City select (used as double) with buggy board?

[Wiggy29]

We bought a city select jogger (second hand) as knew we would have dc3 close to dc2. Turns out dc3 is actually twins!

Dc2 will be 18months when twins arrive so thought at first easiest travel method would be one baby in sling, one in select and toddler in select.

At what age did your DC start using a buggy board and can anyone suggest a good one to use with select? Thanks.

[Wiggy29]

I know, it's a scary prospect but I'm not sure how on earth we'l get around otherwise!

[Ihateparties]

There's sit down boards like the easy x rider too. I used one with a demented death wish style two year old and it worked well for shortish distances.

I see those compliant looking one and two three, four, five, six and seven year olds around too... But when I think about it I don't actually personally know any, all the toddlers I know are deeply unreasonable about one thing or another.

The bj glider board works best on the select out of all the bjs apparently. I find the select hard to push and nigh on impossible to tip but I guess it depends on your local terrain and priorities. When I had deranged small children on foot and a double to push easy to push became my main priority beyond the children being happy and comfortable in there.

[Artandco]

We used a board from 16 months. On the bugaboo chameleon. Youngest is 2 and buggy free now.

I would use one carrycot and one seat on your select, with board also. Get eldest used to walking and board before babies born. Then at 18 months he will be used to it. You can use the carrycot for both twins for a few weeks and sling combo if eldest needs seat still a few more weeks.

You just need to make sure you work day so you can be at home/ or someone else's house around lunch so all three can nap. We always came home as tbh was easier then as could feed everyone, and I could nap also if needed

[Wiggy29]

Really good advice artandco, thank you. Would get started on getting D's to walk/ buggy board but at just over 13 months he took a dew steps twice (a couple of weeks ago), then realised he could get around by 'walking on his knees and seems quite happy to only do that/ crawl!

[Artandco]

Wiggy - it's surprising how fast they get once started though. Both ds's walked at 12 months but like I said by 18 would be happy to walk miles

Maybe wait until he's 15 months so another 6 weeks or so then add board to the select. Start out with him on board just to end of road so he learns to stand/ hold on, then him in pram/ walking. Gradually increasing walking or board as you go on.

With 3 under 18 months its not like you are going to be wanting to hike miles in the first few months anyway.

Ps getting eldest to walk was how we managed to get both to nap every afternoon together :)

[Wiggy29]

That's really sensible advice. I had thought about a buggy board with a seat? I liked the look of this, it's not exactly cheap but liked the idea that D's could be strapped in as, though we live in a rural area, the roads are normally 60mph as country lanes. Any thoughts?

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261432955413

[Artandco]

Iv never used one so not sure in afraid. It might make the tandem difficult to steer though. I would get the board made for pram tbh

If you live in a rural area I'm assuming you need to use car a fair bit anyway, so not miles of walking needed unless you want to

Get a little life rucksack reins for youngest.

[Wiggy29]

Yes, reasonable amount of driving. I think I'll be better waiting a few months before I make a purchase to see how dc's walking comes on?

[Artandco]

Probably. Most sites deliver within days should need arise

[Ihateparties]

About the city select specifically, particularly as you already have it. Maybe do a bit of testing to see how easy/possible you find it to push one handed, put some weights in to simulate the babies in it. Being realistic an 18m to two threeyear old on foot requires some help and hand holding. Personally I could not manage a select one handed, even an empty one. Other pushchairs yes but I find the select really hard. Others say it's fine though, how something is to push does seem pretty subjective.

Fwiw my just turned two year old absolutely would and does go in the pushchair. That's partly because of the school schedules of older siblings etc. Usually she walks 2 miles per day, the rest is in the buggy or carrier. None of my dcs have routinely slept after plenty of exercise, the nap thing didn't work for us. One also really doesn't like walking the same way the others do, which makes me more cautious about suggesting if you do things a particular way then you will achieve a particular result. There are too many variables.

I'm on board with waiting too ultimately especially given you will have 3 under 2 and you haven't met 2 of them yet

[Ihateparties]

Haha, I just noticed dc2 is the 18m old, I'm now hoping dc1 is school age/a comfortable amount older

[Wiggy29]

Yes! Dc1 is 9 (thank the lord)! The other option I'd thought was to try selling the select and buying an Abc adventure buggy with reclining toddler seat on top but put off by height of toddler seat, reminds me of pushing supermarket trolley with car seat in which I find really awkward as can barely see over the top.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Oh how funny - I have twins and DC1 is 17 months older. The DTs are now almost 3.5 and DC1 is almost 5.

I use a Baby City Select as a double with the Lascal Maxi buggy board. It's long and heavy (I think all prams are when you put 3 toddlers / children on them), but I don't know of any better solution, as the BJCS gives all the DCs enough room (iCandy is too cramped - the twin mums I know got rid of theirs at around 12 months) and the buggy board is the only way when you have tired DCs / DCs that outnumber you 3:1.

Side by side prams give me the rage as I live in central London and get jammed in between railings and lamp posts, and in the shops with them. So, we are still using the BJCS and the buggy board, however, we often just use 1 pram seat w one twin in the pram, one twin on the buggy board, and DC1 walking.

I recommend this solution as my children are happy on the pram / buggy board and I can go everywhere I want to go (neither are always a given).

DC1 used the buggy board from when she was 2. Before then, she wouldn't stay on it. So maybe get the buggy board that has a seat for when your older toddler is v young. Btw all the pram pushing has defined my arms [silver lining].

[Ihateparties]

9! Phew.

I have actually used an easy x rider. They're cheaper from hottots, here, than your link before I start talking about them and forget to add that. In your situation I think it would be really useful. I mean they're not perfect, nothing is but for some young children standing safely on a board at that age just isn't going to happen.

[Wiggy29]

Honestly, I could nearly cried reading the last two posts! Such a relief to hear and so good to get positive advice and tips from other mums. I've had a few comments which I'm sure weren't meant to be cruel but felt it, I'm sure you know the type: "my god, how will you cope?" "You'll never leave the house." "Oh, I remember when Louise was pregnant with twins and the skin on her stomach actually split and was red raw." [Sad]

[Wiggy29]

Belinda- any other tips for having toddler/ twins would be gratefully received.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

The comments from others can be v disheartening. You will find your own way. I is hard, very hard, but you will use the resources that you have well. I had a nanny for the first 2 years, but I have no family around and DH doesn't do night wakings or come home early.

I am small and my twins were not. My skin did not split. I did, however, buy an abdominal binder and it supported me and pulled me back into shape post birth. Medical ones w adjustable Velcro fastenings are cheap from Amazon.

The big issue for me is safety and containment. Bouncy chairs for feeding when babies. Bath seats (Mamas and Papas) for bath time. Small playgroups and playgrounds where you can keep your eye on all 3 are key. Soft play places that are suitable for all 3 are important. I often go to a place w DH on a weekend, and see if I could go there with them on my own, when DH isn't around. We often go to the same places or have play dates at our place. To be honest, there are lots of things I can't do that mothers with only 2 children can do, but you do find your way, really you do. The respect and admiration you get from others is quite moving, as are the offers of help.