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Original poster

Double or Tandem???? Help Please...

25 replies

babybloo · 14/01/2006 21:01

I am going to have a 19 month age gap between babes and have done lots of research etc but every time I think I have decided someone says something else! I don't want to waste money if dd ends up not wanting any buggy time at 2 years for example but want to get a decent one for them both to enjoy, Looking at Jane Twin and Phil and Teds and Nipper mainly. Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks...

OP posts:

Tipex · 14/01/2006 21:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

babybloo · 14/01/2006 21:08

hi tipex, wow what a memory...i changed my name to be festive on another thread in december and forgot to change back to babybloos...oops!! Sleep is so excellend dd is an absolute angel and all the hard work paid off!! I think I will be more chilled out about the next one though which is due in June, yippeee. A whole new set of discussions!! Hope you are great, let me know.

OP posts:

JiminyCricket · 14/01/2006 21:09

Hmm, its really tricky. I have a similar age gap and we variously use

tandem double (cheap one so very heavy)
papouse plus pushchair/stroller (when dd2 was littler)
pram/stroller with litaf 'seat to go' buggy board plus seat
two strollers

I think if I was doing it again I might get one of the maclaren side by side strollers (but don't know if it would be tricky to push with different weights each side?) It wouldn't work for a newborn, but I started using the stroller for dd2 after a couple of months. My dd1 is fine with the buggy board, walking some of the time, but a stroller/pushchair is handy if she needs to have a nap while we are out. I don't think there is a perfect solution.

Original poster

babybloo · 14/01/2006 21:13

thanks jiminycricket, I had really hoped to avoid the whole buy one of everything and see what happens but it seems that is what the general consensus is! I think the resale of the jane is very good so maybe this would be a safe option even if only lasts for 6 months!! More advice please welcome though...........

OP posts:

NannyL · 14/01/2006 23:03

all i can say is DONT get a conventional style tandem pushchair (doesnt look like you intend to )

the baby hss to sit in the back with heavy toddler at the front and they are a NIGHTMARE to steer / push / get up kerbs etc!

Both the Phile and Teds and the Jane tandem 3 wheel buggy (whatever its called) look great!
the advantage of the phil and teds is that when little one is a bit old you still have a good single off road buggy!

tinytotmummy · 14/01/2006 23:13

I have a 15m age gap between my two and spent ages and even bought a couple and took them back before we finally decided on the Phil and Teds. We love it loads, its soo versatile and is a pleasure to push and takes up very little space. There are down sides to it though, such as the seats don't recline both in 2 x toddler position and when you have a newborn in the back the toddler is always upright. Also you can't stick a car seat on it like the Jane - i found getting a newborn in and out of a car seat and then putting them in the cacoon very tedious. We have a Maclaren twin as well, but this is hard work round shops, etc. I think you have to decide whats important to you, your baby and your toddler and go from there.

oops · 14/01/2006 23:13

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tinytotmummy · 14/01/2006 23:17

oops, my thoughts exactly! Mine are now 27m and 12m and I would like to change to something where both can see and sleep comfortably. DH is putting his foot down though, too many pushchairs. How long do you think older one will use a pushchair for? (Thhis is my main ammunition!!)

oops · 14/01/2006 23:21

Message withdrawn

tinytotmummy · 14/01/2006 23:29

LOL Oops! He runs riot in the shops, so I can't look at anything properly and end up impluse buying something v. expensive. But, if I had another pushchair....happy babies, happy mummy!! Like the nipper, but not sure about the twin thing

gigglinggoblin · 14/01/2006 23:38

i tried double and tandem and hated them both! couldnt get one up kerbs, couldnt get one thru doors and toddler ds1 took every opportunity to nip/kick/steal hat from baby ds2. grrrr

i eventually used a single buggy and a baby sling, followed by a back carrier. by the time the back carrier was too heavy ds1 was out of the buggy most of the time. if you get the carrier when they are small you dont seem to notice them geting heavier. also i find that babies in slings cry less than babies in push chairs (thats how it worked with all of mine anyway)

mummymojo · 15/01/2006 00:17

my ds1 is 2.7 and DS2 is 1 - I don't think you can ever get the right solution for every situation. I used a single buggy & baby carrier for the first 3 months. Then use a combi twin pushchair - very light and comfortable for both. I can get around most places with no problems - but do forward plan if I think I'm going to go to a 'difficult' access shop I take the single buggy and DS1 walks.

oops · 15/01/2006 22:08

Message withdrawn

sweetkitty · 15/01/2006 22:32

I have been debating this one for months (will have 18 month gap if DD2 ever decides to appear) finally bought a M&P Twin Aria, nearly bought a Phil and Teds but got put off with reviews on here, thought it would be great when the baby was newborn in the cocoon but not so keen after that the second seat is so low down and no recline on the seats out me off. Most of the time I use the car so thought it might be a bit of a waste of money. Looked at Jane Powertwin which looks fab and comfy but heavy to lug in and out of car boot. Friend has one so had a go of that too.

The Aria looks good, have already had DD1 in it for a go! It's very lightweight and fits through our living room door so I suppose it means it will go through most doors.

Also another reason for picking the Aria over the P&Ts was that if I don't get on with it in a couple of months I can persuade DP easier to get another buggy as I have "saved" money may look at a Marco Sky in a few months for the summer.

I do think you need a different buggy every 6 months or so. It's so difficult to chose.

zephyrcat · 15/01/2006 22:37

I'm in a buggy dilemma so thinking about a Buggypod Looks fab!!

oops · 15/01/2006 22:38

Message withdrawn

oops · 15/01/2006 22:39

Message withdrawn

misdee · 15/01/2006 22:41

i've gone back to basics and got a mothercare double urban detour, for this lovely laspe dd2 is having with her walking (why why why after she had been walking well for a while did i sell the p and t? why??). i think i'll keep hold of this one tho. dont want to buy another double for future babies.

oops · 15/01/2006 22:41

Message withdrawn

chjlly · 15/01/2006 22:46

I had a 2.4 age gap between mine & I bought a bertini with a toddler seat - which I found handy id I was just taking baby out I just took the toddler seat off and had a single pram it also had steerable wheels which made it easy to manouver.

tinytotmummy · 16/01/2006 14:51

Had a look at the buggy pod, seems amazing but, is it really any different from having a twin? Quite like the new P and T twin, there is one on ebay at the mo. Oops, I am still trying to persuade DH, but he keeps saying "no more pushchairs!" I am so envious of you and your powertwin. Please let me know how you get on and what its like compared to the p and t

Original poster

babybloo · 18/01/2006 14:48

Hi everyone, thanks for all your input, really appreciated and I hope some others have made some decisions. I have been looking on ebay and the best thing about p &t's and jane powertwin is they hold value really well so maybe good if we keep having to change them!!

OP posts:

mummyof2girls · 18/01/2006 22:50

hi before i had my dd2 i was set on a double but when she came along, my dd1 smacked her constantly it was also really difficult to get around shops so i sold it and bought a cossatto tandem, but was so hard to steer that my rists would ache, so bought a mammas and double, my kids loved it but for me i find doubles difficult to get about in.I have now got a tahoma Tandem from mothercare that i love, it is lacking in style but is easy to steer, and really fits my needs and its suitable from birth.

Original poster

babybloo · 19/01/2006 20:20

Hi again!! DH and I have been monitoring ebay for ages and along with all your ace advice on length of time actually required.......we have worked out that if we buy a brand new jane powertwin, which is the ideal buy for us, and use for 6mths to a year, we will only lose about £50 over the year if we resell on ebay!!! Mad but true, so there it is! IF you have the dosh at the mo, I think it is worth spending it on the one that you get the most back for once used

OP posts:

kasef · 29/01/2006 10:05

i am having a problem deciding on a double atm i had a tandem until a week ago when the main support broke. i am looking at the tahoma tandem atm on mothercare site. has anyone had this is it any good? how sturdy is it? unfortunately money is restricted to around £120. not keen on side by side used to push little sisters in one.

my babies are also 18 months apart dd2 being 25 months and ds1 will be 7 months. luckily i can now put bigger one at the back and little one at front. i did find it difficult with last one to get up kurbs and on trains, especially when dd2 was in front.

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