Do I need a double pram?

[LisaClapham]

I could do with some advice. I am expecting dc2 in 2 months and ds1 will have just turned 2. I have a bugaboo cameleon which has served fine for ds1 to date however I use it very rarely as either he walks (short distances) or I use a lightweight umbrella fold silver cross as its just easier. I am reluctant to spend more money on a double pram (eg Phil and Ted) and would like some advice. Do you think I could cope with doing a combination of the following a) Using bugaboo cameleon (converted back to carry cot) for new baby with buggy board for ds1 and b) using silver cross folding pram for ds1 with baby in sling (once is old enough to go in). I live in London and walk mostly to local shops, I would use the car for longer trips so most outings would be relatively short. However, I do not want to set myself up for a struggle. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and what worked for them? ds1 is desperate for a little scooter as well, although am going to hold off on that as I am sure it will add an extra dimension to the potential transportation probs.
All advice and suggestions greatly appreciated x

[Clary]

Yes I had a 2 yr age gap and then a 22mo one and never had a double.

I did what you suggest - sling and buggy then buggy and buggy board. On one memorable occasion I had DS2 (2mo) in sling, DD (2yr) in buggy and DS1 (just 4) on board! I must have looked a sight!

Told DS1 no more board after I nearly died pushing it up our hill

Scooter is good too, as is pushchair for doll or teddy, makes toddlers much more eager to walk.

[LisaClapham]

Hi Clary, thank you so much for your advice. I think I will stick with using what I have and just purchasing the buggy board (oh and possible scooter and mini buggy). I admire you with 3 - especially with carrying 1 and pushing the other 2!! WOW. We are planning on hopefully having a 3rd in couple of years so this could well be me then!!:)

[Clary]

I didn't do the carry/push all three very often tbh!

Once DS1 (no 1 child) was 3 or so he walked just about everywhere so buggy board not used much (until DD was on it of course). Poor old DS2 never had the chance, was turfed out of pushchair at about 2 and a bit and that was it. Luckily he's an ace walker and always has been.

I did find tbh that you need to modify slightly yr expectations - it may take you longer to get everywhere for a while - but I think that it's worth it for the pluses of getting yr DC walking and used to it.

[StantonLacy]

My DS was 2.4 when I had DD and to be honest, I wouldn't have coped without a double.
DS was a great walker for his age (I thought) but there were always those times when he was really tired/bit ill/playing up when having the option of a seat for him was invaluable.
DD was a winter baby, so there was also the possibility of having to go places in dreadful weather with the two of them - I know that he would not have been able to walk through the heavy snow we had or use the board, but it was really easy pushing them both around in the double.
We stopped using the double after four months - weather was better and he was stronger - and now use a Cameleon and lascal maxi board, it's great and ties up when we don't need it.
I know it seems a bit of a waste of money to buy one for just a few months use, but it was well worth it for us, if only to make life that little bit easier (can always sell on ebay afterwards !)

[mummyistheword]

i second what stantonLacy says, ive got a nipper double 360 and dd1 is 2.5 and dd2 now 5weeks, dd1 is super walker and very good near roads etc and not a bolter! but....the first trip out it paid for itself in my view, they both fell asleep in car and i went for retail therapy after i popped them both sound asleep into buggy, many occassions since then its been super handy, would have been restricted without it, it goes through all doors ive met so far and dd1 loves to reach round and hold baby's hand! she walks mostly but likes to hop in and out, espesh for snacks and drinks on the go and to play with her binoculars spying! its a bit of fun for her and at a time when a new sibling brings chaos and change the buggy provides a thing she can share with the baby and be the same! also it will sell on ebay for good price as will prob only get 6 or 9 months use, then will get a maclaren xt or a single mountsin buggy maybe...mayb hsndy for winter walks to or from toddler group or eventually nursery, dont envisage her in it much after that, storage super though, i seem to have tonnes of baby/kid clobber and then still have room for shopping, get a double!

[mousymouse]

ok, age gap a bit bigger (3years) but we never had a double buggy, and our large pushchair was buggy bord incompatible. so he had to walk or take his balance bike. took a bit of practice but we do long walks (3miles yesterday).

[girlsyearapart]

I have just had 3rd with a year gap between 1 and 2 then 22 months between 2 and 3.

We bought a 2nd hand p&t which cost about 100 quid so now dd1 (3 next month) scoots or walks and pretty much never goes in pushchair, dd2 (2 next month) goes in pushchair and sometimes walks in a haphazard fashion/scoots when she can wrestle her sister's scooter off her..

Couldn't do without the double tbh. Never been a proficient sling wearer..

[FlyMeToDunoon]

I had a two year gap and got a Phil and Teds. It was great for those first 9 months or so and then I got a Maclaren XT and a buggy board which worked very well.
However If I could have my time over and had a decent sized front door I would have had a side by side double as it does make it so much easier if the older one gets tired. You can put shopping into the other seat if they aren't tired. The Nipper is fab.
I did also have several three wheelers and some [the Mountain Buggy and the Jane Powertrack for instance] had a solid front footwell part and were sturdy enough for the older child to perch on if tired.

[Clary]

I think even I (hater of doubles) would have got a double with a 12mo gap girlsoneyearapart! Hats off to you, three under 3yo!!

[girlsyearapart]

thanks clary there is much watching of cbeebies going on at the moment

we are already thinking of when we'll have the 4th (and final)- gotta get the money's worth out of the double pushchair!!