Advice please! Travelling with 3 year old and 5 month old

[n13arw]

We're going abroad in May with our 3 (almost 4) year old and new baby who will turn 5 months the day we fly.
My 3yo will likely still nap in the day and on our holiday last year he did this in our buggy which we bought for holidays - a Silver Cross Jet. He is obviously older now so may not always want a sleep but I think I'd like the option of a buggy for him should he choose to nap! I also want him to be contained in busy places like the airport etc especially if there are queues, it's just easier and safer!
My baby is in our Egg pram carrycot still, she's quite big for 3 months but I can't see her moving to the stroller seat any time soon. My 3yo has a buggy board on the Egg which he loves and uses that for long walks, if we're whizzing round the supermarket etc.

My question is how do I go abroad to give them both the pram they need, do I buy a new one?

My thoughts so far :

I am not sure travelling with the full Egg pram and buggyboard is a good idea as it leaves nowhere for toddler to have potential nap if needed although buggyboard would keep him contained at airport somewhat. I also don't like the thought of airport staff slinging it around.

Buying a double travel buggy seems pointless as they may want to sleep at different times and will then be confined to the same walk/nap etc.
I also don't feel me (or baby girl) is ready for her to be facing out in a pushchair yet.

Travelling with just the Silver Cross Jet only leaves space for one child and no buggyboard option.

I've seen a second hand Jool Aer + Carrycot for sale. Do I buy that for baby girl so it matters less about going in the hold, and take the silver cross Jet for 3 yo at the airport and if he wants a sleep...?

I've thought about renting two babyzen yo-yo's as you can clip them together or keep them apart so we have options. But for the price I may be better just buying a second hand pram and reselling when we're home..?

Thanks for anyone who's got this far 😂 look forward to hearing from you with any advice!!!

Do you have a carrier?

Ive just done this with similar ages - toddler was pushed around in a travel pushchair, baby was in a sling.

A carrier and a buggy would seem by far the most sensible

I have a carrier for baby which we can take and does solve the travelling issue but when we are there it only leaves the buggy for her, and I'm not sure she's ready/old enough to be forward facing... and what if they both want

I don't know the details of the buggies you mention, but I have travelled (by myself!) with children of similar age, and have managed with a baby carrier (for the baby in the airport/plane), and a buggy that the toddler can use if necessary but which is also suitable for the baby.

(I think your concern about outward-facing is probably more a 'you' issue than a 'baby' issue.)

Are you also taking a car seat?

Another option is to buy a cheap folding McLaren type pushchair which folds flat enough for the toddler to sleep in, and have that too. Depending on your destination you could even buy that on arrival (Amazon?)

Thanks everyone makes perfect sense with the carrier. Have been discussing it with DH and think this is a good option. I pressed send too soon on my other comment, apologies.
We are travelling with our best friends too who also have a little girl who is almost 3 so I think the fun of being together will distract my toddler from wanting to sleep during the day anyway!
Thank you!

Is it an essential trip to see family? Because if not why put yourself through it? You have years ahead to go on family holidays

Is your toddler likely to run off? Are they not able to just hold your hand? As for naps - you're moving away from that at 3 and if desperate you let them nap on you briefly, then wake them up and get going again. Baby forward facing is fine - why wouldn't it be? I know babies get reassurance from seeing a parent but at 5mnths old being able to see new, stimulating things is good! I honestly think you'll be fine with stroller. Maybe a calm, slow paced holiday is the time to change habits.

If I remember correctly, there is a new born insert for the egg stroller attachment. That would mean that you could bring the stroller part for 3 year old when he wants a nap (if baby wants to nap, you can pop her in the sling). But for the rest of the time, you can put the new born insert in for baby. Hope that makes sense, I remember with the stroller part you can lay flat aswell.

😂 We're going on holiday because we're fortunate enough to be able to take our babies away and make lovely memories in the sun with our friends too.

You should maybe try it, it might make you a happier person.

I didn't ask for advice on whether or not I should go on holiday... just advice on pushchairs. Thanks for your input though.

We went abroad with my then 3 month old and 3 year 5 month old and took the carrier and a travel buggy (FF seat).
The big one went in the buggy occasionally including at the airport and I carried the baby. However the buggy was fine for the baby most of the time.

Thanks! Super helpful. Think we will follow suit!

I think you’ve answered your own question tbh. I have 23 months between my two and we’ve never had or needed a double buggy, we’ve used a carrier (I can carry both of them so it’s versatile). Eldest still naps (youngest is 9mo) but he’s close to dropping it and never has one these days when life is exciting (going to Granny’s house or whatever). Have fun.

ETA in case I wasn’t clear. We have an Ergobaby 360 and my eldest LOVES being carried on my back. So if he has tired legs and baby is asleep in the pushchair I’ll carry the toddler. He sometimes falls asleep in the carrier too.

Ahhh that's so good to know. Mine is the Ergo 360 too! Didn't know you could use it on the back! I'm sure he'll love this! Thank you

I’m an extremely happy person thanks - travelling with babies this age would make me pretty unhappy though ! Flipping nightmare!

We did it with a YoYo (but the Jet would work just as well) and sling combo. 5MO was fine in it in the forward facing seat and when the older one wanted a rest baby went into the sling. Did find the sling a bit hot though so were glad that we also put the buggy board in the hold, if you wanted that option too then look at the Lascal Mini; it’s supposedly universal.

We went away when ours were the exact same age - we took our out and about buggy and buggyboard, plus a carrier - gave us options!

Hope you have a fab holiday, I remember it being a super easy one as baby was happy sleeping or lying in the shade and playing. 3 year old had a ball in the pool and was exhausted by bedtime so slept amazingly. We kept them on UK time (we were 2 hours ahead) so they had a lie in every day too.

Thanks so much. Little baby girl is a dream so really hoping she stays this way, I'm sure there'll be lots of naps! My toddler loves the pool too. We're really excited. Really appreciate your reply. Thank you!

We did a holiday at similar point. Took travel buggy and ergo360 and switched them in and out as needed. Then we hired another buggy from the hotel so we could push them both to sleep and enjoy some time by the pool with them both napping once a day! My son doesn’t always nap but the heat and swimming took it out of him so it worked well!

Travelling with Ryan air with 3 and 5 year old unsure if allowed to take buggy collapsible and a trunkie on board as hand luggage?