Do I need a tandem?

[BabyHaribo]

DS will be 2.5 when DC2 arrives in a few weeks. He's a good walker and not likely to run off but does still go in the buggy on longer trips.

I like to walk a lot and will def need either a second seat or buggy board but just not sure which?

He is also prone to lying on the floor tantrums in which case being able to strap him into a seat would be good. However I don't want to waste money if I don't need a tandem.

We had an icandy peach for DS but sold it as I read that it wasn't safe/easy to put a buggy board on.

Anyone else with a 2.5 year age gap what did you do?

I had a double for a 25 month age gap and am very glad I did. I knew I wanted three dc though and so have used it again. I also walk for miles and miles- I rarely go out in the car. So I would say it depends how much walking you do.

Some people on here often suggest a sling to put baby in when toddler wants a ride. Could that work for you?

Don't think a sling will work as Ive got back issues exacerbated by pregnancy and found slings very uncomfortable last time.

I do walk a fair amount, I'm a SAHM and will often go for a walk in the afternoon especially as this ones a summer baby.

From what you have said you could certainly function without one if necessary. Would your current buggy take a buggyboard?

For this situation and age gap personally I would get something that works primarily as a pram for the baby, so the baby is in the upper position facing you, with a lower seat for the toddler as and when they want/need to use it. Something like an obaby zezu multi tandem, an oyster max or a tfk joggster twist. I had a smyths toys dimples duo two summers ago that was set up like this but they don't sell them anymore. I also had a jane twone that you can use like that but the top seat isn't lie flat so you have to find a sneaky way around it (like using a car seat wedge to flatten the seat out, or something like this).

I am in exactly the same position, or I will be in 6 months! I'm also moving to a new town with lots of hills!

I really don't know what to do, I don't mind the sling/papoose with a newborn but not all the time. my eldest will hopefully still have naps and I don't want to have to ensure I'm always in the house.

I have a bjcm gt, with carrycot (not currently using with 2yr old)I truly love it and think its wonderful but I think the handle causes problems with a buggy board.

I don't like double side by side push chairs (I knock stuff over and walk into doors with my single!), and I feel like splashing out on a decent double (one on top of the other - sorry I don't know what they're called!) could be a waste of money as the eldest might start walking everywhere pretty quickly - that said we would like a 3rd child at some point so...!

Its so difficult, could be an expensive mistake to make!

The gt with buggyboard is okay, not amazing but definitely do able. Not with the seat fully reclined maybe but fabrics off and carrycot on would be good I think.

I had a 2.2 year gap and got a double. I'm glad I got it cheaply, second hand as we only used it for a few months

Thanks all.

Gilly I feel exactly the same. I also feel like splashing out on a new pram. I really like the look of the babystyle oyster max. It prioritises baby but toddler can ride if need be. It also looks fine as a single and works well with a buggy board.

My DD was 2.3 when DS was born and we got a Phil and teds. I honestly thought we'd have sold it after a year but we still use it now DS is nearly 2! Not all the time but we have a dog and for long walks DD (4) sometimes still jumps in underneath. The seat underneath is great on days out for bags, costs, shopping etc. I also had a buggy board (from eBay) for our old lie flat pram and for a mclaren umbrella fold buggy, which were also really useful. In the early days the tandem was really useful for containing the toddler if needs be, especially when I had the dog with me. My thinking at the time was to buy the Phil and teds and then sell it as they hold value pretty well but it is now well done in and covered in mud but something to consider perhaps?

IOyster Max doesn't really prioritise baby. I swap seats at 8mo and 26mo. And baby is in carry cot for 6mo so on the bottom.

Its a lovely pushchair though. We love it.

You can use the lie flat seat on top, depending on how your toddler feels about it being near their face, how often the toddler is in there etc. Ultimately I think the carrycot in the lower position is probably a more comfortable set up but if the elder child isn't in the pushchair the majority of the time you do have the option of using the other set up.

you could always get one of these thats what we're getting.

I'm going to have a 2.8 yr age gap, and am actually planning on buying a bugaboo donkey. I know it's a huge amount of money but I get a hefty discount and the resale is good. My toddler has recently had a run of ill health, picking up bugs and viruses frequently. At times like this, he cannot walk and begs for his pram. No way is he capable of managing a buggy board, even when in good health, so that probably depends on the individual child.

Best thing about the donkey for me is that when I drop older one off at nursery etc, I can leave seat there and convert into a single carrycot for baby.

If I didn't get the discount, I'd only consider this if plans for dc3 were definite. It's so, so expensive!