Do I need a double buggy for 3 yo and newborn?

[Thisismyyear]

Hi all

I thought that my nearly 3 year old was too old for a double buggy and then I saw a friend out with her 3.5 year old and 6 month old. She told me the 3.5 year old still gets tired walking. Luckily I haven't bought a new pushchair yet - only have a stroller now for DS- and thought I'd get opinions. Will a toddler step attachment do or should I be looking for a double buggy?

 

[Dawnlouise30]

My son will be 3 years 4 months when baby comes along. At the moment I use his pram for him when we walk to town and nursery (35 min walk my pace), mum and tots (45 min walk my pace). He can't walk that far yet plus it would take forever. He walks 20 mins to swimming and tumble tots.
I have brought a buggy board for when baby comes along. I don't feel my son needs a double pram, he rarely sleeps in it now and a buggy board just means we can maintain my pace on the longer walks and he has the option to jump on or off as he wants. X

 

[AngelofTroy]

I've bought a buggy board, I'm hoping to do without a double.

 

[rebeccalouise]

I'd say get a buggy board my DD gets worn out if we have to walk a long way, but she's generally quite good otherwise. I don't think a double buggy is necessary, she just needs a little something if she does get tired. X

 

[BellaRosa8302]

I took my DD to a baby store with me to show her a sit & stand... she wanted NO part of the back bench seat or stand-on part, but maybe that will change in the future?? I'm planning on waiting until DS is born and see exactly what my needs are before spending the big bucks on a double stroller. For the record, DD will be 3 around two months after DS is born.

 

[Buttercup84]

I would say most 3 year olds probably don't need a double stroller for regular use and a buggy board or similar would be better. My oldest was 2y9m when her little sister was born and we didn't have a double nor did we miss having one. I really think she wouldn't have fitted for long in the seats of most doubles anyway as she's very tall.

 

[LoraLoo]

I wouldn't get a double, but we never got along with the buggy board well either, so I'm not sure what route we will go down if everything turns out well with this pregnsncy.

 

[jinxii]

I think it depends on the kid.. my nephew was HUGE at 3. Almost half my height. He's four now and only 17 inches shorter than me. He could also walk fairly long distances without getting too tired. He probably would have loved a buggy board though. His sister was born when he was 2 and we would just trade off carrying the baby and letting him ride for a break. I don't think my sis ever took the kids anywhere that would be a long distance walk unless she had a second person with her. That boy is a handful!

 

[Buttercup84]

Another idea could be babywearing the newbie and the 3 year old going in a stroller, I know a lot of people say they made that work for days where they'd be walking a lot. I tentatively planned to do this if needed but in all honesty DD1 hasn't used a stroller at all since her little sister was born, even for days out like the zoo we just take regular rest breaks and she's good with that

 

[bettybee1]

My daughter was 2.9month when my son was born and I didn't have double buggy or Board for her she's been fine ! If I did t have a car though I would of bought a buggy board for when she was tired!

This Time my son will be 20month old so I'll defo get a double buggy x

 

[Marumi]

My son will be 5 in summer 2016 so we will go for a board. He isn't great at walking either but I am trying to get him to walk more atm. :/

 

[kealz]

My two are the same age difference and when I was pregnant, we bought a double buggy. Anyway, in reality, those buggies are hard work. Because 3 year olds are too heavy for a back seat model, you have to get one where they sit at the front. This means the buggy is so heavy to handle and lifting it up kerbs was such a challenge that I had walk to every kerb dip.
...Then I got a buggy board. Brilliant, problem solved. Just make sure that the board fits your model of pram/stroller really well. Good luck!

 

[Misscalais]

My 2 eldest boys were out of a pram by 3. So I'd say no unless you feel you need one. You can get the prams where you can add a toddler seat.

 

[Qmama79]

Most people I know babywear & push stroller with 3 yr old. Depends how often & how far you walk. I have all combis because I run little daycare. Some kids love the buggy board, so maybe try it out. My son hates it. It's a big investment and usually kids grow out of stroller by about 4. Again, depending on distance.

 

[jtink28]

i think it's very dependent on your child and your personal situation, honestly. we live in a very urban area, and we walk everywhere. my son can walk far, but he's also only 2.5 (will be 3 a month after this one is born), and can only walk so far. on average we will walk 5 miles per day, most days more. my son was also 20 pounds by 4 months old (all breastfed!), so babywearing got really hard for me past that for a long period of time. it also snows A LOT here - sometimes 6 feet in one storm, and i need to be able to have more than just a buggy board when we go outside in the frigid -25F weather. so, we will be getting a nice double. but...it's very personal. not everyone has the same weather/situations!

 

[Mrs Bee]

For us a double would be unnecessary - my daughter will be 3 a month after her baby sister is born. She hasn't used the pram since she was just over 2.... One day she came out with that prams were for babies and that was the end of that!! She can handle walking a kilometre holding hands with me. If it's any further than that we have hubby and we usually take turns carrying her if we need to. I had to laugh the other day - my daughter climbed in the bottom of the pram basket(it's HUGE) and said look mum lets go out for a walk! Haha in that moment I wondered why people just don't pop their toddlers in the basket instead of paying up for a double we also have a wrap and Tula carrier so I'm hoping between the pram and carriers we will be sorted while out and about

 

[Thisismyyear]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful feedback. It's unanimous that 3 year olds don't need a double buggy. I'll get a buggy board and I think the baby wearing idea will work for when we are out for the day as DS gets tired. I still have his baby carrier.

 

[babyjan]

My son is older so will get a buggy board as he complains about being tired! I still wouldn't bother with double buggy as their expensive and huge.

Every child is different but my sis inlaw and cousin had 2 years olds when their babies arrived and both never got double buggy.

 

[MindUtopia]

I would say no. My daughter will be just turning 4 probably when we have a second, but even if I was to have another baby now (she's 3 in Feb), I wouldn't get a double buggy. I can barely get my single one in some shops! I would let your 3 year old walk when possible, but have a wrap or carrier for baby (then put your toddler in the pushchair) or get a buggy board.