Newborn and toddler is it worth getting a double buggy?

[NeedSomeSun142]

I have a newborn (week old) and a toddler (2.7) who isn't very brilliant at walking, will want to run off, tantrums etc.

would anyone who has been in similar situation suggest a double buggy? Buggy board? Or a baby sling?

Also how the hell do you manage to go to the toilet, or do ANYTHING that requires going out of the room where they are? Don't really want to leave them alone, even for a few minutes.

Firstly, congratulations on your new little one!

I have 3DC aged 4, 2 and 5 months and have a double buggy which converts to a single and a boba 3G baby carrier.

If we're going on a long trip I take the double and the baby carrier as even the 4 year old can get exhausted after a long day.

If we're out for half a day I'll take the carrier and make the pushchair a single and let the 2 year old walk while baby goes in there or carry baby while the 2 year old goes in it.

If we're going somewhere local I'll just take the carrier and hold the other two's hands.
This works well for us.

As for not leaving them together, I have a swing in the lounge a car seat in the kitchen and a bouncy chair and door bouncer upstairs.
The 4 year old can be trusted to do an activity while I shower etc. and the 2 year old can to some extent but I always take baby with me. (I learnt this the hard way after Ds1 tipped Ds2 out of the car seat onto the lounge floor when he was about 1 month old.
He was fine but I was pretty upset.
Good luck!

I had the same age gap between my 2 - DD is now 3 & DS is very nearly 7mo.

I bought a cheap double/tandem (Smyths Dimples Duo) to get us through the winter. My DD is/was a good walker but still needs a nap in the afternoon, so I wanted the option to put her in a buggy to sleep.

DD is & was from the very beginning excellent with DS, & I think you gradually start trusting them more, so can leave them alone as LO gets bigger/older. However, that didn't stop DD flipping DS over, think 'pancake' at times before he could roll himself, because "he wanted to roll over". Both a bit & .

How about a baby jail playpen? Or putting the LO in their cot for a minute whilst you nip to the loo?

It does get easier though!!

I imagine some people do survive without a double with this age gap, but I found it very useful in the Longest Winter Ever. As ours was £250 inc cosytoes & rain cover, it's been worthwhile. If you're a sling person, that might be an option (buggy for baby until toddler tires, then sling for baby) but it depends on how far you plan to walk & how cooperative toddler is.

Good luck - its a lovely time!!

Thanks , have you ever tried or know someone who has tried the buggy board?

Think I'll look into getting a double buggy, I have got a baba sling but haven't tried it yet DP is back at work tomorrow so will use today to give it a whirl.

I would get a double to single like the Phil and Teds. I had a much smaller age gap, only 17 months and the P&T was invaluable. When DD was walking more, the rear double seat was there should she need it, and it made a great storage basket when she didn't!

I have a ride-on buggy board (KidSit) which DD enjoyed the one time she rode it, but its sat there since it got cold. It was recommended to me by another mum with a 2.5-3yr gap & found it useful walking to nursery etc when her eldest got tired. I think we'll use it more when DD is older/we've put the double away.

I had a babasling. Wasn't impressed. Found the Close Carrier much better.

I wouldn't be comfortable pushing a pushchair/ dealing with a toddler whilst carrying a baby in a babasling, would defo get something more secure for that, a stretchy wrap or similar.

Would your pushchair fit an easy x rider? I had one last year and it was very cool. Not really one for long distances though.

Over 2.5 is a difficult age, a double is often useful but seems like such a short term thing given it seems likely they will be walking most places in the near future.

oh wow that sit down stand up board looks brill very futuristic tried baba sling earlier not a fan my baby did not look comfy and neither was I!

think I need to try out some different styles of baby carriers, thanks every one