Second Child - Double Strollers, Kiddy Board, Other necessities??

[tinyfeet]

Hi, DD will be 21 months when DD2 will be born. I generally have everything I believe I'll need since I have most things for DD1, but there are a couple of things I am wondering about. If anyone can provide any advice on the following, I would really appreciate it.

Is the 'kiddy board' a good thing? How useful is it? It's the thing that attaches to the back of a pushchair for a toddler to stand on. If not, and I go with a double stroller, what is the most important consideration for a double stroller? How important is a double stroller? DD1 is at just 19 months sometimes doesn't like sitting in the stroller, and I'm wondering when will she entirely outgrow the stroller anyway?

Finally, what are the most important things to have for a second child - when both children are under 2 years apart? No need to include the obvious things (highchair, car seats, cribs, clothes, etc.).

Thanks!

There are 19 months between my DS and DD. DS wasn't old enough to go on buggy board (and now at 2 still isn't road aware enough or wouldn't stand on it while in shops - too tempting to run around!) I can't recommned the Emmaljunga pushchair with toddler seat highly enough. I bought mine second hand off ebay for around £60. The pushchair bit at the back lies completely flat for new baby and older sibling sits high up front. It's single width (and folds flat single size) so great for getting in and out of house, shops etc. It's obviously heavier than a single as you have toddler on front but still easy enough to get about. I'm constantly asked by other second timers where I got it from and a number have also bought it and been equally delighted. It means we are out each morning and most afternoons and DD gets a good sleep each time. I have used the baby bjorn a bit but didn't find it easy to chase after an active little boy with it and new baby on board!

We've got 25 months between ds and dd, and we've got pram/travel system, Maclaren Daytripper single pushchair, Graco double buggy and sling. If I'm going to busy shops, I tend at the moment to put dd in the sling, and ds in the Maclaren. The Graco one is a dream to push, and it's great having them both strapped in, BUT it's a pain to get in and out of the car, as it only just fits in the boot, and there are some shops where it just doesn't fit down the aisles. If we go out for a walk, ds walks on reins, and dd goes in pram.

I have 20 months between my two and the best thing I bought was a three-wheeler double buggy from Mothercare. You won't believe how easy these are to push until you try one. It's easier pushing two in this than one in a stroller. In fact if I'm going for a walk with one I still take the double pushchair as it is so easy to push.

Maggiew, If you're around, I'm wondering how long you were able to use the Emmaljunga with toddler seat? It seems like it may have a short lifespan since my near-2-yr-old would either outgrow the toddler seat fairly quickly, or the newborn may be too big for the pram soon. Thanks!