Will I need a double buggy?

[thattravelphotographer]

I have a heavy iCandy currently which I find too heavy and bulky for around town so looking to get a smaller/lighter stroller however we now have another on the way. My oldest will be 2.5 when the baby arrives so I'm questioning whether I should be looking at double buggies? Or would I be ok with a lighter stroller which I can add a carrycot to so could use for both a baby or toddler, and just use a baby carrier when out with both?

Thank you!

I had a slightly smaller age gap and never bothered with a double buggy. I had a buggyboard and used a sling for the baby a lot. I did barely use the buggy with my eldest anyway though as I always preferred the sling, so I was well used to carrying and could carry either of them. I had a Bugaboo Bee with the cocoon rather than the carry cot so it was easy to adapt between kids.

Sling, buggy board and scooter - same age gap and my eldest isn't a big walker either but managed without a double easily.

My boy will be 2.5 when new baby arrives. I've bought a second hand double. I'm worried about managing two on my own. Also I'm clinging onto the nap for my eldest and want somewhere he can sleep when out for the day. I would use a sling too but then I find it hard to sit down when baby in the sling and would like a coffee at some point.

I've bought a bugaboo donkey so can be converted into a single if we want which I felt was best of both worlds. Still expensive though second hand but managed to find a good deal

Bit annoying because I still really like my original pram which I would use with number two but number one isn't brilliant at walking lots. Or at least in the direction you want to go!

Depends on how much you walk, where you walk and how compliant your toddler is. My original plan (age gap slightly less than 2.5) was to just have buggy board and sling to go with the single buggy, but I tested DD on the buggy board before the baby arrived (with shopping in the buggy) and she sat on the floor and refused to move and I realised how helpful it was to be able to strap her in. Although I used the sling with both DC, I always found it a bit of a faff so wasn't convinced that would be the only solution. So we got a double buggy and were glad we did as it was really useful for first few months and then probably used it about half the time for the next few months. By the time DC2 was 1, we were only using it occasionally (DD more compliant and also more willing to walk sometimes). But was definitely worth it for us, but also glad we had the buggy board (though wouldn't be suitable for some light strollers).

It really depends on how much walking you do and how good/sensible at walking you oldest is.

We did a lot of waking and ds1 was younger and a complete nightmare when waking (would either run off or sit and refuse to move!)

I initially did the buggy board / sling but it was a nightmare so bought a cheap second hand Phil and Ted.

I wish I'd had a double! I would try and get a cheap second hand one, even if you don't use it much at least you'll have it then. Biggest mistake I made was not getting one.

I already have a double as have 2 very close in age so wasn't an option not to really. But now expecting our third, I'm going with the sling for the baby as well as a buggy board for when baby needs to go in pushchair. Doubles are big and awkward for pretty much everything! (Although I do love the extra large basket for my shopping! 😂) I'd definitely say in your situation, get a single that you can use for a toddler and a newborn and get a buggy board. We have a buggy board with a seat on it so DD doesn't have to stand up if her legs are tired, resulting in far less meltdowns.

23 months between mine and I wouldn't have had the use out of a double. Babyjogger city mini reclines fully but big enough for toddler so I used that and the sling. Baby in buggy until toddler got tired then baby in sling and toddler into buggy. They're a bit older now and baby (now toddler) walks for a bit so 3 year old can still have a rest when needed.

We have a similar age gap and got a double buggy 6 months ago when my son was born. I do sometimes use a sling and a single pushchair but when I have a dog that needs long walks the double buggy has been brilliant. We take it on days out as well, once that toddler is tired she can get in the pushchair and have a nap too.
We have an out and about that we got second hand