DS 2 when new baby arrives. Double buggy?

[Ficidy]

I'm totally clueless about this. Our ds will be almost 2.5 when this baby arrives. I presume I'll need a double buggy? If so, what would you recommend? We already have a Bugaboo Cameleon (which I'm planning to sell) and a Maclaren for our ds (I'm going to keep the Maclaren cause it's handy for transporting ds to minder's etc.

[duplodancer]

Phil and Teds. I tried a few others but wishes is gone straight to the phil and teds.

[stargirl1701]

DD1 was 23 months when DD2 arrived. Haven't need a double yet and DD2 is 8 months.

We either do DD2 in the Stokke Xplory with DD1 on the sibling buggy board or DD1 in the pram and DD2 in the sling.

[Buttwing]

I have the bugaboo donkey. It's ok but a pain to build each time you get and in and out of the car it's also quite wide and there is some doors I can't fit through. I loved my chameleon but I'm not that keen on the donkey the only reason I bought it is because it's the only side by side buggy you can clip a car seat on and I find this so helpful as I'm in and out of the car loads doing school and nursery runs.
As soon as dc4 is out of the stage one car seat I'm going to sell it and get a baby city jogger everyone I've spoken to who has one says they're amazing and you can put them up and down with one hand (useful when holding on to two!)
Another option is single buggy and a sling? I've never got on with slings but if I did that would be a really good option especially as you've got your hands free to deal with your toddler :)

[ClariceBeanthatsme]

Our DS will also be 2.5 when DC3 arrives and I'm probably going to go for a phil and teds dot or navigator. You can use it as newborn/toddler then for 2 toddlers and as a single once DS can walk longer distances.
Really though I'm only buying a double because i have the school run with DD. When DS was born there was 2.3 years between DC1 and DC2 but i had no school run so i got by with a sling or a buggy board.

[willnotbetamed]

My DS1 was 2 years 4 months when DS2 joined him and we never had a double buggy. We got a buggy board that fitted on our old pram and DS1 loved it - much preferred standing up to sitting passive in the seat. We did occasionally combine sling and buggy for really long walks (baby in sling, toddler in buggy) but by and large we were surprised how far we could get with the buggy board - he would stand on it for basically hours, with breaks, if we were doing shopping or whatever. He also then got the idea pretty young of using his own two feet to get places, and will walk miles now without complaining - DS2, who never had a buggy board, is much lazier, but perhaps that's just coincidence.

[Happyyellowcar]

Go for a buggy board instead - it might take a little bit of time to get used to but it's better exercise for toddler and it won't be long before DS can go on a scooter / balance bike. I had DS2 when DS was just 2 and then DD when DS2 was 2.5 and have never needed a double buggy.

[tortoisesarefab]

Have you seen the buggypod perle? It's a seat for a buggyboard. Compatible with bugaboo so you could use that with your current pram www.amazon.co.uk/Buggypod-Perle-grey/dp/B00PB6FPYE?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[RandomMess]

Depends on your DC1 at 2.5 you may be able to get away with just a buggyboard. When DC2 is a newborn how about a sling???

I used a lascal maxi on my bugaboo very successfully!

[Piffpaffpoff]

My DS was 2 when DD was born, I bought a second hand double Out n About Nipper, kept my single buggy, used the double for about 9 months then switched back to the single plus buggy board. The only advice I would give if you want to go down this route is that it's worth paying a bit extra for a double buggy you know you will be able to sell on again easily so a Phil and Teds or a Nipper or whatever else is considered good these days.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Id use the Cam and a board.

[HazleNutt]

It mostly depends on how much walking you do and where. If you use your buggy mostly to run errands and do shopping in town then handling the bags, newborn and toddler might be challenging indeed. Especially if you have one like mine, who suddenly decides to bolt, or sit down and not move, if you're going to the direction that doesn't please him.
DS will be 24 months when D arrives, but at the moment not planning to get a double - in our case we mostly use buggy for dog walks, so it doesn't really matter if DS runs around randomly.

If we decide we need one, I will buy the Mountainbuggy Duet - side by side, but narrow, and yes you can also use it with car seat.

[whatsagoodusername]

Choose the one you want, then buy it off eBay. There are really good bargains because they don't get as much use as singles and come with all the extras.

We got our phil&ted for less than £100.

[missmodular2]

Another vote for Phil and teds. My two were 27 months apart in age and in the early days we used the cocoon in the back with the toddler pretty oblivious in the front. Then when baby was big enough, went in the back. Then when she became a wriggly toddler who wanted a front seat view we swapped them round to encourage the older one to walk more. But having the double option was an absolute lifesaver on long walks and we ended up using it as a double way longer than I expected to. Then used it as a single for many months after that. Must have used it every day for at least four years. well worth the initial outlay.

[iwonder24]

My DS was 2 years 1 month when I had my second. He's 2 years 5months now. We've done without a double buggy and just got a buggy board (and reins!!). He's become well trained at walking beside the buggy and jumping on the board when he's tired. He has been a buggy refuser from about 18 months, preferring to walk.

[ch1134]

My ds will be 21 months when the new one arrives and I'm hoping to do without a double buggy.
I just don't want extra stuff in the house that I'd only use for a few months.
I'm planning to have baby in sling and toddler in buggy at first, until soon switching to baby in buggy and toddler walking. He already walks well at 16 months so hopefully by the time he's 2 he won't need the buggy anymore.

[BlinkAndMiss]

I've bought the converter kit to make our icandy into a double but I know I'll barely use it, my DS will be 2.5 when the baby arrives. I've also bought a buggy board which I'm hoping he'll take to. I suppose it depends on how much time you spend in shops and around town and if your DS still a takes a nap. Mine does so even though I know it'll be a squash in the pushchair it's better than having nowhere for him to sit. He's also a bit if a runner which I can't be having once I have a newborn, I need somewhere secure for him.

I'd get a double that you can then use as a single, unless you can find a cheap double. Otherwise when your DS wants to walk or you're on a manageable journey for him you'll still have to lug a double pushchair about. I'd also be tempted to keep the Cam (because they're amazing!). Alternatives could be the Oyster or a second hand Peach 1 with the blossom kit. They're not too expensive really unless you buy brand new. There is also a seat called an Easy Rider that clips on like a buggy board but is a seat, no good for naps but a good alternative to a buggy board if DS gets tired.

[meglet]

second hand Phil & teds.

great for transporting dawdling whiny children and all the clutter that comes with them.

[TremoloGreen]

You won't need a double buggy if you don't want one. New baby may not like lying flat in a buggy anyway until a few months. If DC1 is used to going everywhere in a buggy atm, get him used to walking now. DD1 is not quite 2, and we rarely use our buggy unless we're out for the whole day, and then she doesn't spend much time in it. Most of my friends have buggy boards which their older ones (2-3) love.

[Ficidy]

Thanks so much for all your advice. I think I'm going to chance it with a buggy board and a sling and see how I go. Just wondering, what slings would you recommend for a newborn? I naively bought a Mamas and Papas one the last time for when my ds was a couple of months old, but it was awful and I never used it. Far too much faffing about required and I couldn't have been bothered. Any easy-to-use ones out there that are suitable for a newborn?

[stargirl1701]

Is there a local sling library? It's really a try before you buy purchase.

I use a stretchy wrap in the early days - Moby, Kari-Me, Lollipop, etc. but I know friends who use Close Caboo and Tots Bots Papoozle.