Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Double buggy - bl**dy depressed - need help

26 replies

ScotGirl · 03/02/2008 21:16

I know this has been done to death - and god I've done the hours of research on this site. Need buggy for newborn and 23 mth old.

Had it down to a P&T Sport or Out and About Nipper. Hit a big low today at pram shop...

DS (only 22mth)is too big for P&Teds!! It will be okay when he can go in the back, but when he sat in the front seat (which he will need to do for the first 4-5 months) his head was in the cover and above the bar. It looked really uncomfortable - the seat isn't well padded and I could imagine him banging his head off the bar going over curbs. No chance of it reclining either because his head won't fit under the bar.

So on the Nipper. DS likes to sit up straight (his Maclaren XT is nice and vertical). The Nipper seats are in a permanent state of recline - couldn't believe they didn't go up any more. DS was desperate to get out of it - stuck in a semi recline mode like a floundering fish!!

Only really need a double 3 days a week for getting to toddler groups and like (30 min walk to far for buggy board. Is second hand Double XT or M&P Aria my answer?

Sorry for the rant - letting off steam.

OP posts:
pickie · 03/02/2008 21:22

buggy pod might be a solution? Or on the nipper your DS can sit on the triangular bit. Friend of mine has three and they always argue who can sit in the point!

midnightexpress · 03/02/2008 21:25

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the 'bar'? The handle that you push?

Is he really tall? Our 2.2 year-old (quite tall himself) is absolutely fine in the front seat and the older toddler is supposed to be in the front not the back when you have the doubles kit on (ie when they're both sitting up) I think. Ours is the older model (explorer?) bit I was talking to someone in the park the other day who had a bigger ds than ours who was in the front of a sport with a newborn in the back and seemed to be OK.

oliviaelanasmum · 03/02/2008 21:27

I wouldnt recommend the aria, i found it hard to push when i had a toddler in one side and newbron in the other, i use a maclaren twin traveller which is comfy for dd2 (2.8) and dd3(4 months)
I only use mine a few afternoons a week when dd2 is knackered after playgroup, i usually use my bug and board.

Original poster
ScotGirl · 03/02/2008 21:30

I suppose I mean the frame that holds the seat rather than the bar. DS head is above the frame and, as the seat reclines within in the frame there is no chance his head will fit under it. We would have to take the hood off as his head was in it. He is just short of 1m tall.

OP posts:
midnightexpress · 03/02/2008 21:32

Ah right, I see. Ours doesn't recline except the main seat, iyswim - I think that's the main difference with the new model.

I've heard that the Jane Powertwin is good, but v expensive and also quite heavy I think.

Beesmummy · 06/02/2008 21:59

I am also looking at double buggies at the mo, (due in July, but current buggy fallen apart).
I have very Very old (the oldest) P&T E3 second hand that my friend used for her two year old and he wasn't too big (despite being quite large for his age) so maybe it is worth you looking at the other P&T models instead of the Sport?
I am going to keep my Phil & Teds for really rough country walks with the cocoon for the newborn (who shouldn't really do bumpy bumpy walks anyway for the first few months) and the double seat for my 18 month old.
But I am also trying to decide between the other doubles on the market and think I have come down to a choice between the Jane Powertwin (three wheeler because shorter) and the iCandy Pear that I saw today.
The weight is putting me off the Jane, but at least it all folds together, the Pear looks like it is a bit of a struggle to get in and out of the car in two, or even three bits, boring!
Apart from that the Pear looks very cool, with the option of carrycot, reclining seat, carseat, facing you, facing forward, three wheels (I think) or four wheels, etc. etc.
I am now also looking at the idea of getting a single buggy and adding a buggy pod (thanks pickle!) when I am not using a sling. Because it doesn't need to be so all-terrain, I am thinking of the Micralite, just because it is so light and apparently easy to chuck in and out of the car. Don't know if Toro or Fastfold though.
Decisions decisions.... I am going off my head!
I am going to go to a baby shop in Yeovil in the next couple of days which has a huge selection of buggies, so will report back if I find anything useful.

Beesmummy · 06/02/2008 22:00

ps teaandcakes is the expert in this field!

CarGirl · 06/02/2008 22:05

I have original phil and ted which is the kiwi explorer (also ozzie explorer) and the main seat is big enough for my 5 year old!!!! The E3 version 1 is similar in that the older child sits in the main seat not in the little seat popped on top. Aria is dreadful and side by side buggies can be difficult with a newborn and big child. Have you ruled out the graco side by side or tandem they are surprisingly okay and cheap.

BroccoliSpears · 06/02/2008 22:06

Oh god I'd decided on the P&T and now I've read this I'm concerned. My dd is not a tiddler and will be 23 mtns when the baby is born.

Think I'll go to an independant buggy shop and have a try. The trouble with Monstercare is that they never ever ever ever have anyone to assist and answer questions.

neolara · 06/02/2008 22:07

The Jane powertwin is great. Easy to push and both can see. The drawback is that it is very expensive, however, it keeps it's value well on ebay so you should be able to get most of your money back in a year or two.

CarGirl · 06/02/2008 22:15

powertwin is huge when folded and quite heavy which can be a big draw back for some people. Hence the never ending debate!

Beesmummy · 06/02/2008 23:13

Argh. Any opinions on the iCandy Pear?? Think I will start a new thread with iCandy title, just in case. Or if anyone can direct me to a thread dealing with it, apologies.

bellabelly · 06/02/2008 23:39

Maclaren twin techno? Seats are totally separate so one for newborn can be fully reclined while older dc can sit upright.

vInTaGeVioLeT · 07/02/2008 00:03

if it's only 3x a week can't you have baby in a sling and keep using your single buggy?

Flllightattendant · 07/02/2008 05:44

IF (and it's a big if) you can get hold of an older style P&T - either the fist version, nown as the Kiwi explorer, or the next one along, which was just the 'explorer' and looks like the newer ones - you might be better off. They used to have a different format so that the main seat stayed put, while the newborn bit attached on with zips underneath - giving much more solid seating, with more headroom, for the older child.

There was one on ebay last week, but they ended it early. Quite hard to tell at a glance but if they have the 'e3' logo they are not the right one!

The Kiwi version is easy to spot and quite funny looking!

HTH...

Flllightattendant · 07/02/2008 05:58

Kiwi

This is the funny looking one!

I had one btw - loads of headroom, four year old was quite happy in the seat.

TheBlonde · 07/02/2008 07:49

I have a P&T - my toddler (2 yrs when baby arried) was too tall for the recline and it was a bit of a squash getting the raincover on but it worked.

You just move the seat in front of the bar then they don't get bashed, get a footmuff or sheepskin and it will be more padded

I think you will find little difference in the size of the second seat on the E3 or the sport

Not tried a nipper so can't help you there

I also have a double twin triumph maclaren - fine for flat surfaces but the P&T is way easier to push and we've just used the maclaren for travel abroad

MrsDandOllie · 07/02/2008 08:01

oh no, i am worried now
i have p&t e3 - have had it as a single since ds1 was little and love it.
Ds1 is 2.4 now and baby due next week, i havent even tried ds in the small seat clipped on front - just assumed it would be fine as he fits in it perfectly as a single!
Think i'd better try him in it asap

crokky · 07/02/2008 08:03

ScotGirl - I have a DS the same age as yours, who is also very tall and I am also due in a few weeks. I have bought the nipper and like you, the main problem is that it is really reclined and my DS likes to be upright. I still thought it was the best solution because I am going to fold some towels to make it more upright. The nipper is very easy to push and I think that is a major issue with double buggies. I don't think there is anything perfect on the market. I would have liked my newborn facing me, not really bothered about 2yo facing either way, but don't like the fact newborn will be facing away.

TheBlonde · 07/02/2008 15:03

What about the double mountain buggy?

SarahLeosMum · 09/02/2008 19:16

Hello

I've posted a similiar thread a couple of days ago and think I am going to go for the Phil and Ted's and hope Leo doesn't get too annoyed with the hood touching his head. I think he will get used to it. Before I order it though I am going to see one called the zoom, which is new out any time in the next couple of months, there is info on this site www.olivers-baby-care.co.uk which seems to be down right this second so I can't put a direct link but it is easy to find. The lady in the shop will call me when it's in.

If it's too big, I'll still get the phil and teds as I've got a very small hall and front door!

ernest · 10/02/2008 09:52

just to 2nd the link from fa, I have this Kiwi explorer - the original P&T. The seat doesn't recline, but it's very comfy, at a good angle, mine have all been happy in it, and, not that I let him, my 7 year old can still easily fit into the seat. bit crap that the newer models are a squeeze for a toddler. Save yourselves ££££ and get this one I reckon! Mine is about to be used for number 4 and is still in excellent condition (actually lookes better than the one in the ebay pic) so is very robust. I've replace the tyres once in the 7 years I've had it, it's a great pushcahir, oh and unlike the 'new, improved' model, there is a reasonable amount of space under the bottom bunk to get eg a nappy bag under. I also attached a net bag to the rear seat for rain cover & other light bits & boys eg nappies and wipes.

It might look 'funny' and is more basic, but I've always felt it was better designed than the newer models.

Original poster
ScotGirl · 10/02/2008 20:26

thanks for all your advice - had another depressing trip to the pram shops today. Was going to go for a Urban Detour twin as DS still needs a good nap everyday and it is easier to put him to sleep in his buggy, but it is massive! - no way could I get it through the Mother and Toddler's church door!!

I thought I was going mad and that everyone else had found the perfect double buggy (everyone raves about the Sport and Nipper) and was wondering if I was just being too fussy!!

Looks like I should seriously consider an old P&T. Am a bit reluctant to buy off ebay without putting DS in it thought. Can you Explorer owners tell me, once the baby is out of the hammock bit at the back where does it go - in the front or back seat or doesn't it matter?

OP posts:
ernest · 11/02/2008 05:00

heavier child should be in front seat. baby in back seat. (in theory tho I didn't always follow this rule, but then my 2 were similarish weight)

Egg · 11/02/2008 07:01

Right then. I agonised for aaages about double buggy. I have a DS who is 23 months and have month old twins. I was all set on the Nipper as everyone said it was great (realised I would need to put DS1 in buggy and carry one DT in sling) but I agree with the OP, it is in a permanent state of recline and DS1 hated it when we tried it.

Was also considering First Wheels City Twin as can have forward facing / back facing / carrycots / carseats etc but decided it was too heavy and too wide.

So we got the Powertwin and I love it. However my situation is obviously a bit different to yours, but often similar in a way (!). DS1 goes to nursery two days a week so I put him in the front seat and have one DT in a carseat at the back and one DT strapped in a sling. It is heavier to push with DS1 in the front but once you get used to it it is still smooth and easy, and it is DREAM with just the DTs in. However, DS1's head also touches the top when I put the hood on, and he is not that huge, quite chunky but not overly tall. Worth testing it. It's very easy to fold and push, and seats / car seats are VERY easy to interchange (much more so than on my single Slalom Pro which is more or less the same).

It also means I can actually get through the door at nursery and in every shop, which is not possible with side by sides.

Sarahleosmum - do you live near Olivers Baby Care? They are my local baby shop! (Am in Winchester). I also spent many hours there looking at doubles. The lady there does not like the Jane buggies for some reason, but I decided to ignore her...