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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What age to stop taking a buggy on holiday?

39 replies

LivvyA9 · 30/05/2023 10:07

We are going to Majorca at the beginning of June with DD who has just turned four. I am torn wether or not I should take a buggy for her. She still has a buggy and we keep it in the car and use it for days out or when she’s a bit tired and we need to get somewhere quickly. We haven’t been on holiday with her before so I am not sure what she will be like in terms of the heat and the long days.

I am hoping that we can get her settled in the buggy in the evenings if she is tired so we aren’t stuck in the villa. Worst case of scenario I can just use it as storage for the beach bag.

Would be interested to hear what others have done in the past, AIBU?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 30/05/2023 10:09

It depends on what you want to do on holiday. Many people, who do a lot of walking and want to stay out late, use them for children up to five. I don't understand limiting what you do to suit a pre school child, which many do on here.

Daffodil92 · 30/05/2023 10:11

I definitely still took a buggy at this age-in fact, I took one long after they’d stopped using it at home. Holidays are knackering for kids. Plus, like you, didn’t want to be stuck in at night time. My kids would snooze in a buggy whilst we wandered around or watched a show.

Ponoka7 · 30/05/2023 10:11

Also, as you've said, they are great for carrying beach bags/toys/drinks etc. I think buggies are easier, on holiday, because they are smaller than the trolley type pull alongs that people use at festivals.

PuffinsRocks · 30/05/2023 10:11

I would take a little umbrella pushchair because you can guarantee if you don't then you'll need one.

Original poster
LivvyA9 · 30/05/2023 10:13

Daffodil92 · 30/05/2023 10:11

I definitely still took a buggy at this age-in fact, I took one long after they’d stopped using it at home. Holidays are knackering for kids. Plus, like you, didn’t want to be stuck in at night time. My kids would snooze in a buggy whilst we wandered around or watched a show.

100% I think even if she doesn’t use it in the day it will be useful for the evenings, I just hope she doesn’t mind napping in it still.

OP posts:
Ecosl · 30/05/2023 10:15

100% take it.

I miss mine just for the general STUFF

Also it's hot so easier to push than carry after day at beach etc

Gemily2222 · 30/05/2023 10:20

We took one last year for my 5 year old and I'm so glad we did. Her younger cousin had one too and she has asked me if we can take it again this year and she's now 6 - she definitely would never want me to use it in this country. It was handy for carrying all the beach gear up and down to the beach and don't need to hire an extra sunbed and little legs get tired much quicker. Also we were directed to the family queues at the airport so that was an added bonus and meant we could stay out later on an evening 😉

AlwaysMissingHome · 30/05/2023 10:21

We still took one at that age. More walking and activities meant that our children got tired some days, so it was good got a rest or nap for them. And definitely useful so we could stay out at night, they’d happily sleep in their stroller and then be transferred into bed without waking properly.

Toottooot · 30/05/2023 10:25

Took one for my 3 year old and they refused to even look at it. Maybe if you’re going to be out late at night and you want your kid to sleep whilst you are out it may be beneficial - we took ours to bed when they were tired so not needed.

ContinuousProcrastination · 30/05/2023 10:27

We don't take one (dd is nearly 4). But then she is a good walker & is used to using a scooter or bike at home so hasn't been in a pushchair for at least a year (we got rid of it months ago). Neither of my kids ever slept deeply in a pushchair so it didn't suit us to take one so we could stay out late with a child asleep in one etc.

Duhduhdub · 30/05/2023 10:49

If she’s still willing to get in it, I’d definitely take one.

Dollmeup · 30/05/2023 10:56

Ask her and see if she would be willing to use it. My almost 6 year old likes to go in her little sisters for a break if we are on days out and will be gutted when we stop taking it!

Nevermind31 · 30/05/2023 11:31

We stopped when DC was four as he was way over the weight limit and we never used it on holiday.
but then we always have a hire car and aren’t out super late (DCs go to bed around 9ish on holiday). Would never take the buggy to the beach and am just so relieved that we don’t have the buggy anymore

takealettermsjones · 30/05/2023 11:44

If you still use it occasionally at home I would take it. Heat is knackering for young kids and it's so useful to have somewhere they can rest, sleep, get a bit of portable shade etc.

I'm going later this year with a three year old and a younger child (who definitely needs one ofc), and only planning on taking one buggy for youngest... I'm dreading it 🤣 I might snap and and buy a double!

Bunnycat101 · 30/05/2023 11:48

Depends what you’re doing but it can be v useful for airport. If I was doing something like Disney I’d have no hesitation taking it for a 4yo. If I was going an AI I might not bother unless the flights were night flights. Last year our flight was delayed for 4 hours and I’d have probably had a breakdown if we hadn’t had the buggy for our then 3yo.

Mindymomo · 30/05/2023 11:57

We took a fold up umbrella type for my 3 1/2 year old, he slept a lot in the day, so we could have long lunches or pop him under sun shade where he would sleep. The following year we went to Disney Florida where we hired buggies in each theme park. I would get a double buggy so my 6 year old could also sit in also, as he got tired in the heat walking around.

Phos · 30/05/2023 11:59

I feel like if you still use it at home then you’ve answered your own question really. My daughter hasn’t been in one since she was 2 but she’s a good walker and can cope with reasonably late nights. They’re all different.

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 30/05/2023 12:15

I don't think it's about age, I think it's about what she has at home. My DD is nearly 4 and is a great walker because she hasn't used a pram at all in over a year because that's when DD2 was born and we didn't ever take 2 prams with us or buy a double buggy. But if your DD still uses it sometimes at home I would definitely take it on holiday, and use it to help carry things a it is much easier having a pram to cart things around in!

Lkgcsr · 30/05/2023 12:18

After forgetting a buggy and trying to manage a small child in the airport with bags I’d say take the buggy even just for the airport. Trying to carry a heavy child when you’re walking miles to the gate with your carry on or at stupid o’clock waiting at security is not something I want to repeat

cuckyplunt · 30/05/2023 12:18

I borrowed one for Disney World when my youngest was nearly 4, absolute godsend. Put my 6 year old in it a few times too. Good for sitting in airports waiting for check in etc too.
I still miss a buggy on a day out, perfect for loading bags etc.

Growlybear83 · 30/05/2023 12:27

My daughter was 3 when we first took her abroad, and it never crossed my mind to take a buggy.

SparklyBlackKitten · 30/05/2023 12:29

She is 4?????please leave it at home and stop babying her 🤐
But considering it is too late for that now: take the bloody thing

But wean her off it when you come back.
Kids can walk. They don't have to be wheeled everywhere 😅

gogohmm · 30/05/2023 12:34

I would at 4 as they are useful in the evening if they are tired and you want to stay out

PainAuChocowhat · 30/05/2023 12:59

We went to Majorca last week and didn’t take a buggy for DD 2.5 however she rarely uses a buggy at home (decent public transport options, nursery close by) so she’s used to walking a lot. She was fine walking to & from gates in the airport, and perched on the top of one of the bigger bags once we passed baggage reclaim. I did umm & ahh about taking it for evening use but she naturally kept to her normal bedtime plus the hour ahead and frankly, DH & I were pretty pooped by the time her bedtime came around anyway so it ended up being a non-issue for us. There was nothing we balked at doing because of the lack of buggy.

Clementinesucks · 30/05/2023 13:00

What? Bloody hell ours was gone by the time the youngest was three.

People putting their six year olds in one…. Unbelievable. That can’t actually be happening.