How long does a toddler need a buggy for?

[vampofsavannahGA]

Just that really. I’ve got a DS coming up to 2, no intention of having any more. We got a dead cheap cosatto off FB which is very good to drive but folds up about as small as an armoured tank. So as to avoid having to take this one on holiday with us (with added bonus of actually being able to take some clothes) we bought a cheapo Mothercare Nano stroller, which neither folds nor steers with any kind of cooperative attitude.

DS prefers the Nano so we’ve principally been using that, but it's a nightmare to push as he’s getting bigger. I’m starting to regret my parsimony when he was little, and to yearn for a buggy that is both compact AND manoeuvrable, rather than one or neither of those.

Before I shell out money, is it going to be worth it? How much longer is DS likely to be in a buggy? At the moment it’s used four or five times a week, even though he’s a very good walker, and I can’t help feeling it would be a wonderful Christmas treat to my back and shoulders to get a better buggy, but DH remains to be convinced and I'd hate to waste money on another baby item!

Following

Why don’t you try not using it for a week to see how much you really need it when out.

DD is 2.5 and we haven't used ours in months. Not sure she'd want to go in it now! More likely to want to stand on a buggy board I think.

How long is a piece of string. Totally depends on your circumstances and child. I tried to walk everywhere so after nursery if they were tired or on longer days out or if i was in a rush then well past their third birthday. By 4 it was in the shed/garage and only used if they were ill. When you stop using one you realise how handy it was to carry stuff in too.

Depends on the distances/durations you'll be using it for I think. If it's only ever going to a half hour tops then I'd persevere with what you've got, and maybe look at getting a scooter in 6 months or so (they can stand on it and you pull it along for a little break if they get tired). But much longer than 30 mins to an hour stints and you might need the buggy up to age three and a bit beyond, even if they're only getting in for the end of the journey.

Maybe I’m not as patient as most or have an exceptionally distractible DS but he’s 3 in December and I’m forever bundling him in the buggy! I do let him walk but if I’m in a rush he takes forever as he likes to stop and look at EVERYTHING! Also v v handy when they’re being a pain and you need somewhere to strap them in so they are out of trouble!

All of mine have been out of them 99% of the time by 3. My youngest is 4 in April and I'm considering getting rid of it. Its only used on long day trips and holidays at the moment.

I used my double until they were 4.5&2.5 elder is autistic and made my life easier when it fell apart. Kept the single buggy for another year until it fell apart (mostly because one would sit on the others lap) and larger single until we moved when they were 5&7, rarely used it in the last year but I didn't drive so was handy for evenings walking places. I know many ditch them early but if you aren't a car user it can make life difficult

In the real world, for convenience, probably 3 yrs is when you ditch the buggy. On Mumsnet, it must be gone by the time DC is 14 months.

My eldest pretty much refused to go in one from 12 months. My youngest went in one occasionally up to about 2.5 years then would use a balance bike if we were school running and she was tired. They were both walking at least a couple of miles a day as toddlers so had fairly good stamina. It would have been a waste for me to buy one as they were turning two but everyone is different.

My DS is 2.5 and the only time we use the buggy is the home leg of the nursery run as he's usually exhausted and I cba cajoling him for a mile. We are usually on foot for all local journeys and he won't entertain it for shopping either.

However it really depends, as others have said, what your circumstances are. I remember with my first DC some people being about the buggy but I couldn't drive then and public transportation options were also limited!

We didn't use ours after age 3

I bought a new McLaren (do they still do those?) When Dd (DC2) was 23 months, don't regret it at all.

With both of mine we used it with decreasing frequency between 2 and 3 and not at all by turning 3. My youngest was 3 in spring and I sold it a few months ago.

I had boys and on long trips or walks we still used it until they were 3 and a half

Dd is 3 and still in hers sometimes. I take it and pack it full of shopping and if she wants in rearrange.

Depends if you have a car or not I think. If you do, I'd just persevere with what you have.

My friends without cars who do loads of walking some have had buggies til the kids were 4.

Imagine a wet windy day. Or a hot day carrying cast off coats..
And a toddler having a tantrum.
And a bag of shopping.
Holding on to your handbag /changing bag.
Grappling them all without a buggy...
Are YOU ready for that??
Buggy until your dc looks absolutely ridiculous.
Ime
..

Vast experience..

DS loved his pram and I so did I tbh... got around quicker. We used a pram till around 3.5 years. He walked well when needed.

I certainly wouldn't have been without mine until age 3.5-4.

I think it depends, if you drive then potentially you can take it or leave it a bit more readily than if you walk to the shops with little one, for example. I walk loads and so DS still uses the pram sometimes, but friends who tend to drive more got rid of theirs quite happily and haven't missed it. I would try and just get a really cheap one if anything.

When my youngest was approaching non buggy age I warned older dc once the buggy went I was not being promoted to Luggage Handler.... Wow do I miss it!!

Depends.

My DD, 3 , refused to go in a buggy with us from 2 years 10 months but will happily go in the childminders buggy as she gets to sit next to another mindee.

With us she uses a scooter or balance bike, and has worked out how to get us to pull her along when she doesn't want to use her legs. She can actually walk and scoot 5 miles when she wants....

DC2 is 2.5 and hasn’t been in a pram since some time last year, mainly because we have DC3 now who’s in it, but also because she thinks it’s babyish I suspect.

We / DC1 taught her to use her scooter and she’s used that pretty competently for the last few months; starting now to get the hang of the balance bike as well.

@Brollywasntneededafterall

Imagine a wet windy day. Or a hot day carrying cast off coats.. And a toddler having a tantrum. And a bag of shopping. Holding on to your handbag /changing bag. Grappling them all without a buggy... Are YOU ready for that?? Buggy until your dc looks absolutely ridiculous. Ime .. Vast experience..

😂 this made me laugh so much!

Thanks v much for all the tips and experience. I don’t drive currently (learning though, finally!) and DH and I do a lot of walking, often through a busy town centre, so I think we would probably get the use of a buggy (I’d say we walk through town 5 days a week at least). Plus I use it to cart my playgroup stuff around on as I race down to our venue with DS and all my baggage 😂

Anyway you have all given me plenty to think about, so I will go away now and consider the various options and cost/benefit 😁