Buggy board or double buggy?

[LissieD]

I'm expecting dc2 in December. Dd will be 26 months by then. She's already quite a good little walker at 21 months and I don't take the pushchair if it's just a 10 min walk to the shops or park etc but she does get tired and has a habit of preferring to walk in the opposite direction very quickly. I plan to put dc2 in a sling for the first 3 months at least, as I did with dd. So do you think by 2.5 dd will still need a pushchair for longer walks?! Do I buy a double buggy or a buggy board? Or keep little one in the sling for longer? Anyone with experience?

[givemecaffeine21]

My DD has just turned two and either walks or goes on the buggy board whilst DS (1) is in the pram. I had a double phil n teds but it was getting extremely heavy (I'm in a very hilly area) and DD was insisting on walking everywhere so it was becoming pointless. I've now got a very lightweight pram with the buggy board on. It works really well for us and she loves it.

[Jinty64]

Ds1 was almost 23 months when ds2 was born. He was a great walker often walking the mile and a half into town from 20 months. I still wouldn't have managed without a double buggy as I have a bad back and neck and can't use a sling, ds1 was a bolter and would not have stood nicely on a buggy board, he also still napped after lunch and it meant I didn't have to rush home. The buggy also kept them both warm and dry in the cold wet weather. I only used it for a year or so but it was a life saver. You could try without and see how it goes.

[Fairywhitebear]

I doubt you'd get the use out of a double. I have one, but there's only 17 months between my two. TBH I can't see me using mine until DD is 2.5! She's 20 months now and the end is in sight!

[pregnantpause]

I had both- double buggy was used three times- the board ( which was a quarter of the price) daily. Once you get the hang of the stride ( otherwise you can clip your ankles) the boards are great. Dd1 was 28 months when dd 2 wS born . Good luck x

[givemecaffeine21]

I find with buggy board it's easiest to walk to the side of it on a downward / level pavement and bum out, nose to the ground when going uphill. It took a bit of getting use to but what I love most is the way you can just clip it up our of the way when LO wants to walk, so it's not always there tripping you up. It is definitely one of our top parenting purchases.

[LissieD]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Looks like buggy board will be the way to go.

[wishmynamewasdave]

My 3 year old still naps in the day - so the double buggy is great. I also have a buggy board, and a fair few slings that we use too.... I'd recommend all of them it's good to have options!
I'm a complete bargain hunter - so haven't spent much money, but have managed to get everything we need.

[Sapat]

Buggy board all the way :)

[GreenSpaghetti]

DD1 was 24m when DD2 was born and I did the same as you're planning (along then buggy board). Tbh, there were times when I wished I had a double so DD1 could be strapped in (in shops etc). Also, DD1 took till about 30m before she really got the hang of the board, or just stopped trying to jump off whilst on motion! And it does take a bit of practice walking with. Has anyone you know got one you could have a go with? Might be worth a go once DC 2 is here

[spritesoright]

We did buggy board and sling and it was fine until DD1 had a tantrum and I needed to get home. Not fun at the time but I did end up dragging a reluctant crying DD on reins (wouldn't stay on the board) and even resorted to dumping DD1 in the bassinet (without shoes) and moving DD2 to the sling.
So it has issues but you deal with them as they arise...

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I would go buggy board.
I had a double buggy, then a buggy board, but there's only 18 months between mine.

[Nevercan]

Buggy board

[KnitThroughTheBackLoop]

I have a 22 month gap and got a double (dds are now 3.1 and 1.2). I wore dd1 for almost a year without using a buggy but found it much harder with dd2 as struggling with a toddler with a baby strapped to my front was tricky. also helping dd1 into swings etc was tough with a baby in front. it helped once I started wearing dd2 on my back. I also found the heat quite suffocating with a baby and a wrap but as yours is due in winter won't be such a problem. we are out everyday walking to parks/library/play groups and the double works well. dd1 can be restrained if necessary, I can pause to text another mum about meeting up without worrying that anyone will run off, the girls can have a snack while we walk, etc. I still use the double but my nanny is asking for a buggy board for our single umbrella fold as she prefers to hop on busses and doesn't like to lug the double down the steps to get it out of our building. I think it depends a lot on how/where you use your buggy and how cooperative your older child is.

[blushingmare]

I have a 23 month gap and have a double and a single with a board. Haven't used the double once yet and DS is 12 weeks! I got it for full day trips out and longer walks, but all my trips so far have be just been around town etc so I wish I'd waited before getting the double.

[tobysmum77]

I would get a double buggy personally but you can always try the board first. I found it hard to keep dd1 on it and she was older. There is no containment either so unless your child is an angelic 2 year old there are times you will need it.

[Daveface]

I would get a double too but depends on how much you walk really.

20 months between mine. Now aged almost 3 and 14 months. I use a mix of my double and single depending what we are doing! For long walks/days out the double is fab! The toddler jumps in/out depending on tiredness and when she is walking the spare seat carries my bag/picnic etc!

I used it just yesterday and both had lunchtime nap in the buggy while we took train home from a day out.

I use a single too for small local trips though and 3 year old walks. In the early days I used a single and a sling! Having the choice has really worked for us!

[YellowYoYoYam]

There's 15 months between my two and I have both. The buggy board is fine for most day to day things, walks to the park, shop etc but for days out I would never chance just the buggy board. At the very least, the double buggy provides a place to keep the massive changing bag I need, shopping bags, my handbag and the handbags of friends or relatives who are entertaining/carrying one of my DCs! When it's just me and DH with the two of them it is great having the tots contained in one place and having a whole adult free and un encumbered!

I love my double buggy, it's basically a Stroll Air My Duo only mine is a German version I got on eBay. It's fab if anyone is looking for a twin double (I didn't like the idea of one DC staring into the back of the other DC's seat).