Pushchairs: What to do with a non-walking toddler?

[laumiere]

I'm expecting DS2 (24 weeks now) and DS1 has diplegic CP and cannot walk at all. He's also 13 kg and well over 2.5ft tall so a lot of the pushchairs on the market don't suit.

We are getting a major buggy for DS1 but at a loss for how to manage them both out together!

So far I've been looking at the City Twin siblings package (www.twinsuk.co.uk/more_details.php?id=100486) which is about £600, or using a Strolli, but not sure DS1 has enough core strength to support himself.

Any suggestions?

We're London-based with no car and use public transport for the most part. I'd be more keen to have parent-facing ideally as DS1 also has speech issues.

My 4.8 year old goes in the double I have with DD3 (now 2.2) However it's not hugely supportive so might not be suitable for a child that can't sit reasonably well - my DD2 is hypotonic but can sit without masses of support, and she's not usually in it for hours.

I have an Out N About Nipper Double 360.

I sympathise! When DS2 was born I went for a phil and teds, DS1 has spastic diplegia also, it worked well for about 18 months until now but Ds1 is now nearly 17 kg and a metre tall and just doesn't fit, especailly when wearing his splints (AFO's). We are about to get a self propelling wheelchair but I don't get have a plan for taking them both out. DS2 walks but as he's only 18 months we've got a little while before he's pushchair free.
The other alternative is wearing the baby in a sling but I must be honest and say that if I had to do any transfers of DS1 who does not balance or walk independently then it was very difficult to do without squashing the baby! Possible - but tricky! If however you were not expecting to move DS1 much then probably ok and I would think this and the maclaren major the best option for public transport.

friend of mine has 2 in wheelchairs so pushes one and pulls the other.
Pop the baby in a sling to start with.
That nipper double looks good but I would take a blue badge with you for the bus. Sounds silly but if you get on it with the pushchair assumptions will be made that your older child can walk and they will want it folding. You need proof that he is disabled and needs to be in the buggy.

Hi

Otto Bock actually make a Kimba Spring double for two disabled or 1 and 1 sibling. Expensive but you might be able to get local authority or charity funding perhaps? I know that remap once made a fitting to attach a car seat to a wheelchair for a disabled mother-might be worth a try. I used a sling (a well fitting one so ds2 didnt actually fall out even though it felt like he was doing when I had to bend over for ds1!) For those toddlers that can walk, some buggy boards fit some wheelchairs. Also although you would have to rty the fittings, JoJo MamanBebe make fittings to attach 2 buggys together. It might work for a buggy and a wheelchair although it might liiko a bit odd!!! We are used to people stareing though arent we?? Good luck!!

Have a look here they have a fact sheet on buggys and wheelchairs P20 & 21. here, here and here

I have my 3yr old in a Mclaren Techno XT. My baby (currently 16lb) goes in a Moby wrap sling when walking and a Maya ringsling for quick/short outings eg I always take it in the car. Am desperate not to get a double buggy and we do 3 schoolruns a day up and down steep hills like this. Techno XTwould be good for times when all 4 of you are out together as it's lightweight, folds small and is from-birth.
The ringsling is also invaluable for those times when the baby is just inconsolable, he dozes off in 5 minutes in it.

Phil&Teds would be no good for you for the first 4m as your DS will be too big for the little seat.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful.