What age does a child no longer need a buggy?

[mrspaddy]

Hi, I am currently in the process of getting a travel system for first baby. Due to my age, we will probably try for another before too long. Just wondering do you then need to get a double? Say if the child was younger than 2 years? I have seen people use buggy boards are these a good solution? Many Thanks

My eldest didn't like using a buggyboard. She didn't get out of her pushchair for a long time (4 ish) as she didn't enjoy walking and I ended up carrying her a lot if I didn't use the pushchair.

My youngest shows signs of giving it up now she's two. But will use for nursery run as it's a mile each way which is too much, particularly when she's tired.

With my last two we have not used a double. Baby in good (Internet, not high street) sling until at least a year, toddler in buggy, then balance bike or mini micro scooter before they are 3 years. A buggy board is another option.

My age gaps are 2 years 3 months and 2 years 8 months.

doubles are good for carting around all the crap that accompanies a baby and toddler, however

Ah yes. I too slung my second for about 8 months and as soon as I got a scooter my eldest was off on that!

My second is due when dd willbe 2.3. I dont intend to buy a double, as the buggy I've got is a Maclaren xlr so essentially a stroller for dd but it is compatable witha car seat and lies totally flatfor baby. I'm going to buy a sling so baby and toddler can interchange.

Dd is a great walker already at 20 months so I dont envisage her needig to be in the buggy much.

I think it depends on your lifestyle. If you are a bundle them in a car kind of person then a double isn't necessary. If you are a three mile stroll every morning with the dogs sort of person then you probably will need one. I would say for 2+ then a buggy board should be ok for most necessary trips, but not if you are doing lots of leisure walking. I used to do up to 3 miles per day with 2yr old & baby (through a number of small nursery/school trips) and we managed with sling & buggy board combo. Double pushchairs do seem to hold their value fairly well though.

totally depends on the child.

I had a double for mine and it was a godsend. DS1 was 2yrs 10months when DS2 was born and I did a lot of walking, into town etc which is quite far from us. He would normally walk most of the way, but we had the extra seat if he needed it, if not I put the shopping in it

with ds2 and ds3 I had only a 19m age gap, so it was far more necessary.

I tried a buggyboard with both my eldest and neither of them would stand on it. DS1 hated the vibrations from it so wouldn't go on it at all, DS2 kept jumping off randomly.
A friend of mine had one for her almost 3 year old when her second child was born and one day he got off it and ran into the road :-o so she had to leave the baby on the pavement alone while she ran into the road to catch him.
and so endeth my rant on buggyboards

I also used a sling a LOT though, esp with my second and third babies, so I would sometimes just take a single buggy and baby in sling and then the other child could hop in the bugggy if they wanted, or if i wanted a break from slinging then the baby went in the buggy

Don't forget a pushchair can be very helpful when needing to get a toddler having a tantrum home quick esp when your newborn needs feeding and it's raining, and all you want to do is run for the hills type situation :)

Totally and utterly depends on your child and your lifestyle with kids. I had DS2 when DS1 was 2.9 and never even considered a double and it's been fine. Others couldn't have coped without one with a similar gap.

Agree it depends on day to day activities and also on the child. DS hasn't been in his buggy since he was 18-20 months as he just loves to walk. But I think this is unusual; having seen friends with a gap of less than 3 years struggling without a double buggy or buggy board.

If you're buying now and intend a small gap I'd get a double buggy. The trouble with buggy boards is they can't be used to restrain... Just imagine that moment on the pavement outside your favourite shops when dc2 is screaming because of hunger/nappy etc and dc1 decides to have massive tantrum over lack of sticker purchase, lying on the floor kicking and screaming and refusing to move. The ability to bundle that toddler into a buggy and strap in will make the double buggy purchase worthwhile in a moment, I promise (voice of bitter experience!).

DD hated the pram, so we didn't use it at all. I either carry her on my back in the sling or she walks.

It definitely depends on the child.

I am planning to keep my 20 mo twins in their buggy as long as possible, they are a nightmare when running free!
If you are planning another one soon, you can get some travel systems that convert easily from single to double - I have an icandy peach. Also I think the bugaboo double one converts too, am sure there are loads more

DS will be 2.4 when DC2 arrives (in a fortnight) and we haven't got a double. We used the buggy a couple of days when we were on holiday last month and he's only been in it once since that I can recall. And that was when I had a midwife appointment so he couldn't get away or cause havoc.

He's a good walker though and a generally compliant child. If he was less biddable I'd be at least considering a double. As it is we've bought a buggy board :)

Mine are 19 months apart but my eldest was not a good walker as a toddler so I got a double for the first six months. Then got a buggy board.

If you are thinking about no2 fairly soon then maybe think of something that can be converted IYSWIM. We got a Phil and Teds - single which went flat or upright and then got the attachment that added a double seat on top. Was fab and went off raod too for dogwalks etc. When DD1 was a bit older did also use a cheapo stroller.

I think as above- depends how much walking is part of your lifestyle.

We had a double for six months then sold.

I agree that the restraining properties of a double can't be underestimated. However, how much you need this may depend on your child/lifestyle.

There's 22 months between DS1 and DD, and 23 months between DD and DS2. I've managed with a combination of a single pushchair, sling and buggy board.

The only problem I've had is when whoever is on the buggy board tries to escape, which I solved by putting reins on the child, then clipped around the pushchair. They don't get very far, and have soon learnt not to try to run off.

2.1 years between my two and couldn't not live without my double at the moment, we do lots of walking/busses/public transport and dd1 gets tired quite quickly when we walk a lot. We also use it for dd2 4mo naps meaning I can just go in and out whenever I need.

I agrer it totally depends on your lifestyle/child. We have done sling and dd1 in the buggy at times but dd2 isn't keen on the sling for long. I would defintley look at something you can convert into a double at a later date if any of those fit your criteria. But for the time you would use your double for 6-12 months, I wouldn't make that the main reason you choose your pram, I bought my double for £60 second hand so not expensive really.

I too love the restraining power of a double.

I got a double when DS2 was born (2.4 year age gap) and it's only ever been used as a single, albeit one with excellent storage capacity :o.

This isn't because DS1 doesn't need to ride anymore, oh no - he's quite far along the 'wilful' end of the toddler spectrum and although a good walker, is prone to screaming meltdowns over balloons. Also prone to bolting, so a buggy board is out. Lastly, still needs a nap most days but will only take it in the pushchair. So he uses it, although not all the time.

DS2 has ridden in the pushchair no more that ten times since birth - he is 5 months. He hates it with a passion. So I end up slinging him 99% of the time.

I am often to be seen pushing an empty buggy, carrying a baby and trying to persuade my toddler that he can't always dictate which way we walk

2.10 between mine and we're managing without a double. I do wish that I had the restraining power sometimes! We've a Mountain Buggy which either child can use, a buggy board and a sling (non high street) whoch again either child can use. It will get easier from my perspective when baby is ablw to go on my back - I struggle to carry on my front and she doesn't like being carried as much as dd1 did.

We walk quite a bit, dd1 has cerebral palsy so gets tired easily, we may well need a buggy option for longer than many. We've also got a robust maclaren umbrella stroller which we use quite a bit but baby isn't big enough for that yet.

I certainly wouldn't buy a double for a first child on the offchance that #1 may still need pushing when #2 comes along - you just can't predict at that level of detail.

whatever pram or pushchair or travel system you get now, you will be irritated with its shortcomings within 5 months and will resolve to do something different next time. This will be true no matter how much money you spend. You don't want to feel like you have no choice but to stick with it for years. So just get what you feel is right for now.

Mine was doing short journeys without the pushchair by about 20 months, and we were comfortable doing whole days out without it by 2.5. The pushchair continued to clutter up the hall almost entirely unused except for occasional incidents of illness or especially long walks (when it was mainly used as a luggage-carrier anyway) until we finally put it in the attic at about 3yo.

You could consider getting one of the ones which can be adapted to take 2 if the need arises - like an iCandy or a bugaboo donkey - but I think the hassle of the extra weight and size for all the time when you've got just the one would be unnecessary and unwelcome

There's 22 months between DS and DD and I had a Phil and Teds pushchair which I loved. My only regret was not having it in the first place for DS as it was much nicer than the mamas and papas Tavel system I had for him. Think I got into the mindset that being able to move your car seated baby into the pushchair was essential whereas DD never did and was fine.

Whatever you do in the middle, you are likely to get a couple of year's use out of a single at either end of your baby/toddler years, so I think it's worth getting something that works well as a single and then borrowing/buying second hand/doing a quick resale if you need a double in the middle. (Ofcourse, this all assumes no multiple births...).

Thank you all so much.. I think merrymouse you are right.. at either end will need the single.
We live rurally so use the car a lot. Also it took a long time to conceive this little one, so I doubt the buggy situation will even enter my mind if we are lucky enough again.
Going to get the one I love..I have looked up doubles and plenty on sale second hand if we need one for a few months so that is probably what I'll do.

We have been sensible with what we have bought anyway - didn't go for a changing station etc. but a chest drawers that will be around many years so hopefully not too much expense on the way.

Thanks again for all advice!!

Keep the weather in mind DN didn't need a buggy by her second birthday but that was the beginning of Feb so it was far to cold at the time to not have one for her if your baby is due at the start of the winter would you want them on a buggy board at 2 years in the snow?

Ds was 17 months and not a great walker when dd was born so we got a double buggy for them.

It was one if those long ones where the toddler sits at the front and baby lays flat in the back until they can sit up. It's as long as a train and very front heavy making it hard to steer and lift over kerbs and steps, therefore difficult to use on public transport and in busy shopping areas. We should have tested it out and waited until dd was actually here before buying.

Having said all that, I'm glad we had it, because it meant that I had somewhere to put ds whilst feeding dd when out, and made it easier when changing nappies etc. Also, because ds wasn't great at walking, it meant I avoided some tantrums as I didn't have to try to get him to walk whilst tired; I could just stick him in the buggy.

I have a bad back so couldn't and didn't want to use a sling.

Now ds is 2.4 and dd is nearly 11 months, he walks everywhere and she sits in a cheapy £30 stroller from argos.

I'd recommend waiting until your child is born, trying out diff options and thinking about your dc needs before buying, because it's impossible to tell whether sling/pram/walking/double buggy will work best for you.