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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:
bigmouthstrikesagain · 07/08/2007 22:50

I have got around this question as my dd is 16m and still in buggy and ds 3 (only just!) so he uses buggy board - he is a bit too fond of the buggy board - but as he is a serial absconder (and lightening fast when he wants to be) I have to say I prefer that too hot pursuit with buggy in tow!

I can't drive so we walk everywhere during the week. We will have a 25m walk to nursery from sept to contend with and as i will be leaving my dd at home (with granny) I will be expecting him to walk then - but I know he can do it - it is a pain going at toddler pace sometimes though - he is sooo heavy as well - I have a quinny zapp and it is a good buggy but i agree on needing good pavements. Micralite is good and easy to steer but also a bit pricey for a buggy you won't use for v long.

Original poster
drosophila · 07/08/2007 22:51

Thanks everyone. DD does like to walk but with trying to catch a train or get home before midnight then the buggy is, I think, a must. I also don't drive so everything I do on my days off is by foot.

I would buy a cheapie but with my back I have to be careful. I used DS's old buggy briefly and could not believe how difficult I found it. I stopped using a buggy with DS as there was a bus route to his nursery so difficult to compare.

I so wish I had spent more money initially. Short term economics.............

OP posts:
cat64 · 07/08/2007 22:59

This reply has been deleted

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boo64 · 07/08/2007 23:09

Pitchou - interestingly ds (2.1) wasn't at all keen on walking and went in a buggy or was carried everywhere until very recently - maybe 3 months ago but now does really long walks - not sure it matters if they haven't always done it in case anyone is worrying about that.

For the OP - reckon after nursery is different though and a buggy needed for then as nursery tires them out.

LyraBelacqua · 07/08/2007 23:13

bigmouth, you're expecting your DS to walk 25 miles aged just 3?
Surely some mistake

Biglips · 07/08/2007 23:16

im expecting about 3.5 for my dd (she is now 2.10yrs old but got the height of a 4 yrs old). As she will able to do a (adult) 15 mins walk -which prob make her half an hour!!.

She is in the buggy as she is the type child that doesnt stay by your side!!

ChasingSquirrels · 07/08/2007 23:19

i read it as 25 mins?

handlemecarefully · 07/08/2007 23:20

Ds is 3.4 - we haven't used a buggy for around 6-8 months (because it died on us and it was marginal whether or not I should replace it)

I so wish I had replaced it. He is active and energetic but has huge energy dips in the afternoon and I invariably end up carrying him. My poor back

Get a basic McClaren

bigmouthstrikesagain · 07/08/2007 23:21

25 min Lyra - I agree 25 miles would prob be a little too far - I must go to bed too tired to type straight ...

LyraBelacqua · 07/08/2007 23:25

Ah, that's more reasonable

handlemecarefully · 07/08/2007 23:25

lol

LyraBelacqua · 07/08/2007 23:29

We've got a McLaren Volo which is just about ideal for an older child, light but still comfortable. It was about £60.

mumto2nuttybells · 07/08/2007 23:31

Buy a new bloody buggy my son is 3 he walks for about half hr then get knackerd so i would say by new buggy your need to if you wanna go somewhere kids arnt suppose to touch things or busy places, does she nap still as she might be tired when you go out too

Biglips · 07/08/2007 23:32

yes i agree....just buy a cheap buggy

Pitchounette · 08/08/2007 08:21

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Pitchounette · 08/08/2007 08:22

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Pitchounette · 08/08/2007 08:27

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fillyjonk · 08/08/2007 08:30

no the point I was making was that people who get their kids out of buggies early are often those with cars.

So they are looking at walking much shorter distances.

So they would criticise me for using the buggy for my ds to go 3 miles to the shops (AND 3 miles back, don't forget!) BUT they would actually be driving there themselves.

Ditto a 25 minute walk (god that would take us about a mile, I think...). They have to walk BACK, also.

But really, I don't get this need to get kids out of the buggy asap. I just don't.

And there is this really odd thing also-people want their kids out of the buggy asap-but buggy boards-I've seen 6 yos on buggy boards. Believe me, a nice phil and teds is much, much easier than a buggy board.

ELF1981 · 08/08/2007 08:36

DD nearly two and we're still using the M&P Pilko Pramette we had when she was born. Its really bulky now and I often debate about buying a new lightweight one, but cant decide if it will be a waste of money.
We regularly walk to the shops together over the weekend but she really enjoys walking (a good 45 mins there adn then 45 mins back when she's walking) and pushing her toy push chair along.
Luckily we have a car, but when our car was written off, we did bus it a lot to the childminders and walked the other distances, she seemed to enjoy it.
I would do away with her pram, but then when we're in town etc, what if she wants to go to sleep?!!
Still covert a small slim pram...

LyraBelacqua · 08/08/2007 09:48

I agree Filly, they've got a lifetime to walk everywhere, let them stay in the buggy as long as they want, as long as they're getting plenty of exercise in other ways.
It's the same with lunchtime naps. Some of the competitive mums round here proudly brag about how their little one gave up their nap at an early age. I'm glad mine napped till they were three, it was much easier for me to have that break. Sa,e as it's much easier to have DS2 safely strapped into his buggy along busy roads.

LyraBelacqua · 08/08/2007 09:49

Elf, buy one, you'll get at least a year's use out of it, then you can flog it on eBay.

TigerFeet · 08/08/2007 10:06

dd is 3.1 and we still use the buggy if we are going to be out all day. She walks a lot but sometimes still has a nap in the middle of the day so it is handy for that. If we are walking a long way then we take it and then she can get in if she gets tired.

It is also very handy for carting shopping / beach detritus etc and I will miss it when we don't need it any more

divamumplusbump · 08/08/2007 11:21

dd havent used since before her 2nd bday. may be 22m . i often see toddlers about 3-4 sitting in the buggy and wish dd did use buggy. its lovely that she walks everywehre but it takes forever.

oliveoil · 08/08/2007 11:27

by 3ish imo

only because they weigh a bloody ton then anyway

I stopped using my double when dd1 was 3, then just used the McClaran with dd2 until about 4 months ago, she is 3 this month

HOWEVER I walked everywhere and if their combined weight wasn't 5.5 stone I would still push them about now, much easier and faster if you want to get somewhere

also dd2 refuses to get in one know anyway

Pitchounette · 08/08/2007 12:48

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