Walking toddlers

[OdaBear]

Hi all

I'm currently turning to you to resolve the first of many disagreements with my husband. We are currently expecting our second child, and our first child will be 19 months when baby #2 will be born. My husband is under the impression that DS will not require a buggy of any kind when he is 19 months, as he will be walking. I've tried to explain that DS will be toddling, but is likely to become tired quickly and will therefore need a buggy for distances till he is at least 3, maybe longer or shorter. DH is adamant that we will not need a double buggy. I'm not sure what school of life he went to, but please help support what I think is correct.

Oadington x

[ZombTEE]

At 19 months? Double buggy.

[OdaBear]

Exactly, right?!

[hazeyjane]

Oh dear lord, a double buggy definitely.

Other factors apart from tiredness to consider are -

weather (easier to get out of house in rain with raincover etc)
tantrums (time out in the buggy)
busy roads (safer)
your back (most toddlers want a carry some of the time)
place to nap

I had 2 under 2 then 3 under 5, getting out of the house maintained my sanity, and our double buggy was my favourite item of baby kit.

[ZombTEE]

Also, he may not be walking all that well at 19 months! Most children are, but me? I walked at nearly 22 months!

Tell him that!

[HeffalumpsAndGoldenWoozles]

DD1 is 24 months, I wouldn't dream of going further than the (very local) park without our double buggy as she will invariably get tired at some point and a 2yo is a substantial weight to carry any distance. Agree with the safety and time out points above too.

Once you add a newborn to the equation you really can't be doing with chasing your toddler about/clinging onto their hand as they tantrum/carrying them when their little legs get exhausted as yiuve got the baby to deal with too and not enough arms to carry toddler, push newborns buggy, open doors, carry shopping etc etc!

Get a double buggy! :)

[bruffin]

I had exactly 2 years between my 2. DS was an early walker at 10 months but I still needed a double buggy for about a year until he was about 3. I dont drive so walked everywhere. I did try a sling and a buggy for a couple of weeks and I hated it.

[hmmmum]

Also, just because the toddler is walking, doesn't mean they'll walk in a straight line or go where you want them to go! My one-year-old will just wander back the way we came, or decide to go exploring off in some random direction, or up some steps.... They're too young to understand the concept of "walking to get somewhere". If you need to just go from A to B, they need to go in a buggy.
Hopefully your husband will see sense soon

[DialMforMummy]

I have 19 difference btw my two.You need a tandem/double buggy. And a good expensive inevitably one.
Using just a sling or a Babybjorn type thing is not great IMO esp when you have to pick up DC1 from the floor when he/she is having a tantrum, when you have to chase them and so on.

[lljkk]

HAhahahahaha at your DH. That's all I can say. Does he normally indulge in silly fantasies?

[Firawla]

double buggy. i've done this age gap twice and i wouldnt even consider not having a double buggy

[diddlediddledumpling]

Ds1was 2 and a bit when ds2 born, definitely double buggy.
But got rid of it before ds3 born, since ds2 was 3 and a bit by that stage. The year makes a big difference.

[alienreflux]

TELL him, you are getting a sodding double buggy!!!

[brightonbleach]

blimey, thats a very optomistic proposition!! Mine is about to turn 3 and although he will walk and behave on that walk to the local park, his pre-school, the very local shops, I still wouldnt be without the buggy for longer walks, or even for that walk to the shops should I need to buy more than 1 item! at 19m theres no way I would have even gone to the park without it... show him this thread, as its only experience sometimes that can help :)

[OdaBear]

Thanks guys - believe me, I know!! I particularly liked the 'hahahahahaha at your husband' comment. He's a bit of a prat at times and if you knew him, it honestly not worth even trying to argue a point. I actually can't believe he thinks that DC1 will be fine 'wallking'. We have aaaaaaaaages left (like 8 months). I will show him this, just wanted some support that didn't involve me having to go on and on and talk myself tired. No energy as early stages pregnant and have caught a god-awful tummy bug from my son's nursery via my son. Xx

[greenhill]

How are you supposed to carry the toddler when he is too tired to go a step further? The pushchair will already be full of your baby, all the baby stuff, the stuff your toddler needs and your stuff. Get a double buggy

[Katiebeau]

Double buggy absolutely needed.

[wanderingalbatross]

If you still have some months to go, I'd hold off on actually buying one so that DH can see for himself nearer the time that you'll need one. Then, nearer the time when you're heavily pg, send your DH out with toddler on long trips without buggy 'so he can practise walking' and let your DH find out for himself that your toddler isn't capable :)

[Nancyclancy]

Double buggy!!! My twins didn't start walking until 19 months and currently my 17 month old dd is showing no signs. And even if your ds is walking, there are times when you just need a pushchair.
Although this is probably what my dh would say if I was in your position!

[AnyaKnowIt]

My dd is 19months now, been walking since she was 11 months. I still need the pushchair.

Add a newborn into that mix and yeah, you'll need a double

[CagneyNLacey]

Apart from the fact that your toddler won't be able to walk very far, you would not believe the amount of equipment you need to load up and take with you if you don't drive/have a car. It's ridiculous. My double was only 40 quid inc car seat that clips on as was display model. Its hideous but solid and has a huge basket underneath.

I have 15 months between my two and have 2 slings that the baby hated, a tank of a double, 2 singles and a buggy board that my 22 month old is still too young to stand on for long without stepping off obliviously. Please bring your husband round to mine on a rainy day when i have to get to the local shop- NIGHTMARE

[Jergens]

You are right and your DH is living in a fantasy world.
I'm 37 weeks pregnant with DC2. DD didn't start walking independently until 20 months. It would be obvious to any observer that I'll need a double.
Love wanderingalbatross' suggestion!

[OdaBear]

Thanks guys. I just needed some other people to highlight what an idiot my husband is being. I just began the conversation casually with him this morning, and he thinks I meant we should go out and get one tomorrow!! We have a Mamas and Papas Sola to sell and a Maclaren, which I will keep. I also have a Beco baby carrier, which is aweseome, but I couldn't imagine the logisitics of carrying a delicate newborn baby in there whilst trying to lift my (extrememly strong and robust DS). Incidentally DH is also under the impressions he'll be walking as he's been very advanced with gross motor skills: he is taking steps now and has been for some weeks at just under 11-months old. He will still be tiny, hyperactive, easily distracted and stroppy at 19-months!! And yes, not to mention the paraphernalia I'll need to carry. And ironically, DH NEVER does anything on foot, where I like a walk, and like to walk wherever I can. What a pillock. (He does have some redeeming features - honest!).

[DialMforMummy]

Well sometimes men are not very practical...< Looks at DH>

[SamSmalaidh]

My DS was walking at 11 months too, but at 19 months I still used a buggy/sling. He's 26 months now and is a pretty good walker but if I'm looking after my baby nephew I have a buggy board for DS because it would take forever to get anywhere.

[OneLittleToddlingTerror]

I have a 18.5mo. She loves to walk. She walked 1/2 mile in the forest with us last weekend. But like others have already mentioned, at this age, thu are unpredictable. She walks when she wants to. She sits down when she wants to. She wanders off to look at a tree if it takes her fancy. Don't even think about hurrying her up if she fancies sitting down playing with a pinecone. She will throw a tantrum if things don go her way.

There is no way I will let her walk free on a street with traffic. Or in shops or malls.

Get a double buggy. You will need it.