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AIBU?

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Original poster

Does a pram exist that can accommodate non-mobile heavy 3 year old and newborn?

39 replies

zeromango · 12/07/2021 19:58

Apologies for this being in AIBU - just feeling completely stuck and anxious! My DD, who is currently 17kg, has just turned 3 and has severe disabilities (non-mobile / can't walk / tube fed / epilepsy, visually impaired etc)

DC2 is due late December / early January and I'm starting to really panic about how on earth I'll manage to take the both of them out at the same time. DD currently has a wheelchair pram, but I can't seem to find a pram that is suitable for a very heavy toddler and a newborn. I've tried a few in Mamas and Papas but she was just so big and most only up to 15kg. A few go up to 22kg but realistically I don't know how long that will last her.

I'm planning to have DC2 in a sling or wrap type thing to start with but obviously long term it's not always ideal. Does anyone have any ideas or have been in the same boat? Pram manufacturers would make a fortune making a double buggy for disabled children! Maybe I'll take it to dragons den Grin Thank you so much for any help.

OP posts:
OatyBarKid · 12/07/2021 20:02

Have you looked into buggy pods? They attach for the younger child. Probably not suitable until the youngest is able to sit up more though...

I had a city mini double buggy for my two children until my eldest became too heavy, it worked for us until he was 4 years, if the age gap had been bigger I think I would have done a sling and then buggy pod on his SN buggy.

DGFB · 12/07/2021 20:04

We also have a city mini double, I’m
Not sure of the weight but it still happily fits my almost 4yo

Heckythump1 · 12/07/2021 20:08

How about a sling/carrier for the baby? :)

AdditionalCharacter · 12/07/2021 20:10

You need something with air tyres.

When I had DS3, I needed a double as DS2 had SN and was a bolter. I had a Nipper 360 and it was so light to push with both in. Fits through doorways as well. You can buy carrycots for them, but they lie down pretty flat as well.

Imapotato · 12/07/2021 20:10

I don’t know if it would be possible to get a referral, but there’s a charity called remap. It’s retired engineers that make adaptations for people with disabilities and they may be able to find a solution to help you if there’s nothing on the market. If your dd1 has OT involvement they may be able to refer you.

AdditionalCharacter · 12/07/2021 20:11

Forgot to add, DS2 was a very tall 3 year old when DS3 was born, and it lasted us over 2 years of growth from both.

nutellamagnet · 12/07/2021 20:12

I had a mountain buggy duet that my nearly 4yr old son was still in before lockdown. I can't remember his exact weight but he was over 18kg and he's a big tall kid.

AdditionalCharacter · 12/07/2021 20:12

@Imapotato

I don’t know if it would be possible to get a referral, but there’s a charity called remap. It’s retired engineers that make adaptations for people with disabilities and they may be able to find a solution to help you if there’s nothing on the market. If your dd1 has OT involvement they may be able to refer you.
I contacted them when I was pregnant with DS3, to see if they could do something that attached to DS2's SN buggy, but they just referred me to various websites that sold buggy pods.
delilabell · 12/07/2021 20:13

freedomforkids.co.uk/shop/double-pushchairs-special-needs-children/mountain-buggy-duet-double-buggy/

How about this @zeromango?

They have several on their website freedom for kids.
Have you thought of asking variety kids for help?

delilabell · 12/07/2021 20:14

Oh sorry someone's already mentioned it Blush

MumInBrussels · 12/07/2021 20:15

We have a second hand one of these outnabout.com/product/nipper-double

I've not used it with a newborn, but it claims to be newborn-appropriate. (I have a vague recollection that there's an insert of some kind you'd need.) It fit my nearly 5 year old (though he was getting a bit too tall, but he still just about fit!) and 2 year old last summer and was easy enough to steer around that I could push them both while heavily pregnant.

Imapotato · 12/07/2021 20:16

I contacted them when I was pregnant with DS3, to see if they could do something that attached to DS2's SN buggy, but they just referred me to various websites that sold buggy pods.

Fair enough, I wasn’t sure what was available to buy, but yeah if there’s stuff you can buy off the shelf the probably wouldn’t make anything.

xyzandabc · 12/07/2021 20:17

I had a double nipper 360 that would have been fine for what you need. I don't know what the official weight limit is but I certainly had 3 kids in/on it regularly. Once managed 5, 2 in each seat and one on the footplate. The seats are pretty big, it's strong and super easy to push. I used it from newborn for dc3.

INeedtobealone · 12/07/2021 20:18

I have seen someone use a Buggypod to attach to a wheelchair but an older baby rather than a newborn.

eatthepineapple · 12/07/2021 20:19

I was also about to suggest the out n about nipper double. It can lie flat for newborn and you can get a newborn insert, or a carrycot. My 3yo and 6 month old fit well in ours.

I also have the single version and actually sat in it myself today as I needed to feed the baby!! Seemed to hold out ok haha

xyzandabc · 12/07/2021 20:19

The storage space on a nipper is pretty good too of you need to carry a lot of extra stuff with you for your disabled DC.

VainAbigail · 12/07/2021 20:31

@Heckythump1

How about a sling/carrier for the baby? :)
Op said:

I'm planning to have DC2 in a sling or wrap type thing to start with

🤦🏽‍♀️

AdditionalCharacter · 12/07/2021 20:31

Sorry @Imapotato, didn't mean to come across as snippy on my post. They're a good company, I've seen some of the work they can do, but I think they're limited regarding attachments for buggies, or at least were when I had my DC.

Caspianberg · 12/07/2021 20:32

Most doubles that are Side by side with large wheels will work. Many have extra carrycot you can add for newborn if you wanted

Thule urban glide double - 45kg weight limit, huge storage underneath if you need for medical equipment

Tfk joggster duo - large seats and weight

Also have you considered double bike trailers? They usually have high weight limits of up to x2 5/6 year olds in the doubles, and large storage. You can get baby hammocks in them to make suitable for baby. Ie Thule chariot, hamax outback

minipie · 12/07/2021 20:37

Another vote for the Nipper 360 double. Brilliantly easy to push and each seat goes up to 22kg (I reckon would hold more in reality). Also narrow enough to go through a standard doorway. And plenty available second hand if money is tight.

Terminallysleepdeprived · 12/07/2021 20:40

Uppababy vista can be a tandam and we still use for 8 year old dd who suffers muscle weakness. She is approx 27kg.

Vispa · 12/07/2021 20:46

Mountain buggy - we used our (single) Terrain for our disabled dd who was very heavy for her age. They do double versions and lie flat, so suitable from newborn (carrycots also available) x

MyrrAgain · 12/07/2021 20:47

I think there is a Phil and Teds that goes up to 25kg, and you can add another seat onto. I was looking for a Hardy double and surprised to see a lot only go up to 15kgs! My toddler was nearly 15kg when new baby arrived so they were all ruled out. Unfortunately the ruled out ones all seemed lighter and easier to fold and carry.

SlothinSpirit · 12/07/2021 20:47

The baby jogger city select (double) has a weight limit of approx 20kg per seat but in reality is built like a tank and so would probably last you a bit beyond that. You can get them second-hand quite easily.