Mommy vs Commuter

Assalammualaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog!

Once again, we are here.. With the weekend here.. I guess it is apt enough for me to write about the pet peeves when travelling on public with baby, stroller, and lots more in hand.

Here we go... Ready or not....

Well, okay, let's be nice and put a scenario running shall we?

So as always, I fetched Baby M at the platform, sometimes on NEL, sometimes on CCL. And with all babies, we had a stroller, diaper bag (which easily fetch ard 3kg) and everything necessary. All nice and pretty, we set out to get ourselves home. Having had to change between NEL to CCL to EW line, of course we always had to take the elevator, and during peak hours, we always have to swim along with thousand others who are rushing home from work or wherever they are coming from. And here are the kindda people we always bump into.

"Blind" Commuters

These ones can be "deaf" too. We are entering the train right, so they are people standing near the door, be it the elevator door or the train door. And so I said, "Excuse me!!" And these people well they either don't see you or underestimate the size of our stroller. So I said, "Move aside please"
Move aside (yeah, just a baby step, that's it!) OH yes.. one little baby step, oh yeah, that'll do.

And then "OUCH!" scream one "blind/deaf" commuter, and I was surprised! "Oh now you can see me!" Well sorry!

Overly concerned Commuters

As with other babies, sometimes Baby M has her wailing days, where she just feel like bursting out of the blue, often because I was a tad late in giving her what she wanted -snacks maybe or just water.

And then, there's this bunch who sometimes come at you like "oh why baby cry?" "so kesian" "maybe she want to be carried"

Oh ya that last statement.. Hmm ok, if I do choose to carry her, would you be giving me space? Would everyone be happy if the train jerks and I lost my balance and along with baby, I go tumbling down? Would you like that?

Look, I am alone. And baby in pram is the safest place a baby can be. The pram brakes works well, and if it is sliding, I can stretch my hands across to hold it with another hand holding the railing, and baby will still be safely secured in her pram. So, I don't mind a crying baby in the pram as long as she is not bleeding, not in pain, and just in need of some entertainment, and entertaining her would be my job. If you'd like to help, make a funny face.

And keep your hands off baby please. Baby touching you doesn't give you rights to hold/touch her especially not her face. (NOT that I have experience these touchy ones, but I've seen other babies get that a lot. Maybe because Baby M mostly touches men, and men always refrain from touching babies for some reason)

"Handicapped" and in dire need to use the elevator

The worst of any kind. If you had read my previous post about the people who moved just an inch to make way for the double stroller, you'd get me.

The elevator is actually meant for the handicapped, the wheel-bounded, the unwell or someone who had their hands too full. I understand you taking the lift if you have both your hands occupied with paperbags, I understand when you have a toddler holding onto your shirt, and another in the back pocket and carrying a baby. I understand if you'r pregnant, and I understand if you were in a corner holding on to the railing (must be light-headed). And definitely get it if you're with a stroller or wheelchair or the motorized handicap "bike"or if you're with an elderly.

What I don't get it is those who are empty handed, young, happy, smiley, and they occupy the elevator like it is full even if it is just the two of them. And these very people can actually have the patience to wait 10 minutes for the elevator. Wouldn't the escalator be faster for you guys? 10 minutes can get you 2 storeys without ever waiting!

And mind you! These very people would actually rush in the elevator even when there are 5 mommies with strollers side by side with them. Shouldn't they give way to us? I mean you have the option to take the escalator! We don't! I mean we can, but it'd be dangerous - plus require more work holding on to the weight.

Like with the "blind" commuter, these people are pretty much the same. I dunno how their brain works but apparently, a stroller can and will fit just by moving a small baby inch step to the side.

And like the "blind" commuter, their sight comes to life when their toes got rolled over by our mighty pram wheels.

If you noticed, fellow moms would make way for another pram so they can fit in, but not the empty handed healthy person next to her.

Toilets

I seriously hope SMRT would look at making a make-shift nursing/diaper change room at their platforms, it is really not nice changing diapers while others stare at you for embarrassing your baby, with fingers on nose sort of face. Actually a cushioned seat with curtain to go around would do good already. no need for water or anything (maybe wet tissues would be nice) but just something so we can change diapers in discreet. 

Speaking of toilets, I so hate malls or any place that doesn't have a special mom and baby toilet. I had only been to one with has a baby "holder" so mom can go at peace. For some reason, I forgot where this place is... But it has two adult toilet bowls, a huge vanity area, baby "holder", and a nappy change pad/table. The place is huge, and can possibly fit two moms and their children (with strollers) without feeling cramped up. And it is really clean too!

So, what's your pet peeves when travelling on public with baby (and stroller)?

Next up : Baby M"s first Concert!

Meanwhile, have a happy great WEEKEND!

Wassalam,
Jun

Strollers, strollers, strollers!

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog!

Over the past 6months, or to be precise 16 weekends, I have personally test driven 6 strollers (probably more) but I significantly remember these few namely : Seebaby, Capella, Combi, Quinny Buzz, Brittax Double Stroller and Gelite Ace.

All 6 probably has all different pros and cons and possibly to used to different situations to heighten their pros.

Let's start with...

Seebaby

Very lightweight, easy close, easy open. Pretty sturdy.. BUT it cannot recline 180°. SO, in other words, it is great for toddlers who can sit on their own, preferably if they are stable enough to stand actually. STILL, it is not really that good for sleeping little ones, it couldn't recline, so those little ones who tend to soften their muscles when they sleep (which is actually 99% of all babies! hah!), this isn't for them, my Baby M always always slide down right till she can't anymore and it doesn't look comfortable at all, of which Baby M often confirms by squirming and crying after 5-10minutes of dozing off.

Next..

Capella

This is awesome, it can recline to 180° which makes it usable right from newborn (with newborn inserts) up till toddlers (I forgot the max weight, maybe 20kg). The huge canopy which can pretty much cover baby up is also something I like, however, it doesnt work with Baby M, she'd swing her arms and open the canopy the moment to try to bring it down so the sun doesn't get to her. LOL!

Another favorite thing is that the handles can turn so baby faces you. Very good when baby is asleep, or when baby gets too wary of the overwhelming surrounding. BUT, I pretty much move everywhere I didnt want to go with its handles reversed. Maybe just the need to lock some wheels or some sort.

I like the easy close easy open, PLUS it can close to an even smaller one - but I struggled trying. It is less sturdy though, I often feel like I'd break it to pieces if I try to pivot it on its back wheels. Well it didn't la, so it is sturdy just maybe feel shaky to me - which makes it transform into a rocking chair when baby sleeps. ;)

Awesome if you need to travel on bus because you can close it and has a sling strap to carry by the shoulders.

Next...

Combi

This is my favorite. I can close and open this one with baby in my arms without much struggle. It is really easy! And.. it has almost everything that is on Capella, except it can't close a second time (to a smaller piece), and no sling strap to carry by the shoulders.

However, this one I can pretty much handle with just one hand, and carry both stroller and baby without having one of them slipping off my hands.

Next...

Quinny Buzz

Oh I love this... Especially useful when commuters are just too blind to see me with baby strollers and baby bag, and many other things that I have in hand because oh they feel the pain when I roll over their toes, and then just flash a baby and a smile "ooppss... sorry..!!" while my heart whispers "I said Excuse me, you chose not to hear, and so ooopppsss... sorry I did it on purpose!"

And this is also a great stroller if you had to go over the grass, sand and whatever hurdles you may face at the park. it is such a breeze rolling over the water pipes, and the bumbs and kerbs. The huge wheels make it almost impossible to trip or topple over.

The only downside is it is BULKY. So this I will buy only if my house is walkable to anywhere and everywhere without the need to close the stroller at any point. And if I have a room just for strollers.

Although it has a travel system where I can use my car seat, it doesnt really work for Baby M because she felt like we didn't get out of the car. AND if you haven't know yet, well.. Baby M HATES the car rides. She'd cry and fuss. The longest we got her occupied in the car ride was 45minutes.

I also love how the brakes work, step on one side it brakes, step on the other it releases. Cool eh..

Next...

Brittax Double Stroller

I only got like less than an hour dealing with this. BUT it seems awesome if you have a baby and a toddler, or two toddlers. Again, with strollers this big, I still don't see how commuters can't see us. I was holding the lift for my friend who is pushing this with her two kids in them. The lift wasnt exactly full, BUT the three guys basically just moved one baby step when they see her. I was like "Hey, you think we can fit after you move such a small baby step?" I felt like snatching the stroller and pushed it on their open toes.. BUT my friend was too nice for me to do that PLUS I don't want her children to see me get all fired up. (Chey!)

And yes, I often thought the one sitting under would freak out, but it is actually pretty ok, well we cheated, her son was not buckled (only because we know it is a smooth ride, AND we were in a shopping mall, walking pretty much slowly. Her son seeemed to be having a good time standing and almost climbing out to see where we are going, and he didnt fall out or anything like that. His sister was sleeping so comfortably "upstairs".

And finally...

Gelite Ace

This one wins me because of their roomy huge basket/bag underneath. I can almost pack a whole drawer in that space! This one pretty much is like the Quinny Buzz, The seat can face inwards, outwards, recline fully to sitting upright, it does it all. PLUS it has 4 wheels, two huge ones at the back and two moderately sized ones at the front. easy to lock, and the brakes at the handle, so no fuss in trying to step on the paddles at the wheels somewhere especially when it is a crowded space with no room to bend over or what-so-ever. Canopy is huge and so loved.

And as with the Quinny, this one is bulky and doesn't stand upright when closed. So space was just a sensitive issue. We made it stand anyway, with it resting on our bed on one side. I wished it closes standing, then we can talk space for a bit.

This one is like a transformer, which pretty much wins my heart, because i can close it, switch the seat to the other way, and make it a rocker, i can recline its front wheel and make it like a toddler chair. Probably all I need ever, just the space issue, but I guess when it is so functional and versatile, we can always talk eh..

The other downside is this won't allow me taxi rides unless I have company so someone can hold baby while I detach the seat close the pram, and arrange it to fit the bonnet. BUT definitely one I'd look for if I'm out for a long long walk around without the need to take the bus or taxi.

At the end of the day, in Singapore, you would probably really need two prams, one which is truly lightweight, easy to operate and small for those travels by the bus and taxi and one huge one for the long walk/mrt rides, ready to face "war".

MOM vs Commuters.

Pet Peeves coming up in next entry next week.

For now, this is it. Do share your favorite stroller stories too ya!

Wassalam,
Jun