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Parenting

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Original poster

Double Buggy question

26 replies

evie2000 · 20/03/2009 14:56

Sorry to start something that has no doubt been done a million times but I have a few questions. I put this first time in pregnancy by mistake - I think this is a better place but please tell me if I've got it wrong.

We cannot fit a double side by side in our door so we either need tandem or phil and teds. Have slight aversion to P and Ts as I don't like the bottom seat frankly but am also concerned by the other options....which seem limited and heavy. I've stopped a few mothers/childminders in the street with tandems and so far no one is very positive. Is anyone really pro their tandem....what make.
Has anyone used the saftey first duo - what's it like?
Is P and T the only real option?

Thanks so much for your help - much much appreciate.

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EldonAve · 20/03/2009 15:02

What is your issue with the P&T bottom seat?
What is your age gap going to be?

Original poster

evie2000 · 20/03/2009 17:24

thanks for asking Eldon, 18 month gap - just not sure about a toddler being in the bottom once the baby gets to the front seat - always looks squashed, can't see out....usual thinkgs I imagine.

OP posts:

ragd0ll · 20/03/2009 17:26

The baby goes in the back seat so not really squashed. I have to say I love my p&t, got for the same reason as you it was the only one to fit through the door!

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ragd0ll · 20/03/2009 17:28

Oh and my 2.4 year old ds does go in the back when he's going to be getting in and out, he's a big boy and doesn't complain about being squashed

Nabster · 20/03/2009 17:29

I don't like them either as they seem to have the child too near the ground.

Years ago I used a tandem and the older child was inthe front so going up kerbs was tricky and in shops it took up half the aisle.

ragd0ll · 20/03/2009 17:31

Yeah, the back seat is quite low, I looked at loads before buying it but a perfect double buggy just doesn't exist!

BlueCowWondersWhenItsChocTime · 20/03/2009 17:33

you might reconsider a side-by-side. I've had some that don't fit, but my current one does! (BabiesRus, don't know model) So maybe take measurements?

silverfrog · 20/03/2009 17:36

the thing I don't like about most tandems I saw (I have a P&T) is that the seats don't seem very big.

I tried dd1 in one (can't remember which one), and her head was already above the seat, so she had nowhere to lean back (she was 2.8 at this point)

so we got a P&T, as I could at least see that lasting her awhile, in relative comfort.

dd1 is 4.7 now, and still fits in the P&T, and dd2 is 2.2 and fits well in the bottom seat. It really has been a life saver

FlyMeToDunoon · 20/03/2009 17:41

Agree- measure your door and get a side by side if you can.

I had a P&T and was able to compare it to a Cossatto Duet lite in the shop. the difference was amazing-the P&T was much lighter and more manouverable. Cossatto felt tank like and unwieldy..
We got the P&T because our doorway was too narrow for any side by side. I found it great for the first 4 months and then my daughter started wanting to roll over and sit up-not good in the lie back bit and was too young for the back seat. She went in the front seat quite a lot but we had to juggle around often depending on who was awake or sleepy.

Jane powertwin or equvalent atm is often recommended on here too.

Blottedcopybook · 20/03/2009 17:47

Although the P&T back seat is low, it has the pneumatic tyres so it's not as if it's scraping the ground. Also, the back seat is plenty roomy - my toddlers with a 14 month age gap are acres more comfortable in it than they were in the McLaren side by side or the graco tandem (which is a hellish horrible pram).

Would you consider using a sling instead?

ragd0ll · 20/03/2009 17:48

Dd hated the lie flat bit so we put her in the back seat from about 4 months, just padded it out and put the head support from her bouncy chair in it.

Babieseverywhere · 20/03/2009 17:58

I have a P&T Vibe and I love it.

For the first few months baby DS was in the lie down bit and DD on the front in the double seat. I liked the fact that it was very comfortable and he always fell asleep in it.

Now at 7 months DS is in the double seat at the back and sat up and 2.7 year old DD is in the front seat. So DS can watch the world go by, sideways anyway

I found the Vibe has slightly wider seats than the other P&T models and are padded and the pram folds with the doubles kit on (i.e. additional seat)

Also if DD wants to walk, I put DS in the front and when DD gets tired she hops into the bottom seat for a rest, which is not recommended by P&T put works well for us.

Get a Phil & Ted Vibe and a lovely sling. As cuddling babies in slings is fab and having a double pram keeps you sane

MammyINeedAWee · 20/03/2009 18:00

Easy - I have a Jane powertrack, newborn baby went in the carrycot bit and DD had a BabyDan seat that fitted over the top of this (bloody brilliant, loads of people asked about it)

Now DS sits in the pushchair facing out as normal and when DD wants a ride she sits facing him on the footplate, it is FANTASTIC!!

www.ciao.co.uk/Jane_Powertrack_360__5653829

Original poster

evie2000 · 20/03/2009 19:20

Thank you all so much for your helpful commments. All very interesting and useful.

MINAW - this is the first time i've heard about the babydan seat and I think the idea sounds fantastic. Am going to look into whether the micralite would take it - I would worry about instability but will research further - might be a good solution at the beginning when you want the baby cosy in the pram.

OP posts:

ramonaquimby · 20/03/2009 19:22

what about a Jane Powertwin? I loved mine

sweetkitty · 20/03/2009 19:27

I have had a side by side and a Graco tandem, then a P&T P&T wins hands down fab pram.

MammyINeedAWee · 20/03/2009 19:38

The babydan seat is held on by 2 big springs on each side, it also has waist straps to keep your child in. If you see the picture of it here

I am even thinking of asking my Dad to fix it to the footplate of the Jane as it is so fab.

I would say, however, not to leave pushchair unattended with your toddler in the chair, as it may become unstable? I never had a problem though.

amanda12 · 20/03/2009 19:39

I had a jane powertwin for a newborn and a 2 yr old. It was great best pushchair i have ever had !!

tassisssss · 20/03/2009 19:42

I have an out and about nipper with my 21 month age gap and it does fit through most standard doors so might be worth a measure. Having said that we have steps up to our front door which is a total pain so I've only lifted it into the house about 3 times in the past 9 months. It really is a FAB double.

rosyleecupoftea · 20/03/2009 21:28

I agree with tassisssss, my "out n about" double nipper is fantastic and they now make them with a swively front wheel so are even easier to steer. Mine is 70cm wide and fits through most standard doors. Its very light and great on all terrains. And has a fantastic rain cover.

Original poster

evie2000 · 21/03/2009 15:24

thanks so much I like the sound of the outnabout nipper but the ones I have seen say 77cm - which do you have that is just 70cm - that would be possible for us! Just...

OP posts:

rosyleecupoftea · 21/03/2009 21:38

I bought it nearly 4 years ago. Its their older style double with a fixed front wheel rather than a swively one. Its definately 70cm as I just measured it!! You probably cant buy them new like this anymore but could probably get a second hand one on ebay.

yousaidit · 21/03/2009 21:44

we had a nipper out n about side by side thingy and it fitted through our door! it was in fabv nick, no one we knew needed it, so my fil took it to the second hand market and a market trader bought it for £10 to use as a wheelbarrow!!!!!!

tassisssss · 21/03/2009 21:46

i got my old style one on dbay for £22!! love it!

mumof2andabit · 21/03/2009 22:01

I had the same opinion about p&t's but with a 3yrold, 1yr old and newborn (who is still on the way) it really was our only option. Try pushing a tandem with one hand. It was second hand off ebay and I love it! baby will sit underneath untill dd is old enough to want to walk most of the time I think. Seriously from hating them I am a total convert. So nice to push!

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