out and about with twins

[plj]

I have 6mth DT's and am starting to struggle with them in the double buggy. Getting in and out of taxi's is hard as I don't drive, and some shops I can't even get in to. Was thinking about buying a single buggy/stroller, and carrying the other DT in a baby carrier. Any suggestions on what would be a good, lightweight, reasonably priced single buggy/stroller?

Hi plj. What sort of buggy do you have? Is it a side-by-side one? I have two buggies - an all-terrain, side-by-side one I use for walking the dog, and a stroller-type, tandem-style one I use for shopping, getting out and about, etc. The stroller tandem folds down barely bigger than a single, so no problem getting it in the boot of most cars, and it means I can get though most shops. Mine went to Australia and back when my DTs were 11 months old!

If you're looking for a basic single stroller, they start at £15 in Argos, which is fine if all you're doing is walking on hard surfaces, such as pavements and shopping arcades. £400 models are all well and good, but they are not a necessity.

Good luck.

Forgot to mention that I paid the grand price of £30 for my graco duo twin stroller. Got it off Ebay in great condition, which is worth a thought if money is a bit tight?

It is a pain with a double buggy. What sort do you have? I have a maclaren which seems to fit around most shops fairly easily (except Mothercare, bizarrely!). At 17mo I am now finding it hard to push uphill as they are pretty heavy, but they are not yet strong enough to walk for. (I treat myself to a muffin afterwards, v good exercise!).

I also have a Nipper 3 wheeler for cross country type outings, is much lighter but too bulky for shops.

I am not sure a sling is a great idea because within 6 mths or so your baby will be way too heavy for you to carry like that AND push another one, so am not sure is the answer, sorry. It might help now, but by about 12/13 mths they will be too wriggly to stay in a sling easily and you'll be back to needing to sort out the buggy situation.

I have a side by side silver cross. It is a good buggy, but shopping can be difficult. Had thought about a tandem/3-wheeler, but always imagined them being quite heavy?

Mine is well adn truly on the tip now (DTs are 4 next week) but I had the Maclaren Twin Traveller and it was the narrowest buggy there was - went through most shop doors etc. However as penona said it does tend to be quite hard to push uphill, not so smooth with its smaller wheels!

Having tried to have a baby in a sling (DD) and simultaneously push a buggy (the DTs) I would not do it again if I had to (I did it twice, felt like a packhorse and got lots of odd stares).

Hope this helps.

I have DTs (10 months) and also DS1 (2.8). I would definitely definitely not recommend having single buggy and carrying one. As I often have to carry DD (smaller twin) if DS1 has to go in buggy I can safely say that pushing buggy with a baby bigger than a newborn is not much fun and I find pushing both babies in the buggy waaaay easier (if DS1 is walking / not with us).

I have a Jané Powertwin and can fit in all shop doorways!

Having said that, if you put one of your DTs in a back carrier and push a single it might be better, but have not tried back carrier yet. I honestly would prefer to have a seat for them both.

I do also have a side by side Mclaren but hated using it. Might be because I am used to tandem though.

HM speaks sense (as usual)!

I think, if you had two single children, and one was soon to outgrow a buggy it might be worth only having a single but they are likely to need a buggy until at least age 2, probably more like 3, so you wouldn't want to be carrying one still at that age!

Was thinking the baby carrier would be a stop gap for now as had realised in a few months that it would be quite difficult! I am a bit of a light weight! Maybe a tandem would be easier in certain situations. Any suggestions for a good tandem then?

I really like the Powertwin, and esp as your DTs are 6 months now you wont have to worry about the front seat not being suitable from birth.

It is soooooooo easy to push (when not carrying a baby in a sling).

BTW I got mine on ebay (brand new but cheaper than shops) but you can also get good condition second hand ones there too.

second the powertwin - but my fav buggy was the nipper. even though it was side by side, i found it light and manoverable even when boys were 2.5/3yo. The seats looked so comfy when fully reclined as they swung from the frame rather than being rigid, the boys slept really well in it at nap time.

Both can be got from ebay pretty cheap now - but why not try and visit a shop to try one out fist before forking out for one.

Neeerly .

I am so sorry my package has not arrived yet.

My only excuse is I have had sick DCs for weeeeeks. Normally get into town on a Thursday but DS1 is ill today (and off nursery) so cant go.

How long til you finish work? Will you still get good wear out of skirt?

What about a phil and teds? Would be fine now they're six months. But I have 2 doubles (an mb urban and baby jogger city mini) and have fitted into every shop so far local or high street.

Egg, nay worries chick! I have been alternating between the dresses and the tops alongside a new pair of trousers I bought from Dotty P's.

I am still at work til end of Jan, but if you are struggling, please don't worry.

I had the twin techno and found it very heavy - ok round shops like folk have said, but lifting it in and out of boot did my back and found the nipper much better (was 9kg unloaded).

got to be a phil and ted's, narrow enough to get into shops, big wheels to carry them when both are heavy and can be used a single in the future. They're expensive, but 300 pounds in mothercare right now including double seat, and you will want to see your old buggy once you try it out.