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Original poster

What age did your DC ditch the buggy? Do I really need to get another?

51 replies

cookiemonstress · 30/04/2008 13:18

Have 2 dd. Youngest 18m and eldest 3 and bit. Very long buggy saga involving a brief fling with Phil and Teds when dd2 born (sold due to dd1 perpetually undoing straps and escaping)followed by a couple of second hand double buggies.

In a fit of pique I gave my last double buggy away as was hopeful it was soon to be redundant given dd almost 3. Thing is that dd is suddenly demanding to go in the buggy (ironic she has protested from about 13 months about going into it) so much so I am considering another double buggy.

Not having a double buggy is making me v dependent on car which I don't always have and now summer is here I want to take dc out more. I have a buggy board but find it really awkward and dd not that keen either.

Am reluctant to invest in another buggy though if in a couple of months I may not need it? Would be interested in other experiences!

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ZoeC · 30/04/2008 13:20

I never used a double buggy so dd1 had to walk or dd2 went in a sling/backcarry. Dd1 didn't much use the buggy after 3 years, and I was find with dd2 in the backcarrier until she was 2.5 years so managed that way. There is 2 years 5 months between them btw.

If it was me, I wouldn't buy another double buggy with the eldest that age tbh.

Smithagain · 30/04/2008 22:05

DD1 was chucked out of the buggy at just gone 3 (when DD2 arrived). She walked to nursery from that point onwards - about 20 mins walk at adult pace.

I won't pretend that she always liked it - but she managed. And her teachers were amazed when she walked 30mins each way to and from school from the start of Reception without batting an eyelid.

Just got to work on DD2 now. She'll be 3 in August and I'm looking forward to being buggy-free!

CarGirl · 30/04/2008 22:08

get a buggy board? For ages I had a P3 and the older one used the built in toddler step on the back, very easy for the parent but harder work for the 3 year old so they are less inclined to use it and walk instead

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Snowstorm · 30/04/2008 22:11

When DD1 was around 2.5/3 years old, I used to have a buggy board on the Maclaren for getting DD1 to/from nursery, while DD2 was a baby in the pram.

I kept the buggy (single Maclaren) until DD2 was 3.5 years old. We didn't use it a lot towards the end but kept it in case of going on day trips or in case she wasn't feeling very well and I needed to go somewhere or whatever.

PinkTulips · 30/04/2008 22:39

dd hasn't been in her buggy since she was 18 months, that's when ds was born and we decided to wait and see if we really needed a double.... i never felt the need for one though tbh. if she got very tired when she was under 2 i put ds in a sling or carried her while pushing the buggy but that rarely happened

we walk a fair bit, she's 3 now and she walks 1/3 mile to and from playschool every day with no complaints. (in fact the other morning we walked most of the way there, realised i'forgotton her bag, turned round, ran back home and walked back to playscool and she was ok)

you just need to allow more time as they simply can't walk as fast as us with their little legs but they have great stamina at that age

bluenosesaint · 30/04/2008 22:55

Dd1 despite being the Worlds Laziest Pre-schooler ditched the buggy after the arrival of dd2 despite having the option of a buggy board - she was 3.2

Dd2 (5) hasn't been in a stroller since before she turned two (could walk for miles, literally, even at this age) although now with the arrival of dd3 she has told me that she'd quite like a ride - no chance, lol.

alibubbles · 01/05/2008 10:27

I stop using a buggy with minded children at around 18 months, they have to walk everywhere.

The baby who I have who was in a plaster cast and then a brace is now walking, which is fantastic, but the buggy will soon become redundant as she loves walking, it is as though she is making up for lost time.

Obviously if the child is late walker it will be around longer, but definately by 2 years old.

My own two are only a year apart, and I didn't use a double for them as DD walked from 9 months.

lilyloo · 01/05/2008 10:30

dd 3 has now had to give up buggy as dd 13 weeks arrived

NappiesGalore · 01/05/2008 10:31

i have a decrepit old doubl-ish buggy you can have if you want for nothing. the front is a seat and the back is a hop on hop off seat/standy bit. its not the smoothest thing in the world to push due to it being no doubt about 5th hand by now BUT it is there as an option to fill the last few months of needing anything like it. if you want it.

Miggsie · 01/05/2008 10:34

I chucked the buggy at just under age 2, on the grounds that DD has legs and should use them...she is now 4 and super fit, with great stamina and can run and walk for miles quite happily.
I cringe when I see kids bigger than her lolling around in pushchairs...it is so lazy. Children have good stamina if you build it up early enough and they have enough food to make sure they don't have an energy drop.

PinkTulips · 01/05/2008 10:41

snap miggsie, ds is 21 months and to me he seems big for the buggy.... makes me quite sad to see older kids being wheeled around constantly. kids have so much energy, it's a shame when they don't get the chance to use it

mistlethrush · 01/05/2008 10:44

We have to do lots of walks as have a dog so buggy was needed for distance at times - but ds hasn't used it for probably 6mo, now just 3...

barbiehouse · 01/05/2008 10:51

depends if you need buggy to restrain them, eg when shopping - i hate searching for one child when you've got another in a pushch\air

PinkTulips · 01/05/2008 10:56

oddly enough dd only runs off in shops when dp is there with us, when it's just me and the kids she knows the rules and sticks to them.

frankiesbestfriend · 01/05/2008 11:03

We bought a cheap Mothercare buggy at this age, mainly for use on holidays when dd needed to sleep in the evenings whilst we were out late. Plus on holiday dd was not able to walk so far in the hot weather.

Lazycow · 01/05/2008 11:06

Well I think needs must and all that so I'd get a buggy board. Personally though I still have a buggy for ds (3.3ys old). I use it when I want to go out for a walk if he is ill or if I need to go out with him and carry a lot of shopping back.

Generally though he walks most place. If I take the buggy he will always try to sit in it so we leave it at home most of the time.

feetheart · 01/05/2008 11:07

DD used Buggy board/walked from 2.9 when DS arrived though would walk a lot before then. DS got a scooter for his 2nd birthday and the buggy was ditched soon afterwards. Now that DD has a scooter as well we get to school in double quick time and I'm getting MUCH fitter

youngbutnotdumb · 01/05/2008 11:09

My DS is 22m and now I feel bad about having him in buggy LOL. But I live a mile from his nursery/town etc so feel as though I need it is this wrong? Have to walk this everyday and I go to Glasgow on train a few times from Inverness to visit family am going for a week am sure this isnt laziness is it? u all have me para now!!!

littlelamb · 01/05/2008 11:14

Dd is 3.10 and has only just ditched the buggy. BUT she is very short for her age and has little legs . ALso, we don't have a car and so have to walk everywhere, which included abuot a mile up a hill to get to nursery, which I struggle with . But with new baby due in a month we have been using it less and less and she can now manage without one, but will moan when she gets tired. It is a relief gettign out and about without a buggy, easier to get on buses and around shops, am almost dreading having to start lugging a buggy around again!

PinkTulips · 01/05/2008 11:23

littlelamb, dd spent the whole walk this morning to playschool dragging behind and saying she was too tired. the second we got there she shot in the door and started running in circles around the room and kept doing so for all 20 mins i was chatting to her teacher guess she wasn't that tired then!

YBND, every child is differant and every situation is differant. i'm a SAHM mom (not through choice but ho hum) so i can afford to leave enough time for dd to walk and once the weather improves i'll need even longer for ds to walk. not everyone is lucky enough to have that kind of time. when i mentioned being sad seeing older kids in buggies i was talking about 3/4/5 year olds that i often see in buggies around town... certainly not your 22 month old

youngbutnotdumb · 01/05/2008 11:35

LOL at pinktulips

Wasnt aiming at u just wondering after reading some on here it's like OMG my poor child Im such a lazy cow
I would have to leave abpout 2 hours before I start work to get there on time LOL

Smee · 01/05/2008 20:27

Surely it depends on how far you intend to walk? Tbh I get so hacked off when people stare at me on the odd occasion my boy is in his buggy - he's nearly 4 now, but we don't use a car and he's probably already walked a couple of miles before he wants/ needs to get in it. We're nearly on the point of dropping it altogether as he's such a trooper and really can walk a good long way, but I still take it out when we're off on a long trek as it's unrealistic to expect him to walk 3/4 miles all in one hit.

MNersanonymous · 01/05/2008 20:43

Smee is right. If you are walking 10 miles fair enough.
But imho anything up to 20 mins each way or more once they get used to walking should be fine.

Ds stopped having a buggy at 20 months. He can walk for ages and ages. They CAN do it if you let them.

At 3 they really shouldn't be in buggies for short to mid length walks surely??

CarGirl · 01/05/2008 20:58

Put there is also the safety angle we have a school run that is a mile, in effect 2 miles for dd. She has been very happy to walk it but I don't always have the 30 minutes at her speed it takes nor the mental stamina to stay calm as she runs off, we have 5 roads to cross 2 with blind corners and of course my 4 & 5 year old to keep an eye on as well. Plus there are the times when she us unwell etc.

There is also the running riot in the playground to cope with - trying to keep her off the enticing playground equipment as we collect & drop off - it is very stressful tbh.

I agree that there are many children who are in a buggy far longer than would seem "health" - the best is the women who parks as close as possible and for the first term pushed her dd to and from the playground (so yes she was in reception, just 4 but has no SN!)

MNersanonymous · 01/05/2008 21:54

I see your point Cargirl. Ds wasn't the running off type at 20 months even so it was easier and he doesn't have siblings so it was easier to keep hold of him.

But maybe by 3 they should be learning the rules e.g. not running off. She's going to have to learn them one day? I'd have thought most 3 year olds are capable of this? I hope I don't sound naive as a mum to an only child!!

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