Do I need a double buggy?

[LissyGlitter]

I'm due to have a baby in November and DD will be three the following March. Currently we don't usually take the pram out with us unless we are going out for the full day as she may get tired and grumpy and it is useful to put her in if she starts running away/throwing herself to the ground/generally acting like a two year old. When walking she does have a habit of "trying it on" by trying to run off or picking up every single thing off shelves in shops, having screaming abdabs etc, but I just run after her or ignore her tantrums, just making sure she is safe.

I have two prams, both of which were given to me by my mum, one second hand travel system and one new cheap fold up buggy. The travel system is currently put away in DDs room, but we will probably get it down when the new baby comes.

I'm just a bit worried about what I will do with new DC in pram and DD running off or lying on the ground. I don't drive, so a double buggy would be very hard on the bus/metro and we are about to move to Newcastle, which is a much bigger city, so a bit worried that it will be all busy and harder to control DD. Also expense is a big issue as I'm unable to work and DP will have to take anything he can get when we move.

I've seen "buggy boards" but would a tantruming child stay on one? My other alternative is to stick new baby in a sling and DD in a pram, but am worried that would be too tiring or that DD would get jealous.

Any suggestions?

hi i used to use a buggy board for my ds but as a safty measure i used a wrist strap attached to the buggy.

i also used a baby carrier initially it worked well but did get a bit of back ache if i used it for too long.

the only other alternative is to look out for a second hand double buggy (umberella folding) so it might make bus travel a little easier.

I found the buggy board a night mare. DD wouldn't stand on it until she was old enough to not be on it and just being lazy (if that makes sense?!) Can't go up and down kerbs with them stood on it. They make the buggy very heavy to push and you have to stand in a strange way to push it - gave me back ache! So I would give it a wide birth!

I ended up using a baby carrier for most of the first 6 months - was fantastic and I never got back ache with mine (even though ds was a huge lump!). I think you get what you pay for with carriers - I used a babybjorn ACTIVE (that bit's important!) carrier. Try looking second hand to make them cheaper - mine did 3 dc and was still in good condition.

Good luck with no 2

I would say it really does depend on your DD. My DD was 22 months when DS came along and really not a proficient enough walker for a buggy board or to walk on her own. But after 4/5 months she was. Now we have a buggy board attached to the Inglesina travel system we used with DD. DS loves being in front where he can see everything (he hated being tucked behind in the P&T) and DD loves flying along on the buggy board. Or walking or scooting. I sometimes use bribery to get her on the buggy board though if we're in a hurry. I always found pushing DD in a buggy with DS in a baby bjorn active quite hard but he was a big baby.

we had buggyboard when ds3 came along but ds2 was too young. he was only about 20m when we got the board, so went back to doubles which i used daily til he was just over 3yr. i had a p&t which was fab and a lifesaver. they can be picked up cheap on ebay if you're quick and spot the new listings or the ones that aren't immaculate. ds now is very good on board at nearly 3.5yr.

Thanks Is there any shop where they would have a selection of double buggies for me to look at? Then I could order a similar one second hand if I think it was needed? I think I may be able to survive with just the baby carrier folded under the buggy idea.

In in Preston, about to move to Newcastle, btw. So any shops in the north west or north east would be do-able if I bribe either parents or PIL to give me a lift!

My two DC were three years apart. I used a Loola/windoo travel system and tried a buggy board. I am tall, and spent much of time hunckering over the pram. I also used buggy board with Maclaren Techno XT and same thing happened.

I think it would depend on your daughter and second child too. I had wanted to try a sling but baby so heavy after a while so that did not work. Fortunately DC1 got the idea of walking along side. Tended to stick to places where there was no problem if she did run off (but appreciate this is not always possible).

I would not waste money on a double buggy. Perhaps wait until baby arrives and see what mood DC1 is in and how far she wants to walk.

I did not find we travelled very far with the two children initially. Once baby was more awake and active Maclaren served the purpose for younger child and DC1 trotted alongside.

They are only newborn for such a short stage we always spent cautiously.........

Good luck!

My son has been on a buggyboard since he was 2 years 11 months. If we didn't have a long journey on the school run he would have been out of the double before then. I'd say you'd probably be ok without a double.

DS1 was 21 months when DS2 came along and although I borrowed a double buggy I gave it back after a couple of months. I just found it too big and cumbersome.

DS1 was a great walker and fine on the buggy board most of the time. It was hard on my back and there were the inevitable tantrums. I did on a couple of occasions put DS1 in the buggy and carry DS2. Not ideal but it only happened a couple of times.

If I were you I wouldn't buy a double TBH. Even DS2 who was a lazy lump hardly used a buggy by 3 and a half. Only for on the way back from playgroup when he was really tired.

And if I'd had a buggy board for him I would have given up the buggy long before that.