Double for 3 year old & newborn

[OrdinarySoup]

Hi there - number 2 is due in May and having thought through buggy boards, sling + buggy, I think we will need a double buggy for various reasons. We've looked at the City Mini and Easy Walker - the CM still fits my 3 year old who is on the small side, but the Easy Walker can face the baby towards me, which I really like. Dies anyone have any thoughts on these 2 or any others that I haven't mentioned? Gotta go - said 3 year old colouring herself blue to get my attention....

[Ihateparties]

If you get a post 2011 city mini then it takes a carrycot.. I think that's the right year. The city mini gt double does, that would be easier to push with a 3 year old in too.

[noblegiraffe]

Does the 3 year old need a buggy? I use a sling and hold the hand of my 3 year old, which is a lot easier than faffing with buggies.

[surroundedbyblondes]

We have an Easy Walker and we love it! DC are 2 years apart and we used it loads when they were tiny but even now, two years later, it is incredibly useful. It's large and sturdy so it suits our needs, but I don't think it's something that we could easily take on the bus or round town.

[forevergreek]

I wouldn't get a double with a 3 year old tbh.

[Ihateparties]

Well.. I wouldn't either but that wasn't what was asked

The OP gives every indication of having considered their other options.

[OrdinarySoup]

Thanks, Ihateparties! For those asking, yes a buggy is needed - got a kamikaze 3 year old and need to be able to get safely along very busy roads with her, shopping and baby. I have considered other options and spoken to people about what they do and have decided we will need a double for at least the next 6 months. If you disagree, that's fine, but I had asked for views on doubles and for those who have offered help thank you! Will keep an eye out for both on EBay.
Surroundedbyblondes, do you have a single buggy too? Debating whether it would be worth hanging onto ours as storage space is at a premium...!

[ariane5]

I use a p+t sport for my 3 yo and 11mo, when he was newborn he was in the cocoon and dd on doubles seat above, he is now in doubles seat behind and is really comfy in it.

We also had a maclaren twin triumph which use quite a bit as it folds so small and fits in car easily, we had to pad it out a bit when ds2 was really tiny though to make it comfier as the seat was quite hard.

[Ihateparties]

I also have a kamikazee just 3 year old, to go with the even more kamikazee 5 year old etc understand that people have vastly different needs

Whether you hang onto your single might depend how much you like it? I do kinda think that with your age gap you will want a single unless you plan to use a sling? Whether you have one the whole time or swap when you no longer need the double is up to you I guess.

On the surface I like tandems for siblings, even more so for when you are buying for a slightly larger gap. I'm wondering actually if a Mountain Buggy +one might work well for you, double and single in one and well capable of taking a 3 year old.

[Tiggywunkle]

I had lots of doubles for my 3 year old and am looking at options ie Twofold for my 4 year old for occasional use!! We had busy roads and my eldest was a loose cannon, totally capable of heading home on her own!

The Easywalker is good - however I have to say the foot rest is at a bit of an odd angle in relation to the seat. It looks ok until you put a child in. The child is slightly reclined, and really thus needs a slightly reclined footplate like the Baby Jogger Elite one is.
My other quibble with the Easywalker is that the reclines are zip reclines. Plus if I remember correcly they are metal zips so can be hard to do and undo. To get a baby flat involves undoing 4 zips in total - 2 on each side. It was very hard to get your hand between both seats to do this. For this reason alone, I would steer you towards a Baby Jogger - but the City Mini GT rather than the Mini. Like parties says - add the carrycot on the top for parent facing.
I also like the Bumbleride Indie and the TFK Twinner Twist Duo (which does have a zip recline but has handy loops for your fingers and great footplates and comfy seats - more positives to sell the zip recline to me!

Do look at the Mountain Buggy +One, but understand how it works well. Also look at the Micralite Twofold and TFK Joggster Twist with Multi X carrycot and buddy seat - but be aware of there being no wheel guards so this depends on how good your toddler is.

[OrdinarySoup]

Thank you so much, Tiggy and Parties - lots to look at! Much appreciated.