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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

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Original poster

Double buggies...aarrgh!

18 replies

shropshireblue · 20/05/2011 14:47

I'm expecting twins in 6wks time and still haven't decided on a pushchair. We live in a flat which has external steps so I need something that is easy to get up and down them. I also would prefer a side by side and parent facing. We do have a car but live in the city so if I do use public transport I need it to fit.

I had my heart set on either a Mountain Buggy or Baby Jogger city mini but the MB is way too heavy to lift and wouldn't fit in our Corsa. The Baby Jogger looks good but I haven't been able to see what the carrycots look like as they are not available until June. The carrycots are soft ones so does anyone know if these can be used for sleeping in overnight when we go away?

I seem to want a pushchair which does everything, which is impossible I know, but as the grandparents live in a rural area I'm unsure that the BJCM will be good off road. It's a trip that we would do about 5 times per year but I guess I'm also thinking about camping trips etc. I really would like a pushchair that we can keep for a few years - I've fallen in love with the Bugaboo Donkey but it's just so expensive, I'm not sure I could justify spending so much.

I guess it's looking like the BJCM is the only option but I've been told by the assistant in the shop that it may be difficult to get the pushchair and carrycots in time.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Sorry, so many questions.

Thanks.

OP posts:

suzie38 · 20/05/2011 17:26

???

Guildfordnanny · 20/05/2011 17:26

Does the BJCM fit in a Corsa? It barely fits in my car! The BJCM carrycots are not really soft cots. They aren't hard bodied like say a Britax one but they are rigid like a lot of carrycots are these days. You can see the firm base in these photos: City Mini Carrycots I will ask about the overnight sleeping but the BJCS carrycots are not suitable for overnight sleeping so would be pleasantly surprised if the BJCM ones were. the carrycots are due in the UK on June 18th so if your retailer is on the ball they should be able to get them to you fairly quickly after that. There is the Elite but the fold is chunkier, and the Easywalker Sky Duo but that also has a bigger fold, but those two have air tyres for off road. The Donkey almost certainly won't fit in your car. The chassis fold is huge. I would be suggesting the Mountain Buggy Duet and just managing for a month or so, but if the Duo doesn't fit in the car then I am doubtful the Duet will. Have a good look around Best Buggy and try out the comparison tool. I wonder if the B Dual could work better for you but it's a tandem but great for twins but the fold is fairly long. It's a hard one!

suzie38 · 20/05/2011 17:27

sorry can't see any messages???

Original poster

shropshireblue · 20/05/2011 17:45

Thanks Guildfordnanny, I haven't even checked if it fits in a Corsa, I just assumed it would as the shop assistant said it should. I guess it's off to Mothercare where they have a carpark outside and trying for myself. I was hoping that I could use the carrycots for napping but it looks like it'll have to be a travel cot when we are not in the bedroom.

Another reason for not wanting a tandem is trying to get it downstairs as they are external steps (and quite a few).

This isn't easy is it? Well, at least I can happily cross the Donkey off the list (I'll still dream about it though...)

Susie, can you see the messages now? Not sure what to do as I can view.

OP posts:

suzie38 · 20/05/2011 17:56

Yes i can, thanks...Must have been a little glitch!!! Yes the Donkey is huge folded...Can just get it in the Meriva head on...DH had a Corsa before and couldn't get a Frog chassis in the boot.

Guildfordnanny · 20/05/2011 17:59

I personally use carrycots for day time napping - I think there is seen to a difference as you are awake with your baby nearby. It's overnight sleeping that is the issue. My children both napped in carrycots - most babies fall asleep instantly that you start to push them anyway! I will have a think for you because to be honest I don't know what I would get in your situation.

aswellasyou · 20/05/2011 19:29

If I were you, I would seriously consider getting a new car! We find it a real struggle getting a double pushchair in the boot as well as all the other rubbish you accumulate and with two car seats in the back as well. My sister and I have babies the same age so this isn't a problem all the time for us as she has a Multipla.
The BJCM double fitted in the boot of my Mum's 207 but the parcel shelf had to be lifted up and we took all the wheels off (really easy to do). There was a lot of extra room in the boot with it in an upright position.
I'm afraid to say I don't think you'll find something that fulfills all your criteria. Others you could look at are;

Kolcraft Contours -I love this but it is big and heavy, the baby's can face either way but not side by side-it's cheap though!
First Wheels City Elite-still big and heavy
ABC/OBaby Zoom-similar to the Contours
iCandy Peach Blossom-not side by side
iCandy Pear-not side by side
Baby Jogger City Select-not side by side
Mountain Buggy Duo or Duet
Jane Powertwin or Twin Two-have to use a car seat for at least one baby, not side by side
Bebecar Vector Duo-this look quite small and lightweight but I can't find info. on this at the moment, not side by side
Out and About Nipper
Hauck Duett-I'm not sure about this one being suitable for two newborns

Or you could just buy one of these!

And congratulations!

aswellasyou · 20/05/2011 19:31

Oh and re the carrycots, I have a Graco soft carrycot which is apparently quite similar to the BJ ones. My daughter refused to sleep in her moses basket or cot but she would sleep in the carrycot. She outgrew it at about 3 months I think even though she was still really small, so don't expect them to last long.

aswellasyou · 20/05/2011 19:35

The Bebecar is 10.5kg and 96cmx61cmx39cm, which is really light for a double and standard folded size. I'm starting to want one myself now.

latrucha · 20/05/2011 19:38

I fyour going up and down steps, air tyres are your friend! I love my Baby Jogger Classic and if I were starting out would buy the ones with the carry cots and more upright seats.

I don't think I'd be happy for a baby to sleep in a soft cot, whatever it was like, really but then I've never had one. DD slept in her hard carrycot during the day for ages.

Guildfordnanny · 20/05/2011 20:02

Lol re the Bebecar Vector Duo being small and lightweight. It's huge and bulky and the weight is supposedly 10.5kg for the chassis only and 12kg on top for the seats - 6kg each! That's a whopping 22.5kg and I can believe it. The Hauck Duette is not suitable for two newborns. It's a good pushchair but really for two children 6 months plus (or even older). The fold is large as well.

aswellasyou · 20/05/2011 20:16

Guildford, I can't believe Bebecar lied to me! It looks really small in the photos since it's more like a single pushchair frame. It was too good to be true.

Guildfordnanny · 20/05/2011 21:28

The seats are really chunky and quite old fashioned really. Probably very comfy though.

Original poster

shropshireblue · 22/05/2011 07:53

Wow, so many buggys! Thanks Aswellas, we will need a bigger car although that may have to wait for while- I guess the answer is a roof rack.

Latrucha - yes, I'd love one with air tires but do the larger wheels make going up and down steps difficult as I was told that I'd need smaller wheels because of this.

Guildford - how do you know so much? Is the answer in the name?

I'm completely overwhelmed now, I think I'll have a cup of tea and do more research:)

Ladies, you're all pushchairs experts - now if only I could have you with me to help with the decision...:o

OP posts:

Guildfordnanny · 22/05/2011 09:38

I was a nanny, yes, but I just like pushchairs partly because I have pushed so many over the years, but now I have my own children I am learning so much more about them especially doubles and tandems. BTW there is a new pushchair called the Twinner Twist that has just arrived in the UK too. Whatever you do, try and check pushchairs out honestly. I have an Easywalker in it's box here coz I haven't had time to open it yet and the box is very large - double the thickness of the BJCM. I won't find out until I open it the true size but boxes are usually smaller than the final fold with wheels on!

Guildfordnanny · 22/05/2011 09:43

BTW do try the 'compare pushchairs tool on Best Buggy because it should help you narrow the field down. Then you can always come back and ask more specific questions. I think as well you can't beat a couple of hours in at least two good pram shops because tandems and doubles are large. I forgot the Nipper 360 but it is very light compared to some of the others. Worth a look.

PrincessScrumpy · 23/05/2011 19:29

Mountain Buggy have a new double out in July (might not be able to wait that long) - it's 63ch wide so narrower than a phil and ted single by 3 cm but the seats filt kids up to 4 years! I'm baffled how but it's supposed to be fab and lighter than the duo. We were going to go for a Nipper but the MB Duet will even fit through my internal doors and I can fit the maxi cosi car seats on it so have them rear facing.

Congratulations on your twins, my twins are due in Sept so I'm really hoping the Duet isn't delayed.

Guildfordnanny · 23/05/2011 20:36

Just to add that although the Duet is awesomely small, the fold is large and flat. I think the OP wouldn't be able to fit it anywhere near a Corsa even with a roof rack. It's really the only downside to what is a pretty perfect double pushchair.

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