What should I do about my pram? Help!

[PumpkinZulu]

So, DH and I have been discussing and discussing, and we just don't know what to do.

We have a Stokke Explory which we love, it's hands down the best pram I've ever seen/used. We got it for 2 reasons; 1. After so much hardship getting a baby, we always said we'd splash out on one extravagant item, and 2. DD had hip dysplasia, and with her long legs (at the time, they're stumping now from being in a brace for so many months lol!) being in the brace meant she was bursting out of the pram we had. We tried stacks and the Stokke was the only one she comfortably fitted into. There was another one with no sides (I think it was a bugaboo) but the seat was too deep, so Stokke it was.

Now, with #2 on the way, we're very aware that there's a chance this bub may have hip dysplasia too. As much as I plan on babywearing, especially in the first few months, my back is bad, and after about 3 months constant babywearing with DD she got too heavy and I used the pram as well. Initially, we looked at selling our Stokke and getting a Bugaboo Donkey, as DD will only be 18 months, so I assume she'll still need the pram more than not. BUT, the Donkey's seats are very narrow, which is fine for DD, but if bubs has DDH, the bassinet will no way no how fit a brace, nor will the toddler seat (too deep).

So, what do we do? Sell the Stokke to help fund the Donkey and take the risk with the hip dysplasia? Keep the Stokke and get a smaller stroller for DD (means I won't be able to go out with both if needed). Or, keep the Stokke, babywear for the first few months like DD, in which time we'll know whether baby has DDH, and then buy the Donkey? The benefit of selling the Stokke earlier is we will get more for it, but obviously there are disadvantages.

We've looked at other double prams, but nothing else has met our requirements - side by side, bassinet and toddler seat, both seats able to face either way, easy fold.

What would you do?

[feeb]

Get an Ergo and carry DD1 on your back. That way you can push bubba 1 in pram.

As I know with having boys 18 months apart that I used my phil and ted all the time up until DS1 was 3 and then started taking the stroller only places as DS1 was walking more. We got a skate board for him for stroller at that stage which is great.

I carried DS2 a lot in the first 9 months until he got to heavy.

[PumpkinZulu]

Bad back Feeb and I'll most likely have at least a 9cm muscle separation again, so there's no way DD can go on my back at 18m.

[feeb]

Ohh bugger damm.

As ergo on back is so comfy I have carried DS1 on back until he was about 3 sometimes. DS2 has only been on my back a few times as he was a rat bag for hair pulling sticking fingers in ears.

Hmm will think again for u.

[sepata]

keep the Stokke, babywear for the first few months like DD, in which time we'll know whether baby has DDH, and then buy the Donkey?

I would do this and cross my fingers that the donkey price would drop to somewhat compensate the lower sale price of the stokke



Excuse my sucky spelling, I'm on my iPhone

[Miss.September]

I'd wait until after bub is born, see if hips are okay. You know you can carry bubs up to a certain point and by then you'll know if they will need a brace or not. No point in spending money prior if you can't use the new pram.

[Traveller]

I'd wait until bub is born and see if hip dysplasia will be an issue again before making a decision. The other thing you could look into is one of the skateboards for Isla that you can attach to some prams so she can ride standing up on the pram. I have also seen tricycles that attach to prams for little ones that can't walk all the time.

ETA because I am so busy revising for tomorrow's exam, I have managed to find the time to research the bike attachment product for you google swiss strolli rider and you'll see the product I mean

[Nai]

Zarava Flutterby had a cool little attached side seat if I remember rightly - I can't think of the brand though but I'm sure she will know.

[LionsandBears]

I'd wait until after bub is born, see if hips are okay. You know you can carry bubs up to a certain point and by then you'll know if they will need a brace or not. No point in spending money prior if you can't use the new pram.

This.

Stokkes hold their value pretty well

[HotI]

i think ZFs was called a buggypod. she might be up for it selling it.

I have bad muscle seperation but have started carrying DS on my back in an ergo and find it actually helps, it's kinda like a back brace.

[LimeSlice]

Keep the Stokke and invest in a decent wrap.

[wysiwyg]

I would wait.

With number 2 you will find out about DDH much earlier - e.g. we had first indication DS ok at 6 weeks (not sure if you are finding out sex but if you are and is a boy the likelihood is much lower also), I also had very bad muscle separation and a heavy DS (4.5kg) so I did end up not baby wearing him as much as I might have hoped but think you would be fine until at least some indication on the hips. My motto is always wait and see with everything though.

Also there are wraps etc you can use to carry the little one on your back - I find with the stomach muscle thing like Hot I said the back carrying is far better than on the front. I went to ABA meet on babywearing a bit too late for me but showed lots of carrying for newborn on back (is great because don't get crumbs all over them when out for coffee and cake too :-))

[Amaunet]

We've looked at other double prams, but nothing else has met our requirements - side by side, bassinet and toddler seat, both seats able to face either way, easy fold.

What would you do?

I have a love n care twingo that does all ruses things at about a third of the cost of the donkey

[roses]

I love my donkey - worth every cent!!! And you can get them delivered to your door for about $1400 now (duo)

[AlligatorsMum]

I'd wait until little bubba is here like the other girls has said. Once bubs is here and u know what ever the situation is I'm sure u will be able to get the pram u need and sell the stokke if need be.

Also my friend has a 20mnth old and he walks every where, refuses to get in the pram when they are out - so u may find u have very little use for a double pram by then (although he is a very active little guy lol!)

[wysiwyg]

I also meant to say that if D*2 does have hip issues because diagnosed far younger you are not likely to have pram issues, as width with brace on is still small enough to fit most things. DD had hers 8 weeks to 5 months and we were able to just use Maclaren stroller ok and uses the S&S capsule still at beginning (which is deep). You may still want the Donkey etc for other reasons but at least you can feel like making decision on all the facts if you wait.

[Arcadia]

I am going against the grain and say I needed my double pram from day one. I love baby wearing, but I find it hard to do it immediately after birth (for very long anyway). My first outing with ds in the sling and dd in the pram had me in tears, because she waited to walk and run at the park and I couldn't keep up carrying ds, and the pram wasn't suitable for a newborn...epic fail. So I went home and bought a double pram on eBay (bj citi mini double) and it changed my life. Ds was always happy in the pram and I could be much more active with dd. I still baby wore, but not until he was about eight weeks and my pelvic floor felt better.

What about the bj city select?

At the very least I would know where I was going to purchase the donkey and how much you could get for the stokke so you can do a quick switch if baby wearing doesnt suit you.

Fwiw my dd is 3.5 and still sits in a pram 50%of the time or more. A double pram has been a life saver for me!

[Beach Mama]

I am a bit like Arcardia. I found it too hard with the carrier initially so DH would use the carrier and I would use the Maclaren but we also had our P&T and used that a lot from when DS was born. I found it much easier - DD was only 17 mths when he was born so she was too little to walk (who am I kidding she's 5 now and I went to the zoo the other day and they were both in it!!) Having said all that, prams are pretty easily accessible and you could simply wait and see and be ready to make the decision once bub is here knowing which one you want and from which shop ITMS.