Tandem pushchair, for 3 year old and newborn

[Tiredofbromley]

Am struggling with finding a right tandem. DD will be 3 when new baby arrives. DD is 'lively' and we live on a main road so think I will need something for her still, to contain her a bit on our walks into town. Am also doing the school run (car) for older child but think I could see my trusty single britax for that. DD is quite a big 3 year old, but also want something cosy for newborn (ideally lie flat, with no need for another carrycot). Am looking online as I have hyperemesis gravidum so am feeling pretty grim. Budget is an issue, have upto £200 new or eBay. Like the look of cossato tandem, Phil and Ted's looks a bit scary for newborn.
Grateful for any thoughts

[Tiggywunkle]

The problem with umbrella fold tandems is that usually the eldest can touch the floor at the front if they are older, and can stop the pushchair or 'paddle' it along with their feet. I would suggest that by the age of 3, this could be an issue depending on how well behaved they are.

I have just had a scout around Ebay. I agree totally with you about the P&T's being scary for a newborn, but there's also not a lot with a big seat for a 3 year old.
I've found plenty of Oyster Max tandems's at the £200 mark. This has a lie flat seat on top, and the lower seat could be swapped for the newer lie flat seat (maybe buy a single and get the newer seat below?). The seat is one of the biggest out there for a tandem (the hood slides up the chassis and if the eldest can go in front with the newer seat (not the old seat) then there is good leg room too. You could get by with the older seat with the youngest then parent facing, but there's not as much room for the toddler.
There's also a Microlite Twofold on there for around £200 but you would need a carrycot for that, but they are taking bids. The board on the Twofold is brilliant.
The O'baby ABC Zoom has roomy seats. Again there are some on Ebay for around £200.
There are some newer iCandy Apple2Pear's on there starting at £100 for a single (don't get an older one - you may need help to spot these or ask questions). Your eldest may 'look big' in the seat, but there is plenty of room in the seat, and it will be super light to push, and may just get you over the hump.
I think you need to start trawling Ebay and see what comes up. I hope you feel better soon.

[Mol1628]

Britax b dual. Both seats suitable from newborn and you can pick them up second hand cheap or even new for about £250 on eBay.

It's pretty heavy though but I think all tandems are. I much preferred my side by side nipper, it's surprisingly narrow and so light.

[Tiredofbromley]

Thank you so much both of you. So very kind. I will look into all you have mentioned. If I can push the budget (Xmas etc!) I wondered what your thought were on the mother care genie, or whether you thought there was enough room for three year old in second seat. I just liked the look of it, have never had a brand new pram so wondered whether this would be the answer.

[daisiesinherfootsteps]

I had the same age gap and went for a buggy board, have you considered this? It will still provide containment for main road as she'll be right between your arms. Boards aren't for everyone but it was a great solution for us.

[BikeRunSki]

In pretty much exactly the same situation 5 years ago, I had a Phil and Ted's Sport. I got a cocoon to make it cosy for the baby (Autumn born). I didn't need it for long, but it was really useful for that first 6 months.

[BikeRunSki]

Re - buggy boards, DS (my older child) was far too tall to use a buggy board. His head hit the buggy handle, I couldn't reach round him and it was very tricky to push him up hills (it is very hilly where we live, and he kept sliding off, and he still liked a nap occasionally).

[Pythonesque]

My two are just under 3 years apart (but we're talking more than 10 years ago). I thought somewhat as you, that I would want a double buggy for at least a while. Got as far as bidding on a phil and ted's on ebay I think - having not had a quick enough answer to my question about size. The seller kindly cancelled it as she told me my daughter was probably already too big to fit in it.

In fact I found that my daughter could stand on the edge of the basket under our existing pram (an old silver cross passed on from a relative) and we were fine with a combination of that and using a sling for her brother / pushchair for her. So I'd second the buggyboard suggestion. I'm not up on the practical aspects of modern pushchairs - buggy boards can be difficult if you have short arms but the geometry may be different with some. Don't rush into getting something that may not be any use.

[daisiesinherfootsteps]

My DDs also tall bikerunski but I used the board with an umbrella fold so 2 handles and a carry cot attachment. I've seen a lot of people with boards attached to travel systems where the child on board is between the handle.

There are so many possible combinations, definitely worth going to a decent shop and actually trying them out with your 3 year old to see what works best for you.

[Tiredofbromley]

Hi thank you for our thoughts. Am not sure re buggy board as I am so short (4 ft 11) so wasn't sure if my arms would stretch round.
Agree that the best thing would be to try some out but the copious vomiting thing (tmi!) is getting in the way of a trip. I may just have to wait until baby is here I guess. But thank you all so much for your thoughts.

[Artandco]

We used a buggy boar don bugaboo pram. Child stood between pram and handle, not behind it, so no need to reach around

I suggest a second hand bugaboo bee. It's lightweight and small if your not tall, but handle adjusts anyway. Add the buggy board. As no carrycot you can always take newborn out and strap 3 year old in the seat if needed and carry baby in sling or arms.
But the board should keep them in one place, and you can add reins also so they can't just jump off and away.

However I also found I wanted mine walking as much as possible at 3 as then they would still take an afternoon nap at home as tired