Buggies

[LyraBelaqua]

What type of buggy have people found the best for a 2 yo and new baby? I just dont know what to get, double/tandem or one of those v expensive 2 seater thingies? Any recommendations please

Hi, I recently bought a Baby Jogger City Mini Double for my 2 year old and new born and I love it! It's so easy to manoeuvre and fold and isn't that heavy to lift (compared to Quinny Buzz which I bought for DC1). The hoods are also great as you can pull them right over the seat so no need for a separate sunshade. My only gripe is that the shopping basket isn't that easy to access, at least for bigger items, but it is generously sized.

I like that one but do you find it fits easily around shops and stuff?

I used Phil and Teds Sport, which I thought was fatastic at first, if I had anothrer go, I would use nippr 360 or sometthn similar because it's looks lovely to have them side by side.
City mini is the best single pram I ever had, strong light and unbelievbly easy to fold, perhaps the double also as those good points? If so, you're on to a winner

I have just bought a Mothercare Hoxton tandem today for 2 year old and nearly 3 month old... will have to let you know how it goes!

I bought this one as it is smaller than a lot of tandems and I wanted to be able to keep taking the bus without being stressed trying to load an extra big buggy in the piddly pushchair/wheelchair space. Also wanted to be able to go into shops without knocking the displays over!!

Yes shops are my only concern other than how light a buggy is. I like to see the kids sat side by side but it would be a bummer if we couldn't get into the places we want togo. So much to think about :)

We have a phil & teds sport. It gets us everywhere we need to go and my older child has always been able to hop in and out as we go along. Still use it now they are 4.6 and 2.6. Not as nice to push as other 3 wheelers IME, but it's bearable.

We did have a second-hand side by side 3 wheeler (Mothercare urban detour double) for a while and it was lovely to push and loads of space underneath for shopping but it didn't fit through the front door and I hated unloading it in the rain on the front garden so we went back to the p&t. They can also fight if they sit side-by-side. Mind you, mine can argue and bash each other from the front and back of a p&t .

we have a p&t, i do like the look of side by side but p&t is quite difficult to get through some smaller doorways and down aisles of corner shop etc so i cant imagine how i would have managed it with a side by side one, and then the thing of them arguing or taking each others toys etc, so p&t is good to give them each their own space. there are some downsides to it like not much space in the basket but i have the hooks on it for shopping bags so that is fine. i'm going to stick with p&t for ds2 and 3 to share as have been happy enough with it with ds1&2, it fits easily on buses, possible to take it in escalators whereas longer tandem i dont think i could, just fits into smallish lifts etc. dont think a side by side would fit thru my front door or front gate either which i imagine as a huge pain in the ass, because i never fold up my buggy i just leave it open in the house all the time, so couldnt be doing with all that unfolding and unloading, especially if any babies have fallen asleep in it

I bought a 2nd hand double,we have a 26 month gap. I think we used it about twice!

We mainly used a buggy board or sling and single pushchair. However DP was around most of the time so I didn't take them out much on my own to start with.

There is no perfect buggy IMO. Ours was side by side M&P,they were both comfy but i wouldn't take it into high st shops as although really narrow was still wide down some aisles.

Maybe a Phil & Teds 2nd hand then sell it on after.

By the way I used a wrap type sling for newborn stage and now a Sleepy Nico which is really good even for my chunky 25lb DS.

I also have a double bike trailor which converts into a double pushchair, and I, surprisingly, managed to take the bus into town with it with both kids in it, so you'd be surprised at what provisions there are now, that's about the width of a wheelchair I would say. It's corner shops which are impossible though.

I have a phil and teds sport which is falling to peices if anyone wants it lol, the foam on the bar you push is coming off and it needs a new doubles seat cover, fabric basket is split at seams so needs stitching with some strong thread. Other than that the frame is solid as anything, good wheels too.
£50 quid and it's yours anyone? :p (I payed £170 for it second hand)

Oh mumof2 that buggy sounds the perfect price for me haha. Mumcah I was thinking of sling option to begin with sounds a good idea as I have one already

we will have a similar age gap and have just bought a cossatto ditto. Haven't started using it yet but figure that I will use sling + single or sling + walking toddler a lot of the time. We needed something small for the car more than anything. Having looked at it it does recline really well and with the addition of a headhugger and footmuff (which we already have) I think will be perfectly fine for DC2.

Wanted to add I have just started using my second hand Mothercare Hoxton tandem [bought on ebay for around £40].
It is a little heavy with 2.1 year old sitting at front and 3 month old in back but generally very manageable. And it is really very compact, not much bigger than my original single Mamas and Papas Luna. I think it will fit in shop aisles perfectly and also be good for restricted space on London buses.
Also folds up nice and neat and easily fits in the not over large boot of our sedan car [easier than the Luna buggy did].

I am also keeping my single buggy and the sling. Toddler will also walk some of the time. So now feel I have all transport options covered!
I considered a buggy board but just felt that DS1 was too young for it as he does like to walk but gets tired and also needs to sit and rest when we are out and about.

Thanks thats good to know as I looked at Hoxton and its not even very expensive new.

Lyra, just wanted to say if you are quite short and slight the Hoxton may be a bit challenging... It is a little heavy with both children in it and I think I will have to lean my weight on the back to make it tip up to get it up on a bus IYSWIM. This is not much of an issue for me as I am 5'6" in height and fairly sturdy in build . But I can understand why some user reviews of the Hoxton said they found it heavy and difficult to manouevre.

But otherwise I really like this buggy. I took it to the local shops yesterday and had no problem with it in my cramped and crowded Red Cross charity shop - that is a true test of how compact this buggy is! And my 2 year old loves the seat at the front - he call it his "car" and I think it makes him feel quite free and independent, different from being strapped into his Luna.

Perhaps would be an idea to try the buggy out with your two children in it at your local mothercare?

Yes think I will wait until after the birth to buy one so as I can try them out