Just how hard is it getting out with a 2yr old and newborn?

[vannah]

Because although I will soon know (due in couple of weeks time) Im having a jolly good panic about it. I imagine myself housebound all day with frantic 2 yr ds and newborn...

I bought a v v light pram for ds when he was little, and he still uses it today, dont think he will want to share it (even with buggy board). I found it hard to push him around in it during this pregnancy, so cant really imagine pushing around a double buggy(anyone know of a v light one?)

And I always was hopeless with the babybjorn, so cant imagine combining that with the pushchair.

Is it physically really exhausting? I am desperately trying to find an affordable home help person to take ds out everyday, but not coming up with much...

any advice? thankyou

I think you'll all be fine really It's just sorting out the practicalities. I personally used a 'karime' sling which is one of those big bits of fabric that you wrap and everyone watching says 'ooh that looks complicated' and then 'aw they look so close and snug' I didn't find it complicated just a few times to get used to a particular knot and then job done. I like sling option because you can use when you inside too and easier to get on bus!

another one is the same situation here (4 weeks to go and DD will be 2,2)- great advice on here and also very reassuring.

I am reticent about forking out for a double buggy and will try a sling and DD's current buggy for now, although that is a good point about bad weather...

If I were to get a double buggy I would def do for P&T though - they look fantastic!

get double buggy
get double buggy
get double buggy

one or both will sleep I guarantee

then you can sit down in a cafe and read Heat

Agree re the weight/easy to push factor. I have a second hand Powertwin for when LO2 arrives (dd will be 18 months) and although it is double the weight of my single pushchair it feels just as easy to push-the big pneumatic tyres make such a difference. Only thing I am worried about is it tipping-it did feel quite unstable when I went up/down kerbs but that could be cos I'm not used to it.

Have read this thread with interest. I am due in 7 weeks and have a DS who will be 22 months.

We have decided to leave the decision of whether or not to buy a new pushchair until LO arrives.

I am going to try to get by with my sling and McClaren and start encouraging DS to walk shorter distances.

If I find it too diffucclt then will prob invest in another pushchair... not sure which one, but am trying to not think about this at all until LO arrives.

thanks once again for all your great replies everyone

two years old is yooung for a buggyboard. You'd be much better off with double buggy. I have a MamasandPapas' Aria- not my choice, a present - and it's very lightweight. I wouldn't choose it again thou the basket is rubbish and the folding is iffy. It's essential thou if you want to go out a lot.

I also didn't find it too bad getting out with two children 17 months apart, even in the early weeks. We had a good double buggy which was a doddle to push, my gap was smaller so we definitely needed a double buggy but it got a lot of use, it really did help.

I tried a single buggy and sling at first but it didn't work for me. Especially in playgrounds, trying to push toddler on swing and slide with baby in the way, and risking the baby tipping out of the sling as you chase after your toddler.

Also with a double buggy you can leave the baby to sleep in the buggy at toddler group or in the playground while you focus on the toddler.

You can find decent double buggies second hand as a lot of people only use them for a few months.

i'm nagging now.
get a double buggy - you won't regret it. this is when you find out how small and tired your "older" toddler can be.# And when they stop and sit down (middle of street a favourite) you can not budge them. not without abandoning baby, pram, bag etc
i'm with oliveoil - you will be delighted when both fall asleep and you can do your own thing for a while ...in peace!!

Phil and Teds are heavy, but without it I would be lost. I have 14 months between my dd's. We are out and about all the time, and both are really happy in it. I chuck a sling underneath, just in case dd2 gets grizzly.You can also turn it into a single if you are out with just one. They are expensive (we got a bargain on e-bay), but probably the best thing that we have bought since having babies.Good luck with no.2

I had a lightweight buggy and a sling for ds and dd (16 month gap, and dd was born in September). We had a secondhand double buggy but I found it very cumbersome (and terrible for the bus). Also once dd got a bit bigger she used to pull ds's hair! So we went for the buggy board as soon as possible after dd got too big for the sling (about 10 months). I think you just have to experiment and see what works for you. The most important thing IMO is to have a really good day bag permanently packed with everything you might need in it. Good luck! The difficult bit doesn't last too long

Just wanted to second everything Malfoy says. I also have a 20 month age gap (DS1 is now 2.3 years and DS2 is 7 months) and have exactly the same set up. I would say now DS2 is 7 months getting out and about is a lot easier I even managed to give him his milk in M & S the other say with DS1 sat in a highchair!

It's not as bad as you think it might be. My DS was 2.2yrs when DD was born. I ended up with a section so wasn't feeling v mobile or strong so opted at first not to use the second-hand 3 wheeler double buggy, and instead was mean and made DS walk (oh the shame of it) and carried DD firstly in a cloth sling then in a sturdier babybjorn-type sling. If we were going far DS would go in his trike which has a parent handle so I'd carry DD and he's happily pedal away in that. We don't go shopping much & if only for a few things I still make DS walk & carry DD, but if we're going to get much or have to walk for more than 20mins at a go then I now use the double-buggy, which DS quite likes but prefers pushing it!! He used to want to be lifted a lot but since having DD I explained to him that he's a big boy and big boys walk... he's a great little walker now. I got him in training for this by walking the dog lots when pregnant, and DS loves walking with the dog!!

Good luck xxxx

PS. I second what others have said about toddler groups & soft play centres- they are great for allowing the older one to run around madly while you sit down!! Or play with the older one while younger one is somewhere safe.

When DD was born I found it hard, but then DS#1 was a bolter and basically an awkward little s*d, and the only way I could keep hold of him was to let him ride on the back of the pram. But when DS#2 was born and DS#1 was in school, it was much easier because DD was much calmer and easier child. Also I'd had more experience then.

Depends of character of 2yr old I reckon.

I agree with everything Malfoy says. I couldn't have managed without my Phil & Teds.

Strangely, I found the transition from 1 to 2 easier in some ways than going from childless to 1 child. I already have my life set up for ds with toddler groups, etc, and the baby just has to tag along. She is much more content than he ever was, which is partly I'm sure because she never gets bored because there is so much going on around her.

It DOES get hard to get out of the door, but you just have to plan a lot more and factor in more "getting ready" time.