Advice on whether I need a double pram

[verds]

Wise people of the forum, I need your advice...

I'm expecting baby number 2 in Jan and will have an age gap of 2 years 10 months.

My toddler is already refusing to go in her pram, and will only do so if forced to. So I've been letting her walk everywhere, and staying local-ish.

Should I get her back in there, and think about getting a Phil and Teds? Or will I be able to do without? Saving money on buying one really appeals, but I'm aware that I may need to contain the pair of them to get anywhere...

[Helen GV]

Perhaps get a buggy board and a sling? That way if your daughter needs the pram you can put newborn in the sling.. Or just get a cheap phil and teds just in case...

[Ruth_Baldock]

I firmly believe that the secret to having two little 'uns is: a sling. This is coming from someone with four prams currently, including a blasted p&t. Now, granted, it serves a very important purpose but it's no maclaren quest and is mahoosive. Comes in most useful when we need to contain toddler, actually, because he's a very good walker.

[ClareC]

Totally agree a sling is an absolute necessity. Given your age gap I would avoid a double buggy at all costs!! Can't wait until I don't need one.....

Try a buggy board and sling and if it doesn't work out pick up a cheap double buggy second hand. Def not worth spending a lot and buying new.

[apenn]

Hi Ruth,

Why do you say "blasted p&t." I've got one due in Oct and have a 2 year old so was thinking about getting one - more for the cocoon phase than anything else.

-A

[snowboarder]

...if you're into slings...I SO try to be but I find I cannot control my walking/scooting 2.5 yr old (23m age gap) when I have the baby on my front in a sling. Had a horrid trip back from the park once - pushing a buggy that no one was sat in, baby on front, older one on scooter, could NOT cross the road safely, baby got bonked on the head by scooter boy's helmet, I got v cross, extreme physical tiredness!

But everyone talks about this as a solution so maybe it is just me!!

A 2.10 girl is probably an awful lo better than a 23m boy - but I suppose will be winter - I reckon a cheap p&t wouldn't hurt nearer the time...

[Smiler]

We have a 2 year 5 month gap, thought would need a double, but buggy board was fine from the start, elder one hasn't been in pushchair once since!

Sling useful for lots of stuff, e.g. Keeping little one contained while doing preschooler activities.

[verds]

Aw, you lot just made me get excited about having a baby in a sling! That's so useful to know - thanks for all the advice

[Ruth_Baldock]

Apenn; because of where we live, I do a lot of collapsing the p&t/ lugging it up and down stairs. No mean feat a month after a c/s, usually with toddler screaming and baby wailing. It's just very big and unweildy, really.Still Best of a bad bunch- have heard great things about the new mountain buggy though.

Also, newborn cocoon is tiny- lex is about to outgrow hers and she's a month old :/

sB: I find babywearing a challenge if seb launches himself out of his maclaren (did this the other day and legged it down east dulwich grove!!!) but if toddler is happily contained/distracted, it works well for us- little lex in the ergo, though, not so much if she's in the kari me/moby.

[apenn]

OK. Ta.

[DVnewbie]

Hello and congratulations Verds... I agree - Sling plus light puschair sounds ideal. If you did want a double buggy, we tried the P&T (borrowed a friends) and didn't get on with it really. I know loads of people love them though so you might too! I think the P&T is great when the baby is tiny (in the cocoon - up to 3 months) but we didn't like it when they were both in the seats. So, we went for an Out N About Nipper - side by side one (that goes flat and can be used from newborn). It isn't that wide but you do need to check your door widths... Mind you, we have a 16 month gap so we did need a double buggy. You will probably be fine with a sling and a single pushchair. So, if you find you do want a double buggy later on, maybe consider a "Nipper" as well as thinking about a P&T - you can get them on ebay quite cheaply. Or maybe on here. In fact, I must think about selling ours soon... (Not yet though!)