Double buggy required?

[KatnissMellark]

With a 2y5m and new born? I'm thinking we can get away with buggy board and a sling and mix it up as needed. Toddler a pretty good walker already at 2.

For me it totally depended on sleep. Have a 22 month gap and we were always out so needed to be able to let them both nap.

Now at just 3 and 14 months he's still napping and I still have to lug the double around.

Definitely. My eldest is three and it's do handy bring able to sling her in the pushchair in an emergency/when she's tantruming/when we just need to get somewhere sooner than tomorrow.

You can get double buggies pretty cheaply nowadays via eBay/ Facebook too, even if you just wanted one as a spare. I have the City Jogger and it's great, other friends with two DC close in age have recommended Phil & Ted's, the Uppababy Vista and the Out & About Nipper

My 3.4yo son still occasionally naps in the day, so if i had another dc, I'd need to at least consider baby wearing otherwise I'd be stuck indoors. A double (maybe that converts to single) would definitely be a consideration for me.

I think so much is dependent how far you walk, do you have a car ? Does little one still nap ?

I agree second hand one may be a good option for day trips . Etc

I think it largely depends on lifestyle and the temperament of your children. I have 21 months between DCs 1&2 and 23 months between 2&3 and the double (now with a buggy board for the eldest, nearly 4yo) is a lifesaver. We walk pretty much everywhere and I often rely on the buggy to get them to sleep after lunch if we are out and about so a double is necessary. My eldest napped until 3.5yo so it was really handy - in the warmer months I’d power them out at the park, have a picnic then they’d both fall asleep on the walk home leaving me with some peace and quiet!

A buggy board can be difficult if it’s cold or they’re tired. My middle child (26mo) loves going on it but won’t stay on the damn thing which can be dangerous if you’re on busy roads or tending to a baby. The advantage of a buggy is that you can strap them in if you need to get anywhere fast or they’re having a meltdown or running riot in the supermarket.

I also find with slings that some babies hate them (like my first) or are only happy in them if sleeping. This makes it difficult if you’re relying on them as a means of transport rather than a means to get them to sleep. Also switching so either child can use the buggy is difficult in the first six months or so - personally I would only ever put a newborn in a bassinet type pram which your older one can’t use. I’m not keen on them being in sport seats that lie flat. They seem far too exposed to the elements and I wonder how good it is for their spine.

I would say no, but mine were all walking pretty much everywhere by 2.5 and the buggy was gone completely by the time they were 3 (baby in a sling and toddler in push chair in an emergency until age 3).

But we were always home for nap time. Don't drive, but most things are local and buses are good.

For us the hassle of having to walk slow-ish and have nap time at home was less than the hassle of trying to take a double buggy on the bus/tube/along busy, narrow streets etc.

Depends on your toddler and your routine.