Should I invest in a double buggy?

[SleepForTheWeek]

DD1 is 2.9 and DD2 is 7 weeks.

I didn't buy a double or even consider one tbh as DD1 very rarely used her pram/buggy. This was more buggy refusal rather than a desire to walk, and although she would walk round the block and the half mile into town with me she would always end up wanting carried when her legs got tired.

Since DD2 was born she's rediscovered her love for her buggy and wants to go in it when we go out a walk. At the moment it's OK as I can just pop DD2 in the wrap and the weather is OK. I have a dog that needs walking and it's much easier if DD1 goes in the buggy (if only she would do that 6 months ago!!!)

We are away visiting family just now and have brought both the buggy and the pram to save the toddler walking everywhere (as she would just end up wanting carried and will still occasionally nap if in the buggy) and me carrying the baby all the time. That's fine when DH is with me but I can't push two on my own!!

It seems a bit silly to get a double when DD1 will (hopefully!!) not be needing one for too much longer, but then I think it'll be handy for nursery drop offs/pick ups when she starts later this year as it is definitely walking distance (for me).

Also, my Dnephew is the same age as DD2 so when we visit (6-7 times a year) it would be handy to take the two of them in it, also for a family holiday which involve a lot of walking next year.

I've seen a double that I really like and ticks all the boxes (Cosatto to and fro) but it's £550 new . I could maybe pick up a second hand for about half that.

DH thinks it's ridiculous to spend money on something that might not be needed in a couple of months but I think we would get the use out of it for the reasons stated above.

What do you think?

Oh, and we tried a buggy board but DD1 would not stay on the bloody thing and it was really difficult to push with her on it.

I would buy a second hand one. You'll sell it on for more or less the same price as you bought it for. I definitely wouldn't buy new.

I probably wouldn't bother at that age, it's a lot of money for something you won't use for long. Would she scoot or go on a balance bike instead?

Get a second hand Phil and Ted's, they are brilliantly designed and very good for different stages of the baby's needs. Then sell it back in and as the previous poster said, you probably won't lose much.

Get a 2nd hand one. You might find you want to get out walking a lot further with a new baby than you did when heavily pregnant (hence dd not needing the buggy previously). You will also need to cut yourself & dd as much slack as possible, you are both getting used to a new baby. Unless dh is looking after a baby & toddler alone for days, his opinion is totally irrelevant on this.

I would never have gone anywhere with my 2 at that stage without a buggy!

I got a second hand Oyster max. The second seat clips on and off quickly so I can use it as a single when s double isn't required.

Thanks everyone - very helpful!

She's not really into her balance bike, and we live in a very wet area of the country so would t be able to go out on a dreary day.

There is one ending on eBay that I like in 30mins so that's the time I have to convince DH!!!

Yes 2nd hand. We had phil and teds which was amazing and easily sold on for what we bought. We now use buggy board on umbrella stroller for when ds gets tired- he wasn't keen at first but did get used to it

Don't bid on hat one op! I think I'm about to bid on it

Ooh Double good luck. Night not be bidding as he's still not convinced and would need his bank card lol

I've flown the flag for this buggy before on here but I've got a Joie Aire double for my two, it's £140 new and it's been great for us. I'd go mad if I couldn't put mine 17 months and 2yrs 10months in the buggy and go for a walk! Oh and I had a Bugaboo Donkey first, absolutely biggest waste of money I've ever made.

I wouldn't, just get a buggy board. I had just under 2 years gap with dd1 and dd2 and got a double, got about six months use then went unused. There's 2 years 4 months between dd2 and ds1 and I've not bothered with a double, just got a buggy board. I don't drive and we walk loads, at least 1-2 hours a day often more.

Just seen you got a buggy board and she didn't like it. There lots of different types so maybe you need a different types to suit the pram? Tbh my dd very rarely uses hers now at 2.10 and I'll be taking it odd once shes three as I'd rather her just walk then. Each to their own but yeah, I think at that age they don't need to be in a pram

Taking it off

My two were born 21months apart, the double buggy was just fantastic, we purchased a mountain buggy and it was brilliant and very well used. The only thing I would say about a double buggy is make sure the one you buy is suitable for baby and toddler, i.e. The different weights, you don't want the toddler getting out and the buggy tipping, the reason we brought the mountain buggy, was it was so easy to push, 4 wheels so it was stable, and the guy in the shopping sat in it and got out of it and it didn't rock at all. Good luck OP, I am sure you will get use out of it.

It's really the only one I like. I've spent ages looking at different brands. I like that it's parent facing.

Ds is going to be 13 months when baby arrives so I'll definitely be needing one for a while! I shall update! 16 minutes to go!

No.2 is due when no.1 is 3, in buying a second seat for my P&T buggy as I have a feeling no.1 will suddenly rekindle his love for the pushchair. The second seat is easily removable and I got a good two years out of the P&T with no.1.

We've got a seat that clips on to our buggy board for ds 2.8 and it's great. I don't like the look of double buggies because they seem so cumbersome. Plus ds likes to hop on and off so he can walk for a bit now and again so I think a double would have been a waste for us.

DH agreed but I never won the bid unfortunately (was that you double?!)

Will have to wait for a similar buggy at a similar price!

Have you tried pushing to cosatto to and fro double with them both in it?

I haven't tried that one but a couple of similar ones and they are awful to push, especially when you have a bag on, few bits in basket. Up and down curbs are really hard.

Something like a double nipper, baby jogger city mini (make sure it's gt one though for the tyres), mountain buggy, Phil and reds are far better to push.

I'm guessing you want the baby parent facing but i would compromise on that to have one that's easy to push.

The i candy peach blossom you can use as a single or double and can have parent facing. Nice to push, same as a single. Expensive second hand but sell well so you would probably sell for what you buy if you look after it. Seats are quite small though so if your DD is really tall/big you might struggle.

I had a Mamas and Papas double,buggy - brilliant but mine were only 19 months apart. A buggy board may be a good idea

@SleepForTheWeek I didn't win either! Let's bid against each other on the next one that comes up Or you could buy, use till jan (baby due in feb) and then I'll buy it off you

I'll have a look at different brands. The thing that appealed about the cosatto was its use from birth without extra bits and pieces to attach and the forward/rear facing option.

I don't like the up/down pushchairs, I prefer side by side

That's a shame double! That sounds like a plan 😉

Looks like you're buying one anyway but yes I bought one when DD was 4 weeks old and DS was 2.5. He's now 3 and I still use it a lot! He still naps during the day and will in the buggy so for that alone it's invaluable if we are out all day. And when he's not in it we have a seat to use for carrying stuff! I got a Mountain Buggy Duet and it's fantastic.

Defo do it. There will undoubtedly be moments when your toddler decides she cannot possibly walk another step, needs carrying and the baby is asleep in the pram, laden with shopping and it's about to rain. Handy for all the gear you'll end up lugging around too.