Pregnant with number two - advice needed re Buggy's, boards, slings etc.....

[bafty]

Hi

I'm due my second baby at the end of August my first DS will be 2.8. We dont have a car and I walk my DS to and from nursery (2miles approx) 3 times a week.

I am quite small at 5.3ft.

I've been looking at loads of threads am completely at a loss as to what option is best ie buggy boards, sling and pram, double buggy.

does anyone have any advice based on a similiar situation to me ie short arse with no car...

We have 23 months between dc. We used a double buggy until DS1 was 3 so not sure if it would be a good buy for you as you first will be almost that age when your second is born.

We then used a buggy board for a while which was great. Gets them used to walking short distances then when they're tired they can hop on the board.

I've never used a sling as TBH I find babies get heavy really quickly!! 2 miles would be a long way to walk with a heavy baby strapped to you IMO!!

Good luck!

I'll be using a sling & single buggy + buggyboard (DD1 will be 2.7 when DD2 is born) but I don't walk as far as you.

DO NOT GET A TANDEM

At least for the first few months - dd1 is too heavy to push comfortably when she sits in the front seat. I have managed with a sling until just recently. DD1 has become more responsible with holding my hand now (she's 2.8 months now)

Good luck bafty - if you borrow a double buggy from any one for a few months that will be much better

Dd was 2.9 when ds was born. We used a buggy board, which worked fine. I never managed the sling, too darn heavy (and I had caesareans).

A buggy would have been nice occasionally, more for crowd control than anything - you can strap them both in, walk quickly and daydream! But a cheap secondhand one would be ok cos you prob wouldn't use it for that long.

Mind you, dd is now 5 and ds 2, and we still use the buggyboard sometimes. They just take it in turns to sit in the pram!

We're playing it safe (due the 2nd in September) and we got a tandem off Freecycle
(like we could afford a new one!!!) and I'm making funky baby slings all over the place too!
Think it'll be Monkey in her usual buggy and BB in sling for the first couple of months (size depending LOL) and then on to the tandem!

Had to get a tandem as I can't drive and have to use pubic transport (yes that's not a spelling mistake LOL) not that I'm even sure I'll get a tandem on a bus LOL but it's worth a try!!

my dd1 was 2.8 when dd2 was born we planned yo use a buggy board and it worked perfectly

also something worth thinking about i did take her on a few short walks once or twice a week before lo was born to get her used to walking holding hands etc and so that she wasnt too upset when the new baby was using her pushchair

we also borrowed a mamas and papas duette for a little while but didnt get much use, would have got more if she was 6 months younger though so glad i didnt buy it

the buggy board got so much use though was still using it for long walks when she was nearly 5 or when in a rush like school run

dd2 is now almost 5 and lo due in december even considering buying another buggy board for her to use especially for long walks(we dont drive)such as summer holidays or just when its busy ie christmas shopping or saturdays round town
best thing i ever bought in my opinion

oh one other thing if you do decide to go for buggy board option

please check what pram you have/are going to buy as to which fittings are required buggy boards of what ever fittings just dont fit or are a really bad fit to some prams

if you are buying new this is something to consider when looking at them

HTH

Hi mad4girls, I've checked a good website link given to me by another mumsnetter and the buggy board definately fits the maclaren xt I have. the only problem is that with the seat reclined fully for a new born they said the board would stick out behind quite far. so i need to consider the stretch I will need to reach the handle bars.

by the way does anyone remember/know at what age babies can generally start to sit in a more upright position? I just cant remember.

I may consider a phil & Teds as we can re sell at similar price and it also can convert to a single buggy. also you can attach a buggy board once it is a single buggy. I have to walk everywhere and winters coming. DS1 is in nursery three times a week so I need to get him there in good time and its quite a hike each way. I should try and borrow one and test it with him and a sack of potatoes on the bottom, plus shopping hanging off the sides. then I can see if I can actually manouver it!

www.specialtybaby.com/batrsi73gast.html

Had 20m between mine and got P&T's was absolutely fab and would recommend. Sold it for nearly as much as I bought it for as well. Also had buggy board but even without maclaren seat reclining back it's still a stretch and I'm 5'9". Steering it with BB not easy either IME!

I think it's about 3-4 months when they start being able to be more upright but tbh it seems already a distant memory - youngest 2 and a half!!

Good luck x

Winters coming Have I missed summer?

I used a baby bjorn sling. Tried a buggy board but it was too difficult going up & down pavements plus our pavements are old & bumpy.

ask for advice on phil and teds as they werent around when i had 2 small ones would have loved to have tried one out if there had been.

all i know is everyone thats had one has always praised it and said you cant beat it etc mainly due to the fact you can use it just as a single while your still expecting and when lo gets older

also well worth considering if you plan to have more children with a smallish age gap as you will get even more use so value for money

Buggy boards are brilliant if a) They fit your buggy and b) you don't suffer from a bad back as I find my posture is bad when using it (maybe I have it fitted badly or something?!).
I do however have to say that I would be happier using a double buggy to do a 2 mile trek. I have a 3.6 yr old and a 2 yr old and after a while they start fighting over who is going in the buggy!
If you can borrow a double buggy I think that would be the best bet for you.