Really torn: Peach Blossom, P&T or baby jogger

[AuntieBacterial]

Hi

I need a double pushchair for a 20 month old and newborn. I have in mind that my toddler won't want to use it for ever so I need to end up with a single pushchair I am happy with. I change my mind every day about which is the best. My gut says get the new P&T Verve or Explorer but the icandy Peach keeps on popping up and then there's the baby jogger double too... Help!

As I see it:

P&T:
Pros: I like the look of it and when my eldest decides he will no longer go in a buggy, I will at least have a pram I like the look of to use for my youngest. Roomy (in comparison to some). The seats are big enough to accommodate both children until they are at least 3/4. New verve folds with doubles kit attached so no more dismantling of pushchairs to get them in the boot (hooray!).
Cons: Lots of negative P&T reviews. Long and heavy. The biggest issue for me though is that both seats forward face. Would like to be able to see newborn for at least the first 6 months. And that rear seat looks so low down...

iCandy Peach blossom
Pros: The most compact of the 3 options. Quality pushchair, nice to push.
Cons: Too much shiny chrome - I just can't get past my impression that something about the chassis makes it look like a shopping trolley. Needs disassembling to put in the boot. Seats look small and cramped, not sure my 20m old will fit for the next 12 months. Both seats forward face (so nothing gained on P&T) and the rear seat only reclines.

Babyjogger
Pros: Can forward or rear face (:o). Can live with the appearance I think.
cons: Very long. Needs disassembling to put in boot.

Did I miss anything and what do you think?

Should I get hung up on not having the ability to have a rear facing seat for the newborn? I keep trying to convince myself that for the first 6m I would be using the car seat (rear facing for P&T and icandy) or would be able to see the baby lying flat in the cocoon (P&T) or carrycot (icandy) and beyond 6 months not being able to have baby rear facing isn't a problem. Can anyone convince me?

Heart says P&T, but head is holding me back.

[clara10]

I went for p&t for the reasons you mention...but I got the explorer. If I had my time again I'd still make this choice.

You can see baby in cocoon and maintain quite a bit of eye contact. With the youngest in the front your toddler will be able to jump in and out of back seat depending on the amount of walking they wish to do and you've a narrow buggy.

Additional cons you need to consider

• baby outgrows cocoon between 4-6m so you may be stuck for a few weeks, however, with a summer baby you won't need the cocoon by this stage and baby can still lay flat.
  
• how much sleeping in buggy do you anticipate? With the toddler seat on top sleeping is a little head-lolling for the older one. I wish I'd got the reclining hammerhead backseat as the explorer one too upright for a sleepy little one in the back.
  
• you will have very little left in the way of basket.
  

HTH

[TribbleWithoutAnEasterEgg]

With the Phil and Teds Explorer you can use the car seat to have the newborn facing you for the first couple of months if you wish. If you look on the website they have it set up like that.

Also you can get pannier bags for the Phil and Teds for additional storage.

[Guildfordnanny]

I am 9 months ahead of your newborn ie I have now a 9 month old and 2 and a half month old. I have the BJCS and BJCM, both of which are great for this age group with room to grow. I love the BJCS because it just works on every level. It's fab! The BJCM is a great side by side too. You don't say when you are due, but if its not for a while then the new Peach double's kit will make a huge difference to the Peach Blossom giving two equal sized seats which with liners removed will offer longevity. But only if you have time to wait. I have a Verve on order to hopefully arrive in the next few days and have bought that with longevity in mind because I prefer a tandem to a side by side and both seats take the same weight limits so either child can go in either seat. However I also have a Mountain Duet on order, and in your shoes, starting again, there's no doubt this would be top of my list to look at. www.bestbuggy.co.uk/category/twins/mountain-buggy-duet/
But I wouldn't get hung up on having the baby parent facing. Every time we go out whether in the car seat or pushchair my 9 month old is asleep in minutes. One of the issues I have with my BJCM is that I can't talk to my toddler easily (I have to keep stopping and running round to the side to speak to her) whereas with the BJCS she's at the top at the back and we can chat easily whilst I can see my baby sleeping facing me at the front. It was a perfect combination TBH. You can fold the BJCS with seats forward facing still attached BTW. The BJCM and BJCS seats are both roomy with great headroom for a long time to come. I don't know much about the Explorer but the word amongst my friends is that if you can find an old Sport before they disappear, that there is more room for the children between the seats. However you can't add a car seat which I know is an option for you. I don't know if any of that helps.