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Original poster

Best way to transport a toddler short distances

47 replies

imindecisive · 16/05/2021 09:24

My son isn't a fan of the buggy anymore and neither am I really - too bulky. I'd like something smaller and more fun for him for going to the supermarket/nursery run/to the park. He's 16 months and I've been thinking about getting a micro trike with a safety ring/harness to keep him contained:

www.micro-scooters.co.uk/micro-trike-xl-black.html

But they're not cheap and I wonder whether in a year's time he'll be on a scooter so maybe something like the 3 in 1 pushalong scooter would be better? My concern with that is if he's having a bit of a meltdown on the way home from nursery/wants to get off and run around the supermarket there's no way to keep him on it!

www.micro-scooters.co.uk/mini-micro-3in1-deluxe-push-along-scooter-blue.html

What do people tend to use for that sort of 2 - 3yr age range? Scooters or just the buggy still?

OP posts:
supersonicginandtonic · 16/05/2021 09:27

At 16 months id stock with a lightweight buggy. More convenient for days out , folds up for car journeys abd they can nap in them.

lljkk · 16/05/2021 09:28

Shoulders

May be why my shoulders are knackered now, mind.

MindyStClaire · 16/05/2021 09:30

At 3 we're still bringing a buggy for all bar very short walks, for exactly the reason you say - if she refuses to move, it's easier than carrying her! We bring an bike or scooter too and she uses those til she's tired. I wouldn't have been anywhere near ready to ditch the buggy at 16 months.

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NannyR · 16/05/2021 09:32

At 16 months I use a buggy, as they get a bit older I take a scooter and encourage them to walk or scoot a bit and I've got the buggy for back up if they are tired.

megletthesecond · 16/05/2021 09:33

We used a 3 wheeler until school. But I walked a lot.

user1493494961 · 16/05/2021 09:34

I agree with a pp, at 16 months I would get a lightweight foldable buggy, maybe a scooter next year.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 16/05/2021 09:35

16 months is very young to be abandoning the pushchair. They get bored with being in push along trikes too! I would stick with an umbrella fold outward facing pushchair for now.

OwlIsBeingAnOwl · 16/05/2021 09:35

My ds is 3 but taller than a lot of 4yos... we still use the very bulky off-roady buggy as we walk a lot but do feel he looks too big for it! Don't care though, I know it won't be much longer till he'll be more willing to walk long distances. Also it's useful for carrying stuff!

winniesanderson · 16/05/2021 09:35

My daughter is really tall for her age and started to really look a bit too big for the pushchair. I dreaded 'helpful' comments about getting her to walk. We walk a lot every day, school runs and to nursery/work and I don't drive. So we did get one of those 3 in 1 trikes. Think it was about £15 on Facebook market place and was immaculate. We've also got a balance bike but I tend to end up carrying both child and bike with that one!

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 16/05/2021 09:35

16 months is too young to drop the buggy. My 2.5 year old didn’t even walk till 16 months and regardless of the age your DC started walking, it can’t have been very long ago. Get a more lightweight buggy.

Spindelina · 16/05/2021 09:36

Toddler sling for us (mine's a Tula but there are others).

Bvop · 16/05/2021 09:39

We used a buggy until our dc turned two, then a balance bike or their own feet afterwards, with a child carrier for long hikes.

Original poster
imindecisive · 16/05/2021 09:39

@lljkk

Shoulders

May be why my shoulders are knackered now, mind.

That's my husband's approach - I'm too much of a weakling to do it for long!
OP posts:
HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 16/05/2021 09:40

Buggy at 16 months. They don't have the stamina or coordination for a scooter/bike for any distance more than about 10 yards.

EvilOnion · 16/05/2021 09:41

I knackered my shoulder pushing a trike for DC1 so personally wouldn't recommend that unless your walk is on a very smooth path.

We used the pushchair or sling for longer walks until 3/4 years, they just hopped in and out as needed.

Original poster
imindecisive · 16/05/2021 09:42

@winniesanderson what age did you start to use the 3 in 1 from? I'm looking for something that's just for those local 10 minute ish walks to places that we do a lot.

OP posts:
4PawsGood · 16/05/2021 09:44

We changed to a lighter weight buggy which was helpful. We got it second hand.

We then moved to a scooter with a seat but they never got on with the seat.

I’d just go for this scooter tbh

www.micro-scooters.co.uk/mini-micro-scooter-blue.html

minniemomo · 16/05/2021 09:45

Umbrella buggy, 16 months is young

MinesAPintOfTea · 16/05/2021 09:45

Buggy. But it was a mile walk to nursery so when a neighbour started telling me he was too big for it I pointed out I’d never get to work on time without it!

I actually wanted the “sitting part” to be boring so that he was more inclined to get out and walk. And you can stick a scooter in a buggy basket if needed.

CuteOrangeElephant · 16/05/2021 09:47

My DD went in the sling at 16 months, not soon after she was two she would walk everywhere though

minniemomo · 16/05/2021 09:48

Remember at 16 months, a 10 minute walk takes 25 mins and if they get fractious or sleepy you'll be carrying them. Buggy and get reins, they can walk along side the buggy then get in when tired. Do forward face if you aren't already

redcandlelight · 16/05/2021 09:49

we used a carrier (ergo) at that age mainly.
leaves tou hands free.
you need something to contain baby safely at that age, they still tire quickly and have no sense of safety at all.

Equimum · 16/05/2021 10:08

At 16 months we used a sling for very short walks and where he’d be up and down. Sling folded into regular backpack so no real bulk.
We then used the buggy for longer walks. He got a scooter for his second birthday and that pretty much replaced the sling and went under the buggy for longer walks so he could scoot until exhausted enough for the buggy. DS was an amazing Walker, but we needed a buggy for quite some time so that we weren’t restricted in what we could do/ how far we could walk. I know some friend ditched them very early, but they tended to drive everywhere and not go for walks.

Vanillaradio · 16/05/2021 10:10

At that age mostly buggy. We did also use the 3 in 1 trike but the buggy was easier and the trike didn't get regularly used until 2. I would definitely say 16 months is too young for a scooter over any distance going by ds, you'll end up carrying him and the scooter!

Dustyhedge · 16/05/2021 10:16

Still buggy here for my just 2 year old. They gain a lot of stamina between 2 and 3. We’ve got her a balance bike but she isn’t really safe on it yet and it’s still a bit big as she’s weeny. A lot depends on the journeys you need to take. If you need to get somewhere on time you need the buggy for a 1 year old. If you’re pottering to the park etc abs have more time to faff you can let them walk or trike. Our buggy was much more secure than trike for dealing with tantrums.