double buggies - there is no good solution, is there? Or if there is, please tell me here!

[bohemianbint]

I'm sorry if this has been done a million times before, but in brief, I have a 5 month old and a 2 and a half year old. I was lucky enough to borrow a P&T just after DS2 was born, and it's been brilliant until fairly recently. It's great for teeny babies who sleep a lot, but he's almost outgrown the cocoon and I don't like using it now if he's awake, it feels really tight sticking him under there where he can't see anything. Even if I get the two seat thing going, I still think it's a bit rubbish that he'll have to stare at his brother's arse the whole time. And it's not ideal in terms of DS1 who can stand up on the footrest and essentially put the brakes on the front tire - I'm paranoid about him wreckign it what with it not being ours!

But double buggies are so wide, can they be practical? Ideally I'd like something where they both face me, or at least each other - is there anything along these lines that can still get through doors?

Would really appreciate any advice as I need to do something, either rearrange the P&T or get something else...

I put my little one in the front of the P&T and the big one in the back in the doubles kit. I know the instructions say not to do that but it seems to work very well.

Yeni - I wouldn't dare do that with my DS1, he's a bit hyper and would probably kick DS2 to bits if I put him behind...

I have swapped them over, too, without too much bother.

My DS used to do that foot rest thing- it's very annoying. I used to just stop the pram and say nothing if he did it and he soon got bored.

You can fit toys to the webbing straps on the back of the front seat, too, which is good. DD1 used to like looking out the sides of the buggy, but mainly she would fall asleep in her sleeping bag in the back seat.

is it a sport? i put ds in the back toddler seat when awake with the seat reclined and a sheepskin, you can hang toys from the buckles or i used to fix on of those tiny love arches on the seat

i also have my bigger dd in the back mostly now, she walks more so it is easier for her to get in and out, due to their legs being longer the dont kick in the back, dd only kicked the seat once in a terrible tantrum

I'm not sure if it's a sport, it might be?

I'm just checking out the Jane Powertwin Pro Pushchair and wondering if the baby at the back might feel less hemmed in than I think they would in the P&T? Anyone tried one?

I might go for a test drive of a few at the weekend.

ABC Everest buggy

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fantastic
buggy

I don't think babies mind being in the back of the Phil & Ted as much as we think. They can see a fair bit to the sides and look up and see the parent. We had a couple of awkward months when DS2 kept falling asleep in the seat a bit uncomfortably but it soon passed.

Two things might help

1. if the cocoon is outgrown, you can make a cosy nest of blankets on the flat bed and get a few more inches use from it. If you keep a blanket with you, you can rearrange while out and about. Maybe splash out on a good cosytoes.

2. if the front-seat child was walking, I would just unclip the back seat and pop it up onto the upper set of clips, so it became like a single buggy with a nice high seat.

IME the flexibility of the Phil and Teds and the compactness outweighed the disadvantages. Our town has such tiny streets and shops you never see a side by side double around.

The only doubles where you could get them to face you are the icandy pear which is absolutely tiny (there is a mum on the school run with her 2 yr old crammed into it, and can't see the baby behind, also v.heavy and difficult to push) or the first wheels city twin. The jane powertrack isn't too bad from all the reviews I've read but it's expensive to buy 2ndhand even for a few months.

I have two doubles (I've got 4mo twins) and at this point, I'd stick with the p&t. You will find it a hassle with a proper double buggy and it's only for a few months whilst babe gets big enough for the seat & your toddler can walk a bit better. Phaps consider a decent sling instead? How much time are you spending a day with the buggy?

I got through so many double buggys ith our newborn and 18mth old...
mutsy duo - down right stupid set imo
city elite twin - loved it but too big for car
side by side umbrella style - to flimsy feeling for newborn
to name but a few!!
Got rid of them all and kept dd in her zapp buggy and dsnewbie in his hug a bub wrap sling until he was about 6 mths and he had a petite star zia for himself. We then had a buggy each for them if all out or the zapp and his sling for just me.
Perfect solution and next time would do this again and forget double buggys!!

i also went through several doubles and the p&t is the best. you can get custom made liners etc for the doubles seat which will make it alot comfier for little one. but tbh we always had youngest in main seat and 2.5yr in back as he liked to hop in and/out to walk was much easier.

thankfullly i think my double days are coming to an end tho now. there is no perfect solution they all have compromises but for me and the amount of use a pushchair has being a non driver the p&t ticked nearly every single box.

We had an Out n About Nipper - loved it so much. Lightweight, easy to fold, so comfortable. I'd say it was 1.5 times the width of a standard pushchair. They won't be facing you, although my two always seemed to find it quite sociable snuggled next to each other.

another vote for the nipper!!

We have a powertwin.

DS (8mo) in the back definitely gets a good view.

How big is your 2yr old? DD is prob a bit smaller then average but even when DS was firstborn (she was 1.11) her head was practically touching the rainhood in the front seat so we have never had that attached.

The basket is hard to access and if you have the raincover with you (which is bulky to be fair) there is very little room in it.

It is easy to push and does fold small (fits in back of my Focus easily even with the wheels attached).

HTH

I would abandon the double idea altogether now yr older DS is 2.5 and get a Maclaren and a buggy board.

It worked very well for us - an NT child of 2.5 can walk a good way and when he does get tired, he can hop on the board. Also a good way to keep him safe in busy areas (he is effectively between your arms).

We then abandoned that altogether by the time the older DC was about 3.5 IIRC.

Or yes as accessorize and lozie say, try a sling for DS2 for a few months.

I have the powertwin, it's ok. Very long though and the child in the front can dangle their feet next to the wheel and also kick the button that locks it so you suddenly find you can't turn a corner. Is a PITA to get through doors that you have to hold open.

The back seat is fairly roomy but if dd falls asleep in the front and I recline the front seat it hangs over ds' legs and restricts him a bit.

Shopping basket is tiny and not that easy to get into.

I love it for going out walking because it is easy to push and both dc are comfortable in it but not for around town.

There is one more RF double, the ABC Design Zoom. It's a tandem rather than a side by side and it folds really small, 'tis loooong though.

I have owned both the Jane Powertwin which I didn't like so sold that and bought a P&T Sport which has been fab.

We are just past using it now so I'm going back to my single Jane three-wheeler with the surfer buggy board on. That works quite well, too.

My friend has the Nipper Out and About, she likes it and even runs with it. Wheel doesn't turn but she can manage it fine.

I jut googled the ABC Design Zoom and it looks amazing!!! Does anyone have it??

sling the baby and get lightweight stroller for toddler?

the zapp is the best buggy to go with a sling IMO as is so easy to steer with one hand and very light for curbs etc.