Double for newborn and 2.9yr old?

[moojie]

I'm just trying to plan ahead as due number 2 in 4 months time. My ds is an ok walker but wants to be carried quite a lot so I always still take the buggy as can no longer carry him! Ds has also started being quite stubborn in shops etc and is starting to run (no amount of disciplining makes any difference but hoping he'll get the message soon!) Ds is also still napping 2hrs after lunch.

So all in all I think I may need a double for the first few months until ds starts nursery in december. I have been looking at the BJCS as it fits my criteria ( tandem and car seat attachment) not a huge fan of the P and T but aware it may be my only option.

Has anyone else got a nearly 3 yr old comfortably into BJCS?

Fingers crossed things change in next few months and that a buggy board will work but who knows?!

No idea but just wanted to say DS was a terrible walker before DD was born (he was 2.10 when she was born) and I did worry the buggy board would not work but we got one and it worked brilliantly. Not only which, after about 6 months he just started walking everywhere all the time and I stopped needing the buggy board altogether. However, he didn't nap by then so I had very little to lose!

DS1 was 2.8 when I had DS2, and we didn't have a double. We bought a buggy board, and a sling and in the first couple of months we used a combination of these, and from then on DS1 has walked everywhere.

I would hold off until after Christmas, because you will find that suddenly your toddler will get better at walking. Also, by the time you have your baby the weather will be turning to warmer again which makes it easier for them to walk because you haven't got them in so many layers.

Long may his nap continue, DS1 dropped his when I was 7 months pregnant and it was a killer!

There's no issue with size of seat with a BJCS.what will be an issue is weight. I urge you to try one out in the shop with say an extra 10kgs on board (to allow your DS and your baby some growth weight and see if you can manoeuvre it on a surface that isn't flat ie a slope or up a kerb. I would not recommend the BJCS for a toddler past the age of 2 because the lifespan will be short. If you only will ever use it on comp,etely flat surfaces eg a shopping mall then that would be different ie better. My eldest was 2 and a half and the baby 10 months when we were forced to stop using it. We also ran into issues just before this because any movement by the feet of my eldest meant that she kicked her baby brother in the face (facing each other). This would only be an issue after the car seat / carrycot stage, and hopefully your DS will be well away walking by then. But you may need to think about it because there will only be two positions you can use ie baby on top with DS facing looking rearwards or both children facing rearwards in order to give the baby a recline for a nap. I honestly would discount it though unless it's for use in a shopping mall.

I was about to add, it's amazing how much more sensible a child gets around the age of 3. But we do still use a double especially for shopping trips because it's much simpler!

Thanks very much, this is all useful info!

alibaba I am also hoping his napping continues...it's what gets me through the day!

Tiggywunkle what do you use now?

I will wait until last minute to buy if I need anything as these days you can get most things within a couple of days! I just do not want to be stuck in the house!

Hi OP , I have a 5 week old and a 3.1 yo and a P&T. My 3yo is similar to yours - naps, runs away, sometimes stubborn about walking etc. I like the P&T as I can convert it into a single in time and it is narrow enough to get down the aisles of of local Co-op! We mostly use it if we are out for the day.

bikerunski that's interesting to know. There are 2 reasons I'm not keen on the p and t. Firstly because to add a car seat is a faff so I've been told and secondly because I'm not sure ds would nap in the top seat when it won't recline.

Have either of these been a problem for you?

ds2 was 23 months when dd arrived, he LOVED the buggyboard and would just sit on it and tuck his feet up under him if he needed a rest. i borrowed a double and it was an absolute nightmare, the buggyboard was amazing though. i take your point about naps, but ds2 decided to stop napping as soon as dd was born, oh the joy.

I think tiggy uses a peach blossom mainly now iirc. She says it's an amazing pushchair! But it is rather expensive.

My sister and I use a britax b dual for our girls who are 14 months and their total weight is about 20-21kg. I know it's different but the total weight in the pushchair is probably similar to a toddler and small baby. We really like it. It's easy to push, much easier than when we tried a city select. The seats seem a decent size, but again not sure how they'd suit a taller child. If you used a b dual, you'd probably be best off having the baby in the bottom seat as it's smaller and a toddler's feet would take up room in the shopping basket. But if your toddler wants to get in and out himself you'd have to have him at the bottom as the top seat is ao high and there's no step or footrest. I ink it's worth considering and maybe having a play with one.

DS1 was 2.7 when DS2 was born in September. We have been using a combination of our p&t as a single & baby in sling or sometimes p&t as a double. I'm not that keen on it as a double with a newborn, as baby doesn't seem to like being underneath and DS1 finds it harder to nap in the top seat as his head is resting on the metal bar when he lies back. However, it is easy to steer and obviously no wider than a single. Also if baby is in it as a single i put the double seat on the bottom and can quickly put it on if DS1 gets tired.
For shorter walks or if I just need to pop into a shop on the way home in the car, I've been using my m&p pramette with or without the car seat. DS1 has no trouble walking on these occasions. If DS1 needs a nap in the buggy then I put baby in the sling and he naps in either buggy. We do quite a bit of off road walking, as we live out in the sticks, so the p&t is great for that and the m&p definitely wouldn't cope with it. This was also the cheaper option for us as we already had both buggies and just bought the double seat. I did treat myself (and baby) to a new sling though.

I have tried a couple od doubles since dd2 arrived 17 weeks ago, dd1 turns 3 next week.

I had the pop duo and the monthercare hoxton but both were so difficlt to puch with the weight difference,
The one i have now is the mamas and papas aria twin ( imo one of the ungliest around lol ) but i have to get over the looks issue as it is just a dream to push with both of them in, i actually pushed dd1 and her friend also 3 home from pre school the pther day in it an even that was pretty easy

My dd 1 is a good walker and most of the times uses the board but as i dont drive sometimes when the weathers terible i take the double so she's warmer x

Re: not needing a double due to the eldes walking...

I find it often has more to do with the parents, rather than the child. My eldest is 2.5 now and can walk alright. And while in the park somewhere I do encourage him to walk, I don't encourage him walking everywhere. Going in the buggy is not optional for him, mum enforced :) .

We just need to get from A to B, and if he were to walk we'd never get anywhere on time. Having a double makes life soo much easier for the parents, it's not just a means of transporting children who cannot walk well yet. It gives you the freedom of an adult pace, along the peace of mind that your children are safe and secure.

It's especially helpful when you're rushing somewhere. And if there are lots of people around, the toddler can easily get distracted and get lost in seconds [scary thought crosses mind emoticon]

So please bear YOURSELF in mind, when deciding whether you would be ready for your eldest to walk everywhere.

Well said Elk. I should copy and keep that reply.

Excellent elk and I think that is me! I don't mind a leisurely stroll now and then but I will be using the double for when I need to nip in somewhere or need to get something from town. I have quickly learnt that trying to negotiate with a 2 yr old is a waste of time! If I plonk him in the buggy then I can be in and out in the time it would take me to persuade him gently to do it!

I m quickly coming round to the idea of a phil and teds so going to post some specific questions on another thread. Thanks for all your help!