know it's been asked before but having a dilemma about buying a double buggy - do I really need one?

[kitkat9]

I ask becuase I can't actually bear the thought of shoving one around!

ds2 is due on Xmas Day, ds1 is 4.6 so walks everywhere, dd will be 22m when ds2 comes along. Now, I don't actually use a pram all that often for dd unless we're out shopping . We have a car and have to drive everywhere to get anywhere (live in USA)!

I am tentively planning on using my baby wrap for ds2 - had it for dd and used it a bit, didn't buy a double buggy for ds1 and dd as ds1 was 3 when she was born and already walked everywhere.

I've been looking around for lightweight, uncumbersome buggies and can't see any I would love - can't afford to spend fortunes, although they are loads cheaper here than in the UK.

Any wise suggestions? Anyone with a similar age gap - what did you do?

[alarkaspree]

I have a similar age gap between my two and used a double buggy a lot for about a year BUT we lived in London and walked a lot - we only used the car about once every 3 weeks. Also dd used to still need a daytime sleep until she was about 3 so the buggy was useful for that if we were out all day.

In your circumstances I'd think you could do without one.

[lilymolly]

Can you get a buggy board for your dd1?

We have them in the uk where they attach to the back of the buggy for the older child to stand on.

My dc no2 is due in March when dd will be 3.4.
No way am I doing dounle buggy

[loler]

Hated my buggy board with a passion - horrible to push and dc never stood on it until they were really heavy and even harder to push. It's lurking in the garage hardly ever been used!

I used a sling for first 6 months and by that time the next child up could walk most places. Also got a silver cross pushchair but the mama and papa P3 is the same. Has a toddler step on the back (it's just the bit where you push the folding mechanism down) - not as robust as a buggy board but the dc doesn't need to get off to go up and down kerbs (we live in a village without drop kerbs!) and as they are so much closer to the pushchair, is not back breaking to push. ds1 is now 3.5 and still goes on it.

[kitkat9]

did the buggy board with the first 2 when I used to walk a lot more, abd HATED it - it attached fine onto the buugy but ds was tall and I am short - just found it hard to manage.

Could consider this kind of thing I suppose...

Am leaning more towards wearing ds2, as I have a wrap sling - always found it a bit of a faff though.

[lilymolly]

Oh interesting about buggy board obv crap then! may rethink

[kitkat9]

oh don't think they're crap as a rule, I know folk who've loved them - I'm just too wee and weak to deal with them, and found I was kicking the board as I walked - ended up black and blue!

[OMaLittle]

My DC are 2.5 and 5 months, didn't want to get double buggy but ordered Phil and Teds yesterday and am so ridiculously excited I can't believe I didn't do it ages ago.

Wanted to do buggy/sling, buggy board/buggy but DD1 is a bit jealous and is very ho hum about the buggy board, often just getting off . Also back is totally knackered. Realised I was rarely leaving house as taking both was too painful (physically and emotionally) and I am stubborn about not using car for short distances (am in London).

My friend told me I should get one before DD2 was born as I would end up getting one anyway and I might as well get max use out of it. Don't really regret doing it this way as like wearing baby anyway, but I do definitely need it. Slightly regret the £45 on the buggy board... it is (as well as being too easy to shun) awkward for walking, I find.

[conniedescending]

i have a phil n teds

marvellous invention but not sure I'd get one with the age gap you have described.....unless you buy second hand

sling and single I'd opt for, never got on with buggy boards

[Olipop]

I'm having the same dilema....DS is going to be just shy of 3 when baby is born...didn't really want to worry about a double buggy but he does still really really use his. I tried him out on a friends buggy board and he kept jumping off it and tripping me up! He is a bit tall for a phil and teds but I don't think a side by side would fit in our local little super market. I'm getting very muddled....

[Mitchell81]

DS2 was 23 months when DS2 arrived. I have managed so far with buggypod, buggyboard and single buggy with baby in slings. DS2 is now 4 months and I am thinking maybe I do need a double buggy, but only for going to town shopping. Don't want to pay a fortune for maybe a years worth of needing it. So still deciding. I manage with other things for walks from home.

[kitkat9]

it is difficult, isn't it - I don't want to waste money on something that I won't use much, but would panic if the day came that I needed one and didn't have it!

I think I could wait until ds2 is a few months old and look again - we will be moving back to the uk when he is about 6 months old and I anticipate much more need for a double buggy then, and would def buy it here in the USA to get a bargain!

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

I got my P&T when ds was 9 months and dd 27 months.... thought I'd left it so late I wouldn't get much use out of it, but a year on we're still using it a lot - for anything where time is of the essence or where it's a long way or dd is likely to be tired. Mind you, dd is not the world's best walker....

[angrypixie]

DD was 18 months when I had ds. I got a double because I thought it was too big an ask for her to walk everywhere, we live in London and walk a lot. I never regretted it!

DS was 3 when DS2 arrived and didn't even consider it. He is an excellent walker and hasn't used his buggy for at least 6 months.

I briefly had a buggy board, DD was great on it but the angle for pushing killed my back!

[sunshine185]

what about a buggypod? "this page"

[eviz]

Hi,

I have 23 month age gap between my daughters (DD2 is 3 months pld, DD1 is 2 and a bit)

I faffed on with a sling for a bit - it is do-able, but restrictive. Trying to pick a tantrumming toddler off the floor, or stopping them helping themselves to fruit gums at the checkout is a whole different ball game with a newborn strapped to your chest!

I opted for the Phil & Teds Sport, and absolutely love it. Quick, hassle free and smaller than my single buggy. They seem to hold their value well on ebay, so I figured I'd recoup at least some of the money.

Good luck with your decision!

[NappiesGalore]

sit n stand
or we2twin combi is lightweight, folds pretty small, is narrow enough for normal doorways, has loads of pockets and cupholders (i scoffed at cupholders when buying my first buggy. doh)

or single stroller and sling - recommend ergo-type slings as being best for your back. and if you have a single and a sling, you are more motivated to get the older one to walk as they grow...

id go for any (or most likely through all) of those options.

[pinkandpurple]

15m difference between my kids

i got a £130 double front-back buggy from mothercare as 15m old could barely walk at the time. P&T too expensive! buggy board was not an option, as I kept kicking it in when I tested friend's

used it for ~2years plus. very useful, not just for carrying two kids but for all their coats/boots/changes of clothes/ etc.