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Original poster

Britax B Dual questions...

13 replies

redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 15:28

I have a Dual, and have a two year old and four month old. I haven't really needed to use it much yet so I'm just getting used to it.

The baby is now really too long to bed led flat on the lower seat. I considered getting a soft carrycot, so went into Mothercare to ask to see one. They didn't have any but the assistant said it was only really meant for up to four months so DS would probably not get much use out of it. A different brand I know, but the Phil and Teds soft carry cots I've seen seem to be for tinies only so maybe it's the same with the Dual. So, what do you do with the baby before they are big enough to sit up on the normal seat?

I have a carseat but don't want DS in this for too long so it's not the best lon-term solution.

Also the lower seat (where I'd like to put DS1 as I'd like DS2 to face me, ideally) seems to be very reclined even when clipped up so I can't see him being comfy / happy in there. Am I missing something to make it more upright?

Any help gratefully recieved!

OP posts:
ImpYCelyn · 26/02/2012 15:31

I have the soft carrycot for when DC2 arrives. It's very long, I'd say as big as the carrycot on DS1s pram, and he would still have fitted in that at 7/8months.

Could you have a look on ebay for a cheap carrycot? That way even if it's too small you could probably sell it for what you paid for it.

Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 15:32

Thanks imp. I haven't actually looked at the dimensions so it may well be bigger than I think...

OP posts:
Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 17:00

Can anybody enlighten me on how to put a toddler in the bottom seat and keep him happy?!

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 26/02/2012 19:02

You do really need some form of soft cot. The Britax one always seems big to me. My son stayed in a Bugaboo Cocoon until he was ten months old but I don't know how horizontal it would stay. The Graco one is meant to fit well too.

Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 21:37

Thanks tiggy. I can't remember at what point DS1 stopped going in his carrycot, but at waht age do they prefer to be sat up? DS1 was walking at 10 months so I'm sure he wouldn;t have been happy flat in a carry cot at that age! Just trying to work out how much use I'll get out of the carry cot if I buy it...

Also is there anyone out there who can tell me about toddlers in the bottom seat????

OP posts:
Threelittleducks · 26/02/2012 21:47

I have one and used it with DS1 in the bottom seat (he was about 2.2 when we started using it) and DS2 in the top seat. For a while we got away with the top seat facing us, but fully reclined all the way back when DS2 was a small baby and DS1 in the bottom.

I don't think we ever clipped DS1 in, if that helps? I used to sell it to him that he could walk for a bit, and when he gets fed up, he has to take a seat. It always worked - he saw it as a convenience on our long walks (didn't have a car at the time, so walked everywhere!) and usually took a seat after 5 mins.

As DS1 got older and more inclined to kick legs etc, we faced the seat away from us so DS1 didn't get a smack in the face. Got away with DS2 facing us for aaaaaaaaages though, which was great. I know you aren't supposed to use the pram like that, but we weren't nicked by no coppers or nuffin', thus it was ok. Grin

Threelittleducks · 26/02/2012 21:48

With DS2 facing us btw, it meant he could sit up/recline as he wished without interfering with DS1's seat.

Tiggywunkle · 26/02/2012 22:00

They can sit up from 6 months. I never had a problem with DD being underneath. Even now she fights to go underneath a pushchair. I think she likes hiding!

Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 22:03

How upright did you get the bottom seat three? It just seems a bit reclined to be acceptable for a toddler?
Also what did you mean when you said you're not supposed to use the pram that way. What way? I'm confused!

OP posts:
HypatiaTheProcrastinator · 26/02/2012 22:17

The lower seat is a bit reclined. The sticky outy bits at the lower end of the seat on either side should meet the crossbar of the chassis underneath the lower seat. Unusually, toddlers don't seem to mind the recline. Perhaps because being reclined gives them a better view upwards.

I think the Britax soft carrycot is fairly long, but you could get a cheap Graco soft carrycot instead.

You're not supposed to have the upper seat rear facing with the lower seat on. Not that I can see any reason why not as long as both children are comfortable.

Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 22:26

Hypatia really?! But why? That makes no sense! And being able to have the top seat parent facing is one of the main reasons I bought the bloody thing!

OP posts:
Original poster
redspottedfrog · 26/02/2012 22:28

Just looked at the configurations on the Britax website and yes parent facing top-seat is not on there. I don't understand?!!

OP posts:
HypatiaTheProcrastinator · 26/02/2012 23:13

It just either won't have been safety tested or doesn't meet safety criteria-probably because the seats would be too close if the lower seat is upright. I wouldn't worry about it though! :o

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