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Marina and Poppy review the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX
Marina Frow (26 years old) from Sheffield is Mum to Poppy (16 weeks). Marina recently purchased the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX and has kindly answered a few questions upon the pram/ pushchair for us:
What make is the Pram/ Pushchair?
Mamas and Papas
What model is the Pram/ Pushchair?
Ultima MPX
When did you purchase the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX?
July 2011
Where did you purchase the pram/ pushchair?
Mamas and Papas outlet store
How much did you pay for the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX?
£350
Do you think the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX was worth of it’s retail price?
Yes. Although I wouldn’t pay the full retail price though.
Do you drive? If so what car do you drive?
Yes, I drive a Nissan Micra
Does the Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX fit into the boot?
It just fits in the boot!
If you make use of public transport, do you find this pram/ pushchair easy to use whilst out and about?
I’ve not tried.
What made you decide upon purchasing this pram/ pushchair?
I liked the way it was a travel system and could be a ‘9 in 1’.
Were there any additional features (such as a parasol, changing bag or shopping carrier) that were included in the package you purchased?
I bought additional accessories including a changing bag, foot muff, a rain cover, rosette and a stand
What colour pushchair/ pram did you buy and why?
I purchased the Mimi style, which is black with while polka dots. I thought it was fun and quirky.
Was size an issue when purchasing your pushchair/ pram?
I had to make sure it would fit into my small car.
Where do you keep your pushchair/ pram?
I keep the pram in the car boot
Is this the only pushchair/ pram you own?
Yes
Are you happy with your pushchair/ pram? If so why?
Yes – It has come in useful, the car seat attached straight onto base so great for space saving in the car and not disturbing baby. The carrycot is used on a stand for daytime naps.
Is there anything which you are unhappy about regarding your pushchair/ pram?
The base is quite bulky when in car, and the car seat is heavy.
The Mamas and Papas Ultima MPX is a versatile travel system which is available in a range of designs and usually retails from £749 from www.mamasandpapas.com. For further information visit www.mamasandpapas.com
The Hauck Luna 11, Lightweight but Long!
The Hauck Luna 11 Buggy is available from a range of online retailers, with an average price of £47.95.
Suitable from six months upwards (with a maximum weight allowance of 15kg), The Hauck Luna 11 features a five point harness, manoeuvrable swivel wheels, detachable hood, two position recline, rubber footrest and a small shopping basket below the buggy. Mums Baby Magazine put the Hauck Luna 11 Buggy to a series of short tests to find out how exactly ‘Hauck handled!’.
How quickly can the Luna 11 be put together and put into use?
The Luna 11 unfolds and folds easily using a two catch locking system, the swivel front wheels are lockable and there are brakes on both back wheels. The Luna 11 features a removable sun canopy/ hood which uses two clips either side to attack to the frame of the buggy. This can be placed in numerous positions to protect your little one against the sunshine. However, the Luna 11 does NOT come with a rain cover, this must be purchased separately.
It took Mums Baby Magazine under ten seconds to open the buggy and get it ready to place a child into. However, strapping them in was a little more difficult. The Luna 11 also features a five point harness which clips together. We found the clip quite difficult to get together as each part of the clasp requires fixing to the other. However, the straps are easily adjustable and offer a good amount of material to adjust the length of the straps for larger children.
Is the Luna 11 comfortable?
The Hauck Luna 11 has two zips either side of the chair which can be undone to recline the seat. However, this means that there are only two positions which the buggy can be in (either sat up or reclined). The Luna 11 also has a rubber foot rest which children can rest their feet upon. However, this is not practical when wet as little feet do tend to slip.
The Luna 11 buggy certainly seemed comfortable enough. However, it doesn’t have any leg support as such or cosy toes attachments which may be a requirement if using this buggy in cooler conditions. When we took a toddler for a short stroll using this buggy, the lockable, swivel wheels made steering very easy. The handle bars (foam lined) are easy to grip and quite high, therefore are ideal for taller parents.
How does the Luna 11 measure up?
The Luna 11 Buggy is colourful, bright and modern in design, the Luna 11 has a steel frame and is one of the most lightweight buggy’s we have come across in terms of weight thus making the Luna 11 an ideal buggy to pop into your car boot for a trip out shopping. When folded the Luna 11 is extremely thin and takes up a very little amount of space. However, it’s length is a different matter… We tried placing the Luna 11 (whilst folded) flat into the boot of three different sized cars including a large Hyundai Santa FE, we found that the Luna 11 is surprisingly longer than the average buggy when folded and was awkward to put into and take out of a smaller car.
The Luna 11 measures:
Open: 82cm x 47.5cm x 106cm Folded: 118cm x 30cm x 25cm Seat Width: 31cm Weight: 5.6kg
How easy to clean is the Luna 11?
The Luna 11 can be easily wiped down and washed using ‘sponge cleaning’. Alternatively, both the cover and canopy are removable and can be washed by hand. The outer material is 100% polyester with 100% polyester fleece filling.
How robust is the Luna 11?
Although the Hauck Luna 11 appears to be a trendy buggy, in reality we found that it seemed a little flimsy. The hood clips to the frame yet it still seems to flap about when windy. We also found that the handle bar grips seemed to slide around the handles and needed adjusting. We would also advice against hanging bags over the handle bars as this buggy isn’t the strongest stroller available.
Stroller Summary
The Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Super easy to open and fold up
- Good for taller parents
- Looks trendy
The Cons
- Too long for many boots (very tall)
- Only one recline position
- No Cosy Toes
- No Rain Cover
- No Leg Support
- Flimsy hood
Mums Baby Magazine give the Hauck Luna 11 6/10. The Hauck Luna 11 is available in either silver or red. For further information upon details and retailors go to www.hauck.co.uk
April’s Top Tester Faye reviews the Graco Fusio
Faye Rios from Torquay is Mum to Imogen (3 years) and Joseph (12 weeks). Faye recently purchased the Graco Fusio for her little boy Joseph and is that impressed with this travel system that she sent us a review to share with our readers…
With an original retail price of £299, I personally think The Fusio is great value for money. The price includes the Pushchair, Footmuf, Apron, Rain Cover and a very cosy Newborn Liner. It’s really easy to assemble as it’s just a case of snapping on the wheels and it comes with a really clear set of instructions.
It can also be used as a travel system by adding the Logio S Deluxe Car Seat and adapter and you can also purchase a hard Carry Cot if you wish. The seat is reversible and it’s really simple to switch around, you just unclip the seat and turn it around, clip in one side then stretch the seat and clip in the other side. The Seat has four reclining positions from lying down flat (for newborns) to sat up straight (for toddlers up to 3) as well as a five point harness system.
The hood is nice and big to shade little eyes from the sun and has a lovely see through bit to allow you to peek in if your child is forward facing. This also enables little ones to get a good view of the clouds if they are rear facing. The 
Graco Fusio is made from UV tested fabrics which offer peace of mind to parents and essential protection for little ones.
The Graco Fusio folds and unfolds very easily with colour codes to let you know if the pushchair is not fully open. The step on/off foot break is also colour coded as well as the locking wheels, which is on the side of pushchair – no need to bend down! Because the Graco Fusio uses an umbrella folding system, when folded it’s nice and compact and doesn’t take up much room in the boot of a car. I have a Renault Megane, which doesn’t have the biggest boot space, and there is still plenty of room for a weeks shopping and my changing bag when the system is folded.
The Graco Fusio is free standing when folded which created a lot of interest in the doctors surgery whilst visiting the health visitor.
As the Graco Fusio only has small wheels I was concerned about taking it off road, but it’s handled really well. We’ve been across bumpy streets, grassy parks and even a stony beach and my little boy still hasn’t been woken! It’s also great at doing a 360 degree turn,which is ideal for chasing after a tearaway toddler!
The Graco Fusio has a huge shopping basket, big enough to take my rather large OiOi changing bag. The handles will also take a couple of shopping bags each if required. The handles swivel so can be adjusted for pushers of different heights and although they are very low in the lowest position my Husband found the highest option to be quite comfortable and he’s six foot.
All in all I think the Graco Fusio is great travel system and is fantastic value for money as it’ll be the only pushchair I’ll ever need.
Available from www.preciouslittleone.co.uk for only £234.94 the Graco Fusio comes in a range of colours and designs and includes a number of accessories.
Put a spring into your Footmuff with the Genesis Classic Spring Collection.
Genesis Classic are a UK manufacturer of a wide range of nursery items. Genesis Classic products (such as their popular footmuff range) are currently available in a wide range of stores throughout the UK.
The Genesis Compacts are an all new product which have been designed specifically for spring and summer trips where travelling needs to be lightweight whilst parents still need to prepared for all weathers. This year don’t let the British weather catch you out, instead pack a 
‘Genesis Compact’ and be sure to be ready for all weathers.
The Genesis Compact Footmuff weighs less than a pack of butter (only 250g) and is egg box sized when packed. Once opened and unpacked the Genesis Compact Footmuff is a full sized 36 inch footmuff complete with harness points and it suitable up to toddler size.
The Genesis Compact Footmuff comes in a draw string bag, the nylon outer material is durable, water and windproof whilst being breathable. The super soft exterior uses inner micro fleece polyester to give comfort and warmth.
Available in a wide range of designs, the Genesis Compacts are functional and funky, helping little ones to stay warm no matter what the weather.
Check out their facebook page for further information at http://www.facebook.com/notes/genesis-compact-footmuff-and-genesis-classic-footmuffs/genesis-compact-footmuff/156984194356356
PeeWee Gear Travel Pillows offer our Children Safety and Support when Travelling.
Travelling tends to send our little ones off to the land of nod. Babies who use smaller car seats are given ultimate neck support and comfort with ‘head and neck halos’ that keep our children secure and their body supported whilst travelling. However, as our children become bigger and move into larger car seats they often ‘nod off’ quite literally, their heads lolling with the movement of the car.
It is crucial that we consider our children’s comfort and support whilst travelling, although children have developed head control by the time they are in larger car seats, they cannot control which direction their heads flop during sleep, therefore a travel pillow is a must.
Most travel pillows available on the market for children are quite bulky and tend to push children’s heads forwards and therefore make travel unsafe. Joél Wellonen, an American Mum decided to take this problem into her own hands and design the ultimate travel pillow for infants, toddlers, children and even adults. The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow is very narrow at the back of the neck allowing room for the child to relax into the pillow without having their head pushed forwards, whilst the comfortable padded sides support the head from dropping forwards or to either side.
The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow doesn’t need to attach to car seats or any other parts of the car, therefore doesn’t affect any safety devices, it is the ideal solution for ‘napping nippers’ in car seats, pushchairs, strollers, trains, aeroplanes, swings and much more. Designed to be used by children six months and over, the PeeWee Gear Pillow helps little ones to sleep soundly.
Joel Wellonen hand makes each pillow from 100% cotton shell covers and Polyester hypo-allergenic fibre filling. The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow can be machine washed and dried on a delicate cycle.
PeeWee Gear also produce and sell pillow cover slips if you wish to alter the colour/ pattern or simply protect your travel pillow.
The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow is available in four sizes:
- Small/ Infant (4-18 months)
- Medium/ Toddler (12 months on above)
- Large/ Adult (Larger children and women)
- Extra Large (Men)
Mums Baby Magazine tested two of these pillows (the small/ infant and Medium sized pillows), we have photographed the results.
Beforehand, our model spent most of his time in the car napping whilst lolling side to side at each corner, this simply cannot be 
comfortable (see photo above).
The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow put an instant stop to this and kept Joshua safe, supported and able to sleep in comfort.
Although www.peeweegear.com is currently based in the USA, they do offer shipping to the UK and Europe.
Retailing from $15.99, The PeeWee Gear Travel Pillow is the ideal solution for parents wishing to solve ‘lolling head syndrome’ during travel time , offering their little ones practical, comfortable and safer travel.
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