The Doona - Where we have used it

I was so excited when our Doona arrived just before the birth of Finn and I had no idea how much we would use it.  As a pair of non-drivers it wouldn't be part of our school run or nipping out at the petrol station which I know others find it useful for, but it has been brilliant all the same.

I wasn't expecting to have a poorly baby and after bringing Archie home less than four hours after giving birth I knew the Doona would be coming with us to the hospital.  I wasn't letting anyone else carry my baby out and those car seats are hard to carry even with an 8 pound baby in - especially one you have only just delivered!  The Doona would have given me the opportunity to still be the one carrying him, but without the stress on my body of actually carrying.

As it happened, Finn was 3 weeks old before we could bring him home and our stay in SCBU was mostly in isolation.  As he started doing better I was told that I could take him out in the private garden behind the ward for short periods, so long as I had a pushchair for him as he couldn't be carried out.  My room wasn't big of course and storing a pram would have taken up all the free space, but the Doona slotted perfectly under the table and gave me the freedom to enjoy some fresh air with him in the afternoons.

Taking Finn home from hospital certainly wasn't the end of our time there and we had three other stays before he hit six months as well as too many appointments to count.  Often I would get a lift into the hospital and find my own way home and I knew that taking the Doona meant I could jump in a taxi or use the bus.  I never had to wait in the rain either, as if the two pushchair spaces were full I could fold the Doona and have it on the seat next to me - something I appreciated a lot after a long day on the ward and rubbish weather outside.

The Doona was never going to be our main pushchair as babies shouldn't be in the car seat position for too long, but once Dylan started school and I started having more days out with friends, the Doona was perfect for going in their cars.  Their own buggies in the boot, I didn't need to take up any extra space and I had a pushchair ready to go as soon as we arrived.  I made sure I always took a sling to wear whilst we were out, but when I needed to put Finn down (or when I needed somewhere to store bits), I had the Doona with me.

Now that Finn is a little older and the bloke has a car, we are finding the Doona still makes life so much easier.  Meals out where he has fallen asleep on the way there mean he can finish his snooze whilst we start eating.  At 8 months he still has plenty of growing space and seems very comfy in there too.  We can fit it in the back seat of our Ford Mondeo alongside two other car seats and don't find the Doona takes up any more space than another infant car seat.

 Disclaimer : The Doona was sent to us for the purpose of a review.  Please be aware that whilst the straps may not look safe in all these pictures, they were always tightened, straightened and checked for safety before driving.

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From Carrycot to Pushchair

It feels like such a big move, I blame it on last baby syndrome, but I have been putting off moving Finn from the carrycot to the seat unit on his pushchair.  

I am planning on using both over the next month or so, as he is still happy in his carrycot.  He loves lying there playing with his feet, and he still has 2 or 3 naps a day, so is most comfortable lying down.  At 7 months he is more aware of the world though, more able to hold his head up and he can sit unaided.  He likes to watch, especially when it means a better view of his brothers.  

As a non driver, I tend to use a parent facing pushchair as it has so many benefits for both parent and child, and all three of mine prefer it to being world facing.  As Finn is still so little, I feel that having a nice buggy liner helps keep him cosy and protected in his new environment.  I have shared before how much I love our Betty Bramble footmuff, and their liners are just as stunning.

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The Cosatto Ooba Review

We were sent the Cosatto Ooba in Charleston to use with our newest arrival and I am really impressed with it.  Not only does the Ooba look bright and fun, but it comes with some great features and extras that make it stand out.

The monochrome design of the Ooba is eye-catching without being too bright and completely unisex too in my opinion.  The frame is really easy to fold, using two simple mechanisms (which are handily labelled too) and folds pretty small, although the carrycot does need to be removed first.  Because of the way the frame crosses over the basket, I was worried it would be hard to use, but we have had no problems putting a changing bag underneath or using it with shopping bags.  

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Review of the Stokke Xplory V4

Stokke Xplory v4, stokke pram review

When it comes to Pushchairs, Stokke are top of the range, and we have been finding out why.  We were sent a Stokke Xplory V4 in Deep Blue and I have to admit I am a bit of a convert.   Unfortunately Archie was not a fan of sitting in the pushchair for photos, but if you follow me on instagram then you will have seen him looking happy in it.

My favourite feature is the height of the child.  I still love having Archie parent facing, and when it is just the two of us, we have a little chat as we walk.  Having him more in eye range makes such a difference, and the height means he can see so much more as well.  With both the bloke and I being tall, it is also much easier to lift him in and out without bending as much (although the downside to this is that he can't climb in himself as he does with lower seats).

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The Kudu 4 Review

The Kudu 4 is an award winning pushchair from Casualplay, and we have been testing it out over the past few weeks.  Suitable from birth, parent or world facing and with a compact fold, this is a lightweight stroller, suitable from birth to three years and comes in three different coloured fabrics with this black frame.

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Win a Cosatto Giggle in Oaker

I have been a fan of Cosatto since we first started thinking about pushchairs nearly three years ago.  When Dylan was six months old we bought him a lightweight stroller and we went for the little monster design- it was perfect for our little monster Dylan and our second little monster  still uses it now.

Cosatto are known for their colour and their style and there is nothing boring about their pushchairs.  Today I have a gorgeous Giggle in Oaker to give away to one lucky reader.  Suitable from birth with the carrycot (included), the giggle is sure to stand out.  

Cosatto have no hidden suprises so the Giggle comes with the carrycot, seat unit, changing bag, footmuff and chest pads meaning you are ready to go! You can also buy a matching car seat to go with it!

Entry is very simple via the rafflecopter below - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Quinny Buzz Xtra Review

The Quinny Buzz Xtra is the newest addition to the Quinny range and we have been lucky enough to have a first look at it. The boys and I have been putting the Buzz Xtra to the test for the last few weeks and here is how we got on;

The Quinny Buzz Xtra is the next generation from the original Buzz and features a few changes.  The basket is bigger, the front wheel is better on different terrains and the hood extends even furthur than before.

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Pushchairs to look out for in 2014

As you may have noticed, I have a bit of a thing for buggies.  As a non-driver, they are my only set of wheels and I love discovering new brands, new designs and spotting them out and about.  After having the opportunity to test a few, I do feel like I know my stuff too, and the Baby Show last weekend only served to fuel this obsession.  I thought I would share my top 5 for 2014 - new colours, styles or updates for the year that I think are going to be big

First up is the icandy Raspberry.  I bought a Cherry when I was pregnant with Dylan and still love it now.  Icandy pushchairs are noticeable, well made and I love the beautiful colours for this new design.  The Raspberry is new and is a from birth stroller that will be available from spring/summer this year.  It can be world or parent facing and folds incredibly compactly with the seat still on.  It lies flat and I mean completely flat which makes it suitable for a newborn, or for those rather odd babies like mine who will not sleep on their back even in a buggy! The black chassis is classy and makes the coloured hood really pop, and there is a silver aluminium option too.  With interchangeable colour packs that come in 7 gorgeous shades, the buggy can change with the season or your mood.  I love the black chassis, and for me the lush(red) or sunflower(yellow) are the best colours - bright and unisex.  Everything seems so well thought out from the adjustable handle, the way it folds with the handle in the air, and the hard case at the front of the buggy for storage.

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Chicco 2014

I found out recently that I have been saying Chicco wrong all of these years.  I always read it as Chee - ko but the correct pronunciation is actually key-ko! I also found out that their new range is going to be bigger and better than ever and they are shaking off that stroller image that they are so well known for and showing off some of their other wonderful products. Here are my favourites from the new collection.

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Bundle Me

With the weather dropping and the return of the eternally runny nose, my priority out and about is keeping the boys warm and we were sent a Bundle Me from JJ Cole to do just that.

This universal footmuff comes in three different colours and is perfect for babies from around 9 months until 3 years (there is a smaller version for younger babies that is great in infant car seats).  The inside is a super soft faux sheepskin and the outer is an equally soft thermaplush.  I absolutely love the feel of this footmuff and if they did one in adult sized I would be first in the queue!

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Petite Star Zia 4+ Review

Although we primarily use a pushchair, there are times when a stroller is just far more convenient and I wouldn't be without one.  We were recently sent the Petite Star Zia 4+ and have been trying it out for the last couple of months.

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Buggy Snuggle

With winter on its way, my priority is keeping my beautiful babies warm.  We love to be out an about come snow or sun and so a footmuff is an essential.

I have previously bought the footmuffs that go with our pushchairs but as Dylan has grown, he has grown out of some and we also have a few new pushchairs since last winter, so I have been looking for some universal footmuffs that we can transfer between double and single.  

Buggysnuggle are known for their funky designs and adaptable footmuffs and we were not dissapointed.  I went for the same print but in different colours and I love how they look in the double buggy.

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Kiddy Click'N'Move Review

We are huge fans of Kiddy, and have already shared how much we loved the Evolution Pro, the City'n'move and the Phoenix Pro so I was very excited when I found out about the launch of their new travel system.  I was sent one to test and we love it.

From the classy black frame, to the reversible seat to the ingenious raincover, I find this pushchair easy to use, light to push and comfortable for my babies.

The Click'n'Move 3 comes in a variety of colours, and I went for the Cranberry as I am a huge fan of buggies that stand out.  The colour is red bordering on pink but my boys can definitely pull it off.  The seat can be both parent and world facing and is very easy to switch - using the two clips on the side it clicks out, can be turned and pushed back in.  The seat unit is comfortable and a good size although my large toddler doesn't have much growing space left so I would have loved it to be ever so slightly bigger.

The hood is large and has a viewing panel which is great for checking up on the boys when they are world facing.  The bumper bar has a zip along it from which a raincover/ footmuff pulls out.  I absolutely loved this feature as I find raincovers can be quite bulky in a basket and typically as soon as you forget one it starts raining! The cover is loose enough to let the child still kick their legs around, but the elastic means that they can't pull it off.  The hood offers plenty of shade and so the child stays dry without having their face covered - perfect for toddlers who are not that keen on being covered up.  I have wondered how well this would work in a storm but we haven't yet had to deal with that.  I have discovered that the Kiddy raincover for their stroller does fit over this buggy though so I think we will use that if it comes to it.

The black frame looks great and is very easy to fold and unfold.  The basket is deceptively big and I have fitted my twins pink lining bag in alongside jumpers for the boys and I.  The basket can be zipped up and this keeps the pushchair looking great and neat, as well as protecting your possessions (I have a habit of losing things out the side of baskets!)

The handlebar is fully adjustable and suitable for parents or carers of any height as it goes low enough for a child to push and high enough for a very tall man to still be comfortable.  The steering is incredibly light, in fact one of my only criticisms of his pushchair is that sometimes I found it too light, even with a 15kg toddler in the seat.  Generally this doesn't cause any problems though.  The brakes are very handy and are activated easily by pushing down with your foot and pushing down on the other end to take them off. I have found this feature perfect for the summer as I often struggle with traditional stroller brakes in my flip flops.

We were also sent the Carrycot for this pram which was invaluable during our hospital stay as it also doubled as Archie's bed some nights! As it happens, he slept better in there than he ever did at home so I think it is fair to say it got a thumbs up from him! The carrycot is traditional yet modern and looks great on the travel system.  It was spacious enough for my long 5 month old to still be comfortable although by 5.5 months he was well and truly out of it.

This travel system takes the Evolution Pro car seat which we love for so many reasons (you can read my review here) and I found it so useful when we needed to pop out from the car that (with adaptors on) the carseat could just slot in, and that Archie could lie flat as we walked.

Overall we loved this travel system and have found it difficult to fault.  I think it looks great, it is easy to push and both boys love using it.  There is a great variety of colours and accessories and it is perfect from birth upwards.

Disclaimer:  We were sent the Click'n'move free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

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Emmaljunga Ozone Review

I am a self confessed 'pramaholic' and cannot walk down the street without checking out every buggy we pass.  When I was asked if I wanted to try an Emmaljunga pram, I was excited, as it is not a brand I had heard of or seen in the UK before, yet they are huge in other parts of Europe.  I was sent the Emmaljunga Ozone to try out with the carrycot as well and after a few weeks of use, I have to say I am impressed.

The pushchair comes as a seat,  chassis and storm cover and the carrycot is sold separately.  The frame is easy to fold and not as big or heavy as you would imagine although as a larger pushchair it still takes up some space.  The four wheels give the pushchair great suspension and it was easy to maneuver, even with my 15kg toddler in the seat. I found it light to steer, didn't struggle at all with curbs and had no problems lifting the buggy in and out of boots.

The basket is a great size and well protected and I could fit everything and anything in there quite comfortably.  The handlebar is adjustable making it great for different height parents and for storing the pushchair.  The seat can be both parent and world facing and is much more traditional than most pushchair seats currently on sale.  It is very well padded and looks incredibly comfortable and I loved the inbuilt strap between the child's legs as it keeps Dylan secure on days when he wants to get in and out and I don't always put the harness on.  It is incredibly easy to change from seat to carrycot, and a car seat can also be bought seperately making this a complete travel system.

I must admit that I didn't find the pushchair seat to be the best looking but it was certainly functional and comfortable and Dylan had no problems falling asleep in it.  The hood was easy to use and was a decent size and had an extra peak to keep the sun out of baby's eyes.  I love how padded the seat it is as it makes the transition from carrycot to seat much easier and I can imagine it comes into its own during the winter months.

My favourite part of the pushchair though was the carrycot.  The mattress was unlike any other pram mattress and more like a pillow in softness, and a special valve underneath helps keep baby cool or warm by changing how much air is allowed in.  The carrycot was a great size and the only one we have ever come across that I am sure will last a baby until they are 6 months.  Both my boys are tall and Dylan out grew his icandy carrycot by 11 weeks as he touched both ends.  At 4 months, Archie still had plenty of growing space in here.

The mosquito net pulls out of a zip in the hood and there is also a ventilation panel that can be unzipped in the back of the hood which would be perfect on days like today where you need to keep baby a little cooler.  The carrycot is covered in pockets including one on the apron which I find incredibly handy as I can always do with more storage.  

The carrycot is an additional £229 on top of the price of the pushchair but it is a fantastic carrycot and the ultimate comfort for your newborn.

I was very interested to see the storm cover and unfortunately don't have any pictures of it on the buggy.  Rather than a traditional raincover, the storm cover is all grey with some large reflective strips and has nothing covering the child's face.  The storm cover provides enough shelter that the baby or toddler is fully shielded without having their face covered, which will be great for the children that don't like the shields.  I found it very practical if I wanted to take Archie out late, as it made the carrycot extra dark inside yet didn't overheat the little man and the reflective strips meant that walking home was not a hazard.  It is a very different design to the traditional but I found it unique and useful.

The Emmaljunga Ozone is an incredibly practical pram and despite its more traditional style, has all the mod cons that you would want when choosing your child's wheels.  Personally I prefer it more for a younger baby than a toddler but the bloke loved the seat unit and thought it looked good as well as being easy to push.  The pushchair comes in a large range of colour and fabric choices and is £436 for the pushchair and then £229 for the carrycot.  Since using the Emmaljunga I have noticed a few others around and I am sure now that Babydino are stocking them there will be plenty more on the streets in the near future.

Babydino are the only online retailer to offer a 'buy back guarantee', meaning that should you buy a pram or pushchair from them, they guarantee they will buy it back when you have finished with it.  They take into account what model and condition it is in but having looked at their pricing, I was very impressed that they were offering about the same as the pushchairs would sell for second hand and without the hassle of trying to sell them!

Disclaimer:  I was loaned this pushchair for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

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Bugaboo meets Andy Warhol

You may have seen recently that we have been busy reviewing the Bugaboo Donkey.  To say that I love this pushchair is an understatement - it is practical, pushable and perfect.

Bugaboo have recently announced their partnership with the Andy Warhol foundation and we were invited along to the launch of this collaboration and their two new designs.  Andy Warhol's iconic pop art include the Campbell soup, the banana and Marilyn Monroe, but Bugaboo chose two prints for their pushchairs - 'cars' and 'flowers'

.The new prints are available as hoods and pram aprons for the Bee, Cameleon and Donkey and having two small boys, I love the cars design.  I think they are fun, unique and definitely eye catching and I fell in love with the Donkey a little bit more when I saw the new options.   With a toddler who is already getting fussy about being in a pushchair, I know he would be a lot more excited if it was covered in cars!

Attending the launch was an experience in itself, with celebrities such as Denise Van Outen and Westlife's Kian Egan in attendance and the most delicious frozen sorbet/chocolate pops.  Mingling with bloggers, the media and celebs and surrounded by works of art, it was a fantastic afternoon and everything these gorgeous new designs deserved.

Disclaimer:  I was not paid to write this post, but I was invited to the launch party of the new Warhol -Bugaboo Designs.

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My Perfect Double Pushchair - Bugaboo Donkey Review

Double pushchair, bugaboo donkey, perfect double pushchair
When we found out we were having a second little baby boy, I started thinking about double pushchairs.  I knew that my perfect double pushchair would have a lovely spacious carrycot for my newborn with a soft mattress and it would be nice and long so that the baby could stay snug and cosy for longer.  I knew that the toddler seat would be able to face me as Dylan loves to have a chat as we walk.  I knew it would work as a single so that we could use it still once Dylan was walking more and would be easy to attach a buggy board to.  I knew that the basket would be huge so that I didn't need to carry a nappy bag and it would be nice and accessible.  I knew that the buggy would have to fit on a bus as we don't drive and it would have to be light to steer as we walk a lot. It would need an adjustable handlebar as Ed and I are both tall and this would make life so much easier. Bugaboo donkey

 Turns out I am very demanding as I wanted a lot of things from my double pushchair and most of the ones on offer didn't tick very many of my boxes! 

Proudly showing off his ' bubba'

What I didn't expect was to find everything I was looking for in one pushchair.  I was expecting to have to compromise something as double buggies are notoriously difficult but it seems there is one that had everything I was looking for - The Bugaboo Donkey.

It may not be the cheapest on the market, but in my eyes it is more than worth it for such a beautiful pushchair.   Bugaboo have really thought of everything!  The Donkey has three options, Mono, duo and twin depending on how you wish to use it.  In single mode, there is a lovely basket that fits next to the seat or carrycot, which is perfect for shopping. With the help of three single catches, the pushchair transforms into a double and I can have a carrycot and seat, two carrycots or two seats, either parent facing or world facing.  Having Dylan parent facing is very important to me as he loves to talk as we walk and I love our little conversations, pointing out cars, flowers and doors!

The seat unit looks very comfortable and is lovely and spacious.  Dylan is by no means a small 20 month old (15kg)  and he has plenty of growing room left.  It has 3 recline positions, including lie flat which is perfect for nap time and a very upright one which I am really impressed with as Dylan loves to sit up straight and not a lot of pushchairs accommodate for this.  The 5 point harness is easily adjustable and the shoulder height can be changed without any hassle.

The carrycot is lovely and long and Archie looks like he will be in it for quite some time.  The interior is so soft it seems wrong to put a sheet on the mattress!  It has a lovely big hood (as does the seat unit) and an easily removable apron, which is zipped on at the end, making it easy to take off and put on when taking the baby out without having to hold it.  We have found the rain covers tough to get on, and it took a while to get the knack of it but once on they are on they are very secure even with strong winds.

We have really put the donkey to the test and as well as using it on all terrains (and always being impressed at how smooth it is), I have used it as a double on the bus, train and in taxis.  I can wheel it into a London cab without folding it down no problem, and it pushes straight onto the bus as well.  The adjustable handle bar can be pushed right down so the Donkey can fit in much smaller spaces than expected.  The handlebar has several positions including a lovely high one which is perfect for tall men like the bloke.

The biggest issue I have had with the pushchair is the amount of time I am stopped in the street! Every single time without fail that we are out, we get asked what it is and where they can get one.  I am constantly met with appreciative stares and everyone wants to get their hands on a Donkey once they have seen it in the flesh.  I have even had someone pull over their car on the side of the road to enquire where she could get such a pushchair!

In Mono mode

The donkey comes in several colour options and with Bugaboo recently announcing a partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation, you will be able to customise to your hearts content with the new hood/apron designs they are releasing!

The bloke is currently refusing to use any other pushchair as he too shares my love of the Bugaboo Donkey, and he loves how light it is to push (even with both boys he can push it up a hill with one finger), how high the handlebar goes and that even with a long stride he is not treading on anything. He also loves how huge the underneath basket it - even my pink lining twins bag fits comfortably underneath, so he is not left with a girly nappy bag to carry around.

I cannot think of a single thing I would change with the Bugaboo donkey.  Bugaboo have clearly thought this one through as it has everything you look for in a pushchair, and then some more.  I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Pin Me!

Disclaimer:  I was loaned a Bugaboo Donkey for the purpose of this review but I have received no financial compensation for writing this post.  The love is completely my own!

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Cosatto Supa Dupa Review

Having two children under twenty months, a double buggy is inevitable and as part of my role as Cosatto Brand Buddy, we have been reviewing their new Supa Dupa double stroller.

The Supa Dupa was super easy to put together and comes complete with two newborn headhuggers, two foot muffs, two insulated bottle holders, a cup holder and a raincover.

We chose the Big Bro, Little Bro design and it was love at first sight.  The pushchair is colourful and bold without being too bright and I loved the colour scheme.  I think the design is great for slightly older children as they really take on the role as 'big bro' and the fact that both sides are clearly marked means no readjusting the straps each time!

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Easywalker Duo Review

We have now been using the Easywalker Duo for one month and it has taken on the nickname 'monster truck'.  The Duo is a well built and sturdy buggy and the air filled tires give the pushchair height.  It may not fit through my front door (no side by side doubles do) but it is perfect for our active lifestyle as I feel like the monster truck can cope with anything.  I chose the duo is red as I am not a fan of black buggies and the colour is gorgeous and really stands out.

 The pushchair has the option of a forward facing seat unit or carrycot on both sides meaning it is suitable from newborn onwards.  The carrycot is sturdy, spacious and comes with a mosquito net and a mattress cover which is very well thought out.  It is easy to put on and takeoff the pushchair, so I get Archie all ready in there before we go out and simply clip it in when the buggy is set up.  

The seat unit has several recline positions and is lovely and spacious even with my chunky nineteen month old.  This is very important for me as we are out a lot and I see Dylan needing a buggy for quite some time so I require one that accommodates him comfortably and that he can nap in.  The seats are only forward facing, but they have a large panel in the top that can be pulled back to reveal a clear plastic peep hole and Dylan and I love playing peekaboo through it.  It can be clipped back too if you want to keep an eye on them.  The hood is a good size, and has an extra sun shield that can be pulled down at the front as well (which Dylan loves to play with) .  Although it doesn't have clips to hold it in place at the side, I almost got blown over by the wind today, and the hoods held out fine so it really isn't necessary!

The buggy is easy to fold without any tricky foot movements, there is simply a red button to push forward at the side and then two clips to push as the buggy folds in half.  Even folded the pushchair is bulky but the seat units stay attached ( carrycots must be removed ) so it is not fiddly   The Duo is a heavy pushchair to carry, but you really can't tell when you push it and it is very easy to get up curbs and steer even with a heavy toddler weighing it down!  I was suprised at how smooth and light it felt to push with two children and a rather large nappy bag on board!  I managed to hold one child and push with the other hand without any problems which is rather handy as there is always one that wants a cuddle!

I did have a few problems with the front wheels at the beginning as they kept locking but it didn't take long to work it out.  It is much harder to push when the front wheels don't swivel, so make sure you have them in right!

There are two baskets - both nice and large and they have two sips at the front to extend them.  I have the pink lining twins bag and it comfortable fits under one side with the zips down and was nice and easy to get in and out.  The rain cover is quite rigid and does take up a lot of space underneath but is very sturdy and spacious when in use and we have been using it quite a lot with the current weather!  There is a different raincover for when using two seats or one seat and one carrycot/carseat.  There is also a lovely handy pocket on the carrycot which I have been keeping a spare muslin in (you never know when you are going to need one!) and this is one of my favourite features of the pushchair.

Overall I am very impressed with the Easywalker Duo.  It did take me a few trips to get used to it's size and steer but I feel like my boys are safe and secure in there and they seem incredibly comfortable!  In an ideal world I would be able to have the boys facing me, but to have a pushchair that does this you would lose it's ability to fold in one piece.  I think the Easywalker Duo is worth the money as it feels like a pushchair built to last and the tyres make it suitable for all terrains.



Disclaimer:  I was sent the Easywalker Duo for the purpose of this review but all thoughts, opinions and photos are completely my own.

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Petite Star Njoy Bubble Review

The Petite Star Bubble is the first of it's kind as an umbrella fold stroller that can be both world or parent facing!

That's right, you can have the simplicity and size of a stroller, yet still be able to see baby and communicate as you walk.  Whether you have a squishy new born or walking talking toddler, you can choose where they look and even lie them completely flat for a snooze.

I can wear Squish in a sling, whilst my big boy faces out and explores the world.  Should he decide it is time to stretch his little legs though, or get out for a play, I can flip the seat the other way - one handed - and have my newborn lying comfortably flat and facing me.  For the times when a double is unnecessary, I think this pushchair will be perfect.

The seat is controlled by a handle at the top and really is the easiest thing to change around.  There is no removing the seat, like in a travel system to turn it, and the same mechanism decides the recline position too. The hood is made of a thin and soft yet strong material and moves with the chair so there is no need to fiddle with it.  This does mean the hood does not feel as sturdy as with some pushchairs and I often find that as I extend it one side comes further than the other but this is easy to rectify.  The hood is huge though, and even with a flat sleeping baby it provides them plenty or shade as it comes out further than any other I have tried.  Dylan has slept very well in the stroller, and he prefers to face me as he falls asleep.

The seat unit is spacious and comes with a headhugger for newborns and strap protectors too.  Dylan looked and felt comfortable in there.  One thing that I was totally shocked with though is quite how light the pushchair felt.  I went to push it up the first curb and completely overcompensated.  Considering my child weighs over 30lb, it felt like I was pushing a baby again as it effortlessly went up and down curbs and corners and was easy to steer.  This is a massive plus point for me as the walk back from town is all uphill and with an ever growing baby in my tummy I get out of breath enough as it is!  Having that extra strain taken away means this is my go to buggy when I know there are hills involved!

More fun pushing the stroller than sitting in it apparently!

The pushchair is as easy to fold as any other stroller, no matter which way the seat is facing and folds just as small as your average stroller (long and thin).

As the seat has the benefit of facing either way, it has the downside that the basket is not as easily accessible as with other pushchairs.  Petite Star have added zips to both sides of the basket so you can get things in and out without too much fiddling so it can be used, but a raincover takes up most of it.  If the child is parent facing, then there is nowhere to hang a nappy bag either, but I don't find this an issue as I usually use only one bag for everything now and quite often wear that myself anyway.  Both of these negatives are not even close to putting me off this pushchair though as I am finding it very practical.

The Bubble comes with a rain-cover which works whichever way the child is facing and feels secure.  It gives the child lots of space still inside which Dylan prefers to the rain-covers that are closer to his face.  It still folds up small and fits well into the basket and is incredibly easy to put on (I never read the instructions and had no issues when it started raining).  Please note that Dylan was not strapped in when this photo was taken which is why he is sitting so far forward and playing with the cover.

The bloke loves this pushchair too - he likes the look of it and loves being able to chat to Dylan as they go for walks.  He likes the handle positioning (something he is very fussy about) and the brakes but would prefer a bigger basket.

This stroller is brilliant and if you were on a tight budget or short on space then this is a great option to consider.  It could never replace a traditional pushchair with a carrycot for me - especially when I am due a winter baby) but it looks secure and comfortable from newborn until a child is out of a buggy.  For me, it is my go-to stroller replacing the more common world facing stroller.

Disclaimer:  We were sent the Petite Star Njoy Bubble for the purpose of this review

 but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Win a Lollipop Lane Stroller

You may have seen my review of the gorgeous Lollipop Lane Acti-Cruise, and admired the gorgeous colours and designs of their four brand new strollers.  I have one to give away now in the design of your choice!  It is very simple to enter, just answer the following Question and complete the rafflecopter form below!

Which of the following is NOT one of their new strollers?

a)      Mariposa

b)      Target

c)       Domino

d)      Harbour

The winner will get to choose which design they would like,  so make sure you check out the different options on the Lollipop Lane website - If you aren't lucky enough to win this time, remember they are available to buy from the website for only £95 each!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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