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Original poster

DS won't walk far and new baby coming...options?

11 replies

flightattendant · 19/01/2007 06:03

Hi all, I'm new here. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm expecting a new baby in June and have a son who will be 4 at the end of May. He will walk but gets tired and we are a couple of miles out of town without a car, so we tend to walk every day with shopping, preschool, everything... He will walk part of the way usually, just not all.
I don't think he will cope with it once his pushchair is being used by someone else!!
I have had some great pushchairs for him, we currently use a Quinny as it is so light to push compared to a small-wheel buggy, and he is a heavy boy. But it won't do from birth for the new one, also I don't think our seat-to-go will fit it when reclined enough for a small baby.
I have a second hand M&P Ultima system I was planning to use before I realised he won't be ready to walk four miles a day - and it won't take a buggy board.
Have been looking at twin off roaders on ebay (Instep and the XTS) but am not sure that it will work with a large 3-4 yr old in one side and a tiny newborn in the other!
I am seriously thinking we are going to need a car at this rate...especially as no partner around to help out.
I'd be glad of any suggestions, Thankyou ladies

OP posts:
MrsBigD · 19/01/2007 11:03

I had a seat to go and you're right you won't be able to recline. How about using the push chair that reclines with a buggy board?

Alternatively, what we did for a while... we have a biggish 3 wheeler and whilst ds was lying in it dd was perched on the front quite well. It's a bit harder to push but miles easier than a twin buggy which I found impossible.

Where are you based (roughly)? I'm in West London and you're welcome to it if you can pick it up. It's bright yellow and black so you'll be noticed by any oncoming trafic

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 19/01/2007 11:09

what's public transport like where you are? Could you walk part way and then catch a buss part way? The more your ds is encouraged to walk, the further he will be able to walk iyswim. Also does he ride a bike? if you got him a bike (with stabilisers of course) he could ride some places and that would make it more fun for him.

My ds has been walking everywhere since he was two as he was getting too heavy for the baby carrier and due to the fact I am visually impaired I couldn't use a buggy as it's not easy to push a buggy and walk with a guide dog at the same time . I found that by increasing his journey daily soon got him used to walking everywhere, and the places that were further we would walk part way and then catch a buss.

hth

gigglinggoblin · 19/01/2007 11:14

i used a sling for baby and a single buggy for ds1 who was 18 months when ds2 arrived, then back carrier when ds2 was too big for front sling.

is he doing 4 miles all at once or is it broken up with school etc? agree with increasing journey and he will manage it, ds3 who is 2 could probably do it, but ds1 and 2 would complain despite being perfectly capable!

janeite · 20/01/2007 14:48

Perhaps he'd walk more if he could help to push the new baby's buggy? My oldest had to walk everywhere once she was just past two and she soon got used to it; no choice really!

eidsvold · 22/01/2007 05:59

i used a sling and the pram but also have a pram with a toddler seat.... worked fab with dd1 and dd2 and about to use it for dd2 and new babe.

smoething like this

then if you are going long distance - pop the seat on - if not and he can walk - detach the toddler seat.

nearlyfourbob · 22/01/2007 06:14

Ds is 3 and could cover that distance with a scooter or on his bike. A buggy board would be good, because he could just hop on and off.

batters · 22/01/2007 06:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 22/01/2007 07:17

ah, missed the bit about baby not due until June - agree with Batters, no reason why he can't walk - make him do it.

nearlyfourbob · 22/01/2007 08:09

Have just reread the dates and realised that he is still very much 3. Expect a massive difference in his walking between now and him being 4. Between 3 and 3.5 was really frustrating for me but now ds steams ahead on walks.

Original poster
flightattendant · 26/01/2007 09:42

Hiya,
BIG thanks for all your suggestions! I'm encouraged to know there are plenty of 3 and 4 yr olds who walk a lot out there. He does have a lot of energy when at home, perhaps it just needs channelling!!; )

Thanks again

OP posts:
stitch · 26/01/2007 09:47

if he is going to be four, then make thelazy (^) walk.
speaking from experience here. a four year old can walk as much as a mom with two kids can. if he gets tired, its good. means he is getting his excercise so he can go home and veg inf ront of the telly.
get rid of the pushchair now, so that by the time the new baby comes, he doesnt feel that HIS pushchair has been taken over, iyswim
I have the exact same age difference between ds1 nd2

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