The Best Strollers for Big Kids

Author:
Leah Lefler
Updated date:
Mar 6, 2022

I'm a mom of two, super-powered by a degree in biochemistry and a lot of first-hand experience!

Our son is nearly five years old and has no obvious signs of needing assistance with walking. He has significant fatigue issues and uses a stroller when he cannot walk.
Leah Lefler, 2014

Stroller Controversy

In a poor attempt at humor, a site called “Too Big for Stroller” was created. The author of the website frequently visits amusement parks and photographs children who appear too large for a stroller. A white circle with the word “walk” is plastered over the child’s face, to cover the identity of the child. The website is intended to give others a laugh at the fact that many large children are scrunched into tiny strollers when they appear as if they could easily walk.

Some of the children are surely healthy and the parents coddling. There is another side to the story, however, as some children require the use of a stroller, even when there is no visible sign of needing mobility assistance.

Some Big Kids Need Strollers

The blog writer intends the blog as humor, though many parents are devastated to find their child on the website. Many children have invisible medical difficulties that may not be obvious to the outsider. While many children with medical problems are in adaptive strollers, many use regular strollers as an alternative or until a concrete need for a wheelchair is obtained.

My own son is nearly five years old, and he has an occasional need for a stroller. From the outside, there is nothing to give his medical status away: his intense fatigue and occasional vestibular (balance) issues are not evident to a stranger. Some days, he is able to run around a soccer field and has no problems at all. Other days, he will literally collapse and be unable to stand. He has an undiagnosed complex medical condition – he has a feeding tube and uses respiratory support to breathe at night.

An objective observer would not be able to see any of this, and he could very well end up on “Too Big for Stroller,” with “WALK” plastered over his face. This is doubly painful for any parent, as I do realize my son is outside the typical age for stroller use, and I also wish he could walk freely without becoming incapacitated by pain and fatigue. The very sign used to hide a child’s identity is a slap in the face to parents with children who cannot walk.

Types of Large Strollers

Jogging Strollers
Sit and Stand Strollers
Adaptive Strollers
Large Umbrella Strollers
Wagons and Stroller Alternatives

Why Would a Family Need a Big Stroller?

Large Toddler: some very young children are taller than average. A three-year-old child will not be able to walk long distances, and in most cases will fit into a traditional umbrella stroller. A three-year-old child in the 90th percentile for height, however, will be too large for most of the strollers available at a local department store.

Medical Condition: Many children require assistance walking after the toddler years due to a medical condition. While many of these children will eventually obtain an adaptive stroller or wheelchair, some children will use a regular, large stroller throughout the preschool and early elementary school years. A regular, large stroller is much cheaper than a medical stroller. My own son has significant fatigue issues and will collapse at unpredictable times. For this reason, we keep an umbrella stroller in our car for emergency use.

Surgical Recovery: A preschooler or early elementary school-aged child recovering from surgery may require the use of a stroller for a period of time. Pain and stamina issues may impede a recovering child’s ability to walk for six weeks or more, depending on the surgery.

Long-Distance Travel for a Preschooler: While healthy preschoolers are able to walk through a mall or a small zoo, walking five miles through a major city is typically beyond their ken. A stroller may be required for long, arduous walking trips.

Stroller Alternatives for Large Children

Wagons are a great option for families heading out to a state fair, large zoo, or amusement park is a wagon. Larger children fit easily into a wagon, and the wagon can double as a carry-all for a cooler and other items brought on the trip. When purchasing a wagon, look for pneumatic tires, as these travel over multiple surface types with ease. Wagons with plastic wheels are noisy, give a bumpy ride, and may not travel over grass or gravel very well.

Other stroller alternatives include the use of push-cars and bikes with handles, which allow an adult to walk behind the child and provide assistance when the child is tired of pedaling. Some of the push-bikes come with a removable handle, allowing the bike to be used in a more traditional manner when not being used as a stroller.

A wagon is an excellent stroller alternative for older kids.

Push car strollers are sometimes seen in malls. Our son was able to use one when he was in the hospital - these strollers fit children in the 4-6 age range well.

A bike with a handle makes a wonderful stroller alternative. These handles are often removable, allowing the child to use the bike in a more traditional manner.

Older kids can hitch a ride on the back of a Sit and Stand Stroller.

A wagon is an excellent stroller alternative for older kids.

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Jogging Strollers

These large three-wheeled strollers designed for parents on the run (literally) are excellent for larger children. Most jogging strollers will accommodate a four- or five-year-old child with ease and may fit a child up to the age of seven, depending on the size of the child.

We used a jogging stroller for our son for several years, prior to obtaining a medical stroller. We used the Joovy Zoom 360 jogging stroller, as it will accommodate a child up to 75 pounds in weight, and has a high push handle. This prevents the adult from having to stoop over to push the stroller. The pneumatic tires allow it to travel over uneven terrain, and folds to a compact size. This stroller will accommodate taller children, as it is the largest jogging stroller on the market.

Large Umbrella Strollers

This option is excellent for families with large toddlers or children in the 3-4-year-old age range. This is the most economical choice, as these strollers are quite inexpensive compared to the other options listed in this article. Unfortunately, a large umbrella stroller may not fit a child above the age of five or over 50 pounds, so families with older children may need to consider a jogging stroller or adaptive stroller.

Double Strollers

Families with more than one child may consider purchasing a double stroller. We owned a Sit and Stand stroller, which allowed our older son to hop on the back of the stroller when he was tired. The rear seat could be used as a standing platform or a backward-facing chair.

Adaptive Strollers

Children with certain medical conditions will eventually need an adaptive stroller. Some adaptive strollers look very similar to standard strollers, though they often have accessories and modifications to suit the child’s specific needs. Generally, the child will have a seating appointment at a mobility clinic to determine the correct size and adaptive features for the wheelchair.

Questions & Answers

Question: I’ve had the hardest time finding a long-time use stroller for my moderately autistic, 4-year-old daughter. Any suggestions?

Answer: We used the Maclaren Major for our son (he has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) for several years and loved this stroller. The Major is a medical stroller, but with a diagnosis of autism, you can obtain a prescription for the stroller and try to get it covered under your medical insurance's durable medical equipment (DME) coverage. We were lucky and found one on Craigslist for a highly reduced rate, which saved us a lot of hassle and money. This medical stroller has an upper weight limit of 110 pounds, so will last the longest if you need it for the long term. If you can't get insurance coverage and the price of the Maclaren Major is too much (amazon sells this stroller for around $450), I would recommend finding a large jogging stroller, though she will likely outgrow a jogging stroller by age 6 or 7.

Question: We need a stroller for our five-year-old and two-year-old, but I only like the 3 wheel joggers with bike tires. Is there anything like that available? I need something for two children, even if I can only attach a board or seat in the back of the jogger for my five-year-old.

Answer: Something like the Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller might work well for your purposes. The negative is that it is a side-by-side double jogger, which increases the stroller's width. It does have three large bicycle tires which allows for use in almost any terrain. You can also buy a gliding board that attaches to a single jogging stroller. These cost about $70 and attach to the rear wheels. The gliding boards are standard wheels, however, and not bicycle wheels.

Comments

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on February 26, 2019:

Thanks, Jenn! My child with EDS is now 11 and is currently doing well, but we still struggle with joint stability and fatigue. We were able to do Disney without a stroller on our most recent trip, which was great! It is definitely a challenge with taller kids and strollers, as medical strollers are so expensive and the general commercial stroller manufacturers often cap out at a low height and low weight. I was hoping to help other parents like us!

Jenn on February 20, 2019:

Hello! I just doing your article after maybe a Bazillion google searches always looking for a big kid stroller option. My 7yr old has EDS too! And with two other younger siblings I am always looking for a good plan to get them around comfortably. Thanks for all the tips!

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on December 29, 2018:

It is very frustrating when people judge, isn't it? Our son had an invisible medical condition (Ehlers Danlos) and he would fatigue quite easily. While he still fatigues, he is now strong enough and doesn't need the stroller, but we used to get many rolled eyes and sighs when judgmental people observed our "older" child in a stroller. Whether a child is in a stroller due to autism, a simple lack of maturity, or a physical disability is no one else's business. I am glad your daughter's maturity has improved, Carla - it must be very freeing now to not need a stroller for her safety!

Carla on December 29, 2018:

I just stumbled upon this article and I’m so glad I did; it’s great knowing there is clear information out there explaining why some older kids need strollers. Using a stroller for an older, heavier kid is hard work, and I’ve always found it difficult to understand why some think it’s a “lazy” choice. Our daughter doesn’t have any special needs, but was in a Maclaren Major until 11 years old just for her safety. We hesitated to keep using a stroller, but it worked out great. A family friend made a new seat liner each year in a fabric our daughter chose, and she also made this really great organizer which could hold two or three books she was reading. She’s 12 now and doesn’t need it anymore and she stays with us just fine when she’s told, it just took her longer than most kids to learn. I hope others find this page and that it helps some people to understand and stop judging. Thanks for a great article!

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on June 14, 2018:

I always find that any kind of water play wears my kids out, Nancy! I remember carrying our five year old out of Disneyland and being very grateful for a stroller at the end of the night. Those little legs get tired!

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on March 30, 2018:

It is very difficult to find a big enough stroller that isn't a medical stroller. With our son Nolan, we ended up using the Maclaren Major. It is a medical stroller, but not unaffordable and will fit kids up to age 10 or so. We were lucky and found one on craigslist (also check ebay). We also have a folding wagon, which is great in a pinch (though might not be as good of an option for a child with autism, since the wagons don't have safety buckles). I am constantly on the look for affordable strollers big enough to help older children!

Pamela on March 30, 2018:

I have two autistic boys. We spend our summers at Hersheypark. My youngest is 7 and we need a stroller for him. People put leashes on their children. I prefer keeping my youngest I. The stroller so he doesn’t wonder off. It is convenient to keep our belongings in it and have a safe spot for him. He isn’t locked In but he likes having “his spot”. I’m having a terrible time finding a larger stroller for him where his feet don’t drag.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on March 05, 2018:

What a fantastic idea, Laurie! The ability to hold more than one child at a time is really helpful, too. The second seat could be used to carry supplies in the second seat if needed. Thank you for this tip!

Laurie on March 03, 2018:

I have found that a bike trailer that converts to a stroller are an awesome option. They can be hooked to your bicycle and/or converted to a stroller. There are several available online that can hold up to 2 children with a weight limit of 100 pounds.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on February 28, 2018:

Thank you for the seat height information, Kriszta! I agree, that is important information. My son is extremely low weight but also small in stature, so we haven't had to deal with the seat height issues when we have needed one. I will try to find the information on the Burley Solstice. I'm always happy to add strollers when I find one that works for a bigger/older child!

Kriszta on February 27, 2018:

Leah, thanks for this article! I live in Hungary and I'm looking for a jogging stroller for my daughter with special needs. (She is 40" and 50lb) Though there are many strollers with higher weight limits, it would be so good to have info about the height of the seatback, which is also an important issue at tall kids.

I had here the possibility to try a Thule Glide and Bob Revolution:

- Bob Revolution: 20" / 51cm seatback height

- Thule Glide: 20,8" / 53cm seatback height (it has a quite small seat flat)

There is not too much space between her head and the canopy, so I wouldn't buy any of the above mentioned ones.

I saw some good reviews about Joovy Zoom and Burley Solstice.

Burley offers this stroller for kids until weight 75lbs / 34kg and height: 44 in / 112 cm, which sound quite good, but I cannot find any information about seat sizes.

Maggie on February 24, 2018:

We are planning a trip to Europe in May with our very large 50lb 4 year old son. We know he will never be able to do all the walking and my husband has already destroyed his shoulders carrying him and his older sister who is 6. Both kids are in the 90th percentile. Any suggestions on the best travel stroller that folds up?

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on February 05, 2018:

Hi Lisa, we used a Maclaren Major instead of an umbrella stroller for my son at the same size and weight. The Maclaren is technically a medical stroller, but is much lighter than most and folds like an umbrella stroller. The Joovy Groove umbrella stroller might work, but it's maximum weight is 55 pounds, so it might not last very long as your child grows. Unfortunately, there are not many umbrella strollers that will hold a child greater than 55 pounds. There are many foldable jogging strollers that will do this, but they are bulkier in the car.

Lisa on February 05, 2018:

I am looking for an extra large umbrella stroller for my special needs child. Our special needs stroller weighs 45 pounds and is difficult for me to load into a vehicle. Quick trips to the store or a friend’s house would be so much easier with a lightweight easy folding stroller. She is about 45 pounds and 45 inches tall. Any suggestions.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on January 19, 2018:

Thanks for the information about the Phil & Ted Sport - it is really fantastic to be able to run with both kids, and it is great information for us to know that an above-average 5 year old will fit in this stroller. I love running and I love the fact that you run with your kids, RFox!

RFox on January 19, 2018:

I’m a runner, and a SAHM, so I need to be able to take my kids running with me. My almost-5-year-old obviously can’t run at an adult pace (or distance) and is not a competent enough biker to bike alongside. So, I push both kids in a Phil & Ted Sport with the second seat attached. Not ideal but it works. He fits in the top seat just fine, despite being above average size for his age.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on January 08, 2018:

Ben, a jogging stroller would work, though it would not be ideal for public transportation as it might not fold well. If she has no mobility limitations, I would try a folding scooter (along the lines of a Razor scooter). We visit NYC frequently and many children use these to get around. The scooter won't be idea in a crowded area like Times Square, but is fantastic for walking the distances near Central Park and in lower Manhattan.

Ben on January 08, 2018:

We are also visiting NYC with some family and there will be a few children. My daughter being approx 5 and a half at the time of visiting. We have ambitious plans to see a lot of the city and I know it will take its toll on my daughter but I am also apprehensive that a stroller may well be too small for her. Can anyone recommend an alternate for her so I do not end up carrying her everywhere and ruining my back?

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on January 04, 2018:

Oh, I would love to hear from others who have adapted strollers to make them fun and appealing, Sammy. I hope others respond. We never adapted Nolan's (he used a Maclaren Major). I would love to see some examples of modified strollers!

SammyL1 on January 03, 2018:

My husband and I are currently adapting a stroller to make it more appealing to our little one. Due to a physical condition, she will need and fit in a stroller for years to come. Has anyone modified a stroller for their child?

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on December 12, 2017:

It is always so sad and frustrating to see the judgmental nature of others, Kristen. Our son has no visible problem, but he has a connective tissue disorder that makes walking for long distances difficult. He is doing quite well at the moment, but still has to be occasionally carried or helped along with a stroller/chair if he fatigues. I have also read articles with people placing cruel notes on cars parked in handicapped spaces, assuming the people do not have a physical handicap if the cannot see the disability. No one has the right to judge and if an older child is in a stroller, then the assumption must be made that the child requires it. I do wish people would stop rushing to judgment without knowing the entire situation!

KristenB613 on December 10, 2017:

I stumbled on this site, while looking for a new travel stroller for my 6-year old. Our reason for stroller use is that our son has autism and wanders. He can, and does, walk under normal circumstances. But in a crowded mall or amusement park, having him in a stroller means that I can navigate crowds and large areas, busy parking lots, etc without worrying that he will disappear. I’d be rather upset to see my child on a website mocking him for not walking, but I’m (unfortunately) not surprised at peoples’ behavior online anymore.

Jenn on November 19, 2017:

We are going to NYC for a week with my soon to be 5 year old, I don’t think she can do all the walking and not be uncomfortable

Charlane on November 16, 2017:

I found this article while looking for a new stroller for my 3 year old twins, not realizing all these other reasons exist and am horrified to hear kids are being made fun of. How heartsore that people are so mean.

My reason is travel! Along with that comes the need for a comfy mobile napping space, easy luggage pushing, safety in dangerous moments and of course - a bit of control when 2 kiddos can get out of hand!

- airports are a breeze with a stroller (think 2 tired tots and loads of bags. They can even take a cozy nap if flights are delayed)

- full days of tourist activities (many destinations are super easy with a stroller. When they are walking it carries our goodies and when they need a nap I pop them in. It also keeps them safe where tourist attractions are a little more dangerous (think waters edges and busy malls where kids can't run around freely)

- going out to dinner is possible as they can sleep in the pram. We don't always have access to a babysitter and don't always want to call it a day at 7pm

Whatever reason you are using a stroller for kids of any age, please don't ever listen to the meanies. I would love a stroller myself, if they made adult size

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on October 18, 2017:

Hi Emily - that is a really good point. Sometimes it isn't just the child who requires the stroller, but a parent who can't "help carry" younger preschoolers during events. I am so grateful there are some options out there for bigger kids, and I hope awareness helps stop people from judging without knowing the whole story!

Emily on October 18, 2017:

My 3yr old daughter is tall for her age but more importantly I have a medical condition called adult tethered cord syndrome where basically my spinal cord is too short for my height and it is being stretched, causing scar tissue build up that pinches all my nerves and I can’t carry her if she gets tired. I rely on a stroller for longer than other parents probably do but for me I don’t see any other option.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 24, 2017:

Thank goodness for Craigslist, Lisa! That is where we got our Maclaren Major for $50 - it was a huge help. Thanks for letting me know - I need to update this article with double strollers, because I hadn't originally thought of that scenario. We only had a need for a single - I am very glad you found something to help (at least for a couple of years)!

Lisa on September 24, 2017:

Hi Leah,

We decided to go with the Baby Jogger City Mini GT double stroller. The ease in which I was able to maneuver the stroller, with the 2 girls and the walker, was phenomenal. I think this stroller will work well for at least a year or 2. The width of each seat isn't that wide, for a big kid. Luckily, my daughter is very thin, so she is able to sit comfortably in it. The GT versus the plain City Mini double stroller, gives an inch more in head room and leg room. The wheels on the GT are an all terrain wheel. The seats are also more padded on the GT. The con is that the actual stroller weighs more than the plain City Mini double stroller, but it doesn't feel like I'm pushing 100 pounds. I was able to find it on Craigslist for half the price.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 20, 2017:

We had the Sit N Stand for a long time, too! We are fortunate that our younger son is the child who needs assistance, so by the time we were ready to be done with the Sit and Stand, we didn't need a double stroller anymore as our older son had outgrown the need. It is frustrating that insurance won't pay for a medical stroller in addition to the wheelchair - we faced the same issues. Fortunately, a friend told me about a Maclaren Major on craigslist and I bought it for $50 - a huge relief for us at the time. It was definitely a pain not to have any storage with it, though (and the basket attachments are very expensive to add). Let me know what you find because I'd like to add to the article for those who have a need for a double-stroller for big kids!

Lisa on September 19, 2017:

Thanks for the info. I looked at the Maclaren Major, but decided against it, due to the lack of storage space, and the fact that we are in the process of getting a new wheelchair. Our insurance will not cover a stroller due to the fact that we are getting a wheelchair.

We currently use a Babytrend Sit N Stand double stroller. It has worked very well for 2 years, but now, it is just too heavy and unwieldy. I have gone to Babies R Us and have looked at the Baby Jogger City Mini GT double stroller and the Baby Trend Expedition EX double jogger because they both have a maximum weight limit of 100 pounds, and the handle bar looks like it would be able to carry a walker. Unfortunately, my older daughter was not with me at the time, so I could not test it out. The Buggypod definitely looks interesting. I haven't seen anything like that. I would have to take a look to see if it's available in the US.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 18, 2017:

Adding a second idea, Lisa - if you have a stroller like a Maclaren Major for your daughter with Cerebral Palsy (we used a Maclaren Major for Nolan for a few years), there are additional "pods" that an be added for a sibling to ride on the back of the Maclaren Major. Some of the pods are standing boards, but there is one called a Buggypod which allows a younger sibling to sit while attached to the larger stroller. Examples of the Buggypod may be viewed here: http://www.buggypod.com/wordpress/

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 18, 2017:

Hi Lisa! A double stroller definitely makes the weight issue difficult. I'm not sure which stroller you currently have, but the BOB Revolution Flex Duallie Jogging Stroller might work for you. The seat belts might not fit your daughter, though - so this is one I'd try to buy at a store where you can test-fit the stroller (Babies R Us carries many brands and might be worth a visit). If you can get insurance coverage, I would try to get something like the Tandem Buggy (see product information here: http://www.activateforkids.co.uk/assets/tandem-bro... If you are in the USA, you might be able to get it covered as DME under insurance (though it might take some appeals).

Lisa on September 18, 2017:

I have a 6 year old with cerebral palsy. When I pull into a handicapped parking spot with my placard on, I get stopped by people, as I'm pulling out my daughter's walker or wheelchair saying that I have no right to park in that spot. I likewise get comments when she is in a double stroller with her 2 year old sister, that she needs to walk. I'm currently looking for a double stroller that is lighter than my current one. I'm pushing over 100 pounds in my current double stroller with both kids and her walker propped on the handle bars... Any suggestions for a light weight double stroller?

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 15, 2017:

Hello Sasha, The Joovy Zoom 360 Ultralight has a maximum weight of 75 pounds. Could you point to the product information that states 50 pounds? The official product information states: "Your child will have great visibility and can take in the view in the Zoom 360 Ultralight’s high riding seat. This comfortable and supportive seat has convenient mesh pockets for snacks and take-alongs and is sturdy enough for a child up to 75 pounds."

Sasha on September 15, 2017:

The Joovey you linked above says max weight is 50 pounds.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 06, 2017:

Hello, Paul - jogging strollers may be purchased from any retail store which contains a baby department. A better selection may be found online through searching. Medical strollers are very expensive and generally covered under DME through medical insurance, though sometimes they are not covered at all. Wheelchairs and some medical strollers must be fit to the child and require a fitting appointment. I hope this helps!

PAUL on September 05, 2017:

YOU NEED TO ADD BETTER INFO. ON WHERE TO BUY LARGE STROLLERS FOR CHILDREN. THE INFO. YOU HAVE NOT HELPFUL..

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on September 01, 2017:

It is disgusting how other people judge when they have no idea about a hidden disability. It absolutely breaks my heart, Cass! Our son is doing much better now than when he was younger, though still fatigues easily. Long distance walking is particularly difficult for him and he has to sit frequently to regain his energy.

Cass Austin on September 01, 2017:

My daughter is 5 and too big for our baby stroller, so I found your article very helpful in searching for an upgrade. Liv has Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that makes her weak and causes facial and other rashes. Thank you for sharing your experience and speaking up.

(That youtube video though, ugh! Awful.)

#CureJM

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on October 18, 2014:

People can be truly appalling sometimes. I suppose the old saying is still true: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. It is too bad more people don't heed this advice!

Theresa Franklin from Hemphill, TX on October 18, 2014:

When my children were young, I took them and their friends to Vacation Bible School. On the way, I stopped at the grocery store. An older couple made a comment that I didn't hear, but knew was about me and 'my' children. Then we came down an aisle and they turned the corner. I heard them say, "There she is again." Was is any of their business how many children I had with me and whether they were mine or not? I'm sure the comment that I was probably on government assistance and they were paying for my five children. Three were mine and two were a friend's. Neither of us has ever been on government assistance. Among the four parents, we have 6 college degrees. Now I would stop them and tell them. Then I was young and patient. Well, both of those are gone.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on October 18, 2014:

Exactly, Theresa! It is amazing how judgmental people can be, isn't it? People make comments all the time, without having any idea about the reality behind the situation. We were once at a grocery store and my son's legs gave out, so I placed him into the basket of the grocery cart (he's a little big to carry) - I think about 5 people came up and said, "Oh, but you're such a big boy, why are you riding in there?" It is so rude. It is no one's business.

Theresa Franklin from Hemphill, TX on October 17, 2014:

Good job. Thank you for highlighting the different reasons a stroller might be needed. However, part of me thinks it's no one else's reason why your child is in a stroller. It is your job to determine what is best for your child. You don't need anyone else's permission or judgement.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on August 27, 2014:

We don't have a double stroller, Lily, but we did recently acquire a Maclaren Major. It is a medical stroller that looks a lot like an umbrella stroller, but accommodates children up to 110 pounds. It is PERFECT for our needs. My son has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and "looks" fine, but cannot walk long distances as he fatigues. If you can get a developmental pediatrician to write a prescription, you should be able to get a medical stroller covered by insurance (though that sometimes doesn't work, as some insurance companies will only cover strollers for children who are paralyzed or cannot walk at all). We obsessively watched craigslist, ebay, and our local garage sale pages - a friend notified me that someone local was selling a Maclaren Major for $50. We picked it up about 4 months ago and it has made life MUCH easier. Nolan is now 7 years old and will not fit into an umbrella stroller. Another benefit of a medical stroller is the lack of judgmental stares.

Lily on August 26, 2014:

My son will be 5 years old in a few weeks and he has level 3 autism spectrum disorder. When we take him anywhere, we have to be extremely careful and twice as prepared because if I let go of his hand he will take off running. He is also bad to stop in the middle of walking if something catches his eye and run away to chase down something (or someone). He can easily get lost in a crowd and it is my worst fear to lose track of him. One morning when he was 2 he went out the front door when everyone else was asleep and we searched frantically for him for close to an hour before we found him outside in the driveway, watching the cars go by. I thank God he didn't wander into the road or he would have been run over since it was foggy outside and we could barely see him as it was. So we have to keep an extremely close eye on him at all times when he's not indoors at our own house. And now that we have a new baby in the house, taking him anywhere is that much more of a challenge. He is larger than most kids his age (a lot of people ask me what school he goes to since he is the height of a 6 1/2 year old) so he has outgrown his umbrella stroller. I'm frantically searching for something affordable that will accommodate his weight (he's 54 lbs) but I have found nothing that won't break the bank. I ignored the looks I got when he was still small enough to be in a stroller because the people that stare have no idea what it's like. I'd love to have a double stroller that isn't a sit-and-stand that can hold him. One can dream...

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on February 24, 2014:

I hope you find something that works for your little boy, Natalie! Some people really have a lot of nerve - they should not make comments and judgments. It is really awful! My son is six and a half, and due to his genetic disorder he fatigues easily. He can run around a playground and look perfectly "typical," but extended walking makes him extremely fatigued and can cause a lot of other issues. Kids come in all sorts of different sizes and there are so many 2 year olds that are the same size as a 5 year old (or vice versa)! Let me know what stroller you find! Nolan (my six year old) is 45 pounds and we have a hard time finding one for him due to his length - which is why we're leaning toward a medical stroller at this point.

Natalie on February 24, 2014:

it is hard to not comment when someone loudly states that a child is too old for a stroller. I have a 2 year old, not even two and a half and he is 41 inches tall and weighs 55 pounds. He really cannot walk longer than an hour or maybe 1 hr and a half without wanting to stop, sit or be held. Having to do activities with my older child requires outings for extended time and a lot of walking or hiking as part of gathering sessions for science projects or nature walks. I do not wish to exclude my youngest from spending that time with us so i have a travel stroller on hand usually but now he beyond the weight of most and not sure what to do. Sometimes my husband will just pick him up and carry him for the remainder of the day but if it is just me that is not possible for more than a half hour or hour of trekking time. So many people comment that he is old enough at 4 yrs that he should be able to keep up and as if his size wasn't an issue, they further go on to judge his language skills, that i should have him evaluated for something. He is 2 not 4 or 5. I keep reminding myself that people aren't trying to be mean but it is tough to hear such judgmental observations everyday. We are off to buy a new stroller this week to see what will work for us. Good luck to all of you others too!

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on October 16, 2013:

Natashia, it is ridiculous how some people feel comfortable judging others, when they have no idea how difficult it can be with young children. Disney World is extremely large and more than most preschoolers could ever tackle on their own. My little boy has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which involves several medical issues - including weak/floppy joints and early-onset arthritis. He can generally walk short distances, but he does not have the endurance most typical children have. On the outside, he looks "typical," but he requires a stroller if we are in a large mall or if we are walking around a city. He is six now, and looks odd in an umbrella stroller due to his size. We're trying to get a Maclaren Major (medical stroller) for him - I've been bidding on eBay to find a cheap one.

Natashia on October 12, 2013:

Our daughter is almost 4 and we are trying to find a nice stroller for Disney World. It's pretty exhausting for a little one to walk around all day and she might need a nap. We figured it would be nice for her to be able to rest in a stroller instead of making my older son go to the hotel for a few hours every day. It's ridiculous that someone spent so much time on a site used to try to humiliate parents and little children. Even if the parents are being a little coddling, it's not something worth judging someone over.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on July 11, 2012:

There are a few brands that work well with bigger kids, lindacee, but most children who require long-term mobility assistance will eventually move onto a medical stroller or wheelchair. Many of the medical strollers look like souped-up umbrella strollers.

Linda Chechar from Arizona on July 10, 2012:

I did not even realize there were larger strollers for older children. Your Hub is a fascinating read. I learned a great deal. Thanks for sharing.

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on July 05, 2012:

I do hope it is NOT mito, but I have run across several cases of "mild" mito and varying presentations from a few of the blogs of kids with multiple medical issues or hearing loss + other issues... I'll shoot you a PM- not sure how to bring it up to his ENT (the only doc that has chased down any sort of diagnosis for the little guy) - it is entirely possible that he has something else, but I suppose time will tell. If anything new pops up, we'll obviously be even more suspicious.

MitoMomof4 on July 05, 2012:

leahlefler... I'm so sorry you've been going through this. Not that I'm wishing mito on anyone but it does sound like it is a distinct possibility. I'm sure you've had your share of appointments and frustration and a diagnosis doesn't make it much, if any easier. I have to be quick on here as 9 mo old is wanting to attack the keyboard but you can email me if you would like at: PeaceNJoyNAZ@hotmail.com.

Hoping to have more time on here to explore your pages.

Wishing you all the best!

~April

Leah Lefler (author) from Western New York on July 05, 2012:

Hi MitoMom - mito is on the table for Nolan, though we haven't gone through any formal testing for it yet. He has mild hypotonia, gastrointestinal issues (severe reflux - Nissen with mic-key placement/motility issues), sleep apnea (uses a C-pap at night - obstructive hypopneas and central apnea - the central apnea has resolved). He also has a congenital, progressive hearing loss, chronic sinus and ear infections, a urology issue, and some vision issues (amblyopia with astigmatism, nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other eye). We're not sure if his fatigue issues are more related to GI pain or are true fatigue - it is very unpredictable. He also has difficulty gaining and maintaining weight. Our docs aren't very interested in a comprehensive diagnosis. The geneticist we saw at Cleveland Clinic speculated on a connective tissue disorder, though he doesn't quite "fit" that category. We're in the wait-and-see mode to see what else pops up. I do wish they would run a few tests to get some answers, because it would b nice to have a "name."

MitoMomof4 on July 05, 2012:

I'm new as of today to your Hub but already see the wealth of info you post! Thank you! as I am new, I'm not sure if you have a dx of this already for your sons but have you looked into mitochondrial disease? I have one kiddo w/ confirmed mito & one that is only 9 months but likely to have it as well.