Going to need a double buggy - but which one??

[SarahL2]

I'm due in December with DC2, DS will be 2.9.

We do a lot of being out and walking and DS is good but cannot manage walking very far on woodland paths. I usually take his trike so he can have a sit down but won't be able to manage it with a new baby - espcially if I end up having to have another c-section. We had a baby carrier for DS but I couldn't use it for the first couple of months due to the section and he was too heavy (due to a back problem) after about 6-7 months.

A friend with a similar age gap has also recommended a double buggy after she tried to do without one with her children.

So I really think I need a double buggy.

I would like a double buggy;

• that has the children in line rather than side to side to make it easier to get round shops
• that allows both children to see whee they are going (I love the Phil and Ted but feel sorry for the child at the back who only has the back of a seat to look at)
• that does parent facing for the new baby
• that does lie-flat for the new baby
• that has a decent sized basket underneath
• that will fit in the boot of my Polo!

and ideally - has large wheels to make the woodland paths easier to negotiate

Am I going to be able to get a double buggy that does all this?

I met a woman who said she could get her double Phil and Ted in the boot of her Mini Cooper but as I said above, the fact that one child ends up staring at the others bottom puts me off.

I really don't like travel systems where the baby has to sit in a car seat as I always find that once you've packed everyone up, gotten to where you're shopping and left enough time to get back, you can only shop for an hour before the baby has been curled up for longer than the recommended 2 hours.

I did look at the clip on side cars for buggies but everywhere I looked they were being slated for falling off and hurting the child!

I also looked at Buggy boards but having used one in the past with a friends child who I used to mind a lot, I know you end up walking with your bum stuck out to make room for the child. This wouldn't work with my back back, with the section or on a woodland path. I also witnessed a woman with a buggy board having to carry her tantruming toddler under one arm as he would not stand on the board while tantruming and that really put me off.

Can anyone help me find my perfect buggy??

yes you can get a carseat adapter but don't think its recommended to use as a double with it?

Another vote for Phil & Teds. Excellent buggy, good for when you have small age gaps between dc's. It just keeps going and adapts effortlessly to your family's needs.
I have found that as the older child (2-3 years)often wants to walk the back seat only gets used for when their little legs get tired. Or for somewhere to sit while eating

Does anyone know where a good, cheap place to buy one is?

And which accessories will I need? Cocoon I guess, and rain cover - anything else?

kiddicare have pink one on offer £299 but otherwise not sure on other colours. i got mine from oxford pram centre last year and they were fab when i had a problem.

I got mine from here - they delivered it the next day and I have bought off them before, I used to leave near to their shop and they were great to deal with.

I got the black and I am glad as it is quite an awkward pram to get up and you have to lie it on the floor a lot, any other colour will get filthy I can imagine.

Kiddicare have really good deals if you check they're doubles deals, you should be in luck.

We got a really good price on a red sport (also had black) at toys r us as both the buggy and doubles kit were on offer, then if you buy their magazine thing for £1? then they had a £15 off voucher - think we got everything for £334 - Was a great deal, about 3 weeks ago - not sure if it is still on - cant get on the website at the moment (also not sure if it was on there), might be worth calling them to see?
good luck

I have seen online an icandy pear, it looks expensive but it converts back into a single buggy afterwards, and looks like both children have more room & higher up off the ground than a p&t.

I have a jane powertwin which was given to me but not that pleased with it. DS1 looks all hunched up and doesnt have much room in the front, and DS2 looks like he will slide straight out the bottom of the back seat. BUT it is umbrella fold & goes into my feista boot with no probs and pushes like a breeze - although you have to watch going up kerbs as easily ecomes unbalanced. so far i have used it for shopping trips.

i tend to use my mountain buggy/single maclaren still for local walks with ds2 in a sling & then put him in buggy when DS1 gets out for play in park or wants to walk!

What about the Vector Duo? The seats can be placed in any combination you prefer on the day, you can attach the bebecar car seat onto the chassis if your just nipping somewhere, It has a large shopping basket and has chunky wheels. I couldn't say if it will fit in your boot but if you go on the bebecar website I'm sure it will have the sizes on there for you.

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this thread. I went buggy shopping yesterday as I'm expecting DC2 in November, by which time DD will 2.1. I do a lot of walking with her but live at the top of a mile long hill which gets pretty steep. She manages to walk some of the way but not all and I doubt she'd manage to traipse around the shops too if I had a single buggy for the baby, despite some family members saying that I should just make her walk.

So I decided that I wanted a double buggy but was completely and utterly bemused by the range, particularly as some are only up to age 3 and are over £500 for the basic pram, never mind the add ons (pricey for the sake of 11 months). I had looked at the P&T online but when I saw it in Mothercare, I was concerned about either baby or toddler being almost squashed. I think I'll revisit the P&T in a more positive frame of mind next weekend.