Any tips for a pram hating 2 year old? Pregnant and struggling!

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I have 23 month old DS and am 25 weeks pregnant with baby 2. I’m finding my toddler increasingly difficult when we go out, especially to any shops as he is refusing the pram. He starts to cry as soon as I get it out of the boot, then seconds after entering the shop he starts yelling OUT OUT before crying. I have reins, but these make him even angrier and if I allow him to walk he will run and grab at things and it descends into chaos with him screaming as he doesn’t understand why we have to put things back, not on the floor, etc etc. once he’s been let out of the pram, getting him back in is a nightmare, arching his back and screaming. It’s embarrassing.

As time goes on and im getting bigger I’m finding the wrangling into the pram and the physicality of trying to grab him, hold him, restrain him increasingly difficult as he’s also on the 90th centile for height and weight and very strong.

does anyone have any tips, I’ve started a Sainsbury’s delivery pass as I physically can’t handle taking him to the supermarket at the moment and am avoiding anywhere that requires him to be in the pram for any length.

When baby is here I can’t see how I’ll manage as it won’t be safe to be trying to chase and wrestle while simultaneously being with a newborn. He will be 2.4 when baby is here.

Any tips, or any advice on whether this is normal, passes etc or any tricks would be great, I am struggling.

My 2 year old has a kinderkraft trike. Bought it at 12 months when he started refusing the pram. You gradually take stuff off so over time it turns into a trike they can use themselves.

They can see a lot more and don't feel as restrained.

What's your plan for when the baby arrives? Were you planning some sort of double pram? I wonder if he would enjoy a buggy board instead. You could get him excited about it and use it now whilst you're waiting for your new baby to arrive. Push the pram around but have him on the back on a buggy board

I would put him in the trolly

My daughters both flat refused the pram from about 18 months. They had a kind of three-wheeled trike thing with a long handle on the back that meant I could push and steer it. Worked well.

I’m thinking of renting a double pram purely because of the safety aspect, I just can’t keep chasing him and he will run off. I can then get rid of it depending on as and when it runs out of use.

I was considering a buggy board but am worried if he’s not physically strapped in he may run off or refuse to be on it. It’s an idea I’m considering though. The trike is another I’ve considered but with a newborn I’m not sure - I’ve got quite bad pelvic floor issues following last birth so not keen on excessive baby wearing when out.

Im not sure if I’m being too soft on him in allowing him too much free rein around the shops and inconvenient places and I should just accept he’s not developmentally ready to understand / behave and try and persevere with the pram rather than driving myself crazy.

Thanks for all the replies!

I have a 2.2 gap and my first went on a buggy board once baby was here.

Started letting him to walk next to the pushchair from about 18months. At first it was just on the way home and he was allowed out at our road and then I started letting him out earlier.
He was a could be a bit of a runner- now adhd so explains it- and also hated the pram. I got very strict, any playing up when walking and he was immediately in the pushchair, he learnt very quickly.

I had a backpack with lead on my wrist for the first month as a backup but still made him always hold my hand. I don't like reins as it doesn't actually teach them to walk nicely.

Once no 2 arrived i got a handle for my pushchair so he could comfortably walk and hold it and a buggy board. He got a scooter on his 2nd birthday and by 2.5yrs that was his main method of transport- started with a long line for safety around roads. I don't drive so we walked/ scooted miles a day. I wouldn't bother with a double buggy if he hates the buggy now- in 4months time he'll just be bigger to wrestle into it and the seats are small.

I had very bad pgp when pregnant and there are certain ways to tie fabric wraps that i found really supportive so I wouldn't completely rule out baby wearing.

Also the buggy board- i had a clip on steering wheel that I stuck on the end of the bassinet. Pram hood down so he thought he was steering us- he loved it.

One of these
https://www.littlelife.com/collections/toddler-daysacks
He can chose one he likes and then hold your hand or the push chair while "helping" you by carrying his drink, snack, teddy or even a dry nappy in HIS bag. The reign end can be hooked casually on your arm or the buggy handle should he try to bolt!

Also buggy board - all out of the way if he's fine, but there if he gets tired.

For journeys he needs to be pushed, trike or ride on scooter. Buggy board when baby is here.

For supermarkets try the trolley. The novelty is usually enough.