Double buggy advice for non-walking 2.7yo

[Razamataz]

Hi there, my 2.7yo dd has hypertonia and hypermobility and can't walk (she's a long way off being able to). I also have a very active 5mo non-SN ds.

I'm after some advice from someone in a similar situation on which double buggy might be best for us. I'm getting frustrated with our new Phil and Teds as dd refuses to go in the back, leaving ds stuck there and unable to sleep as the back seat won't recline. To allow ds to sleep I carry him in the Baby Bjorn sling and that's fine for now, but is getting increasingly hard on my back as he gets bigger.

I'm thinking of selling the Phil and Teds and getting a side-by-side buggy which will recline individually (allowing either or both to sleep at any one time).

Whichever buggy I get will have to accommodate dd for several years. I understand there are SN buggies on the market which will be great when dd has outgrown standard ones and ds is old enough to walk. But any thoughts as to what might be best up until that point?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not in a similar position to yours, but I did use a double maclaren which was fab - both sides were independent of each other and it was narrow enough to fit through our front door. Really a very, very useful buggy for us.

Hi. I'm in almost the same situation!

Dd1 is 3.3 yrs hypertonia, hypermobility and autism. She learnt to walk at 2.10 years a week after dd2 was born (now 5 months). I sometimes use babybjorn and single buggy, and have just ordered new sling as really struggling with babybjorn. Ordered olives and applesauce sling. My double buggy is excellent - can't praise it enough! Out and about 360. Will take child till 4/5 years, each seat lies flat individually. Really light weight. Narrow so fits through most doors. Only real draw back is hood poor at protecting from sun. Poss to buy second hand or if you prefer buy new and sell on when you're finished with it ( excellent resale value).

I'm getting new sling as sometimes only a sling and single will do!

My dd1 took her first aided steps at 2.6 years when she was fitted with splints. Now in daffos (more flexible ankle supports) so walking well. Still learning to run and jump. Also we have her on reins usually when walking as clumsy and unbalanced sometimes particularly when tired.

Hope that helps :)

Thanks for the tips. Will look at both the Maclaren and Out and About.

It's great to hear about your dd's progress, seaweed. My dd is still very unstable and floppy. She can't sit from lying or take independent steps yet but she's getting stronger and the specialists think she'll get there in her own time. Thanks for sharing your experience :)

Another vote for the Out and About 360... I have twins ds's, one with Autism so used this from birth, very user friendly and easily pushed with one hand, even when they were heavier. Plenty of room and recline for sleeping.

Thanks baboos. I'm very tempted by the Out and About. I think I may have just persuaded DH to invest in our third buggy to date (we already have a Bugaboo!)

Oh dear... not good, I was never tempted by any others whilst using the 360, but will admit to taking quite a fancy to the Bugaboo double when it came out, fortunately for DH, my two were walking everywhere by then!

DS1 was in a buggy until 5.5, we used a mountain buggy terrain. It's big but brilliant to push and lots of room for both.