Double buggy dilemma - 34 month old crap walker

[givemesteel]

So... Giving birth to DD2 in a couple of weeks and really only just started thinking about the practicalities of two dc.

My intention was to get a buggy board for DD1 and convert existing buggy back into the carry cot.

Issue is that DD1 is almost 3 but is a really terrible walker. I've tried to get her to walk more / use a scooter but she can only do pretty short distances on foot. I have really bad back trouble so I can't go cold turkey and just go out without a pushchair as if she refuses to walk I can't carry / drag her like my dh does.

I'm just not sure she will manage standing on a buggy board for long distances, she still very much likes her pushchair.

Unfortunately because of the back problem a sling for newborn isn't viable either.

Dh really doesn't want to buy a double buggy but I'm starting to wonder if there's any alternative. I do like to walk and get out the house so it will be really restrictive if I can't get out without DD1 being a pain.

Hopefully DD1 will surprise me and enjoy the board more than I think but anyone got any experience of this and have any words of wisdom?

We had a buggy board and DD, 2.6 when DS was born was absolutely fine. Double buggies are so cumbersome.

I was going to get a double when my youngest was born - similar just under 3 yr age gap. Realised just in time that eldest wasn't going to actually fit in it ... We had an older silver cross pram and found she could stand on the basket frame so didn't need to add a buggy board, it all worked pretty well in fact.

Maybe look on freecycle / freegle or even ask if someone has a double they could lend or pass on, that you could return or pass on again in a few months when hopefully your eldest will have started cooperating more? Best wishes!

My advice would be to get a double buggy, I had a 21 myth gap, between my two and the double buggy we brought was brilliant, we had the mountain buggy. An absolute joy to push and more importantly when the toddler got out the frame did not tip so it was safe for the baby. Just take care if you decide to buy a double buggy that it is suitable for a newborn and toddler, as some of the twin prams we looked at were only suitable for babies the same size and weight.

Get a double - you won’t need it for long, but this winter you’ll really need it. I have a 37 month gap. Apart from anything else, dc1 still napped in the day when dc2 was born.

PS - I got a second hand P&T tandem buggy from eBay, which I sold a year later for £7 less than I paid for it.

Loved my double buggy.

If you've had a crap walker, at what age do they become better / able to do normal distances (eg an hour round trip to shops?)?

5yo, that was 3/4 DC. DC3 was different, he was reliable walker from 4-4.5yo (much taller than others, too, at that age, and even now at 13yo is my best walker, a rambler!!). They were all fit enough, but the moaning to listen to and chivvying required, omg. Other people chivvy their kids with sweets. I chose the doublebuggy instead. No regrets. Buggy has good value to sell on, too.

Just get a double buggy. There are always lots for sale on gumtree, eBay etc. If you walk to the park and older DD runs around she’s going to be tired and grizzly walking home. Same with shopping. It’s stressful for you and for her.
A side by side double buggy will support a lot of ‘stuff’ hanging from the handle.
When I see mothers pushing a buggy with baby in it, and older toddler is walking along grizzling because they’re tired, I have to suppress the urge to shout “get a double buggy” to make everyone’s life easier

I got a donkey and still use it as a double for long trips or as a single with a buggy board for short distances for my nearly 3 year old and now 1 year old. Got it second hand and will sell it when he is ready to walk more.

Thanks all for your sensible advice. You've convinced me to get a double buggy second hand - it makes sense if you can pretty much sell it for what you bought it for, it's the depreciation in value from new that put me off getting another one.

Also makes me feel better I'm not the only one with a bad walker. Because of my back I worry I have molly coddled her (probably have(by not going cold turkey with pram.

Thanks all!

I have a 3.5 yr old and occasionally I need the buggy when doing a long walk or out when tired etc. I would buy cheap double on ebay etc.

There are moments whrn u have 2 children when you need to get somewhere and you are tired from the newborn and will really not want to be carrying or cajoling the older one along. Maybe get her used to going out with no buggy when its a shorter distance...but keep the buggy for days out etc