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Original poster

Would you buy a double pushchair?

39 replies

Beaubeagle · 22/05/2022 07:56

I’m expecting a baby in November (more likely October due to my history). I have a toddler who will be 2yrs 9m when baby is due. I wasn’t planning on getting a double buggy and was hoping to maybe use a buggy board or a sling but now I’m not sure. My toddler is a nightmare for running away and won’t walk holiding hands. Plus he still loves a two hour plus nap every day. Would you buy a double at his age or not bother?

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HSKAT · 22/05/2022 08:01

I personally wouldn't waste the money the age he'll be.
I would get a buggy board.
Do you have rains for him? I found my son walked a lot better with them as it gave him the freedom and gave me the safety aspect.

Hercisback · 22/05/2022 08:04

I wouldn't buy anything now.

See how you are when baby arrives. You can order online and have one in a few days if needs be.

I had a similar age gap and didn't get one. Buggy board for later on. To start with I did sling and pushchair.

Remember crap weather is over winter so unlikely you'll be out loads until Feb when toddler will be almost 3.

20viona · 22/05/2022 08:09

No I wouldn't

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mishmased · 22/05/2022 08:11

I have 2.5 years between my two and used initially the sling and the buggy. Then the buggy and buggy board.

TulipCat · 22/05/2022 08:15

I had a winter second baby with a similar age gap. I bought a second hand double to get up through the winter (we lived in a city though and walked almost everywhere, so used it every day). I then gave it a good clean and sold it on for more than I bought it for!

RandomQuest · 22/05/2022 08:16

Do nothing now, make a call in September.

If by then your eldest is a better walker and dropped his nap, which is definitely possible, then a buggy board will be absolutely fine. However, if he’s still tricky and the double will make life easier then I’d hands down go for it. I wouldn’t be struggling with a toddler on reins, whilst pushing a pram nor would my back stand up to having a baby in the sling and a toddler in the pram.

If you do get a double then you won’t be using it for very long so I’d either go cheap second hand and sell it on afterwards, or if you’d rather new get one that can also be used as a single with a buggy board so you can convert it.

KangarooKenny · 22/05/2022 08:16

I did. Similar age gap.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 22/05/2022 08:18

Three year gap between mine. I bought a second hand buggy (can’t remember the name but it was one of the really good ones that goes for about £800 and I got it for £70). Loved it. Used it all the time. Massive difference in my quality of life.

But……

I am someone who likes to walk a lot. Probably 30 - 50 miles a week whilst on maternity leave. My usual process for any distance under 2 miles is to leave the car on the drive and walk it. I like to walk. I like to walk fast.

If you are not a walker then it may not be worth it.

cptartapp · 22/05/2022 08:28

We had a 2.5 year gap and never used a double buggy.
DH and I took them out in a pram and a stroller if need be.
Can't remember what I did on my own!

Mymoneydontjigglejiggle · 22/05/2022 08:28

Yeah wait and see how your toddler is - they can change a lot but imo a double buggy was an absolute necessity when dc1 was 2yo. He was the least compliant child ever and there is no way he'd have stood on a buggy board for any period of time. I got mine off Facebook marketplace - free! Keep your eye out. I'd also seen others going for really cheap too. Still use it now with DC2 and dc3.

KarrotKake · 22/05/2022 08:32

No, we were back on a single pushchair most of the time when DS1 was that age, having had a double when DS2 arrived weeks before DS1s second birthday.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 22/05/2022 08:32

I have a similar age gap. My older child was too tall for a buggy board, and still napped when dc2 was born. I used a double (P&T tandem type) for a year.It was invaluable for that time. Also did sling and single buggy, but not all day. Bought it on eBay, sold it a year later for £7 less than I paid for it.

Hugasauras · 22/05/2022 08:34

Personally I would get a buggy board at that age instead. DD wouldn't have wanted to go into a pushchair anyway at that age but she's happy to stand or sit on buggy board and means she can hop on and off when needed.

Jellycatrabbit · 22/05/2022 08:34

I walk loads, ds1 was just 3 when dc2 arrived. Now 3.5. I bought a double and get loads of use out of it.

A friend has the same age gap and her 3yo won't go near the pushchair, walks everywhere.

If you have a bolter I'd definitely want a double but I would be tempted to wait a bit longer to make the decision.

trilbydoll · 22/05/2022 08:36

It depends on so much. For me, even with that age gap, I would have used it because I like to walk whatever the weather and my kids don't so I think there would have been a lot of cold and rainy days with dd1 wrapped up in a pushchair. But as pp say by then your eldest might be refusing to get in a pushchair at all!

Hugasauras · 22/05/2022 08:36

Oh just saw he's a flight risk. Maybe a pram is a good idea then. DD would have hated it but if he's still used to going in one and doesn't object then it's probably worth. DD has never been an absconder so I was answering with that in mind!

Mol1628 · 22/05/2022 08:39

Yes my eldest was a bolter. I used the double for him till he was about 4. Not all the time obviously but I walked everywhere so when he got tired it was absolutely essential.
Really depends on your lifestyle.

Lindy2 · 22/05/2022 08:39

I had the same age gap.

I didn't get a double. I used a single buggy and a buggy board. My elder DD sometimes sat in the shopping basket section underneath - she fitted quite well!

I used reins on her all the time at that age. She was a runner and it was the only way I could keep her safe and push the buggy. I'd loop the rein's strap around the buggy handle to have both hand free to push the buggy.

Your elder child may not continue to nap for very long after around age 3.

Wait4nothing · 22/05/2022 08:39

I had a 2y and 1m gap. I never had a double but used slings often. We had a little stroller as well as our pushchair so when there was 2 adults we took both (for days out/long walks).
Just me, I initially carried newborn in a stretchy wrap style sling and pushed 2yo. Then when I had converted the pram from carrycot to seat (around 4m for youngest as he was huge) I would leave him in pushchair and eldest would walk part way then sling in a buckle carrier when tired (then able to get into a back carrier out and about). But when pushchair was a seat they could switch between easily so I’d often take both slings in the basket so we could do what suited.

teaandakitkat · 22/05/2022 08:40

Bit of a smaller age gap but I bought a second hand double and used it a lot. But we walked a lot. And I have no patience for cajoling a tired toddler home from the park or the shops, especially if it's raining or one of us is getting hungry. Strap in the pushchair and go.
But everyone is different, maybe you don't have far to walk or your toddler generally does what they're told.

Velvian · 22/05/2022 08:43

I would get a really cheap 2nd hand one. Your older DC may regress a bit when the baby comes along. My DD was 2.5 when DS2 came along and she started local playgroup not long after, which meant she was tired. I wanted to walk further as I had time on ML and wanted to get out.

You can never have too much space for bags, blankets scooter etc.

JenniferBarkley · 22/05/2022 08:47

Depends how much you walk. 2y 3m gap here and the double was definitely necessary for us - nothing worse than trying to get a crying baby home for a feed/sleep/change with a stubborn toddler who refuses to move.

MermaidSwimming · 22/05/2022 08:49

I had 2 y 1 month gap, had a buggy board, sling and reins. I was lucky ds1 was good walker and generally happy to walk near me, reins only really used in busy town or near water

Pamfiduw · 22/05/2022 08:49

I got a phil and teds sport woth the extra seat as my toddler runs i use it all the time shes nearly three, i cant run after her if im babywearing. Honestly you can use it as a single when the toddlers not needing it anymore and they have some great offers on them st the moment. I was using a second hand ancient one (15 years) and when that died i upgraded to the new one as i ise it that much even though i have a nipper. It also folds down small

maryberryslayers · 22/05/2022 08:52

DS was 2yr 6m when DD was born and after a couple of months I bought a double out n about nipper as a second buggy, It's been so useful and and at 3.5 he still hops in and out. We use it for long walks and days out as opposed to every day. He likes to sit down for a snack and a rest and often the walk back to the car if I'm in a hurry.

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