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Original poster

Struggling to sort a pram for new born and 4 year old

27 replies

Bethlats · 10/06/2019 09:18

Hi. Looking for some advice. I have a Mountain buggy terrain which I have used for the past 4 years. It’s amazing, and as I do a lot of walking, perfect for all terrain, however it’s 63cm wide and not really practical for shopping. I am 16 weeks pregnant with my second. My 4 year old - who walks everywhere - has now decided the mountain buggy is his and he needs to use it, “not the baby”! So, do I buy a double buggy, there aren’t that many that fit a 4 year old, although the terrain goes up to 5 years, or is there a good ‘all rounder’ pram suitable for newborns, shopping and walking?? Do I assume he’ll soon get bored of the pram idea and buy a buggy board instead? Anyone got any experience of such annoying issues? As if there isn’t enough stuff to organise!

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IVEgottheDECAF · 10/06/2019 09:20

Will your 4 year old go to school in september? Before baby is born?

Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge · 10/06/2019 09:21

Offer the 4 yo a new scooter instead! My ds 4 had managed one for 2 years now!

lipslovelylips · 10/06/2019 09:22

I think you would be wasting your money on buying a double buggy. I would just treat it as a passing phase.

Runkle · 10/06/2019 09:22

I would wait until nearer the time and help him better prepare for the baby.

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 10/06/2019 09:26

He’s 4, almost going to school, unless he has mobility issues, he does not need a pram. You would be wasting your money.

Freyasmum1 · 10/06/2019 09:39

With that age gap I would have him walking.

BigRedBoat · 10/06/2019 09:42

My dd was almost 4 when dd 2 arrived, she hadn't used a pushchair for over a year. I got a bugaboo Fox with a buggy board for long distances but she walks everywhere else (I don't take the buggy board for shorter distances so she has no choice, she would pick the lazy option if she could!)

SleepingStandingUp · 10/06/2019 09:42

Op well have similar gaps and I'm stressing a little over how to accommodate them both for when I need eldest in a pram so if you find a good one let me know 😂😂

Having said that I'd say if he wasn't interested in it before he knew he was being usurped, I'd say its a jealousy / adjustment thing.
Leave it for now, humour him when appropriate and I reckon he'll get bored soon enough. Lots of praise on his big boy walking but don't do the "only babies use pushchairs" thing.

Original poster
Bethlats · 10/06/2019 09:43

Yes he’ll be at school in September. I’m 100% certain its just a passing phase that needs a period of adjustment. He doesn’t like scooters, so that wouldn’t work. He never goes anywhere in the pram - but has just started wanting to go back in it - probably because I’ve mentioned washing it ready for the baby! Thanks everyone - I’ll not waste my money. X

OP posts:
swampytiggaa · 10/06/2019 09:46

Buggy board for the big one or sling for the little one. Don’t waste money on a double for the short time you might need one.

I had 2 years between each of mine so when I had the youngest I had one in a sling one in the pushchair one on a buggy board and one walking alongside 🙂

ChessIsASport · 10/06/2019 09:46

I think that you’ll find you don’t need a double pram. Once he starts school in September he won’t want to go in the pram. I didn’t drive so kept my daughter in the pram for a long time as we walked miles but she never asked for the pram again after she started school.

CottonSock · 10/06/2019 09:49

My dd was 3 when her sister was born. She didn't want to give up her pram and was very lazy about walking. I had to put the stroller away for a few months and use the travel system instead as she had a screaming major hysterics when baby went into it. The travel system was fine as she didn't see it as 'hers'. She soon got used to buggy board. Fantastic until age 4.5 ish when it all got too heavy. I did buy a second hand double but hardly used it and such a pain to store. I really wouldn't bother with your age gap. Maybe some practice of getting used to the idea in advance.

Waggily · 10/06/2019 10:12

A four year old doesn’t need a pram. I’d put away for now and get it beck out when the baby comes. Maybe buy a new foot muff or something to the pram looks different to when he had it. My little boy likes the fact that he no longer uses the pram but his sister does cos she’s Too little to walk.

Hollowvictory · 10/06/2019 10:14

Buggy board or scooter. He's not a baby and school children don't go in buggies. He's just insecure re new baby arrival

babysharkah · 10/06/2019 10:18

Agree, you don't need one. He'll get over it pretty quickly.

Isatis · 10/06/2019 10:31

Put the mountain buggy away - out of sight, out of mind. You've got months to get it ready for the baby.

stucknoue · 10/06/2019 10:37

Mine are closer together but at 4 my eldest was still using the pushchair a bit, they actually used to sit one behind the other in our single mamas and papas one. She could walk but liked to sit cuddling her 2 year old sister (our double buggy was great but we destroyed it it wasn't designed for over 4)

Misha81 · 10/06/2019 12:53

Hi there. From my experience I cannot recommend a double enough. It saved my life and made it so much easier. My older daughter is now 4 1/2 and younger 1 1/2. I used to have the baby in a wrap when I had a single buggy for my older one but then decided to get the baby city mini gt double. The best buy ever.got it second hand from Facebook. I did a.lot of.research and it is the best double I could get. Children over 5 can fit in easily and takes a lot of weight too. It's small enough to fit the door anywhere you go. I don't have a car and we are used to being out all day and walk miles and miles so even if my older one doesn't need the pushchair now she does like to sit down or have a nap in it when she gets tired.its great for shopping too. It helps a lot when we need to get somewhere fast and I cant let my older one walk or when it rains and we need to get to nursery etc. When travelling we put our small suitcases in it too.we love it. It's nothing better than both kids falling asleep in it together while I have a bit of quiet time lol. It's very comfortable buggy.

Pinkvoid · 10/06/2019 14:14

He will not want to be pushed to school in a pram. Unless he’s disabled or has SEN, he doesn’t need to be in a pram at four. A double buggy would be a total waste of money.

Giraffeinabox · 10/06/2019 17:11

Just tell him he cant. Be firm and tell him its for the new baby then rake him to look at buggy boards, a bike or scooters. A 4 year old, unless medically required, should not be in a buggy

Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge · 10/06/2019 17:29

Make a list of great things a 4 yo can do that a baby can't. He needs to see the benefits of being a big boy!!
Money to spend at the shop for instance, choose the TV channel!
Snacks! Babies can only have milk - boring!
Big brother responsibilities always go down well ime. Choosing own clothes /babygro, helping with baby baths, squeezing the bubbles in!
Getting nappy etc!! All things big brothers get to do!!
I had 3 under 3 and was busy to say the least!!

Billballbaggins · 10/06/2019 17:32

My kids have just under 2 years between them and I used a double buggy a grand total of about 4 times. Bulky, annoying and a waste of time if the older child can walk well IMO!

SoyDora · 10/06/2019 17:33

I’d just tell him no, and that pushchairs are for babies! DD2 was 3.5 when DS was born and it wouldn’t have occurred to me to get a double.
He’s not going to want to go in a pushchair to school, is he?!

SoyDora · 10/06/2019 17:34

In fact DD1 was 20 months when DD2 was born and that was a waste of money as DD1 wanted to walk everywhere!

00100001 · 10/06/2019 17:36

YY to no double buggy, waste of time!

but do Scooter or buggy board