Will I need a double pram?

[iiya]

Due late summer! Age gap will be 2y 3m between my DS and baby due to be born

we have a pram that turns into tandem (one top one bottom) but I’ve heard it makes it so heavy and hard to push. I’ll be having another c section so want something not too hard to push for those early walks while still recovering!

However, my lovely cousin is done with her bugaboo donkey (I think the name is) and said we could have it and just get it cleaned! And this is I can have a newborn basket and toddler seat side by side and apparently is a dream to push! Quite lightweight she said

however I’m in 2 minds. DS is walking he started around 14mo and js still wobbly so I don’t know. Will he need a pram then? Does it just depend on the kid? He’s my first so I have no idea and don’t want a waste!

and a single pram would be easier overall aha!

A double pram is great when the weather is rubbish or you want to get somewhere in a hurry or a tantrum occurs.

If you like wearing babies in slings that works will with a single pushchair

Also if the older one still naps.

With that age gap I had one.

I had our youngest late Autumn and got a double as ds was only 22 months old. He was great at walking but winter in Scotland can be harsh therefore a double pram was easiest for me. We used it for 6 months then sold it to a local childminder.

Same age gap, I didn't get a double, because they all seemed so big and heavy, and I knew we wouldn't need it for long enough to justify the cost. Instead I got a buggy board for my Oyster, which dd1 loved! I baby wore dd2 lots so dd1 still sat in the pram alot of the time. Had a seat that could lay flat for newborn, and sit up for toddler, so if baby was in the buggy, eldest was on buggy board, or walked... if baby was being carried, dd1 could walk or sit in the pram. It worked really well tbh.

We have the donkey and so glad we went for it. Not sure what we would have done without it, we’d have definitely needed to buy a double pram. It’s great, so easy to push and fits through most shop doors. Do it you won’t regret it!

This is what I'm hoping to do, Baby2 due any day, toddler is 2.5y. What buggy board did you get please?

I had a 2y 5m gap. When I was expecting no.2 I went to a local specialist store to look at double buggies and the saleswoman looked at my (very tall) oldest and told me he wouldn't fit! I used a sling very briefly and then got a buggy board, but even that didn't get much use.

2 years 3 months and a baby, I wouldn’t even consider not having a double.

I would get the pram and then you could always sell/pass it on if it does not work for you

I'd invest in a buggy board
Also a decent sling

At that age I don't think you'll get too much use out of a double personally, maybe a couple of outings.

If you're being offered one, go for it. You can sheets use a double decker later

We got a very lightweight double buggy side by side - same age gap - and it was a lifesaver for ages.

Ps we also had a sling and a buggy board. But there were still plenty of times we needed the double

I don't think so. I had that gap and bought one, and it was a waste of money. Used 3-4 times.

You would if you had my DD!

Same age as OP’s child (2.3) with same age gap between her and second, and she walks everywhere! Hates the pram. She can quite literally walk miles and still keep going.

So we didn’t get a double. Would have been an absolute waste of money for us. Got a buggyboard with a foldable seat instead.

16 months between my two and I didn’t bother getting a double pram. I put the baby in the single pram, and my 16 month old walked alongside, on toddler reins.
It depends on your local geography and whether you have a car, have long walks, or use public transport.
I live in rural Perthshire, and even a single buggy is a pain to get up rough hill tracks or across fields. My two were sturdy walkers from very young, and I used my car for getting the 15 miles to the shops.

Same age gap and definitely needed a double, especially to begin with. Eldest went through a tantrum phase shortly after the baby arrived and wouldn't reliably stand safely on a buggy board.

Our daily walks were something of a secret weapon in getting both to have a nap at the same time as well.

I have a 2 year and 1 week age gap and we have a tandem double (icandy peach). I got it second hand and it's served me well, got lots of use out of it, and I like that it can be used as just a single too if needed. Tbh, it's not that heavy on flat ground and I only really notice its heavy when going uphill. They're nearly 3 and 1 now so obviously much heavier than when they were 2 and newborn. Depends how much you're realistically going to use it too. I've heard good things about the bugaboo though, they're expensive so if it's being given to you, you're not losing anything by having it!

Also can't get my 3yo to reliably use the buggy board and he doesn't mind going in the pram. Falls asleep on the school run sometimes too.

Same age gap here and wouldn't have been without the double. When it comes to toddlers, can and will walk (or anything else for that matter) are two very different things. Eldest was in nursery during the week but the double meant that we could all get out for decent walks at the weekend. Invaluable.

We did also get a buggy board but they're not great for pushing, and it took a little while for eldest to be safe on it - at first she would just step off while in motion, including while crossing the road.

I have a just less than 2yr gap between my kids and didn't need a double buggy. We got a buggy board and it's the bane of my life. I've lost count of the times I've caught my foot on it and tripped (not good after a CS and with my slipped disc). Also my DD fell off it a few times when I set off and she wasn't hanging on tight.

So if you have been given an easy option that doesn't require a sodding buggy board I'd take it if I was you!!

I had a two year, two week gap, and I bought a second hand double buggy and sold it within a few weeks: it was heavy, my eldest hated not being able to see, it didn't fit on buses/out of doors easily... We used the sling and single pushchair for a few weeks and then basically my eldest just walked!

This can massively depend on your eldest. My elder DC I'd have happily put on a buggy board at that age. My younger one absolutely not. At 2 we still rely heavily on our pram because they're not ready for walking more than a short distance on reins. If you have the option of a cheap or free double it could be worth having. Especially in the summer

I would want one. Take the bugaboo donkey if it’s being given. It’s a great double and can be used as single with side storage later

I only have one child, he’s almost 3. Although he walks and cycles well, it’s when he wants to. I used pram a few days ago at a massive boot fair/ market type event, he walked lots but wanted to sit after a while when it was very busy. And right now I’m walking in woods with him and he’s just fallen asleep. He hardly naps now but has been up with a cough waking him the last three nights so I knew he needed a rest. Had I walked him he would have just wanted to be carried today