HELP - Need Double Buggy Advice

[aaronsmummy]

I have a 3 year old with Autism and a baby age 1. I need a comfy double buggy as mine is now too small for my 3 year old. My HV has offered me a Maclaren Major but what do I do with baby? Looking for a generous sized double to fit him for a while longer.

I have a non walking 4.5 yr old and a 6month old. I bought the E£. Pleanty of room for DD1 and it grows with you, ie good for toddler and newborn, good for toddler and smaller child, can be used as single with only one shild, is light and easy to push and is single buggy in width. I really like mine and lots of mumsnetters use them.

sorry meant E3.

Here you \link{http://www.philandteds.com/cat.htm\go}

oh... i've spent hours on this. it's not easy

you've got a few options. there's expensive and massive: like the \link{http://www.achievableconcepts.com.au/Aust%20website/mobility.htm\threewheeler double buggies} or a \link{http://www.lotsofbabies.com/page5.html\double major}

I have the double major which I bought off ebay for £100 luckily rather than £500-odd new but it is huge. there are a lot of shops that I just can't go into; it's for trips when I really need both kids with me and I don't have the car

do you drive? does your ds have mobility allowance? often I tend to drive places and then either have dd2 on reins or hold her hand and steer dd1's wheelchair onehanded; not easy I know. If I'm not going far (ie trips under an hour) I put dd2 on a backpack but that gets harder - she's 18 months now and a bit heavy in the summer

I would ask your hv what the options are - is there a wheelchair services to talk to? you might be able to get vouchers towards a double buggy

it might just be an awkward year till you can get the little one on a buggy board.

no easy answers I'm afraid

I have a chicco twin (side by side) for sale, the seats are wide, its new(used it once) and i still have the box etc.

I have a strapping DS (aged 3 but in age 5/6 clothes) and he still comfortably fitted in my double Mountain Buggy up until a few months ago (he's walking everywhere now).

I would say it would easily take an average 5 year old.

Thomcat - thanks for the info - definately interested in that one. First time I have used Mumsnet and I am really impressed.

Cappunchino - my baby girl is tiny so i don't think the double major will be an option. I have been driving to school with my 7 year old but they are changing the parking restrictions and as it isnt that far I really need to start walking - think i may a struggle on my hands.

Gem13 - I have been looking at those - what is the seat width?

Marne - What is the seat width on your Chicco?

I have a feeling thomcat has already recommended this, but have you considered a Phil and Teds?They DO cost packet, but the combined weight they can take is your average 5/6 year old, you basically add an extra seat at the back for the smaller child.
I have one for my autistic son, we've ad it about a yea and its been a godsend, yes they are pricey but worth every penny

The seat width for the Urban (swivel front wheel) is

Seat Width (min) 11 1/4" 28.5 cm
Seat Width (ave) 12 1/4" 31 cm

I prefer the Terrain (fixed front wheel) as it's lighter and I have a lot of hills to walk up but the seat width wasn't given for that. Would be very similar though.

FWIW I didn't get on at all with the E3. I didn't like the fact my baby was so upright in it. My friend didn't like the fact that her youngest was holding the back wheels as she pushed them!

I'm disappointed hub you didn't back me up on the MB front.

I know nothing about double buggies sadly, Gem13 !

Do MB rule this segment too then ?

Hav'nt got a clue what the seat width is (sorry), i can try to find out for you, its wider than the Maclaren techno (twin).

\link{http://www.strollerideas.com/20chvetwst.html\this one}

But mine is red and black, it say's up to 3 years but the seats are wider than most double strollers.

I've got a Marco Sky L which I love. I use with DS (almost 4 and big for his age) and DD (7 months). It's about the same size as a regular stroller, it's an umbrella stroller so folds up quite compact and is lightweight in comparison to other doubles I've tried. The handles are a bit high for some people, but do have adjustable grips, and it's a bit long for our boot. The wheels do pop off and on quite easily though so it's not a big problem. I bought ours for 150 pounds so it's pretty economical in comparison to other doubles too.

Hiya, I was worried about the back wheels on the phil and Teds being so near to the bottom child, my little one is very inquisitive. Like the idea though. I love the Mountain Buggy think I might try to find a local stockist and try them in one. I tried a Marco Sky and Jack (3yr old) wanted to be in the back and there wasnt enough room, also I have a small boot in my car. Does anyone have a Jane Powertwin?

the size of boot is always an issue

not flogging maclarens but I put my dd2 in it from the age of 9 ms. she looked a bit lost but she was quite happy

and it does fold up v small comparatively to a mountain buggy

I had the Maclaren twin traveller and though it was fine for baby, Jack has broad shoulders and is a big boy anyway so quickly outgrew it. Have looked at the Phil and Teds twin side by side but that it also narrow. Sometimes think life would be easier if I cloned myself,me and clone could push one child each. I would actually get some help then as DH is useless lol.

aaronsmummy - welcome, didn't even realise you were a first time poster.

I had the same concerns about the E3 but when we tried it out in the shop Lottie loved it. She is 4.5 and happy in the frint or the underneath seat. There is plenty of room, the little one can see out fine and it makes such a difference not having to have the width of the usual double buggys. We love it. People always comment on how lovely it is, how comfy the girls look etc.

DD2 has gone fromt he cosy laying down flat underneath thing to now, at 6 months, sitting in the chair bit at the back.

It can be used for a newborn and a toddler and then 2 toddlers, think I told you that already. Also really handy being able to use it asa single when Lottie is at school.

aaronsmummy I was talking about the maclaren major twin - it's much bigger

it might be possible to talk to school about parking - I am allowed to park in the school grounds because dd is disabled whereas other parents cannot do this - it's worth explaining your circumstances and seeing if it's possible

it should only be for a while anyway because lo will be able to walk alongside for shorter distances on reins soon enough, so I'd try to get away with spending loads

without spending loads!

I have just seen the Phil and Teds when I went shopping and if I sell my baby's m&p on ebay then it will help as they are expensive. It's just spend spend spend at the moment! Where my eldest goes to school it is very residential and the school has no parking - not even for staff. Thanks for all the help - love this website, how did I manage without it lol. Jack willbe at school Sept 2007 so my struggle will be mostly overthen - light at the end of the tunnel. I wish he would use reins or a buggy board but if he comes within a sniff of them he is on the floor in a rant. We are at the Gait Clinic at the end of the month so maybe some help from them.