Pram dilema - wwyd?

[Deemented]

I have dd who will be 20 months when this one comes along.

When she was born i used a sling loads so she never really went in a pram, but my back is really bad and i don't think i'll be able to sling this next baby because of it.

When DS, almost five, was born, my parents bought me an Emmaljunga pram, the type with the carrycot and seperate seat system for when baby is older. I still have that, and used the carrycot part sporadicly with dd.

Before i knew i was pregnant, i had intened to do a spot of babysitting for a friend, so bought a Obaby double buggy in really good condition for just £30 from a car boot sale. Trouble is, it's from three months onwards.

So, my dilema is...

Baby is due in January, depths of winter. Do i use the Emmaljunga pram for new baby and buy a seat that goes on top for DD to sit on, or do i just go straight ahead and put new baby in twin stroller? Or do i sell both of them to fund a double buggy that would be suitable from birth for new baby and dd?

[ttalloo]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

My DS2 arrived when DS1 was nearly 20 months old, and I thought I could manage with DS1 in a Maclaren, carrying DS2 in a sling, because I baulked at spending more than £400 on a Phil&Ted's double buggy. I did the Maclaren and sling thing once, going downhill to playgroup, which was bad enough, but the return slog uphill did my back in and I needed three months of osteopathy to sort me out (three-quarters of the cost of a Phil&Ted's, not to mention the time wasted on appointments). I then gave in and bought the Phil&Ted's double buggy, and have never regretted it. The really nice thing about it for a winter baby is that the cocoon at the back is lovely and snug, so you need never worry about the baby getting cold. It's also easy to steer one-handed (great if you have to hold your toddler's hand on a walk) and gets in and out of doorways and buses pretty easily for such a tank.

[scratchet]

Morning!

Don't they do slings that support your back? Just thinking that if they did it could solve your problem.

If not, i would be tempted to sell both and buy a double suitable from birth. Good luck x

[alardi]

My back was bad after labour, too, it couldn't have carried a baby around all the time without lots of pain.
But if you don't think that will be an issue for you, I would plan to use the sling plus a single pram initially. If it doesn't work, then think again about all the other options.

[ChairmumMiaow]

I can't make a judgement on the nature of your back problem, but something like a woven wrap spreads the weight really evenly across your back and may well be good enough for the first three months to save you some money.

There are places that hire them out so I would suggest arranging a hire for when the baby is born, decide what double buggy you would want and where it is cheapest so if you decide its not working you can order it straight away and you're not out of pocket!

[Deemented]

I honestly don't think i could manage a sling, tbh - i have a ruptured disc and will need an op soon after baby is born to remove and replace, so a sling really isn't an option for me, sadly.

[alardi]

Ah, sorry, I misread. Right, get the seat for the Emaljunga pram, is what I suggest.

[Deemented]

Well, i think i've decided what to do. Am going to sell the prams i have and fund a double pram suitable from birth. I've been looking around and have seen one i really like - a first wheels city twin, with a carrycot base. Have tried one out today and it's really nice - easy to push and very light and easy to fold dowb ect. Have been looking on ebay - i intend to buy second hand and they are going for roughly a third of what they cost brand new.

[Pippinella]

I had one of those pram seats for toddlers for my 18 month old, it was fab! She loved being up so high and we could have little chats to each other.

[Deemented]

I think the thing that's putting me off one of the pram seats is the thought of it chucking down with raind and dd being cold and wet - obviously i'd make sure she was warm and had waterproofs, but still...

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

Hire a double for a few weeks

Good luck!

[nappyaddict]

Try an Ergo or Mom Tai both are great slings and gentle on your back too.

[diddl]

So you will have a 5yr old, 20month old & baby?
How much walking will you be doing?
Mine are 21 months apart.
I had a Silver Cross pram that is also a pushchair.
When baby was born toddler had to walk!
But shops, toddler groups,park, etc were close.
Could you have one of those platforms with wheels on the pram for your toddler?
Or do they make it awkward to push a pram?