Do I need a double buggy??

[sjcmum]

Baby no2 due in December, when dd will be 2 years and 4 months. Feel resistant to having to splash out loads of money on a double buggy... but would I be mad not to have one? Could I manage with sling/buggy board so that only ever need one in the buggy????

Would love any tips from people with experience!

[MerlinsBeard]

DS1 was 23 mnths when DS2 was born. i used a baby carrier and a buggy. never hada double. I then used the step on the back of a pliko instead of a buggy board for quite a while afterwards(until the buggy fell apart when ds2 was 3!!)

[bigknickersbigknockers]

My DS2 was 19 mths old when DD was born and I bought a second hand doubble buggy. i am glad I didnt spend too much because I didnt use it more than 4-5 times. I would try a buggy board or buy second hand if I were you.

[leoemma]

I have had 5 double buggies and yet to find the perfect one. Had a litaf seat to go which was brilliant as they can sit down when tired. At first I used a freedom sling for baby and pushchair for ds who was just 2 when dd came along. Now I use either the litaf or a back carrier with ds in pushchair. Look on freecycle for double buggies as you can try them and it hasnt cost you anything.

[Seeline]

I had 2.8 years between my 2 and did splash out - I only used it a few times though, and that was mainly for shopping. Once DS started playschool though I used to shop then so didn't even need it for that. However I think it would depend on your life style. DS was a good walker so often didn't need the buggy on short trips. I tended to use the car a fair bit in the early days too. If you often walk reasonable distances and our older child doesn't like walking you may have a greater need.

[NellyTheElephant]

Exactly 2 yrs between my two and I'm v glad I didn't buy a double. DD1 walked most of the time but if it was a long trip or she was tired DD2 went in the sling and DD1 in buggy (if DD2 was in the buggy i'd usually have the sling with me in case I needed to swap DD2 into it and DD1 into the pushchair, but I never once had to swap them over).

In the two months or so before DD2 was born I made a big effort to stop using the buggy for DD1 so she was very used to walking everywhere or getting on the bus by the time DD2 was born.

I'd wait and see how you go. If you do need a double buggy it's easy enough to get one, but v annoying to spend money on one in advance only to find you only use it once or twice.

I'll have 26 months between DD2 and the next one and certainly won't be getting a double this time either (DD2 is already a great walker already)

[whatdayisit]

It depends how much you walk. I have 2.1 years between my two and my tandem buggy must have done miles, but then I walk c. 20 miles pw, usually with an ETA to meet, so could not always allow DS1 to walk. If it's just for short walks, to and from car/around shops and/or you have plenty of time then sling first then buggy board probably OK.

Also, pushing a heavy double fast, up hill is fab for getting the baby weight off

[saramoon]

My second dd was born when first was 17 months and i did buy a cheap second had double buggy but as other people have said here i didn't use it much. Sold it on and got a buggy board which has been invaluable. We walk a lot (4 mile round trip in to town) and it is fab. Now they are a bit older they can swap over so that sometimes the older will sit in the buggy and the younger one will stand on the board.

[MumWith2Boys]

Similar gap between my 2 and we've used our double buggy to death. Couldn't have lived without it, but we walk to/from preschool.

I went for a side by side one so they could keep each other company - I'd heard loads of horror stories about fights over who sat in front in a certain well-known brand! Ended up getting a WE2 Combi which cost more than I'd intended spending (but cheaper than a new car with a big boot). It's really lightweight and narrow enough to fit through all shop doorways.

[muddleduck]

It totally depends on your dd.

ds1 was not quite 2 when ds2 was born and we managed fine without a double. The "buggies are for babies" line worked well for him. But he was a great walker - I def could not have managed without if he'd been as stroppy and un-cooperative as ds2.

I'd say don't get one yet. The early days will be fine (with lo2 in a sling if dd gets tired) and see how things work out.

[sophiebbb]

I have a 17mth age gap. I did get a double buggy and it is the only way I could get out and about comfortably with them both - which I do need to for shopping and staying sane etc. Newborn got too heavy in the baby carrier if I was out for more than 30 minutes.

I didn't get a side by side one because I had heard stories about the toddler hitting etc the newborn if they were side by side. By being one on top of the other the toddler could not reach the newborn...

[sophiebbb]

PS also depends on your toddler. When I am out with both DS (now 21 mths) and DD (4 mths), and I need to breastfeed, then I strap DS into the buggy as he has no fear and would run away without looking back if he wasn't - and i wouldn't be able to catch him. That is my toddler though!

[LolaLadybird]

Very similar age gap between DD and DS and we went for the 'certain well-known brand' that MumWith2 mentions (and only one or two disagreements over seats)!

Personally, I wouldn't have been without it (and still wouldn't) but as others say it depends on your own lifestyle and how good a walker DD is. As a friend pointed out when I was having the same dilemna, there's nothing worse than a child whinging about now wanting to walk when you're out and there's no choice and you can bet your life they'll decide they'll want to go in the pushchair it their new little sibling is in there. It's also sometimes easier to have them both strapped in for keeping control when you're somewhere busy.

[LolaLadybird]

Oops, meant 'not wanting to walk'

[Pheebe]

We have a double buggy. Phi & teds E3 with the second seat adaptor on the back. DS1 is nearly 4 and ds2 is 10 months now. We bought it when we were hoping ds2 would turn up and its been a godsend. DS2 could go in it from newborn with ds1 sitting at the front as and when he wanted. Now ds2 sits in the main seat at the front and ds1 hops in and out of the rear seat. When he's not in it its fab for holding all the bags, shopping etc. Can't speak highly enough of it but we do go out alot, shopping, days out etc and even at 4 ds1 doesn't always want to walk and soemtimes its just safer to have them both in the chair especially when its really busy.

They are quite pricy but do come up quite often on ebay

[liath]

Dd was 2.1 when ds was born and I've managed with an ergo sling and single buggy. It's been mainly OK - there have been a few occasions where I could have given my right arm for a double buggy but on the other hand I think it has pushed dd to walk more. If I had another baby with a similar age gap I think I would get a double buggy TBH.

[gladders]

think it depends how much walking you do? we do a lot so a double buggy was a lifesaver with a 22 month age gap. Phil and Teds, so ds (now 3 and a half) can still jump in if he gets tired on way back from the park etc....

[ajm200]

I'm going to use a single buggy and sling for short journeys but have splashed out on a double buggy as we often walk 5-6 miles a day.

My son will happily walk over a mile at 20 months but there is not way that I could expect him to walk further or stay on a buggy board for 5 miles and I don't fancy a 5 mile hike with a baby in a sling.

[sjcmum]

Brilliant advice ... thank you all so much.... still not sure what I'm going to do. But I think the idea of waiting and seeing how we get on definitely appeals.

DD1 is a good walker, but does get quite distracted and it is rather slow. We walk to the shops a lot, and it would probably be fine to use a sling - DD has a tendency to pull things off shelves if not in the buggy - so might try that for a while!

Thansk again - S