Graco Ipo for 44 pound 6 yr old

[brettgirl]

My son (Autistic disorder-mild, anxiety state) feels secure in a stroller. My chicco is only for under 35 pounds-we still use it at the mall and it works fine, but for Disney and all of the walking I will be doing I was searching for an umbrella stroller for him that is more durable and holds more weight. On line I found an affordable Graco Ipo that holds a 50 pound child and closes like an umbrella (a definite need for me). My son is not tall, 44 inches.

Any one have any thoughts or other ideas?
Brettgirl

 

[Bugsmom73]

We have the baseline Maclaren and love it. DS is autistic and about the same size as your 6 year old.

 

[DannysMom]

My son (Autistic disorder-mild, anxiety state) feels secure in a stroller.

Any one have any thoughts or other ideas?
Brettgirl

If you think that you may have a long term need for a stroller, you might consider a Maclaren Major Special Needs stroller. It's not cheap but iirc the weight capacity is about 100-110lbs, and it is among the more affordable S/N strollers out there, if you do end up paying for it yourself.

You might also talk to whoever treats your son (neurologist? psychologist?) about trying to get a special needs stroller covered and paid for through your insurance, depending of course on your specific coverage.

The regular Maclaren strollers have a weight limit of 50-55lbs, so you could get by with one of them for a while, cheaper if you can pick one up second hand, like on Craigslist or other website.

Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

I tried out a MacLaren and an IPO the other day with my rapidly growing 3 year old (he gained 2 pounds in one week, scaring the heck out of us b/c his carseats are about to be defunct due to weight!). The MacLaren felt better when pushing it around, felt a bit lighter in my hands and a bit better at turns, but the IPO was perfectly good, and only slightly "lesser" than the Mac.

But since your kiddo is 44 already, that's only 6 more pounds to a new stroller. It might be better, depending on his growth pattern, to think about the stroller to 55 pounds (or that special stroller even), b/c paying now might be better than paying to replace it later, if he still needs the stroller.

The one difference between the two that seemed obvious to me was the foot rest. The IPO's rest is solid, but the Mac's is flexible. If I were riding in the stroller, I would be bothered by the bendy footrest, so I think it's good to know about it.

 

[Beehn]

I just bought the IPO the other day. It will be primarly for my 10 mo. old...but DD5 tried it out and thought it was pretty cool. I went with the IPO mainly because of the price. It was a little heavier, but not so much that I really noticed. It still had all the features that I wanted...higher handles...storage basket...reclining seat. We don't use strollers a lot, and the Mclaren price tag was a little hard for my husband to stomach.

 

[southtexasmom]

I have 2 IPO's for my 2 yr old and almost 5 yr old, both are 35 lbs. They work great for us.

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

I love my MAC Volo I got at Target for 99.99; it holds to 55 pounds and 65 pounds total so 10 pounds of stuff in the basket. It is for taller children too. My friends son who is at 55 pounds and good height fits perfectly. The push is so nice and the handle height is a perfect height for me 5'6" and DH 6'2". I looked at the IPO and for the $20 more went with the MAC Volo. The MAC is also mesh so more breathable which was a plus for me with DD who gets Eczema from the heat.

 

[allie1078]

I am looking at the ipo too. We went to bru and compared the maclaren quest and the ipo. DH liked the ipo better. I still haven't bought one, I still can't decide. All I have heard about is the quest, so it is nice hearing some things about the ipo. thanks for posting this. I am leaning towards the ipo.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I would hesitate to buy a 50 lb stroller for a 44 pound kid. You might do better to spend a little more now and not have to replace it next time you need it.

The DISabilities board has a lot of people who have similar situations and will be able to recommend specific models.

 

[badblackpug]

It is not budget friendly, but we have a BOB revolution. It is a jogger, it holds up to 70 lbs. It is easy to fold and you can steer it with one hand.

 

[brettgirl]

After reading all of your wonderful inputs and my research on the internet, I bought the Maclaren Volo (it helped that it was in my son's favorite color in the world ORANGE). I got a great price for it as it is an old model. 86 with shipping etc.. I will give you my opinion when we receive it.

I went for it also because: it is light weight, umbrella fold, holds 55 pounds (don't have to go out and get another one anytime too soon), my son said he did not mind the "not firm" foot rest (our Chicco has the same, also a great stroller), seems to hold a taller child (although my kids are on the shorter side, who knows maybe, as my son so exuberantly said today, "Why doesn't God make me taller!") and it is also for parents on the taller side (5'6").

Thanks, again!
brettgirl

 

[blessedby3]

You will LOVE the Volo!! We have one and a Quest too!! They are built to last. My 9yr old can still fit in the Volo and it pushes as easy as ever!

 

[brettgirl]

I just LOVE it!!! It is so much sturdier than the Chicco we have. It is great to push a stroller not bent over. The sun canopy is bigger and better than the chicco. My son LOVES it too, he fit perfectly in it, height and length of his legs with more room to go. He even layed back in it and said he wanted to take a nap (so there is a little incline to it). It is easy to fold (I used one foot) in the umbrella style, also unfold. It is soooooo light to carry with the shoulder strap. The only thing that was rather tough was the straps/seat belt, unhooking them takes major strength (which is good for not letting kids escape!). My son really does not need them so this is not a problem for me. I would guess that through use that will help with loosening up the buckels. There is a nice basket under the stroller, I also invested in a Cups nCargo bag from Target by JL Childress.-have not received it yet.

I bought the stroller from Ebay for $86 total ship and tax included.

Any questions, just post here, I will be glad to help.

As one poster said, it is better to buy a stroller that will accomodate more weight so you do not have to go out and buy another stroller very soon.
Brettgirl

 

[jstbcuz]

We have been looking for over a year for a new stroller. I narrowed it down to the volo and the ipo. I love the fact that the volo is mesh. But I didnt like that it didnt recline, and I had a hard time figuring out how to fold it.

The ipo on the other hand, reclines and has a handle to turn and pull to fold up. We obviously went with the ipo. I love it so far.