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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think a 2.5 year old doesn't need a pram?

200 replies

Sissynova · 05/07/2023 09:02

Will have two months less than a 2.5 year age gap, nursery is a mile walk 5 days a week and we do all the usual days out on the weekend.
Would you just use the pram for the baby when you didn't want to carry them all day?
Is 2.5 too young to sit properly on a buggy board or walk 2 miles a day??Would a 2.5 year old need a pram to nap if you are out of the house all day?

OP posts:
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olympicsrock · 05/07/2023 09:04

Toddler in buggy if tired , baby in a baby carrier.

StillTryingtoBuy · 05/07/2023 09:05

Don’t get a double - sling for baby, buggy board and then you have options.

PerspiringElizabeth · 05/07/2023 09:05

Yep - get a buggy board and a baby carrier.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 05/07/2023 09:05

Toddler will be tired after a day at nursery. A mile is long after a day of playing. My 2 year old would take ages to walk that and then probably ask to be carried. Can you take a balance bike?

MrFlibblesEyes · 05/07/2023 09:05

Depends on the child. My 3.5 year old wouldn't do a mile walk home after a busy day at nursery!

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 05/07/2023 09:06

Depends on the toddler really. My oldest wouldn't have my youngest would.

Devto21t · 05/07/2023 09:06

Both of mine did still need a pram sometimes at two and a half - over 3 one was done with it. It depends on the kids, some will do that walk at two and some will struggle much later.

id do baby carrier - buggy boards can be dealt awkward to wheel.

PuttingDownRoots · 05/07/2023 09:06

Some will, some won't. I had a 20 month gap with a very compliant toddler... mostly we managed with sling and buggy board, but needed the double occasionally.

FuckTheLemonsandBail · 05/07/2023 09:07

Depends on the kid. Mine is 3.5 and likes a mix between walking and between carried when we go places, sometimes cos his legs are tired or he wants the comfort of being held. Which, as you can imagine, is hell on the back for any distance. So we still take the pram with us places from time to time so he can choose between pram or walk.

I think if you have a stubborn toddler who doesn't want to walk you'll be glad of the pram. Trust me, I've tried EVERYTHING and when he wants to be carried and I don't want to he'll just not move. It's been a really difficult part of parenting for me and my back is fucked.

Lipolass · 05/07/2023 09:07

Walking a mile is really slow with a toddler, especially after a long day at nursery and even more so when it’s pouring, cold or they need a poo! Definitely use a pram and a buggy board and/or sling.

SprinkleRainbow · 05/07/2023 09:08

Depends on the 2 year old to be honest. My first was out of a pram and walking everywhere by 2, I could trust them to hold my hand and understand roads weren't safe. My youngest is over 2.5 and still rely on their pram if we go out, doesn't stop when told and won't hold hand reliably. If they have reins on they'll just sit on the floor and refuse to get up 🤣 wouldn't trust my second without a pram.

RandomMess · 05/07/2023 09:08

Depends on the child.

Cheap in line Phil & Ted 3 wheeler so handy!

When the toddler has a tantrum, when it's pissing down with rain, for long days out, when the toddler is a bit off colour.

Also depends on if you love using a sling or not. I am very short, had huge babies and in reality found it claustrophobic and suffered badly with very painful breast engorgement. It was also so so hot. Was gutted but in reality hated slings.

Mosavian · 05/07/2023 09:08

If you’re one of those folks (like me) that can’t use a sling, then a good tandem would work for you. Buggy boards are fine but they are also shin-crackers! There are lots of possibilities for you but personally, a carrier wouldn’t work for me and I’d have to go the tandem route.

Retrain12345 · 05/07/2023 09:08

I bought a double (18month gap so a fair bit smaller than yours) but it’s been invaluable. Days out, chucking them both in while running into the shop, school run with tired toddler, nap time when someone falls asleep on a dog walk. My toddler has been walking a while but it’s still easier and faster to strap her in sometimes.

I got mine second hand from marketplace and it was worth every penny!

PhotoExplosion · 05/07/2023 09:09

Depends on child, weather, whether you have to be on time etc. is it your only transport? What will you do if one is ill? Carrying a baby on your front and having to lean forward to push a buggy is not great for your back.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 05/07/2023 09:09

A mile at adult pace pushing a buggy is very different to a mile at toddler pace - especially when that toddler has been at nursery all day and is exhausted.

phoenixbiscuits · 05/07/2023 09:10

Personally I'd get a double. 2.5yo here, we don't do a great amount of walking but I'd do less if I had to carry a baby to have a toddler in the pram and I'd drive more because it's not worth the hassle.

ZacharinaQuack · 05/07/2023 09:12

I will have the same age gap but baby is not due till December and I think I just have to wait and see. I normally like to have everything prepared in advance, and 2-year-old is a great walker, but there are loads of variables and toddlers change so much in a few months. E.g. toddler might still be napping (+1 for buggy) or might not. People always say 'use a sling for baby', which is great in theory but you don't know how recovery from the birth will go and whether you'll be able to.

Oliotya · 05/07/2023 09:12

We've got a similar age gap and a double has been invaluable. Even now at 3.5 the older one still goes in on occasion. There's nothing worse than trying to make a tired toddler walk. A mile is a long way for little legs, and even if they can manage, will probably be painfully slow.
Ours is a phil&teds so barely bigger than a single with a buggy board.

Original poster
Sissynova · 05/07/2023 09:13

olympicsrock · 05/07/2023 09:04

Toddler in buggy if tired , baby in a baby carrier.

Doesn't really work until the baby is around 6 months though as it either needs to be set up for baby or for toddler.

OP posts:
aSofaNearYou · 05/07/2023 09:14

My DD has been doing this since about 3/3.5, but I think you'd be pushing it at that age and walking very slowly even if they did do it.

I'd get a buggy board.

VivaVivaa · 05/07/2023 09:15

I wouldn’t trust my 3 yo to happily walk a mile after a day after nursery. On the days he would, it would take forever as well. About to have number 2 and I plan on baby in the sling and keeping the pushchair for 3 yo to jump in and out of. There are loads of doubles on FB market place and the like if you don’t fancy a carrier.

Original poster
Sissynova · 05/07/2023 09:16

MrFlibblesEyes · 05/07/2023 09:05

Depends on the child. My 3.5 year old wouldn't do a mile walk home after a busy day at nursery!

They can walk it now at almost 2 but not every day and it obviously takes FOREVER. Hard to gauge how it will be in 6 months time.

OP posts:
Lolloped · 05/07/2023 09:16

Baby carrier and buggy board. Then whichever child needs the pram/pushchair can use it. Mine had 2 years 8 months gap and the older one has SEN so sometimes needed the buggy up till 4. We walked miles with one or the other in the pram.

When baby was in carrycot my 2 year old would stand on buggy board, lean on cot and sleep if he was tired.

Original poster
Sissynova · 05/07/2023 09:17

StillTryingtoBuy · 05/07/2023 09:05

Don’t get a double - sling for baby, buggy board and then you have options.

Sling doesn't really give options as that is just committing to toddler in pram and having to carry baby 100% of the time as it would need to be set up for either a baby or older child seat.

OP posts:
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