Newborn and 2 year 3 month old - pushchair/buggy advice please!!?

[Babychamski]

Hi there

I am due a second baby on christmas day and am trying to think about what pushchair/buggy to go for. My first child will be 2 years 3 months by then. She is a very good walker (walking since 9 months) but it's good to have her in the buggy to keep her contained when on missions such as shopping. As I have no experience of toddlers, I don't know how long she will need it for, and therefore when looking at the PHil and Ted (which I really love the idea of), I'm not sure it's good value, as the new born goes in the bottom pod, and if I buy the doubles kit, the new baby can't use until 6 months, when my daughter will then by 2 years 9 months - will she still be in a buggy by then?!

I have a quinny currently with a carry cot, so it's great for a newborn, but then what to do with my daughter? I would be really grateful for any advice from your own experiences, particularly if you had a similar age gaps between you little ones.

Many thanks in advance xxx

Buggy board?

With a P&T, the seat behind actually goes on top and the baby lies on the pram bit reclined.

My Ds1 was the same age your daughter will be when I had DS2 and I didn't buy a double pram. He walked or used a buggy board or a strolli rider. If you still want her strapped in, you can get a buggy pod, although not sure if you can use it with a quinny.

Why not use a sling? I had 3 Dss under 3, and had the newborn in a sling, middle one (15 months) in a pushchair, and older one (34 months) walking.

I used wrap slings so at different times different ones could be carried/ride/walk (apart from new baby walking, of course!).

Double buggies not an option round here-too hilly with silly narrow pavements and cobbles!

depends how much money you've got and how often you use the buggy

I'd be tempted to use a sling for the baby and the pushchair for the toddler, followed by a buggy board for the toddler but if money's not an object, I'd get the p and t or another double buggy

I have a Joovy Caboose and it is brilliant. My two have 2years and 1 month between them

My age gap was similar, and now DD2 is 1 year old we still use the phil and teds regularly. I think it depends a bit on where you live and how far you walk. I'm in London, and cover a lot of ground, so even though DD1 is 3 now, she still goes in the buggy for the longer trips.

I've been really happy with the phil and teds, managed to pick it up for £200 second hand. For shorter trips we use the maclaren and scooter. Also, I find having the option of the double buggy to cope with DD1 tantrums very useful. And DD1 is far less inclined to walk than she used to be, particularly when she sees DD2 in the buggy....

As a CM, I used a Britax B dual, both seats lie flat, and the top one can rear face, brilliant buggy.

We went buggy board with a newborn and 22 month old good walker. She no longer needed a sleep in the day by then either, and although other people don't like buggy boards its some of the best money we've ever spent. A good walker doesn't need to be strapped into a buggy, just needs a rest of legs sometime.

If you have the money get a double pushchair. You can always sell it later and get a buggy board. My daughter is now 2.9 months and we still couldn't get by without a double. She is very good but still unpredictable especially when tired. However do look carefully at weight limits. Pushchairs are tested up to 15kgs in the UK as standard but only some pushchairs go beyond that. The Phil&Teds do, as do the Mountain Buggys. Like others have said the newborn goes at the top to begin with. But be aware, you say you will use a pushchair for shopping but unless you get the panniers the Phil&Teds is hopeless for storage space. May I suggest the new Mountain Buggy Duet - it's about the same width as a Phil&Teds but is a side by side with two full sized seats - suitable from birth or you can add a car seat or carrycot. If your daughter is small for her age then there are other options but you need to be aware of the weight limits, height, leg room etc.

This picture might help re P&Ts www.bestbuggy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Phil-Teds-Configurations-Dash.jpg Also be very aware of the differences between P&Ts. Some have bars at the back of the doubles kits which are uncomfy for toddlers - bear in mind the toddler will be sat on the doubles kit for the first six months, some have low hood heights when toddler is on top, some doubles kits don't recline, some take car seats and some don't etc. Have a look at www.bestbuggy.co.uk and try out the compare pushchairs tool for which have what!

I bought a second hand P&T, unless you have money to burn I can't see the point in getting a new one. DS2 hated the coffin newborn cocoon under the toddler seat so I ended up having him in the sling while DS1 walked and I pushed an empty buggy quite often!

However there have been times when I've been grateful to have it, DS1 can be a bolter, DS2 is ridiculously heavy and I walk a lot. I'd struggle to carry DS2 everywhere or make DS1 walk everywhere, between the double buggy and the sling we've managed to get everywhere we need to go.

DS1 is 3 now and I'm hoping before long I'll be able to sell the P&T and get back most of what I paid for it.

I tried to get on for ages without a double buggy when DD2 was born - DD1 was 20 months and I had made the mistake of buying a First Wheels City Twin which was SHIT (2nd hand thank heavens).

I caved a few months later and got a 2nd hand P&T. It is ace and I'm so glad I did. Dd1 is 2.5 mo and could walk most places (though she sleeps in the day still) but it's just really good for containing them both and is as manoeuvrable as a single.

We're in London too so very often don't have the car with us.

Thanks guys - this has been so helpful. I think I will investigate second hand P&Ts and I think the Joovy caboose looks like a good option too! xx