Do I really need a double buggy for nb and walking toddler?

[chummymummy7]

Hi. I'm getting in a tizz. DD1 will be 29 mths when DC2 arrives in March. She doesn't always like going in her current buggy (a simple OBaby stroller) and often ends up walking. We only do quite short walks into town anyway.

Was planning to just use a sling for DC2 and let DD1 walk or go in her buggy - then buy a better single with a buggy board for when DC1 is bigger.

Do you think I really need to invest in a double if my toddler's unlikely to go in it anyway? Or is she still too young to walk/buggy board?

If I should get a double - which one? Our house is compact and a side-by-side wouldn't fit through the front door.

Or if I should just get a better single (like a Bugaboo) for the new baby plus buggy board - which one?

Any help or shared experiences very gratefully received!!

[Mollydoggerson]

No you need a sling, believe me your dd1 is too old for a double buggy.

[plantsitter]

I tried to get by with a sling and a buggy (but the gap is 20 months) and I couldn't do it and ended up buying a 2nd hand Phil & Teds. The main thing was being able to strap them both in it and just GO if everything got too cry-y. The sling is great but I personally found it difficult to do all the stuff you have to do physically with a toddler with the baby in the sling (I'm quite fat though which wouldn't have helped).

All doubles are bulky but the P&T has been pretty good and fits in my small house.

[BikeRunSki]

Yes, when the toddler is tantruming and the baby is crying, sometimes you just need to go! (mum of 12 week old DC2 and owner of P&T Sport).

[crazycatlady]

Really depends on how much you walk and how good your toddler is when you are near busy roads.

I lived in London (just off v busy high rd) when DC2 came along and could not have done without my P&T. I walked everywhere, every day, and couldn't have always gone along at DD's speed. She was 26 months when DS arrived.

Now we live outside of London and need to drive to most places, the buggy is pretty redundant. Had we lived here when DC2 was born I might have just got along with my Bugaboo and a sling.

[chummymummy7]

Aaargh these all seem really valid points, but are quite contrasting.

I often hear about probs with P&T (eg punctures, baby underneath gets squashed) - but everyone seems to have them, so they must be decent. which model is best?

does anyone use a Bugaboo plus wheeled board for nb/toddler? If so - which model is best?

Please keep any and all advice coming with your personal experiences of what worked with for you.

[becclestown]

I have a p & t dash, 2.6 yr old DD & 5 month DS. Totally agree with above posters re just strapping in & going, crying be damned. Also invaluable for shopping, coats, change bag, sink, bottle of gin etc. And even though DD wants to walk pretty much all the time, we would never get anywhere, what with all those fascinating stones, walls, streetlights etc to look at.
But I do question it on the frequent occasions I find myself wearing DS, holding DD's hand and pushing an empty buggy...

[becclestown]

We also changed to the 'two seat' set-up at about 6 weeks, hugely preferable.

[crazycatlady]

I have a P&T Explorer (the new model). I absolutely love it. Even more than I loved my Bugaboo.

I break the rules slightly in that DC2 goes in the front, and DC1 goes in the back, but then she can hop in and out as she pleases, and DC1 can have the nice reclining seat with the big sun hood and toy bar.

Single buggy and sling would have done my head in I think. When popping out to get groceries, run errands etc it's much easier to get around quickly with just a buggy (albeit a long one) than having buggy and a baby strapped to your body. I found, anyway.

Loved being able to load up my huge buggy with both kids, picnic gear, swim stuff for the lido, wine etc and walk down to the common with them both. There is no way I would have done this with a single and sling combo.

[Tiggywunkle]

I agree with everyone else who says get a double. Sometimes you just need to strap the children in and go. It's hard enough getting to that point with two by the time they are both fed, watered, changed, you are ready etc. Never mid dealing with dawdling, a toddler deciding which direction they wish to go in, tiredness, tantrum, distractions etc. See a double as a rental. Buy wisely and you should get your money largely back or even make a profit.

[crazycatlady]

Plus, when the weather is shit it's much easier to shove both kids under the huge storm cover on the P&T and make a dash for it...

[crazycatlady]

Oh yes and when potty training DC1 I had somewhere to accommodate potty, change of clothes etc as well as all DC2's paraphenalia...

Sold on the idea yet?

[simpson]

I had 29mths between mine and I definately needed a double. But I don't drive so walked everywhere.

DS could not have been trusted to hang onto a buggy board.

I ended up with a mothercare side by side (urban detour) which although v wide, I loved.

Also much easier (as others have said) if you need to pop out for milk etc as you have the shopping basket rather than coping with a toddler refusing to walk, baby in sling and shopping bag to carry.

[EdwardorEricCantDecide]

That is the exact age gap between mine and I didn't need a double buggy, I dont even use a buggy board although if ur DD gets tres a buggy board might be a good idea, you can get ones now with a seat.

[Tiggywunkle]

Or like today when DD1 aged 3.3 years is tired after nursery but you have to get DD1 to an appointment at the hospital and she starts to have meltdown, need a drink, etc. it was much easier to put her in and go....yes she cried for all of 2 minutes because all of a sudden she wanted to walk ...but we got there on time...and thats what we needed to do right there and then. She walked back afterwards!

[chummymummy7]

Thanks mumsnetters - that's exactly the kind of real-life situation stuff I needed to hear about. Might go for a P+T then as can also use it as a single when dd1 totally outgrows being pushed.
And somewhere to stash the cheese, wine and biscuits!

[worm77daisy]

We have a now 2y11m DD and 7 month DD and have got easily by with a buggy board our eldest loves it. Have never for one moment regretted not getting a double buggy.

[Meglet]

Probably yes.

I used the P&T until DS was 4.5 and DD was 2.6.

Was a life saver on cold, rainy, busy days. TBH DS walked most of the time once he was 3.6 but he couldn't keep up with me so he hopped in and out as we went along.

[motherinferior]

I had DD2 when DD1 was about 28 months; chucked DD1 out of the buggy when I was pregnant. Occasionally borrowed a double for getting home late at night from the childminder, but otherwise DD1 walked.

I do think they need to walk!

[mummy2gorgousboys]

i had a buggy board was great and i got a toddler strap tht fits on to pram handle so he cldn run away my youngest is now 23mnth he has bn walkin since 18mnth hates buggy so if i was to hav another id hav a buggy board again!

[lancaster]

I have pretty much exactly the same age gap and managed fine without a double. Used either sling and buggy or bagaboo with buggy board (laschal). I don't regret not having a double alhtough it would have been helpful occasionally.

[DiscoDaisy]

When my DD3 was 29mths old I had a 13mth old DS and a NB DS. They had the double buggy and my DD3 had to go on a buggy board. I didn't really have much choice and it worked just fine.

[whatstheetiquette]

I have 24 months between mine and I needed a double. Doubles are horrible big clunky things often though so choose very, very carefully and try some out with your DD1 in them.

If you are in a shop, trying to buy something, will your DD1 not wander off/not unload shelves etc if she is walking? I found the buggy useful for that reason as well. If you need to do something for your baby like put a hat or coat on and you are by a road, will your DD1 be safe?

[NotnOtter]

Agree with everyone - our gap will be 3.5 this time so was about to sell p and t and then remembered..... Stroll to park got summers day with picnic ... Meet friends chat and play - stay hours. Older child WASTED p and t a godsend, also soooo good for bunging picnic, wipes handbag ,rug etc on back...

[OneLieIn]

Yes, think you do. 22 months between ours. The double was a godsend when...
...we wanted to walk somewhere and do something when we got there. The walk and the doing was too much for a tired toddler
....they both kicked off
...buggy boards are awful. You end up with a curved back and pain. I do not recommend them
....when the baby gets big
....when you need a break. Nothing nicer than a parked double buggy with 2 sleeping dcs in the summer and you having a rest too!

So, yes, get one.