The Stroller Switch That Made Toddler Life Feel Much Easier
The beautiful newborn pram phase doesn’t last forever. One mum shares why the Joolz Aer2 made far more sense once toddler life began.
One of the less talked-about milestones of parenthood? The moment you realise the beautiful newborn pram you once obsessed over — and probably spent a small fortune on — has quietly become more of a hindrance than a help. What once felt luxurious suddenly feels oversized, heavy and slightly impractical for the reality of toddler life.
Because once babies become toddlers, everything speeds up. Nursery runs. Quick errands. Busy cafés. Holidays. Constantly folding and unfolding a buggy while holding snacks, bags and a child who now wants to walk for exactly 14 seconds before demanding to be carried.
That’s exactly where London-based mum Ralu found herself when her daughter Theia reached around 14 months old.
“We originally had the Bugaboo Fox and I absolutely loved it during the newborn stage,” says Ralu, who works in marketing and lives in Tower Hill with fiancé Jay and now-16-month-old Theia. “At that point it felt perfect for long walks and slower days. But once nursery started and Theia became more active, it suddenly felt really heavy and clunky for everyday life.”
Between cafés, shops, travel and nursery drop-offs, she found herself wanting something lighter, easier to manoeuvre and better suited to this new stage — without sacrificing aesthetics.
That search led her to the Joolz Aer2.
“The biggest thing immediately was just how easy it made everything feel,” says Ralu. “You don’t realise how much mental energy goes into dealing with a bigger buggy until you stop doing it.”
At 6.5kg, the Aer2 is noticeably lightweight, but according to Ralu, the one-second fold is what genuinely changes daily life. “I can fold it really quickly one-handed while holding Theia or carrying bags, which makes such a difference when you’re rushing around.”
It also surprised her in terms of how sturdy it still feels despite being so compact. “I was slightly worried a lightweight stroller might feel flimsy after using a bigger travel system, but it still feels really smooth to push and manoeuvre. It’s still easy enough to steer one-handed too, which means I can carry my completely non-negotiable flat white without feeling like I’m performing a complex upper-body workout.”
And perhaps the strongest endorsement of all? “Even Jay can fold it instantly,” she laughs. “With our old buggy there was definitely more faffing.”
The compact design has also become a surprisingly important feature at home. “Our old buggy basically took over the hallway,” says Ralu. “This folds down really neatly and doesn’t dominate the space, which genuinely makes a difference in a smaller London property.”
Theia, meanwhile, seems equally happy with the switch. “She climbs in and out of it really easily herself now and just seems very comfortable in it,” says Ralu. “She’s also still at that age where naps can happen anywhere, so the full lie-flat recline has been really useful. If we’re out for the day and she needs to sleep, I know she can properly settle in it.”
“The oversized SPF50 sun hood has also been brilliant now she’s older and constantly on the move, especially on warmer days when naps happen on-the-go.”
She laughs: “At this age, having a buggy your toddler is genuinely happy sitting in makes such a difference. Otherwise every outing turns into a negotiation while they attempt to sprint directly towards the least toddler-appropriate location possible.”
Designed specifically for city living and travel, the Aer2 includes a cabin-compatible fold for many airlines, an integrated shoulder strap, travel pouch and raincover — all details that start to matter far more once parenting becomes less about newborn logistics and more about flexibility.
For Ralu, that travel element was also a major part of the appeal, as her family live abroad and they fly regularly throughout the year. “We actually haven’t taken it on a flight yet, but I already know it’s going to be a complete game changer this summer when we visit my parents,” she says. “The idea of not having to deal with a huge bulky buggy through the airport honestly feels amazing.”
For Ralu though, the appeal is ultimately simpler than specifications. “It feels like one of those products that suddenly makes sense the moment your baby becomes a toddler and life gets much faster,” she says. “You still absolutely need a buggy, but you don’t want something huge anymore. It just makes everything easier.”
The Joolz Aer2 is priced from approximately £439 and is available from retailers including Joolz UK, John Lewis and Mamas & Papas.
