Sob, sob, sob and I thought choosing my first pushchair was hard...pregnant again and doubles are a nightmare! Help.....

[HelloBear]

So after spending hours days researching my first pushchair (M&P Sola) and the second umbrella (Maclaren XT) I am feeling very deflated at researching my third! So need some help.

My DD will be 2yrs4ms when DC 2 will be born. I have discounted a buggy board as my DD is not a great walker, she bolts and by the time we get to the end of the road is asking to go in pushchair. And though we don't walk miles I need something to do the following:

• Walk around our village to the shop and local park (and when I am feeling fat a longer walk to try to convince myself I am doing some exercise)
• Go to our local city to shop/library/meet friends/baby groups so this involves parking up and walking to venues.
• Family activities during weekend.

I am not overly keen on the P&T style as I do not think my DD will like going in bottom. So think I would prefer a side by side.

Budget at a max is £300ish, car ford fiesta, willing to have to take wheels of for putting in car as do this with the sola sometimes and don't find it too much of a faff. Though I would like parent facing I am willing to sacrifice this if necessary. I wont be going off road or anything too adventurous, also rarely go on public transport (and would rather go single with sling on these occasions) so this is not an issue.

Any suggestions/knowledge/'no-nos'?

I would prefer as narrow as poss as would like to get into my double front door.

Am I asking for too much?????

Thanks in advance :)

Define narrow? Narrowest side by side - MB Duet - 63cm, over the £300 budget though and probably wrong shape folded to go in a smaller boot. There is a new Nipper double coming out v soon that's supposedly going to be 72.something. Otherwise almost everything is 74cm plus. Any help?

I have had a great number of double buggies and I have finally found one that suits my needs. I have a corsa so roughly the same size boot as the fiesta. Also wanted for similar reasons too you. I love the cosatto you 2 double stroller

I've attached a link to the exact one I've got but they do have different designs.

www.mothercare.com/Cosatto-You-2-Double-Stroller---Little-Tweeters/373609,default,pd.html?cm_sp=ProductFeatures--Category%2520landing--Cosatto%2520You%25202%2520Double%2520Stroller%2520-%2520Little%2520Tweeters

I think your car boot is going to be an issue. If you can get an umbrella fold in easily then you may be forced to go that route, but with an already over 2 year old I think you will find it incredibly hard going. The Duet is narrow but huge folded and I very much doubt you can get it in your car boot. I know the Twinner Twist Duo and the Donkey both supposedly fit into a Mini, so they could be worth a look. I would also look at the Baby Jogger City Mini because that is slim and may well stand up with the parcel shelf removed. I think realistically before you do anything else, you need to get the tape measure out and look at the measurements for all of the above suggestions - everyone's - and see whether you can actually get a side by side in your car.

Put toddler in buggy and the new baby in a sling until your dd is a better walker; then use what you have + buggyboard

Tiggy - sorry fir being dumb but why will it be tough with a 2 year old? The umbrella style that is? Are you suggesting that a p&t style would be easier.

Jkkpl - I love slings but I do nit only want to be restricted to this mode of getting out and about.

Maclaren double buggy?

Side by sides can be hard to push if there is a large difference in weight between the 2 children sitting in it. If your DD is going to be 2.4 then there will be a large difference. They usually pull to the side the heaviest child is in which means you get sore wrists trying to pull it back all the time.

Also if you get a tandem, go for one where the baby goes at the front and the older child goes at the back. If the heavier child is at the front they are a nightmare to get up kerbs etc.

Front-to-back style: Both children forward face or both children rear face
Back-to-back style: back child rear faces, front child forward facesJoovy Caboose Ergo
Front-to-front style: Children face each other - back child forward faces, front child rear faces

Nooooo not a Joovy Ergo - it is the most ~£$@*^ pushchair ever!! It looks tiny in the photos but its longer than a bus. There is zero manoeuverability around shops, the front wheels are sooooo piddly small that they are pointless. The seats are solid and hard - its hard to get the cushions here in the UK. The front seat has negible recline which to say there is loads of room for a full recline was disappointing. Honestly honestly its the pushchair that I had on Ebay the fastest after attempting a supermarket shop and having zero control. By the end of the outing I was praying no one was around the corners and I ended up bumping into the in laws in tears and begging for help to get out of the shop. Awful awful awful!! Try a Joovy Ultralight though because I loved mine!!

Cossato side by side umbrella fold. Bloody brilliant, not too expensive, narrow enough for doorways and will get in your boot.

Thanks nappy for shedding light.

I had looked at the Joovy ultralight twiggy on line last night, seems to have good reviews. It looks like a good compromise and not too £££££.

What did you love about yours? Can the toddle sit down when there is the car seat in the front bit? My only worry is that my DD still naps in her buggy (as she is now) and don't think this would be possible in the Joovy. Thou perhaps by the time we get to use it she'll be past that stage (though doubt it).

Starting to think I should have waited 12 months before having second DC, it would have been simpler! Hay ho, too late now!

hi, i havn't had time to read all the posts so sorry if i'm repeating anything. ive got a 7month old and 2yr old and have the baby jogger city mini double and love it. it's incredibly sturdy, i've had a icandy peach blossom and the baby jogger is sooo much better qaulity. and although its slightly heavier than others i think for a buggy to take the weight of 2 kids it needs to have some weight to it and its easy to push. the seats lie completely falt so suitable for a newborn. it doesn't get through all doors (29inches wide i think) but will get through most and i've never had a problem getting it in anywhere. it folds very small for a double and you can take the wheels off. but you would have to be strong to fold it and lift it into the boot with one hand and hold a baby with the other. also on the 2011 model i have the handle isn't udjustable. im 5''10 and its perfect for me but i would be a bit high for a short person. i think they have changed it on the 2012 model. the 2012 model is about £345-£399 but would be worth a little more. i rang a about 20 online shops to get the best price on mine abot 2 weeks ago, am i allowed to put it on here? i got it cheaper as it was last years model.

Thanks hotheals - I am now also starting to think that I might try one of these out also.

Go on bellarose name drop for me!!!!!

tiggy - pushchair designers need to employ you, or you need to go and work for Which? :))

No problem hellobear I was quite amazed at the quality for the price. I have the bro and sis buggy and was suitable from birth my two are now 21 months and 14 weeks and they both seem quite happy with it. With mine you also have the coordinating cosy toes, insulated bottle bags that fit to the sides and the raincover is really good quality. Although its very sturdy its not too heavy. Hth.

There are minor differences on the BJCMD for 2012, but I think Bellarose is thinking of the new BJCMDGT which has the small forever air tyres and the adjustable handle and more.
This shows the differences which then translate into the double side by sides. But going back to the OP, whether it will a) fit through your door and b) into your car needs measuring!

A Joovy works well but isn't one for a napping toddler and babies shouldn't be in their car seats for long periods of time plus it's also longer folded than it looks! It's not suitable for you really.

i paid £325 for the BJCM 2011 with a raincover and free next day delivery from pushchairsandcarseats.com. it was really quick and easy and i had qoutes of £399 plus £25 for raincover. they are doing the 2012 model fro £345 with raincover but i know they had sold out on the day i ordered mine. i do also really like the cossato one and i had a freind that worked for them and she said there good qaulity and have good customer service/warranty.