but no more than any other I would imagine.(and it can be used a a single so no need to replace it once eldest is walking) but they are expensive. I would have thought if you can get to a large baby store that stock a few different brands you could test them out! Good luck.