Double pram for almost 3 year old? Needed?

[jollyee]

Posting on behalf on my sister.

She's due her little boy in a few months. At this time, her little girl will be 2 years and 8 months. Does she need a double pram? Toddler currently walks when out sometimes but sometimes it's easier for her to go in the pram for days out etc which she is fine with. Is a double pram going to be a waste of money? If she does need one does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

If the infant/the mum likes the sling, I think you can get away without a double pram. In their shoes, I’d likely not buy one, see how we get on over the first couple of weeks, and then re-evaluate as needed.

I had similar ages, thought I'd get away with it then got one fairly sharpish.

Baby in sling is all very well until toddler throws big tantrum and you can't pick them up and need to hand your baby to a passerby or put them on the ground!

Also in a double pram you occasionally get the brief ecstasy of them both being asleep at the same time.

Also good for hanging balance bikes and scooters on.

Plus toddler walking is a fine idea until you have ten mins to get to the doctors and toddler gets particularly interested in drainpipes on the way and refuses to walk at a decent speed.

I got a second hand Phil and Ted's, the second child bit could be removed and used as a single pram when toddler was really too big.

My toddler threw way more tantrums once baby came as she adjusted, btw

I have a similar age gap and didn’t bother. DS (now 3.3) hasn’t used a pushchair for a long time. Buggy boards are good though.

I had a 3.5 year gap and still find the £10 second hand Phil and teds invaluable. If someone (maybe even me when really sleep deprived!) is having a strop you can strap them both in and go off for a walk at a brisk pace; calm everyone down!

It depends if they still nap. If they do, double all the way- you could get something that converts back to a single eg the Vista or if you’re happy with your current pram then go second hand. If they don’t then I’d get a buggy board instead. My age gap is closer to 3.5 years so done with napping and DD loved the buggy board, we were still using it when she started reception 🤣

I wouldn't get one. See how she gets on. If little legs gets tired they can get a balance bike/scooter etc or even a balance board or a side attachment. In days out, they can take turns.

if she can't make it work & wants to she can get a double then. It's not something she needs to get in advance.

Also I can’t imagine how anyone manages a newborn in a sling and a toddler in the pram. How the hell do you do it when they’re kicking off about not wanting to leave the playground? Hope bribery works and/or wait it out? Not to mention your poor back from 10lbs strapped to you pushing another 40lbs up a hill. No thanks.

Newborn in sling and toddler in buggy. Then baby in buggy and toddler on buggy board. It can be done for short trips but it really depends on how long your journeys are.

Same age gap. Got a double and didn't use it much. But it was cheap second hand. My older child was sensible and loved the buggy board

I can honestly say I’ve never had to force my child into a pushchair. It probably depends on your child but it isn’t a given!

I got a buggy board over a double buggy. 2 years and 6 months gap. I could trust DC1 to stay on the board, and she very rarely threw tantrums though.

28 month gap here and wouldn't be without my double buggy. It's been the single best purchase since baby 2 came along. I live in London though and we walk absolutely everywhere so it isn't realistic to expect my toddler to walk that far/that fast everyday. I did use a sling a lot in the first few months but the flexibility to have somewhere to put down the baby giving me two free hands while out and about with the toddler was invaluable. It's had the added benefit of turning baby 2 into a great little buggy sleeper - he's 8 months now and will always reliably go to sleep in his buggy

I had the same age gap and just used a sling for the baby and toddler walked everywhere. We ended up skipping the buggy for DC2 as they walked at 12m so just used the sling until then.

3 year 5 week gap
We didn't need a double buggy for long, but that first winter that dc2 was born, it was essential for getting out of the house, getting dc1 to nursery, staying out if either child needed a nap. I bought in second hand, and sold it a year later for £7 less than what I'd paid for it.

Never had a problem and seemed to manage absolutely fine with baby in a sling and 3 year old in pushchair. Also I don't get people complaining about their backs, I've always struggled with my back but having a baby in a sling was far better then trying to just carry them and actually helped strengthen my back at the time. My physio was very pleased I was using one.

It probably helped that my 3 year old hadn't had a nap since they where 2 anyway, so no napping needed in a pushchair.

I had a 2 Yr 6 month gap. I didn't get a double and regretted it. Dd1 was fine to walk most of the time but it was tricky when I was caught for time.
We tried a buggy board but I found it difficult to manage.

I think it depends how much you use your buggy. If you go on longer walks/don't drive etc, then it's probably more necessary than if you are only popping out locally with both kids.

I have the same age gap and didn't need a double buggy, managed with either sling for the baby or buggy board for the big one, but we didn't do many long walks with it - where I live it's either amenities on our doorstep (so not a long walk) or so far away you need to drive. If I was doing e.g. a long nursery walk every day, I might have had more need for a double buggy!

Thanks all!! She decided to get a cheap double stroller to tide her over until the toddler no longer needs it! Thanks for those who mentioned Facebook market place! Found and picked up a cheap city jogger double in lovely condition for £60 which is fab. If it doesn't get used will just resell! Thanks all ☺️

I had the same gap and didn't bother. I just got a buggy board off Facebook for when toddler didn't want to walk!