Pushchair conundrum

[SamanthaVimes]

I’m due DC2 any day now and have been swinging back and forth over whether to get a double pushchair or not.

DD is just 2 and quite good walking short distances BUT naps in her pushchair.

A double is expensive but means both DC could potentially nap at the same time when I have them together but I’ve also been thinking about getting a cheap umbrella type stroller for DD for her nap (she spends 2 or 3 days a week at MILs and we’re planning on continuing this so if they took the current pushchair I wouldn’t have one for the new baby on those days)

Am I mad to not get a double? We can afford it but I don’t want to spend money if it’s not necessary. I think DD might drop her nap soon too which would mean a second pushchair (whether a double or a single) wouldn’t get much use long term.

Sorry for the long ramble but would love to hear what more experienced parents have picked and any pros / cons I haven’t considered.

Out and about nipper double-you will not regret it!!

I have the same age difference and even six months in my 2.5 year old still loves getting into it and often naps on walks. Used the carrycot Adaptor for the first few months with baby and now he's in the chair.

I can push it almost one handed over grass and fits in the back of my fiesta without a problem.

If you're in the south, I recommend the A3 baby barn as they have out to try almost every double there is so you can really see the differences

I also found when the baby arrived, our toddler regressed a bit (normal with a sibling) and wanted to be held/carried/sit in the pram whereas before he'd walk so it really saved my back!

Def get a double if you can. My son was just 2 when my daughter was born, I couldn't have done without my double. When they were wild in the house I'd just plonk them in and walk for hours with them both napping. With two children with you, it's often hard to persuade (control.. bribe!) the older child to stay next to the pram next to the road and you have your hands full so I also think it's a safer bet. Also, getting out the house for a walk becomes a daily activity for your own sanity when they're both so small and climbing the walls - even if big one is tired, this is only possible with a pram for both. Then when older child does want to walk, you can use the other seat for scooter storage!

@EvergreenForest Ah that’s the exact one I’ve been looking at! How did you know?!

Yes I’m wondering if DD will regress a bit and want to be babied a bit more once the new one is here. She’s not that keen on the pushchair currently but part of me thinks having the option will be worth the money, even if she’s walking next to it half the time at least I can chuck her in it if I need to move faster than toddler pace somewhere!

My older child is 3 now and still hops in quite often, but we are big walkers and don't drive very much. I love my bugaboo donkey, it converts from double to single and it's the dream. I got it second hand although was still expensive x

Sorry me again! Only because I was in your position a year ago, sometimes even just giving them a packed lunch or snack is the only place to contain them if everyone's having a meltdown and you're desperate to get out the house in a hurry.

@carbibarbie good point about the scooter storage!

My spare seat is scooter storage/my dressing table (hairbrush and make up)/snack holder for all/sainsburys shopping basket

DD was 2.5 when DS came along, I thought I could get along with a single pram, with either DD in pram and DS in sling or DS in pram and DD walking.

I had not factored in DD throwing tantrums. There were more of them when DS came as she adjusted to new sibling. I could not sort her out while having newborn DS in the sling. Kept having to hand him over to random strangers while I sorted her out and strapped her in!

I got a second hand one for about £100 and sold it after a year for not much less. Sometimes they would both fall asleep in it and I would have a rare moment of peace!

@Dogtooth tantrums are another good point. I have got a sling for DC2 but actually manhandling a toddler with a newborn strapped to my front does sound like a recipe for disaster.

DD doesn’t tantrum often but when she does she really goes for it and I hadn’t considered that

looking more and more like a double will be the safest thing (and hopefully I will be able to sell it when we’re finished with it)

Toddler tantrums and storage for scooters etc are definitely good points!! My son started proper tantruming around 26 months and other poster is right that it's much easier to just sit him in the buggy and strap him in! Also if he's walking slooooooowly and you need to get back for feeding/nappy change then you can also sit them in it

I am evangelical about the out n about. So many clever storage zips and cubby holes. I worried that when the sun was low, it wouldn't cover their eyes but then realised I could un velcro the hood at the handle end and pull it down further-genius!

Very sell out and about and do 20% off when you sign up for an account (you can just pay it off straight away). For a double, carrycot and Adaptor that's £658 down to £529ish so a reasonable saving. That's where I got mine. Also lots of people sell great condition second hand 👌🏻

I have the same age gap and also couldn't decide about this.

Very soon after DD was born I realised I needed some kind of double.

I got a second hand uppa baby vista from a friend. It's amazing and wish I'd got it for DS.

I didn't have the extra toddler seat so DD was in the carry cot at the bottom and DS was on a seat at the top. Used it loads and it was great for the nursery run. I'd just drop the toddler seat with him and move DD up to the higher level while out just us.

Used it as a double until 6 months when DD outgrew the carry cot. At that point DS was much better with the buggy board and we used it like that as a double. During lockdown he'd sometimes sit in the basket with his feet on the buggy board on longer walks.

Using it now as a standard single until DD gives it up.

Out n about nipper double. Buy secondhand. Mine are 2 years exactly apart now aged 5 and 3. It’s still useful for really long walks, days out in London walking everywhere with luggage and festivals so I feel we’ve got our moneys worth.

I am having this exact conundrum! DD1 is 18 months DD 2 is 8 weeks. I have been looking at the mountain buggy duet v3 and keep putting it off as DD2 is currently always in the sling
I have a bugaboo and LOVE it and don't really want to part with it as DD1 sleeps so well in it but it has become apparent that I really do need a double sooner rather than later!

What options have you looked at OP? I'd be interested to hear your pros and cons?

I spoke to a lady recently who had the bugaboo donkey, loved it but admitted it was annoying that it didn't fit through her door at home - it really put me off it and that's when she mentioned the mountain buggy was a lot slimmer when she compared

I didn't buy the out n about nipper as I couldn't justify the expense of buying a new car to put it in. I got the Joie Aire Double instead.

(mine are 2.3 years apart) I looked at buggyboards etc but my LO wouldn't stay put on one of those!

@TangBloodyFastic I don't know if you're based in the south but as mentioned above the A3 baby barn has loadssss of doubles for you to compare-bugaboo donkey, mountain buggy duet, out n about, Phil and teds and more. Really worth a visit to try them out

After I went and looked I realised mountain buggy was the slimmest but my 2 year old didn't look like he'd fit comfortably in the seat as so narrow. It is also one of the heaviest and I know it would be going in and out the car so decided against it. The bugaboo was great as converts to single but again, the toddler seat is really shallow and my DC is also quite tall-I'd read some people swap the seat fabric with the buffalo to get a bit longer life out of it. I found Phil and teds lovely but again quite heavy to push. I also didn't like that my toddler wouldn't be able to see so realised I needed a side by side

I opted for the out n about as the seats looked like a decent size and it was the smoothest and easiest to push-also pretty simple to fold. I can push it one handed over grass with both DCs in it. And it fits in the boot of my fiesta no problem

The width is bigger than the mountain buggy but I've not had a problem with any shop doors and just use the front door of the house rather than the back as it doesn't fit.

Not sure if that helps but I'd defo try some out if you can as it will make you realise what's important to you

Same age gap - get the double! I so wish I'd had one!

Second hand out n about nipper double.

I am evangelical about this buggy. Second hand ones are cheap, and generally in good nick as they are very strong and not complicated.

Soooo easy to push. And fits through a standard door. I also had a Phil & Teds and ditched it for the nipper.

The main ones I’ve looked at are the nipper double, mountain buggy and the bugaboo donkey.

We’ve got a big car so not worried about whatever we get fitting in the boot (although you’ve reminded me I need to check the width of our front door and side door to check whatever I get can fit into the porch and straight through into the back garden.

I think I definitely want a side by side so both DCs can see out.

I did test a nipper double a few months ago and was surprised by how easy it was to steer, I think that’ll be important as I’m sure I’ll end up pushing and holding a toddler hand / reins at the same time!

Has anyone who has got a nipper used it without the carrycot? It says you can use the seat from birth as its lie flat but not sure how true that is in reality!

I have been super fortunate in that my 2.5 DD has been more than happy to use her own feet/scooter/buggy board. But she's a very compliant toddler, and the times she hasn't been, she's light enough she can ride in the pram basket. But if she hadn't been, I had an Out 'n' About Nipper lined up for immediate purchase.

agree, out and about Nipper. My elder one wouldn't be strapped in or anything but would jump in and out when it suited and was great for longer walks and naps

I have a Mountain Buggy Duet, folding it and keeping it folded is a nightmare I much prefer the OutandAbout I also have, I can fold that one handed. I agree that the seat on the Duet is narrow too.

I’m going to have the same age gap and getting a Nipper Double. My best friend (mum of 4 and childminder of many) says it’s the best double and she’s been through LOTS so I trust her recommendation 😂 it fits through every door I’ve seen one try to go through. I will get a carry cot though, I don’t trust a newborn in a lie flat buggy and don’t like that I couldn’t see them while pushing. DS was parent facing until 15 months in his buggy

Get a second hand baby Jogger
Comfortable for naps and suitable for new baby
Just 2 is very young to just " manage" when you need to get somewhere quickly

I’ve got a 21 month age gap and make do with a single. Often just make sure I’m home for 2yo nap, but the other day we were out all day so we borrowed a foldable.

Day to day we use a buggy board