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Pushchairs

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Original poster

Is a buggy board viable for a 2 year old?

26 replies

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 24/04/2012 08:55

Or will I need a double? Newborn due in October, at which time DD will be 2. Do most trips in car but sometimes walk the mile and a half to school with 8 yr old.

Just wondering if I can do the cheaper option!

OP posts:
5madthings · 24/04/2012 09:01

i have used a buggy board succesfully with a newborn and 2yr old, i also kept a sling handy so if i needed to i could sling the baby and put 2yr old in the pushchair but it was fine, i had a bugaboo with their buggyboard but there are a few diff buggyboards and some have seats on them etc as well.

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 24/04/2012 12:31

If I keep the current pushchair it would be the Oyster with matching board. I think it's a stand-on one.

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 24/04/2012 13:28

I think the Oyster board is better than a lot. I personally have been very grateful of somewhere to strap in my 2 year old - who is now 3 and a half and I am still glad of a seat for her on occasions. Even now she's not secure on a buggy board although now I think she would understand it. I know at 2 and even 2 and a half, it wouldn't have worked for us. If you already have the Oyster, you may as well get the board and give it a try TBH. Worst case you buy a double.

5madthings · 24/04/2012 15:23

my bugaboo has a standing board, i have had it for nearly 9 yrs, used it with 4 kids and it was fine, even with a just 2yr old :)

Debs75 · 24/04/2012 15:31

I had a newborn and a just 2 year old. We used a double to get us through the first winter then at 2.6 dd2 decided she didn't like the buggy/pram anymore so I used a single and got a buggy board for her. It took a few months for her to use it properly, she used to just hop off and trip me up. Now at 3,7 she is a lot better on it and is lazy enough to enjoy the ride, especially as I can't physically carry her.

If I were you I would buy the buggy board as it will come in handy and scour Ebay for a suitable double. My M&P duette was only £87 and I sold it again for £41 so not a huge waste of money

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 24/04/2012 17:45

Great. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 24/04/2012 17:48

It depends on your 2 year old - if he/she is fidgety and prone to running off or getting into trouble when walking in public, then no question, get a double. A buggy board is great if you have a compliant child but otherwise a bit of a nightmare. I much preferred having a double and still is useful now as DS1 (now 4) is in plaster casts so I can walk him longer distances.

justbuggies · 25/04/2012 15:47

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Agincourt · 25/04/2012 15:48

yes, i would imagine it will be fine. I bought a second hand side by side pushchair too which was great for going walks with (just not so great for shopping :))

greyhairsahead · 25/04/2012 15:56

I've got friends who use them very successfully with thier DC's. But, I bought a double as I knew DS1 (just 2 when his brother came along) was never going to be compliant enough to use it safely! He's now 2 1/2 and I still dread those times when he insists on walking as he has a bad habit of getting v distracted, running towards moving cars, sitting down in the street etc Smile

ItsMyLastOne · 25/04/2012 16:46

I'm due in December when DD will be 2.2 and I will get an oyster board for my oyster. But I'm definitely getting a double too. Even though dd walked early I just can't see her being sensible enough to stay on a board all the time or walk sensibly, and what I'd she needs a nap and the baby's already asleep.

Even if you think it'll only be used occasionally just buy a cheap second hand double. I'm sure there will be occasions when you'll be grateful for the two seats.

Subtle plug justbuggies! Wink

YoullLaughAboutItOneDay · 25/04/2012 16:57

I had a bugaboo bee and a buggy board for my two - only just two years apart. I know lots of people disagree with me, but I have never understood the obsession with doubles. As my mum always points out, until a few years ago people only had a double if they had twins, and they all seemed to manage. DD1 is now 3, and DD2 is 1 and we almost always just take buggy and scooter, unless it is a long walk.

The one reason I can see is if you have a toddler who still frequently naps in the buggy. Mine refused to from about aged 1, so it wasn't an issue for me - if I thought she needed a sleep I needed to be at home.

And I say that as someone who was even given a cheap double, which I have never felt the urge to remove from the loft. And who lives is London and therefore walks a lot.

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 25/04/2012 17:54

Hmm... confused now. Need a rethink.

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 25/04/2012 20:07

Another option is sling & toddler in buggy, then when toddler reliable in walking, switch to baby in buggy and toddler on scooter/buggyboard? Even though I had a P&T double I preferred to have DS2 in a sling for the first 2 months at least.

ipanicked · 25/04/2012 20:23

I think it very much depends on your DC1. The buggy board is a complete waste of time for me (have 19mo apart between my two). DC1 runs off in the other direction and even if I get him on it he fidgets wildly, throws himself off or tries to sit down. I walk everywhere or take the bus so I would have died without my double. He just gets in and curls up for a rest when he gets tired.

But if I had a car and only short walks to do I probably would have sucked it up with a buggy board!

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 28/04/2012 12:27

DP is thinking def a double, as DD very likely to escape. So, looking around the ones I'm interested in are Mountain Buggy Duet, Baby Jogger City Select, possibly Britax B Dual (as we already have the car seat) or wait for Babystyle Oyster Max.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 28/04/2012 13:24

Yes, dont get the BJCS with an already 2 year old and a long walk to school. I think you will quickly find it becomes heavy to push. Equally the Duet, you may struggle with feeling unbalanced with a 2 year old in the seat. Its better really for twins or a small age gap. Plus its very easy for the older child to annoy a sleeping baby as the children are so close together. The handle is low as well which may or may not be an issue. My worry with the Oyster Max is that the hoods are a fixed height, so again with an already 2 year old this may be an issue, especially given you have a school run every day where you would almost certainly need to put on a raincover at times. How would it sit on your daughters head if you remove the hood? I think the B-Dual is the best of your group, unless you can stretch to a new Peach Blossom 2, or would consider a Jane Twone, or even a side by side like the BJCMGT? I think for doing a walk too and from school, I would be considering a good quality side by side.

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 28/04/2012 13:31

Don't think we'd stretch to an iCandy. Why do you think the twone would be be better than the city select? Are they not similar?

OP posts:
ItsMyLastOne · 28/04/2012 13:50

The city select is very long and quite heavy to push and lift up curbs. It's also physically heavy to lift.

The Twone is shorter I believe, from initial reviews seems light to push and is lighter to lift. I know Tiggy has one on order so will be able to give more info in a few weeks hopefully.

The Twone is much more like the B Dual but lighter, narrower and hopefully nicer to push.

As I said in a pp, my dd will be 2.2 when my baby is due and I'm really going round in circles about what to get. I was sure I wanted a Peach Blossom 2 but I'm just really not sure I can justify the expense. I already have a B Dual and while it's great in many many ways, I just don't like how heavy it is and how wide it is. I'm really leaning towards the Twone as it does almost everything I want, it's just a shame neither seat is suitable from birth so a carrycot is needed.

Tiggywunkle · 28/04/2012 13:58

I think for handling the Twone will be much much better. My issue with it is that I dont know how good the access to the lower child is. I think its fine whilst the baby is in the transporter or car seat, but once there is a lower seat in place, I dont know how easy it would be for an older child to hop out, or for a younger child to be lifted out without the upper one being moved first. But these are things I want to find out. But certainly handling wise it is very light to push.

I didn't think, but given the age of your daughter, the current Peach Blossom would do you fine. Can you stretch to a second hand one?

Have a look also at the Mountain Buggy +One - there are some compromises, but it does seem to work as long as your older child doesn't sleep in a pushchair. It works great for us, and I think to make the transition between pushchair / walking / scooting / buggy board, it works well. I think to be honest, this is one I would suggest you have a good look at, but only if you daughter doesn't nap.

Original poster
OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 28/04/2012 15:12

Oh god, getting more confused by the hour! Didn't really want to spend too much, but just on way to John Lewis now to see if they have owt on display to play with.

OP posts:
Clary · 28/04/2012 15:19

Buggyboard completely fine for 2yo, we used one with no probs. 2 yrs between my first 2, 22mo between second, didn't need a double.

Sling was also useful for newborn, if only to give you two hands for the other 2!

Mind you I too hate doubles, never had one, never wanted one.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 28/04/2012 15:24

I wouldn't decide on anything now - there is no need, your baby isn't even due until October, your DD will be 6 months older and a totally different little person, then it will be winter - how much will you really need a double?? Start with the buggy and a sling, progress to mixed use of buggy/sling/board... see how it goes, you can buy a double at anytime!

naturalbaby · 28/04/2012 15:25

I have never been able to just have one buggy, so bought and sold quite a few depending on the ages/stages of my kids. (not helpful I know!)
At the moment I have a toddler and nearly 3yr old and use a buggy board or P&T. I resisted the p&T for a long time but it has been brilliant for long days out and we've used it cross country on holidays a lot. It's been very useful to have the option to strap both kids in when out and about! I also mainly used a sling with a newborn.

MrTumblesCrackWhore · 28/04/2012 15:32

I hate doubles but have a phil and teds cheapie second hand off eBay. I don't use it loads but on the occasions i have, it has probably saved his life, my sanity and got us to important appointments on time. I also have a bugaboo with a buggy board but this has been less useful as ds (2.7) doesn't like it much and prefers to walk, leaving me in the worse position of running after him with an even more cumbersome buggy to push.

Basically, if your dc is compliant and can walk quite long distances at a reasonable speed then can we swap go for just the board. If you have any doubts over safety, need to get places in a hurry or he gets tired easily, then buy a cheap double to then sell on eBay again when he's a bit older. Safety, sanity and speed - the three 's' s win every time for me when looking at buggies!