In March 2009, we found out that there had been some cases that the Bugaboo Bee brake has not worked properly after a period of time in use. For this reason, we have taken precautionary measures and developed a set of brackets that can be easily clicked onto the rear wheels of the pushchair in order to secure the brake function. The brackets are now integrated into the Bugaboo Bee during production.

Bugaboo would like to provide these brackets to all Bugaboo Bee owners. Please complete this form to receive the bracket set at home free of charge. You may also visit your place of purchase to receive the brackets.

In a statement, the company said its pushchairs complied with the highest quality and regulatory standards and, if used according to instructions, were safe. A spokesperson stated: “In the last few days, we have heard from hundreds of customers at our call centre and we have been able to reassure them about the quality and safety of our products

“Most parents understand that they have to be vigilant when operating mechanical products around children, similar to the care they show when securing children in cars or protecting them around the home. We stress that our buggies are completely safe and fully compliant, but if parents remain concerned or worried, we urge them to talk to us.”

A spokeswoman for trading standards said: “We welcome any measures that reduce the risk of injury to children and have been liaising with Maclaren over the past few days around this issue. We also hope that this acts as an important reminder to all parents and carers to take extra care when putting up any children’s equipment that has a folding mechanism.”

Parents in the UK who would like to request a set of hinge covers are being advised to e-mail their name and address, along with details of the buggy model and year, to advice@maclaren.co.uk, or call 01327 841320.

Up to 1 million of Maclaren’s single and double umbrella pushchairs were voluntarily recalled by the firm in the United States with The American Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stating that customers should stop using the prams immediately and contact the company for a repair kit. The voluntary recall comes after a dozen children had their fingers amputated after capturing them in the hinge while the pushchairs were being unfolded.

Models affected include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller manufactured between 1999 and 2009.

A Maclaren spokeswoman confirmed that the same models with the same mechanisms to those being recalled in the USA are also sold in the UK but stressed that they conform to different trading standards in Europe and that models sold in Britain were not affected by the recall.

However, parents in the UK should note that consumer group Which? is calling for UK owners of Maclaren buggies to get the same safety kit as US consumers are going to receive.  Lizzy Ruffles, pushchair expert at Which?, said: ‘Maclaren pushchairs meet all relevant British and US safety standards. However, consumers in the US are being offered a free safety kit to add to their Maclaren pushchair and we think that British consumers should be offered the same protection.

The chance that children will trap their fingers in the folding hinge applies to all pushchairs that use an umbrella folding mechanism, and not just those from Maclaren. Parents should consider the folding hinge on a pushchair in the same way they would the hinge of an opening and closing door. Inevitably a product that folds in this way will carry some risk to children.  Parents should always ensure their child is well away from any hinges or folding parts when folding or unfolding a pushchair.

Which? tested a range of Maclaren pushchairs and found that they conform to the European safety standard EN1888. However, their website states their intention to continue to investigate this issue to establish whether there is any danger to British children

In terms of Maclaren pushchair owners in the US,  parents and care-givers should get the repair kit immediately. The spokeswoman said that the free repair kit  – which can be ordered via their website www.maclarenbaby.com - provided hinge covers for each side of the pushchair, which would restrict access to the hinges.  The pushchair will remain fully functional with the hinge covers attached.

On its website, Maclaren stresses that safety remains its top priority and urges consumers to contact the firm immediately to obtain the repair kit.

I must admit that the breezy fold/unfold mechanism, together with its compact folded size (which can apparently fit in a cabin hold) was hugely impressive (and enough to pique my usually non-commital husband’s interest), and I’m sure Lorraine’s inability to get to grips with it was merely lack of practise rather than any inherent difficulty.

A little bit of digging reveals you can buy it from Mothercare for £175, though if you use discount code JLK  (save 10% when you spend £120 or more, voucher expires 31 may 2011) you’ll get it for £157.50, including free delivery.

The buggy is also available from Amazon  Apprentice Baby Show Takeoff pushchair (Leebruss) and from Kiddicare though it’s currently unavailable at both.

Available in three colours – gold, cognac and carbon, the pushchair boasts:

_ ultra small folding size
- lightweight aluminium frame
- backrest adjustable in sitting and relaxing position
- basket can be used as a shopping bag
- 5-point safety harness
- front wheels swivel and lockable
- integrated trolley function via telescopic pull out handle
- weight 8.4kg
- measurement folded (LxWxH) 50x44x30cm

- raincover and trolley bag included

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I’m in lust, and guessing it won’t be long before  we’re spotting them in our ultimate Celebrity Prams and Celebrity Pushchairs‘ guide.

Available exclusively from Mothercare, the collection features two tailored fabric sets , four footmuffs and two blankets, with prices starting from £29.99.

P.S. If you’re tempted to splash out on a whole new look for your bug, don’t forget you can save a superb 10% when you spend over £120 with our discount code JLK  (save 10% when you spend £120 or more, voucher expires 31 may 2011).

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As you’ll have gathered from the posts on this blog, I can’t help but love the bug. The Cameleon and Bee pushchairs are quirky, kooky, and have transformed our high streets, bringing some much-needed colour into an otherwise grey day when you spot one out and about. And from the stacks of emails I get from Best Pram readers, it’s clear I’m not the only one enamoured of this lovely pushchair – in which case, I’ve got some very exciting news for you all!

In recognition of its army of fans, Bugaboo have now set up their own online community dedicated to all things Bugaboo-related, called Bugaboo Friends, where current and prospective bug owners from all over the world can ‘become a friend’, hang out, upload photos, read each other’s profiles, enter competitions and share inspiration for exploring the world with baby and bug in tow. How fabulous?

It’s very much in its infancy and is therefore a little slow to load (and I personally think a forum is conspicuous by its absence), but I’m sure there’s lots of exciting developments in store with it. And with monthly prizes for the most creative video uploaded, it’s definitely worth popping over to have a nosey at what other bugaboo owners are getting up to. You never know: it might inspire you to take a trip somewhere new!

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“…life in a 21st century baby buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults”

Ouch!!!

For many reasons, with cost undoubtedly being at the very top of the list, I imagine thousands of parents are now wondering what damage they’ve unwittingly done their beloved offspring by purchasing the usually much cheaper, forward-facing pram models. Given the relatively small percentage of time babies usually spend in the pram – often asleep I might add! – compared to the rest of the day when mums, dads and carers talk, laugh, sing, read and play with their child, I feel sure that the headlines surrounding this latest research are alarmist in the extreme, and most parents have absolutely nothing to worry or feel guilty about.

That said, within less than an hour of publication, the article on the BBC website was the ‘most emailed’ and third ‘most read’  news item so my suspicions as to the impact this would have were confirmed. With my interest sufficiently piqued, I decided to track down the full press release into the findings, which revealed the following:

The study looked at 2,722 parent-infant pairs across the UK and Dr Zeedyk also carried out a smaller study of 20 babies being wheeled in pushchairs across a one mile stretch in the centre of Dundee. Half the journey was spent in an away-facing buggy and half in a toward-facing buggy. The results of this pilot work suggest that parents talk less to children in away-facing buggies and babies’ sleeping patterns and heart rates differ slightly for the two orientations, suggesting it is possible that they are more stressed by away-facing buggies.

Key findings of both research projects include:

• 62% of all children observed were travelling in away-facing buggies, with the rate even higher, at 86%, between the ages of 1 and 2 years
• Parents using face-to-face buggies were twice as likely to be talking to their baby (25% compared with 11%)
• Less than a quarter of parents observed were speaking to their child (22%)
• Mothers and infants, who had a chance in the experimental study to travel in both types of buggies, also laughed more frequently with face-to-face buggies. Only one baby in the group of 20 studied laughed during the away-facing journey, while half laughed during the face-to-face journey
• Babies’ average heart rates fell slightly when placed in a toward-facing buggy, and babies were also twice as likely to fall asleep in this orientation, both of which could taken as possible indicators of reduced stress levels

Dr Zeedyk said: “Neuroscience has helped us to learn how important social interaction during the early years is for children’s brain development. If babies are spending significant amounts of time in a baby buggy that undermines their ability to communicate easily with their parent, at an age when the brain is developing more than it will ever again in life; then this has to impact negatively on their development.

“Our experimental study showed that, simply by turning the buggy around, parents’ rate of talking to their baby doubled. I had also not anticipated that such a high percentage of babies in face-to-face buggies would be sleeping – 52%, against only 27% in away facing buggies. It was a complete surprise. This is significant as you are more likely to sleep when you are feeling relaxed and safe.

Erm, doesn’t this rather imply that you wouldn’t be talking to your baby anyway, as they’d be sleeping?

Liz Attenborough, Manager of the Talk To Your Baby campaign, said: “Talk To Your Baby is campaigning for manufacturers to make sociable, face-to-face buggies for toddlers more affordable and to increase parental awareness of the importance of talking to their baby. This research shows that something as seemingly ordinary as going out with a child in a buggy where adult and child are face-to-face can be a valuable opportunity to spend time talking together in a way that is stress-free for the child. Parents with a two-way facing buggy should use the sociable face-to-face option as standard.”

Laura Barbour, Sutton Trust, commented, “The Sutton Trust hopes that buggy manufacturers will look closely at this research, which suggests that face-to-face models improve communication at a very early stage. The problem is that at present these cost a minimum of £200 and are therefore too expensive for many families. The Sutton Trust, which campaigns for improved social mobility, would like to see options available in every price range so that all parents can have greater choice.”

So there we have it. For what it’s worth, and in the interests of laying my cards on the proverbial table, I personally chose a rear-facing pram (an iCandy Apple) for this very reason. Before baby came along, I envisaged us strolling along the high street with me pointing out the various sights and sounds and him gurgling happily and soaking up my guided tours like an avid, educational sponge. The reality is that he invariably used the hum of the traffic and the fresh air on his face to lull himself straight off to sleep! As soon as he outgrew this perpetually sleepy stage – at around 6 months - he was infinitely happier when we turned the direction forward-facing and he could smile and gurgle delightedly at passing strangers rather than Mummy’s ugly mug, which he was evidently more than happy to have a break from, thank you very much!

On the issue of cost, however, I’d have to agree with the researchers. The pushchair models that are either rear-facing, or allow both forward and rear-facing options – the Bugaboo Cameleon, Bugaboo Bee, iCandy Apple, Quinny Buzz, Mutsy to name a few – can be more than double the price of most forward-facing strollers, such as the eternally popular Maclaren stroller range.

Food for thought, indeed, though I personally think families should be able to weigh up the pros and cons of the various models available in their budget without being handed yet another stick with which to beat themselves. For anyone who wants to have a read of the research in its entirety in order to make up their own mind, the following links should be helpful:

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Press/TTYBbuggyresearch.html and have a look on the bbc site where people have been commenting on the research http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7741056.stm

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3 Best Prices on the Phil & Teds Sport (single pushchair)

1. Phil & Teds at Mothercare, price dropped to £264.99, but use our brand new 10% discount code JLK to get it for a superb  £238.50, including free delivery.
2. Phil & Teds sport single pushchair sport at Kiddicare - price dropped to £289.89, including free delivery.
3. Phil & Teds at Bambino Direct price dropped to £299.95, including free delivery.

3 Best Prices on the Phil & Teds (with the doubles’ kit)

1. Phil & Teds at  Mothercare (£264.99)- add the doubles’ kit (£61.50) at the same time for £326.49 BUT use our brand new 10% discount code JLK and get it for a SUPERB £289.84, including free delivery. Remember to add both items to your basket.
2. Phil & Teds double at Bambino Direct £339.95, including free delivery
3. Phil & Teds double at Kiddicare - £339.99, including free delivery

Prices last checked: 17 January, 2010. Price fluctuations on the Phil & Teds means our top 3 spots continue to change quite considerably so keep checking!

Up next is the celebrity favourite, the Bugaboo Cameleon – we’ll look at prices for the pushchair/carrycot on its own, and scroll down for prices on the Bugaboo Travel System. We’ll update this page when offers change or new ones become available, so don’t forget to bookmark our site and come when you’re ready to make your purchase.

Best Prices on the Bugaboo Cameleon (pushchair/carrycot with tailored fabric)

1. Bugaboo Cameleon at Mothercare, (£659.05 for base unit, £89.95 for tailored fabric), £749.00. Use our brand new 10% discount code JLK, and get it for £674.10, including free delivery. Note:You need to add the tailored fabric separately to your basket (price we’ve listed here is for both items).
2. Cameleon at Baby World price increased to £724.97, including free delivery. Save 5% by becoming a baby world member, taking price to £688.72
3. Bugaboo Cameleon at John Lewis – £748.95, including free delivery. Note: you need to add the tailed fabric separately to your basket (price we’ve listed here is for both items).
4. Bugaboo Cameleon at Bambino Direct £749.00, including free delivery

3 Best Prices on the Bugaboo Cameleon Travel System (including Maxi Cosi Cabriofix car seat and adaptors)

1. Cameleon at Baby World £822.92, including free delivery. You need to add the car seat adaptors and your choice of cabriofix car seat to the basket separately). Save 5% by becoming a baby world member, taking price to £781.78
2. Bugaboo Cameleon at Mothercare, £878.99, but using the brand new 10% discount code JLK means you can get it for a fabulous £791.10 You need to add the tailored fabric, choice of maxi cosi cabriofix car seat and car seat adaptors separately to your basket (price we’ve listed here is for ALL items) .
3. Bugaboo Cameleon at Bambino Direct £873.77, including free delivery

NB: For your information, Bugaboo isn’t stocked at Kiddicare.

Prices last checked: 17 January, 2010. Continuing price fluctuations for the Bugaboo at our major retailers means the top positions have changed considerably these past few months.

Best Prices on the Quinny Buzz 3 wheeler (2009)

1. Mothercare price dropped to at £314.00, but just our superb 10% discount code JLK to get it for a fantastic £282.60, including free delivery.
2. Quinny Buzz 3 at John Lewis – price dropped to  £315.00, including free delivery
3. Quinny Buzz at Baby World – £342.00, including free delivery. Save 5% by becoming a baby world member, taking price to £324.90
4. Quinny Buzz at Kiddicare £342.00
5. Quinny at Bambino Direct, price dropped to £342.00, including free delivery

Prices and stock last checked: 17 January, 2010.  Mothercare return to our coveted number one slot… snap it up quick!

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