Pushchair/carseat/baby carrier... Mums of TWO UNDER 2 - tell me what to do...!

[SDW17]

I'm so stuck I just don't know what to do for the best. So much overthinking and so many questions...

My LB will be 18 months old when newborn comes along in August. LB walks now, HATES and always has hated the pushchair. So it's essentially pointless at the moment, because he will only stay in for a small amount of time before he kicks off and we need to either carry him or let him walk if it's safe too.

When he is walking, he is everywhere. Obviously these kids don't always go in the direction we want them to do they, which can lead to some terrible tantrums.

I feel so unsure about how I will manage with LB and newborn when I'm alone with them. In my head, newborn can be in sling, and LB can walk, but the reality is, that's not practical is it? He's still young, wont walk the whole way to park etc, but would also hate to be put in the pram?!? And then managing the potential of picking him up whilst carrying newborn in a carrier... Sounds like it's not going to work? I don't know.

If I put newborn in pushchair, ive still got the dilemma of managing LB walking/carrying him... Dealing with pushchair one handed is not ideal?

Do I bother with a whole new travel system for newborn, or just buy a car seat, and see how the rest goes?!

Oh gosh I'm so stuck. What shall I do!!!

I'm needing someone to tell me a solution here because... I JUST DON'T KNOW 😩 thank you in advance!!

Sorry I should add... LB LOVES walking... I'm fairly sure the buggy board option won't be a good option here.

Just so unsure how I will manage toddler walking, tantrums, potential of having to carry toddler whilst dealing with new born in a pushchair baby carrier..?

What's the best / easiest thing?!

I had a 15 month gap, we had a double buggy the cosatto xl wow (I liked you could arrange it in lots of different ways and we have a narrow Victorian door and hallway so can’t fit a side by side double through it) and also a baby carrier. When my dd was a small baby she was mostly in the carrier with ds2 in the xl wow but I liked having the freedom to have them both in the pram.

im a sahm tho so it got and still gets a lot of use! Just as a single now with buggy board as they’re 3 &2.5 now but it was work the money

I’ve had two sets of 18 month gaps (have 4 girls with a 5 year gap between the two sets if that makes sense!!

I either had baby in the sling and toddler in the pushchair (which obviously may not work for you!) or baby in the pushchair and toddler in a back pack carrier which they loved! You can also put the backpack on with a baby in the sling if you have a material one!

Toddler reins may also be your friend!! Don’t but a new travel system - just get a new car seat for the toddler!

I used a pushchair that either could use, and a sling (usually a wrap) that either could use, or used tandem slings -baby in front, toddler on back.

Our first two were 11 months apart.

Get reins for the older child. Then you can push baby in a buggy but DC1 is still under control.When you put DC1 in a push chair, strap him in. Then he can't escape.You and DC1 both have to learn that you are in charge, and he isn't.

Mine are a similar age gap to yours. My eldest had no problem with the pushchair though, to this day he enjoys the occasional ride (he is 3, I sometimes still use the double buggy as it's really convenient for both tbe groceries and my boys).

My advice is, get a double pushchair, let your eldest walk when convenient, but when it's a matter of safety or practicality then I'd just strap him in the pushchair. Let him kick off if he wants. Yelling won't hurt him, running into a busy street might. He'll understand soon enough that when he walks nicely next to mummy he gets to walk, when he runs around he gets put in the chair.

Or there is a potential alternative if he enjoys riding a baby bike, you could get one of those that come with a handle you push, then he rides the bike and you carry baby in a sling.

You need a backpack with rein attachment for toddler. That way you’ve got emergency breaks if they decide to jump in the road/leg it. The littlelife ones are good as the rein has a loop at the adult end you can shove you arm through and still push a pram/change a nappy on baby.

When it comes to pram options remember that the shops will still be open after dc2 is born so you can always buy a double buggy /buggy board if you find you need it.

I personally found I needed the pushchair for my just turned 2 year old for restraint reasons more than getting from a to b. Feeding/changing a newborn without the 2 year old disappearing in public places. Getting newborn checks/injections etc. I switched between baby in sling and toddler in pushchair or walking and baby in pram toddler walking/sling. It was much easier once youngest could be in the pushchair (rather than pram) as then the sling went underneath and toddler walked and then came out when needed. (toddler meltdowns)

Thank you everyone! I am feeling less overwhelmed now 😂😂 having read through all the comments it seems my best option is just to switch between the two, baby in pushchair when toddler is happy walking or baby in sling if toddler needs to be pushed for safety/meltdown/other reasons, and I just make sure I always take both sling and pushchair out with me.

We don't have a travel system anymore, we have a pushchair which is suitable from birth, so the only downside is it can't be parent facing, but will see how we get on. Good point that you forget when pregnant and trying to plan ahead, the shops are indeed still open after baby is born!! 😂😂

Dont rely on the pram or rein backpack things for safety though.
Ds is just 2, since about 18 months he just unclips all prams, harnesses, car seats etc. The car seat is the worse, and I have to just be strict about not touching, but he can 100% get out if he chooses

I would get a double though with that age gap. As heavily pregnant or new baby you might not have strength to carry toddler much. Bribe him in with snacks or toys if needed