Need double buggy advice

[silverfrog]

Apologies for the length of this, but thought I would set out all requirements!

I have 2 dds, 3 and 6 months. Dd1 has ASD, and whilst she is a good walker, she really needs to be in a buggy whenever we are somewhere busy or distracting.

Before dd2 was born, I dismissed the idea of a double buggy as dd1 was such a good walker. I was adamant that since dd1 used to walk everywhere before dd2, she could continue to do so. However, I severely underestimated how difficult it would be to steer dd1 whilst also steering a buggy, and just how much of my time used to be taken up getting her to walk in a given direction.

We currently have an Inglesina Ottuto for dd2 (which I love), but have been using dd1's buggy more and more, and whilst this is ok at weekends as dh and I take a buggy each, it is hopeless in the week. Dd2 is now getting too big for me to carry comfortably in a sling.

so, I admit defeat. I need a double buggy. Dd1 is big - just 3 and over 1m tall, think she weighs around 15-16kg. Dd2 is, conversely, small. 6 months but only 14lb. I need a buggy that will do for the next couple of years. Am loving the reversible seat on our Ottuto, but realise this might be expecting too much from a double that is also built to take big children - all the doubles I have seen that reverse seem quite small. Oh, and I'd probably prefer a tandem style, as convinced dd1 will poke dd2 for fun, but anyhting considered.

Many thanks if you're still with me thus far - any ideas?

Phil & Ted's?

not sure what the max weight is though... 4 years is the recommend age limit

Thanks, we did look at a Phil and Ted's before I threw a fit about doubles, but dd1 wasn't in a co-operative mood so couldn't see how well she'd fit.

The weight limit appears to be 25kg, but I don't think a child of that size would fit height-wise - do you have one? what is the head room like? (and foot room, come to think of it - would dd1's feet end up trailing?)

I had a Nipper 360 for when DS2 was born. DS1 (was nearly 3 at the time) is big and tall, and was quite comfy in it. It's wider than the P&T but really easy to push.

Phil and teds will fit you fine - I had the same with ds and dd1 (large and little!) and my ds was still sneaking into the front when he was almost 4 and very tall indeed (went to school 3 weeks later) and it was fine - we then had a big dd2 so she only stayed in the flat bit for 3 1/2 months before she couldn't fit anymore - poor lass!

I'd get a nipper. Nice and light and easy to push, even with uneven weight. You can pick them up second hand quite reasonably too. I have it for my two year old dts. But my ds1 has sn and I can push it with him and a dt in it too. He is a tall 5 year old, not sure of weight.

yes we have a P&T
DD1 is 3 1/2 and is quite a tight fit in the back seat now - however that works best for us as she tends to walk and then gets in when she (or I!) get fed up/tired/in a rush.

however there is loads of room in the front for her - the front seat is huge. she's tall but quite slim.

also if your dd1 is going to be in and out you are going to get very fed up pushing a wide twin buggy. at least with the P&T if the back seat is empty it doesn't feel like a burden and is very handy for your bag/jacket/shopping.

when i was looking at double buggies i couldn't find a side-by-side that DD1 was happy in, they all seemed so cramped.