Out of all the strollers I have ever wanted a chance to test out, Peg Perego was the Holy Grail for me. I always said that if I ever had another child, I would absolutely have one of those “fancy scmanchy European looking” ones.

And then that sealed my fate and I got pregnant. Which wasn’t what I was sending out into the universe.

Anyhoo.

As long as I am going to have a baby, the absolutely LAST one at that, I might as well have the coolest items out there that make my life, and his life, a little more sane.

Let me start by telling you a bit about the

Peg Perego Pliko Switch Modular System

(say that three times fast)

It isn’t “just a stroller”. In fact,I would have to draw this post out for several articles to cover all the amazing features that it ultimately offers, but I am going to assume that you want to know the important stuff, so I am going to get to that instead.

First, the official stuff:

The Peg Perego Pliko Switch Modular System is everything your baby will need from newborn to three years old. It includes a car seat, stroller base, bassinet piece, bassinet stand, stand, and matching diaper bag that has special attachments.

The time has come and you now need a cozy place to keep your baby safe and warm. Peg Perego can offer you the Pliko Switch Compact Modular System. On the chassis of this practical modular system you can quickly and simply attach the bassinet, the car seat or the reversible stroller seat. Combine the Borsa diaper bag; you are creating a travel system of excellence. But it is as complimentary indoors as outdoors with the included bassinet stand. This functional stand easily attaches the bassinet, the car seat or the reversible stroller seat bringing double value and elegance into your home. Thanks to the practicality, versatility and completeness of this system, you are buying a product that grows and develops with your baby.

Now the Mom View:

This year I have tested out several strollers and it seems every thing I test has things that are fantastic and things that can be approved on. One thing I have really come to understand about these types of tests is that it takes some serious time out on the streets, pushing a stroller, installing a car seat, lifting it into the car, attaching the pieces, and really using it on a daily basis for at least a month before you know what you love and what annoys you.

I spent that time with this System and its been four weeks of usage before writing.

And my opinion is its a pretty solid purchase and here is why:

1) This system really is about the “everything”. While I had a typical stand up bassinet, it became so much a diaper holder and clothing display unit that I moved it out of my room. The bassinet that is part of this system is portable with a handle and I put Phoenyx in it when I am cooking, doing the cat litter, or playing with Charlotte so we can hang out and I can have two free hands. I generally attach a toy across the bar and now he is nearly three months old, his favorite thing to do is to hit it and start the music. The bassinet also has a knob that turns that allows for a more reclined position or you can leave it flat for a sleeping baby.  To add to it, you can attach it directly to the stroller portion and go around the block. I have also brought the bassinet piece, although very large in the trunk of the SUV, he can rest when I have an all day shopping excursion to do. The last time I was out with it at Babies R Us, I was stopped by several employees to ask where I got it.

Along with this portion of the system, it comes with a cover that blocks the wind out from the top and can be bent up to keep the baby warm and snugly. I live in the south, but I have already put it to use as our weather starts to turn windy and colder.

The bassinet itself also has little feet under it so sit up, but I usually just sit it on the floor which you can tell by the scratches. I also have a reflux baby, so there have been several times that I have had to take the cover out of the seat and wash it. It does say to hand wash, but I have thrown directly into the washing machine with no issues thus far. That’s a choice you have to make.

Issue: The one issue I have found with the bassinet portion is that I use the up and down button quite a bit so he can reach his toys. The part that his legs lay on has some how taken to raising well out of the spot it should. I can manually pop it down but doesn’t take long for it to pop back up. I have looked at all the parts and can find no reason that this is happening.

2) The car seat.

This seat is without a doubt padded and padded and padded. What’s different than my other car seats and took a bit to get used to as a mother, was that it sits your baby straight up and down. You dont even realize how much till they are in the seat. I am so used to car seats that do more of a laid back position, that I kept checking to make sure I was sitting him in there right. The car seat is pretty much fool proof in that it has a bar that indicates if the position is in the right spot.  The car seat attaches facing you or facing out. On some days, I have Phoenyx face me, especially if he is sleeping, but when he is wide awake, I give a view of the world. This isn’t something that most carriers for his age do and is a special treat that caters to an active and alert baby-even one that is newborn.

Issues: One thing I dont care for about the whole attachment, is that the car seat carrier (especially w/ a child in it) can be quite heavy. Honestly all carriers are heavy. But when you are trying to attach that to the base of the stroller on the tiny bar, it can be a feat to balance.  This can be something that takes some trial and error and even now I still have to see what I am doing wrong if it doesnt latch right away.

It works the same with this part as it does with the car seat, so I am demonstrating on the piece I had out:

Also when I put the car seat into my Ford Explorer, I have to literally get up onto the side rail to put it in the car and to take it down. The actual removal of the seat is very easy. Its simply a little latch on the back of the seat that you engage and lift up and its extremely quick to pull out. But due to the way the seat sits and its weight, I do have to stand up there and then step down.

I also haven’t figured out a way to remove the shoulder pads without unthreading the straps, which I dont like. I have a baby that spits up a lot and they get nasty. On the plus side, the way these shoulder straps are placed work better than either two of my other car seats, so my complaint  is a small one.

4) Because P isn’t old enough, I haven’t had a chance to use the other attachment that goes onto the stroller. When he gets older and moves out of the smaller car seat,  I can update on the ease of usage of that, but for now the official information says:

• •One hand folding. Compact and self standing once folded. Can be folded with the seat in either direction. Seat
• •also easily separates from chassis for even more compact stowing
• •Height adjustable handles with rubber insert.
• •All wheels suspension: swiveling or locking at the front, with independent brake at the rear.
• •Adult cup holder
• •Built-in rear footboard provides safe ride for second passenger.
• •Zippered hood. Can be used as a sun canopy.
• •Hood with loop to dangle baby’s favorite toy
• •Five-point seat belt. Hinged front tray opens and removes easily
• •Backrest reclines to several positions and leg rest is adjustable to 3 positions

Because the biggest issue I have found with strollers it the difficultly in opening and closing them, I wanted to video tape to show you the taking up and taking down of the stroller but my memory card went bad after I made the footage. In the interest of time, I am going to show you via a picture. If anything is going to tick me off on something, its this process. There is nothing like a crying baby or a rainstorm that can make you apprieciate a well thought out design. I did this one handed while hodling the camera if that tells you how easy this is.

To find a Peg Perego near you go here!

 

WIN A PLIKO SWITCH

Would you like to win a Peg Perego Pliko Switch Stroller courtesy of MomDot and Peg Perego? Just tell me what fabric selection you would choose (hit fabric selection tab). The winner will have their choice with the exception of Pois Gray if they win.

The ultimate in convenience, “Switch” the seat to face forward or backward, travel system compatible and easily closes to a compact “umbrella fold”.

The Pliko Switch Compact is newly designed to improve on the chassis by 2 inches of a shorter fold and 2 pounds lighter. It closes easily without the seat or with the seat attached in either stroller or carriage mode. The detachable cup holder and telescoping handles are two more features you will love.

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