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Original poster

WHEN WOULD YOU EXPECT YOUR CHILD TO STOP USING A BUGGY???????

107 replies

drosophila · 07/08/2007 18:42

I'm in a quandary. DD is 2.5 and her buggy has died. I have a bad back so need something light and easy to push. I have been looking at 3 wheelers as there is less rolling resistance but everywhere I look it suggest suitable for up to 3 yrs old.

DD is going to a Nursery that is 20 mins walk away for an adult so I imagine even as a 3.5 yr old she will need a buggy. Am I raving?

OP posts:
imnot27 · 07/08/2007 18:51

Am still iusing a buggy for ds2, who is 3.3, and will continue to do so for school run for at least another six months, as I did with ds1 and dd1. I think all pushcahirs say up to 3 to cover themselves from potential damage from big child, but my ds2 is HUGE and we're doing okay . The Quinny Zapp is the only one that says up to 4 years I have seen I had one, is v light and manouverable, but really only suitable for v smooth pavements!

Peachy · 07/08/2007 18:53

never used them much after 2.5 with mine tbh, I did see one up to five but though- barring SN-

However its is quite a walk for a little. I would try and get something really good second hand, rather than aything new, she may be out of it soon

SenoraPostrophe · 07/08/2007 18:55

ds hasn't needed a buggy since he was about 2.10, but dd needed one until she was 3 and a half. it depends on the child really.

but I wouldn't get a 3 wheeler: with a 3 year old in they'll be really heavy. I'd get a lightweight one instead. I have a cheapest-but-one one from toys r us and it's really good. I use it in prefernce to the 3 wheeler (that we bought a couple of weeks ago) for everything but actual cross country riding.

SenoraPostrophe · 07/08/2007 18:55

ps I would alsways assume that "up to 3" means up to 48 months though.

Peachy · 07/08/2007 18:56

Ah the cheapest but one

I always go for that one pmsl

cheapest isn't good enough

but next is lol

aloha · 07/08/2007 18:57

I thought I didn't need a buggy for dd (2.5) until the clutch went on the car and I took dd and ds (5) to visit a friend, to the shop, to a cafe, to the shoe shop and home again. By god the journey home was v slow and frustrating progress!

belgo · 07/08/2007 18:58

She will be tired after nursery. I recommend you use a buggy. My dd1 is a very good walker, and even she used a buggy until over three years of age.

Can you get one of those umbrella maclaren buggies? I find mine really good.

belgo · 07/08/2007 18:59

aloha - yes it's easy not to need a buggy when you have a car!

ChiTownLady · 07/08/2007 19:00

drosphila, i still use on one for ds 4.3 as we have a long walk to summer camp and frankly it would otherwise just take too long and if he gets tired is then a nightmare - he often walks/runs much of the way but I am glad I didn't give mine away as I was going to do 6 months ago!
HTH

foxcub · 07/08/2007 19:06

It depends on your lifestyle. I walk the Dc's to school and back and its a 2.5 mile round journey so DD (aged just 4) is in need of a buggy - partly so we can walk quickly in the mornings and partly due to her legs being little. I'd envisage she will need the buggy for at least another 6 months, maybe more.

I've seen kids up to about 5 in buggys when the going gets tough and they really need a rest after a long walk.

If iots a short journey I'd expect a 4 yr old to walk.

roisin · 07/08/2007 19:07

DS1 dropped the buggy very early (I had a bad back and couldn't manage a double, so he just had to get on and walk!)

But with ds2 there was no imperative. We also had a 20 min walk home from school/nursery at the end of the day with two tired boys (3 and 5) , and I found it a lot easier with ds2 in the buggy. I think it died when he was about 3.5, and he coped OK then, but was very slow.

I'd get a cheap umbrella buggy if I was you, but only use it when necessary - i.e. the end of the day.

foxcub · 07/08/2007 19:08

The Phil and Teds is suitable up to aged 5. I put DS2 in the back and DD in the front. It is designed for two kids and is all terraine so is great - just rolls along

fillyjonk · 07/08/2007 19:09

ds goes in the p+t to get home from nursery, it is a 3 mile walk and he is tired, and normally falls asleep. He is nearly 4.

It utterly depends on your lifestyle. We don't drive much, we walk, and long distances, so my kids need a buggy for longer than kids who are driven around more.

Pinkchampagne · 07/08/2007 19:11

If I have quite a walk (I don't drive), I still occasionally use a pushchair for my 4 year old DS!

sorkycake · 07/08/2007 19:11

I make my kids walk everywhere from about 2.5yo, unless it's more than a couple of miles.

hotcrumpets · 07/08/2007 19:15

DD pretty much walks everywhere unless I am in a hurry, she's 2.3yo

I don't drive so find it easier without a buggy as no fussing around on the bus, don't have to worry about steps etc

fillyjonk · 07/08/2007 19:22

also i will point out that it makes a difference how many kids are with you

both mine walk everywhere when its just me and them. when there are TWO of them and one of me they end up in the buggy more often.

meandmyflyingmachine · 07/08/2007 19:24

When they can ride a bike instead IMO. Walking long distances with them is tiring for them and bloody irritating for me.

dissle · 07/08/2007 19:28

I was torn terribly with this, as you are!
I wanted to continue with the buggy because ds was constantly wanting to be picked up when his legs got tired...my back was killing me.
Friends were disgusted and told me that their child had walked evry where from bieng 2..blah blah blah

so i stopped gradually and am now ready to give the buggy to a charity shop.
Ds was 4 last month, we havent used buggy for about 4/5 months now.
I got a cheep and cheerful one from Argos with twizzly wheels, small enough to chuck into the boot of the car or to be carried if we got the bus any where.
I made him walk short distances and now he is okish but 4 is just a little too old i think, although he is a tiny 4 year old.(still in age 2-3 clothes!)
Its up to you but dont either of you suffer because of what other people think that you should do.

dissle · 07/08/2007 19:29

oooh yes, we take his scooter or bike to play school, about a 15min walk and he loves that!

fillyjonk · 07/08/2007 19:39

lol at friends whose kids walk from 2

they DON'T

they are CARRIED quite a lot IME

I have a walking 2 yo also

dissle · 07/08/2007 19:41

I KNOW!!!!!!
They are the same friends whos kid knew the times tables at 2.5 and who were half way up Everest when they went into labour with their precious one!!!!

W T F !!!

allgonebellyup · 07/08/2007 19:43

mine walked from 2.5 and i wouldnt let them go in buggy as dont like seeing kids that are too old being pushed.

Having said that, if i have to walk a loooooooooooong way then i do cave in and let ds, 3, go in it just for that day.

sorkycake · 07/08/2007 19:45

I've found a buggy board quite useful during transition. My Ds would fall asleep in the buggy the month before he turned three for the 2 mile trip to School to pick up Dd. Sometimes she was allowed to ride the board back (4.5) but mostly I tried to get her to wlak. Once he turned 3 he refused to go in the buggy at all. Maybe they'll give up themselves? Hmm saying that Dd (5) would ride all day long given half the chance, the lazy toad.

fillyjonk · 07/08/2007 19:47

yes dissle its almost a status thing, isn't it?

its not unusual for us to cover 6 miles in a day. Actually its not THAT unusual for it to be more like 10.

There is no WAY ds can walk that distance, let alone dd.

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