Will I need a double buggy?

[Luisaa]

I’ll soon have 3 children (5yo, 3yo and newborn). The soon-to-be 3yo is a bit of a runner when out of the pram, unless he is on his own with me. If big brother is around then the two of them tend to run everywhere and play around - which is why I am considering a double buggy for 3yo and newborn as I keep thinking about times when I will be out and about with all 3 of them on my own, it will be easier for me to contain the 3yo rather than have him running off with the 5yo!

On the other hand I can’t help but think 3 years of age is potentially on the border of being classed as too big for a buggy…

A buggy board wouldn’t sort it as he would keep getting off in order to run around with big brother. Any thoughts?

I say no. We never use buggy with our 3 year old, probably haven't for 6+months. Also a mum of 3. When I want them to stay near me or in a specific place give very direct explicit instructions (hold onto the buggy, hold onto the car door being examples, not just 'stay there').

Consider worse case scenario you're in a car park/by a busy road and 3 yo bolts. Baby will be safe in pram/car seat and 5 year old should listen to instructions to stay put, you can chase/grab 3yo. Depends on the DC though, my elder 2 are ok listeners so I didn't worry too much. If 5 to also a flight risk maybe you need the double. If you do, definitely buy cheap and cheerful second hand as doubt you'll get much longevity out of it. Also consider reins/back pack with strap?

I have a 3.5 y/o and a nearly 6 month old, I was torn for the same reason as you my 3 y/o is a runner, so we bought one and truly we’ve used it maybe 4 times.

I find we I put the baby in the carrier a lot as when we go to parks 3 y/o wants me to play with him. If we go to the shops the double pram was so cumbersome I switched to using one of those double seat trollies or putting baby in the carrier. Soft plays/role play villages, again I use the carrier or pop baby in a highchair now.

I don’t have three children so I appreciate it’s not the same. But maybe buy a cheap 2nd hand one & see how much you use it.

I had the same age range and never wanted the hassle of a double buggy. Baby went in a sling for as long as possible, then a back carrier, and by the time she was too heavy for me, DS (middle one) was a much more reliable walker. I was walking my dog twice a day, as well as the school run for the eldest, it was ok.

My child was a bit younger she was 2 years 9 months when her brother was born and I bought the out n about nipper double . It was honest to god a life saver. I lived near the town centre so we’d never use the car I always walked so having the double was ideal when she was tired or being a pain in the arse 😂😂😂. It was also great for my own mental health to get out and walk. I’ve actually lovely memories of the three of us and that buggy.

My DD was 3.5 when younger DD was born and we never had a double buggy or a buggy board. But she was really good and walked nicely next to me, she was also quite active, liked walking and hadn’t used a buggy much at all after 2.5

Younger DD was more of a “runner” though and did go in the stroller sometimes until about 3.5 so I think if I’d had another baby when she was 3 I probably would have got a cheap/second hand double buggy to use for a few months.

You could also plan to have the baby in a sling and the 3 yo in a stroller, or have pack pack reins for the 3 yo to stop him running off.

I did get a double and used it a lot with these age gaps. I walked nearly everywhere.

Same gap with mine and a runner also! We used a board but he'd hop off when he saw something of interest, so I brought a back pack he'd wear with a single strap rein. Used that thing everyday!

I have 3, my youngest two are just turned 3 (last week) and 3 months. We didn’t get a double buggy but I’ll be honest there’s times one would really come in useful. Eg on days out - 3 yos little legs get tired which means one of us carrying him. If I have both of them together I’ve been taking the stroller with me lay flat and parent facing with the footmuff on for the baby and putting the carrier in the basket. If toddler gets tired (or tanting…) he can go in the buggy and baby in the carrier.