Now that my Bugaboo is here, more questions...

[McQ]

My Bugaboo arrived on Friday and I just love it! It handles so well outside. Those little lips on the sidewalk ~ no problem!

But here are my new questions...

One thing I miss having is the full canopy. What do you all do to prevent the sun from getting in the baby's eyes? I do a big loop from my house around the neighborhood and the sun hits him about 25% of the time. I've clipped a blanket to the canopy but DH says that looks silly and that I should just flip the handle for that part of the stroll. What do you all do? I have no interest in the parasol.

And does anyone out there use the footmuff? Or did you buy it but not use it? Can you use it with the canopy? I'm thinking about getting it but would like to get some feedback first. We're in Virgina and it gets nippy to down right cold here in the winter.

Thanks!
Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

[marinkitty]

Glad you like your Bugaboo. We still love ours (DD is 7 months old and we've been using it since week 1)!

That said, I know what you mean about the canopy. I switched the handle as needed and also pulled the canopy up (off the back of the seat or bassinet so that it was over her face but not all the way back) and that worked most of the time. But this summer I broke down and got the parasol. I initally did not want one at all and it did take a bit of getting used to (using it and the attention it attracted) but in the end I liked it a lot. Very versatile. Now that fall is here I've not been using it as much and have gone back to switching the handle if needed (but in the totally upright position, which DD can handle now) I usually find that the canopy covers her enough).

I just posted below re my opinion of the footmuff (the thread re the beach and footmuff), so you can see what I think of it there. I didn't buy it at first but once it got cool here (we are in Chicago) I decided to get it. I think it will be really great once it really cools down. Oh, and you can use it with the canopy. I folded the footmuff back around the seat and snugged it down and the canopy is overtop of it. Might not work as well if you are trying to put the top of the footmuff over the baby's head, but I haven't tried that yet.

Holly
Mom to Mia (3/17/03)

[chrissyhowie]

Hmmm, I just looked at the footmuff again. At first it seems pricey, but now that I think about it, items like the Bundle Me or the Nano Bag (which I've got) only fit for an infant ($40-50 item). Since DD has outgrown the Nano Bag, I am thinking about getting another product like the Bundle Me Big or Gaga Bag (yet another $40-50 item!) before the really cold weather sets in. So the Bugaboo footmuff doesn't end up being more costly since it's supposed to fit toddlers as well. Holly posted a great review of it in the other post and knowing how well their accessories are made, it seems like an excellent product, especially if you begin using it from the start.

As for shade, I too was totally uninterested in the parasol at first. But the summer sun really made me strongly consider it! I didn't end up getting it, but gosh there were plenty of times this past July and August that I wished I had it! The parasol is probably the best item to consider if you are serious about sun blockage. We just ended up pulling the canopy forward off the back of the stroller, draping my sling over the canopy, or flipping the handle in times of intense sun. But at the end of the summer, Chloe's legs were pretty darn tan (bad mommy...;)).

Just out of curiousity, why are so many of you against the parasol? What attention?

All of my stroller experience has been here in Berlin, I'll freely admit, so obviously there's something I'm not getting. But around us a parasol is pretty much standard accesory for anyone with a stroller. It folds up compactly and when set right can usually be tucked underneath the handlebar, particularly of a Bugaboo/Teutonia type. As I said, just curious...

Paula
Mama to Dante, 8/1/02

[egoldber]

Paula, I can assure that a parasol is definitely not a "standard" stroller accessory on this side of the pond!!! LOL! :)

[McQ]

Thanks for the feedback. I found the footmuff thread after posting this one. Oops! I am going to order one.

As for the parasol I just think it looks silly. No offense but I just can't picture a rugged looking stroller with a parasol. The canopy covers him most of the time. I do worry about his legs and especially his face though. How well does the parasol cover them? Can you use the canopy and the parasol at the same time? Would that make sense to? How often do you use the parasol? Do you use the canopy then whip out the parasol when necessary or do you not use the canopy and use the parasol most of the time?

Thanks & sorry for so many questions!

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

I'm not really answering any of your questions, sorry, but thought I'd post what we usually do. I knitted a light blanket for DS and we either drape it over the canopy or cover his legs with it.

You have to get the old umbrella...it's the ONLY WAY. I realize it seems silly (and looks a little silly), but it's so useful!

Deb

Does no one use a Pepeny shade or a Protect-A-Bub on a Bugaboo? I know they aren't the prettiest, but they definitely block out the sun, and it's not a parisol. It's too bad that it's necessary on such an expensive stroller.

Sheva

[marinkitty]

In the summer I used the parasol with the canopy on every sunny day. It blocks the sun no matter which way it is coming at you and is so easy to adjust. Much better (and better looking IMHO) than a pepenny or similar shade. I did get lots of attention for having the parasol and it took some getting used to, but now I'm seeing them around a lot more (which is true of the Bugaboo generally now, so I don't get stopped as much as I used to). I've noticed parasols on other strollers (mostly prams) lately too. Maybe they are catching on here? You can definitely do without the parasol if you are willing to switch the handle and pull the canopy up, but now that I have it I think it is the best solution.

Holly
Mom to Mia (3/17/03)