to think I'll be able to manage with a newborn and a 20 month old without a double buggy?

[sausagedoesnotroll]

This is kind of an academic question, since we can't afford a double buggy and all the ones we've looked at would be far too huge to get into our tiny house anyway. I guess what I'm asking is, has anyone done it and managed ok?

I'm hoping to use a sling and buggy to begin with and then the buggy and a buggy board when they're both a bit bigger. We have a folding buggy too, so when DH is around we can use both and push one each. MIL and various other people seem to think I'm insane, though. Am I?

[NormalityBites]

Course you can. I've only the one child but she's never been in a buggy (she's 4)

[thisisyesterday]

i have to say, i used a single and a sling a LOT for ds3 (19 month age gap)
but i did really appreciate the double too tbh

even if you got a little umbrella fold one it'd be better than nothing

there are times when you just want to be able to have them both strapped in and not be carrying the baby!

ds2 is nearly 3 now and ds3 is 18 months and i still use the double, but then we do walk a lot so i need it to bring them home from nursery as ds2 is usually too knackered to walk home

[jeee]

I think you'll be able to get away with a sling and buggy for a bit, but you'll probably find it easier to have a double buggy. I certainly needed my double buggy (15 month gap).

If you don't care about having a fashionable double buggy, you may well be able to acquire a second hand one - try charity shops/car boots, and put the word out.

[dinkystinky]

I think you'll be fine with a sling and a buggy to be honest. DS1 was 2 years 10 months when DS2 arrived and we did the same - by the time DS2 was 6 months DS1 was busy scootering or wanting to go on the buggy board.

[RobynLou]

I think it's do-able definitely, did you use a sling a lot with dc1? if so then definitely yes, I'm still only pg with number 2, but with DC1 didn't use a buggy at all until she was 18months, so I'm def not planning on getting a double, esp as the downsides of slinging one - having to carry all the shopping etc - disappear if you've got a single buggy to stash all the stuff in.

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

I dont have any personal experiance but a friend of mine has 22 month between her boys and she was determined not to get one, but she did in the end, she got this which is really small and not expensive, she loves it as it ins't that heavy either.

[NormalityBites]

But RobynLou the upsides such as not having to take a buggy on the bus, go in the lift, carry a baby, being seperated etc also disappear if you've got a buggy as well as a sling

[fel1x]

You will be able to manage yes. But it will make your life a LOT easier if you had a double to be honest.
Can you put a request on freecycle for one or look out for a cheap local one on ebay?

[diddl]

Mine was 22 months when 2nd was born & I didn´t have a buggy.

However I was very lucky in that Drs, park, supermarket all nearby.

Someone did give us a fold up "umbrella" buggy that we used for toddler sometimes when we were both out with them.

TBH, I wouldn´t get one.

[thisisyesterday]

i found it really hard pushing the buggy while having a baby strapped to me too, it just made my shoulders really, really hurt.
was better if i had the baby on my back, but when he was very little i didn't alwayhs want him on my back

[OmniaParatus]

I had DD when DS was 18 months, and to be honest I would have been better with a sling and single buggy as I had a very bulky Graco tandem which weighed a ton, and shoving it up the hill alone the week after I gave birth was hellish.

It really depends on how good a walker your 20 month old is, and how much he walks. If he manages to walk most of the time when you are out and only goes in the buggy when tired, you will probably be fine. If he is in the buggy almost all the time you may struggle though, especially if your newborn is very heavy or if you have a cs or difficult birth.

I have a Phil & Teds double, it takes up no more room than a single buggy and can be easily converted to a single. They are very expensive (IMHO, I've seen people describe them as not too expensive and they are about £300!) But cheaper secondhand, maybe if MIL keeps going on about it you can point out that you cannot afford a double but she is welcome to buy you this one !

[NormalityBites]

Is there such a thing as a very heavy newborn?

[LoopyLoops]

Oooh that Bambino world one looks useful.

I was thinking the same thing. DC due on DD's 2nd birthday. How long do toddlers need pushchairs for?

[RobynLou]

true normalitybites, but a single must be easier than a double? we don't have a car and go everywhere on the bus/tube can't imagine coping with a double, but a single is do-able, if a pain (exactly why we did without until DD was 18m!)

and pushing a buggy would be easier with lo in a back carry than on your front I would imagine.

[laweaselmys]

Since my nearly 20mth DD learnt to walk less than 2mths ago I don't think I would. But I didn't get on with slings particularly.

I like the look of the buggy keeping recommended up thread, that is definately the style I would go for in your situation.

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

I've got a three wheeler tandem type double buggy that I need rid of for a few quid if that would help!

[thisisyesterday]

think it depends how much walking you do

we have to walk to and from school and nursery 3 times a day and so i really appreciate the double towards the end of the day when the boys are getting tired and unwilling to walk

[RobynLou]

we used a buggy for DD from 18m-28m the grandparents still put her in one, but she walks at least an hour a day now with only occasional whining!

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

BTW it's not a Phil and Ted

[Zondra]

Personally, I don't think so.
Sorry.

There is 13 months between my 2 but, the combination of 9lb 5oz dd & a caeserean just was, too much.
After the first month 2 weeks struggling with ds in buggy, dd in sling & various shopping bags was,too much.

Was absolutely relieved when we bought the tandem pram!

There are reasonably priced options out there. Back 11 years ago, we got a great priced Graco one which was cheaper than the pram I'd bought for ds the previous year!
I'm sure there are equivalents now.

Btw- later on did try dd in single buggy with ds on buggy board. He didn't like it & it never felt very "safe" iykwim?
Ds kept letting go & stumbling off.

Anyway, hope you find a solution that suits you all.

[Mumwithadragontattoo]

I've got a 22 month gap between my two and although I have got a second hand Maclaren double I haven't used it very much.

I found it easier for the first 5 months or so to have DS in a carrier and DD in single buggy. After that DD was much better at walking longer distances so can often walk with DS in single buggy. I also put carrier under buggy so if DD gets too tired to walk she can go in buggy and DS goes back in carrier. That can be hard work if you get caught out a long way from home though!

We also take both single buggies out when DH is also there which works well. A cheap double buggy might be helpful sometimes (eg holding DD on a public toilet whilst having DS in carrier was not fun) but I think you would be able to cope without.

Good luck!

[ApocalypseCheese]

I had a double with a 2yr old and a newborn, total waste of money as I never used it.

Having said that all kids are different, dd was an excellent walker and walked the two miles to nursery and back each day with no problem

[NormalityBites]

I'm just musing really seen as I've never used a double (or a single for that matter) Easy peasy with one child of course though I've happily cared for four under fours before.

[bruffin]

I had 24 months apart and couldn't have managed without a double buggy, but i don't drive. If you are out for a while toddlers often need to sleep or have a rest. The side by side I had was fine. I used it for about a year and managed to sell it on with no problems.