Double pushchair advice needed.

[Claireykitten]

I dont know if this is the right place to put this but I have just found out I am expecting DC2 and being the budding pramaholic that I am I have already started thinking double pushchairs and would really appreciate the advice of anyone with double pushchair experience. My DS will be 18-19 months when the baby arrives so will definitely still need to be in a pushchair, what I am basically wanting is advice/experiences to help decide what is the best route to take ie twin/tandem etc etc. I decided last night that a phil and teds seemed a really good idea as I like the fact that is the size of a single pushchair but having read some reviews it seems to have quite a few problems so what do all you wise MNetters advise?

Claire

The Emmaljunga is pretty ig but fabulous LOL.

It has a reversible handle and the seats lay right back so you don't need anything else for it IYKWIM.

I think the icandy pea is supposed to be quite good too.

That'll be pear not pea

Using P&T and nope can't recline the toddler seat if above the baby as it sinks down onto the baby;s legs

tho the 5.5m loves sitting in the lower seat so no ishoos yet.

it folds if toddler seat is above baby but needs unclipping (2 clips) if in the bottom position so not too bad.

The ZOOM looks fab and will await a report TokenTotty

With the Marco Sky it doesn't say if the front toddler seat reclines

iCandy pear looks good for 2 twin babies but don't know how it would get on with a big hulking toddler and a baby.

Again I think it comes down to your lifestyle if you need to get it in and out the car a lot, if you walk a lot, if you go round little shops, if you want the toddler to be able to nap.

I honestly don't think there is an ideal double out there they all have pluses and minuses you just have to find the best fit for you (in my case this took 3 prams to find this out).

What about Bertini?

If your not needing a reclining seat they do a additional toddler seat for their steerable and 3 wheeler pushchairs that sits infront of the baby.

I fyou are 90% od the time walking then Silver Cross do a lovely pram that a toddler seat can be added to, not a huge pram but a nice one none the less.

I have practically a PhD in double buggies.
First thing - there is no perfect double buggy (once you believe this, it will make selection process easier!)

I started with P & T. Sold after 5 months because dd1 managed to undo straps and kept escaping (think the new model does not have this problem).

Moved to mothercare urban hoxton. Pluses include being narrow and v cosy for newborn. But very heavy when toddlers get to 2+.

Then moved to Twin Aria. Hated it. Nightmare to push. Rubbish for public transport.

Have come full circle and have just bought second hand P & T from Gumtree (cheaper than ebay). DD1 now more compliant (in fact can't get her out) and overall do think it is best double option out there. Not great if you do lots of shopping but you'll manage. The other plus is that they hold their value second hand, so think of it as more of a rental. You'll easily sell it on for a healthy price.!

Good luck
R

The P&T Panniers are great for lightweight shopping.

Did you get a same but newer model or a different model to the previous one CookieMontress ?

Agree with cookiemonstress about the Twin Aria I hated it with a passion.

With the P&T the baby doesn't lie underneath as someone said they actually lie in the folded down bit of the buggy the same place they would lie in any buggy of that type, they lie in the same place as they would do when it's in single mode it's just the normal seat folded down with the cocoon added (it looks v comfy). The toddler sits on top the only thing is that if you have a tall toddler their head might not get under the hood. DD2 is 90cms (yes I measured her) and only just about fits under but once DD3 is out the baby bit it will be OK.

Also agree about the resale value thats how I persuaded DP in the first place

I love my P&T but i'm going to have to sell it now as DS1 2.2, has not been in it for nearly 2 months and I have discovered that you can't put a buggy board on it. I know the whole idea is that you've got 2 seats so this shouldn't be a problem but DS1 is refusing to sit in it anymore.

Other than that it has been great, I only bought it when DS2 was 5 months so have only had it 6 months in total and have had no problems with it.

I will have a 13 month gap between dd3 & dd4 and have bought a mamas & papas duette chassis (£10) and a seat unit and carrycot (45) from ebay. We will put dd3 at the back and the carrycot on the front. We have just tried it with dd2 (3) in it and it's quite easy to push, it is long but where we live side by side was just not an option. I love the pink camo p&t but 1. it's expensive and 2. i like baby to be rearfacing and in a carrycot for the first few months.

If using a P&T as a single baby is in cocoon and facing you, tho even using as a double, you have good line of sight to baby from looking thru handle bar or hood window.

I think the only way for me to go is to get a P&T, I think I will wait until they bring the new Dash model out in November. I have a Bugaboo Cam and if only they would bring out a double, I would be happy. I know what will happen, they will when I don't need one anymore!