Newborn and 3 yo: Do I need a double buggy or will a buggy board do?

[fourlegstwolegs]

As the title says really! I still use the pushchair for DS, mostly because I can strap him in and keep him under control when going to town!
Number 2 is due in Jan when DS will be exactly 3.
What do you wise ladies reckon? Just get a buggy board for the existing pushchair or sell up and get a double...?

My DS1 was 3.6 when DS2 was born. I went for a buggy board and it worked really well for us.

What buggy have you got?

In the same situation (3yrs 1 month age gap) I got a double off eBay. We borrowed a buggy board to try, but Dc1 is very tall and he couldn't fit around/under/behind the buggy handles and it was difficult for both of us on hills. I sold my double a year later, for £7 less than I'd paid for it. Well worth it. I didn't use it loads, but that first winter when dd was a wailing newborn and DS was a tantruming 3 year old and we just had to get out, it was invaluable. Not sure DS would have got to nursery much either without it. Things may have been different if dd had been born in the summer, but she wasn't.

2y9m gap here and I've used the buggy board twice, both times for fun and both times it was a total PITA. But ds1 is used to walking

Double was also useful because dc1 was still napping during the day when dc2 was born.

I have a three year age gap between my kids too. Initially I had baby in a stretchy sling and my eldest either went in the buggy or on the buggy board for fun, then when I wanted to use the buggy more for the baby when he was around 6 months the eldest would happily use the buggy board. I think get a buggy board and/or a sling and see how you go, you can always get a double buggy after the baby is here if it isn't working out.

I'd use a sling/walk and a buggy combo.

I have a 3.5, 2yo and newborn and use a double between the 3. Eldest usually walks.

Good points. I have 2 pushchairs - an old mountain buggy terrain for using round the farm and a baby jogger city mini for going to town (as it folds up!).
DS is quite tall - I hadn't considered that it might be a problem....

I have buggy board for 3 year old. Highly recommend it.

Though if we are out with the pram, we usually have a scooter as well and that works until they get tired and then are happy to use the board. Have also got a sling for baby so have that as an option just in case

Double buggies are heavy and hard to navigate.

Get a buggy board and a wrist strap.

Do check about using a board on the city mini. I don't think they work that well but haven't tried it myself. I just can't figure out where the child goes, exactly, as the seat is quite reclined and there isn't space inside the bar handle. I think it could be quite awkward walking with a kid between your arms.

I got a buggy board for DS1(21 months) for when DS2 arrived. Always take the sling with me so if DS1 needs to sleep DS2 goes in the sling. Has worked so far and I can't be arsed with a double buggy.

I used a combination of buggy board and sling with an 18 month age gap, DD was a sting independent walker from the start and when she got tired the buggy board was fine, longer trips DS went in the sling

If you can try out your buggy with the board, I got irritated with mine as kept hitting it with my ankles if I forgot it was there but would hope design has improved in the past 9 years

I think it depends on the child. My son was three weeks away from his third birthday when DD1 was born and it never crossed my mind to get a buggy board never mind a double buggy. He'd not used a pram for a couple of months, wasn't a 'runner' (he was the most well-behaved toddler ever, it's all gone a bit pear shaped since mind!) and pre-school was close by.

DD1 was 3 years 5 months when DD2 was born, again the thought never entered my head that I'd need anything for her to ride on/sit in.

However DD2 is very petite, she weighs the same as my niece who is over 2 years younger than her. She is also 'hard work' in terms of faffing about when walking or running away, so she still goes in the pram a couple of times a week for the school run and if we're going out for a long day. If she'd not been my last child I probably would have bought a second hand double to use for her aged 3 and a new baby.

DD1 was 20 months when DD2 was born. I bought a double in advance, convinced I'd need one. DD1 is now 2 and DD2 4 months and DD1 has been in the double precisely 3 times. In the 6 weeks between buying the double and baby being born, DD1 decided she hates buggies and wants to walk everywhere.