To ask you knowledgeable lot whether I need a double pushchair?

[NomDeClavier]

DS is 2.3, will be 2.9 when DC2 arrives in December. We live in a second floor flat, no lift, so the pram lives downstairs. Everything is within walking distance. When baby is 3ish weeks old DS will be back at nursery - dark drop off, dark pickup and still needs a conveyance of some kind as he's knackered afterwards.

I'm looking at a Babyjogger Cityselect which can be a single or a double. I have a city mini and a collection of slings and am getting a buggy board.

Pros:

I can have them both confined in case of tantrums/escapeeism.
If it's foul weather they're both under cover
Will go offroad and the city mini won't

Cons:
The carrycot collapses if it's not attached to the pram.
Expense
Space

So do I need one? Is it worth the expense? Should I look at the mini double instead?

It was definitely worth it for me. DS1 and DS2 have the same age gap as you will have. I was planning to just use a buggy board but, after weeks of him lying down in shops, grabbing everything in sight or running off, I cracked. I bought an I Candy Peach which can be a single or a double really easily. It was brilliant! DS2 is 11 months now though and I haven't used the buggy as a double for several months and probably wont again. So, financially, it wasn't worth it, but it made my life so much easier.

No, you don't necessarily need one. For the first few months, you can alternate with sling + pram/pram + buggy board. See how it goes. No need to decide (and spend) now. Age difference between my ds1 and 2 was exactly 2 years and we never had a double, despite nursery runs (on a commute to my work nursery) and lots of public transport.

I'd say probably not worth it, my DS1 is 2.9 now and DS2 is 18m younger. I have no car, and used the double loads in the first 6 months or so, but all winter DS1 walked. I've used the double about three times since.

Ds3 was 23 months when ds4 was born, by the time he was 2.2 he wouldn't go in the double at all! I wish I'd bought a second hand one. I paid £400 for mine and sold it for £150 hardly used a few months later.

Ds1 2.2 when.ds2 was born. I was given a double, took it out maybe 5 times, and ds1 hardly.sat in it.

In the end I used the single, and carried a sling. Then if ds1 was tired and wouldnt walk I could sling the baby.

I have 2.2 between mine. Didn't have a double and didn't miss it. I think a lot depends on whether your elder one is a bolter and/or still naps in the buggy.

If I had a third I would consider it as, even at 4, Dd1 can't necessarily walk the full half hour or so I often go to snd from places (just under 3 miles all in).

Watching with interest. DD will be 25 months when DC2 arrives and just researching doubles now. Can't decide between Phil and Teds and the Babyjogger. Incidentally, I'm in the US and everyone here raves about the Babyjoggers so might be the way to go?

I would, it will make your life so much easier.

We hardly used our double - 24 month gap - but every now and again it was a real sanity saver. 2nd hand p and t. Will sell soon, nd will prob have cost a v well worth it £100.
If no double, sling for baby, buggy for toddler.

Absolutely, pick one up second hand.

Pick up a second hand double and even of its not used for long you can sell it on.My DS1 is almost 4 and a lazy sod .He loves to go in a buggy still.

I'm not sure at that age.

I know I used our double until our twins were about 3 and a half and had the baby in a sling, but TBH, from about age 3 I normally used the baby in a single pram and then a buggy board. (The bigger ones are better if you go for that option!)

It totally depends on your individual DC. I had a double for a while as I had 3 under 3yo, but DS2, DD1 and DD2 walked everywhere from age 2. I wouldn't rush into it and see how little you can get away with using pushchair now. You may find that in another 6 months DS would be happier walking anyway.

Wait and see and then if you decide you need one, buy second hand

Moby or other stretchy wrap for baby, with a big waterproof coat over the top. Lightweight single buggy for toddler, by the time baby's big enough for the buggy your toddler will be walking anyway!

I only have the one but also live in a flat, no downstairs storage though. I wouldn't get out if i had to faff with a buggy all the time.

I bought a City Select (DD1 was 2.7 when DD2 came along) and it's only been used as a double about half a dozen times. It's quite big - long - as a double, especially when you're using it with carrycot and seat rather than just two seats. And it's heavy with two in; with DD1 in the lower seat I could barely lift it up kerbs! Just something to bear in mind; I'd definitely recommend trying one out before buying if you can.

I'll be selling mine as soon as DD2 is out of her infant carseat, as that's the only thing we still use it for.

I was planning on getting one whilst pregnant with dc2. ds1 would be 2.4 when dc2 would be born....however dc2 turned out to be DTD&S!!! hence I had a double for the babies and ds1 had to walk which actually turned out fine. it has been rare that I wished I had a pushchair for ds1. there is the odd occasion where a buggyboard would have been useful though.

on the odd occasion I went for long walks I would sling one of the twins and put ds1 in the pushchair. ds1 now 3.7 and definitely haven't wished to strap him in in nearly a year now.

the double I have is the graco Quattro tour which is fab as its tandem so good for doorways and narrow pavements! it is quite heavy to push, especially as DTs are getting bigger!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pushchair_chat

yabu

My DS2 is also due in December and DS1 will be 2.6. I've been having the same thoughts, and have ended up buying a second (or more?) hand twin stroller for £46 from ebay. I only expect to use it for a month or two, if at all, but I just want to have the insurance policy as I am not convinced I can rely on DS1 to stay put on a buggy board and tantrums, wandering off and not responding to my requests to come back are still a common occurence. At that price I am expecting to be able to sell it on again for pretty much the same price, so I shouldn't be out of pocket too much, if at all. Its an Out n about 360 double buggy (side my side, but slim enough to fit through standard doorways, and suitable from birth).

Dd1 was 2.1 when dd2 came we have a second hand double and still use it everytime we go out, and we are four months in, I can relax when I am walking down the road as I know they are both safe. We also walk everywhere but the pushchair also fits on the bus and in a black cab which is handy.

We have the same age gap as you and don't have one, we have a buggy board but ds1 hasn't used that much either. I think it depends on how good a walker yours is tbh, I have friends with the same age older ones as mine who need the double.

I wouldn't bother but as others have said depends on your DC. DS1 was 2.5 when DS2 was born and already hated his buggy. I got a buggy board instead for longer trips and he much prefers that - we call it the skateboard :)

I could not have managed without a double with that gap. Back to bad for slings & tired grumpy children do not stand still or cooperate with buggy boards. That said, I think I would plan to try to a buggy board in OP's position & then see how it goes. No shame in a double. Mine were still on buggy boards or in double buggies until they started school, later even. That must be why they win cross country races nowadays.

*too bad...