Travel system with sling or double buggy?

Jo_R_2

Hi all!

Am expecting baby #2 at end of June and have been looking at pushchairs/buggies - we only have a stroller for #1 which is suitable after 6 months.

I am a confirmed sling fanatic so pushchairs have never really been my thing. However others will be taking out baby who will want to use a pushchair, and also we are thinking of practicality - if it is just one us managing a frantic toddler and a baby then we have to contend with that!

We can't decide on what to get. Boyfy is keen on a travel system which we didn't have with #1 as she always used to wake up when transferring her from car seat to pushchair or vice versa. I have however been thinking about a double buggy which will probably incur more expense and egenrally cuts out the option of attachable car seat.

Although... We have seen a double with attachable car seats that we both LOVE the look of but which is quite a bit more expensive than we had anticipated paying... We have no intention of buying anything we haven't tried out first so we're thinking of trying this one...

Does anyone have any advice? We're looking at a 26 month old who loves walking but can only get so far, and a baby who will outgrow a travel system car seat before a year so they're points to consider... I drive but boyfy doesn't so he will need to negotiate bus journeys with both of them. We often go walking as well.

Any thoughts/experience welcomed!

mjk_2

My dd1 was 27 months when dd2 came along. I'd decided to try to manage without a double buggy, so used a sling and travel system that I already had. I found it a little uncomfortable pushing the buggy whilst carrying the sling - you can't walk so close to the buggy, so find yourself struggling to tip it for kerbs. Only really used the sling a few times, DD1 gradually managed to walk further and further and we coped. Must admit there were times when DD1's dawdling drove me to distraction - don't try to go anywhere in a hurry with a walking toddler!!

flea72

i think i would use the sling for the baby and have the toddler in the pushchair still. or if i did need the option for someone else to be able to take them both out, would prob buy a buggy board to fit on my existing pushchair

as for slings, yes they are more cumbersome when worn on the front, but if you are a sling fan already, then something like a hugabub or didymos should work better, as you have the choice of how you wear it.

Flea

Jo_R_2

Yup a hugabub is my sling of choice, luckily I kept it after #1 became too much for me to carry as I simply could not bear to part with it!

I suppose it is quite feasible to stick with that and use the stroller we already have... Boyfy says he is quite happy to use the sling and pushchair if it is just him taking the two out. When #1 was younger he used the sling with her but that was fairly infrequently, he did prefer the pushchair so I am wondering if he really will want to when the time comes.

It might be a case of just seeing how we do then if needs be, decide later on to buy something else. But as I say, I can't see my parents or other grandparents going for a sling, open-minded as they are, so a buggy may well be in order anyway!

Thanks!

bylromarha

am in same position...DD due in June, DS will be 23 months.

NOT a sling fan though, nor a double buggy fan. A buggy board isn't really an option as DS still falls asleep in the stroller.

Previous threads have pointed me to

http://www.2became4.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=174

and

http://www.2became4.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=112

as alternatives to the traditional double buggy...

Chell

bylromarha wrote:

am in same position...DD due in June, DS will be 23 months.

NOT a sling fan though, nor a double buggy fan. A buggy board isn't really an option as DS still falls asleep in the stroller.

Previous threads have pointed me to

http://www.2became4.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=174

and

http://www.2became4.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=112

as alternatives to the traditional double buggy...

Marco Sky L - Buggy for 2 - Pushchair (your second link), they are horrid! I would hate to try to get on a bus with one. I sold my MST after a month as it hurt my arms to push it and DD scremaed when sat in the back. I have heard that Mothercare do a similar buggy but its better. The MST has no storage space on it so would nbe difficult to use say if you were going shopping/using the bus.

bylromarha

chelltune wrote:

I have heard that Mothercare do a similar buggy but its better.

You're the first person I've read to not rave about Marco...good to hear the other side. Was it hard to push because it was too heavy? Or another reason?

Mothercare only have trains (long double buggies) or bulldozers (wide double buggies) for sale...nothing as compact as the Marco in their current catalogue.

Rachie_B

awww that marco one looks tiny so the child would be terribly squashed ? in the back

id get a buggy which could be used from birth (both could use it) also a buggy board ,which clips up when not in use and use the sling sometimes too

my SIL bought the graco tandem with car seat etc but barely used it ! her toddler was happy to be in the buggy whilst baby in sling,or on buggy board (or seat to go ) whilst baby in buggy

then when theres both you and your OH you have the buggy from birth for the baby and the buggy from 6 months for your toddler

Chell

bylromarha wrote:

You're the first person I've read to not rave about Marco...good to hear the other side. Was it hard to push because it was too heavy? Or another reason?

Mothercare only have trains (long double buggies) or bulldozers (wide double buggies) for sale...nothing as compact as the Marco in their current catalogue.

http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lx1329&bklist=icat,4,shop,shopushchairs,pus2seaters This is the Mothercare one, a Hoxton.

I actually have the side by side Mothercare Duolite which I love however I don't use buses. I have had a Maclaren Twin too but that was awful. I am still using the Duolite, DD is 15mths, DS is 3 in July.

The MSt just doesn't manuovere, it makes your wrists ache. It doesn't steer so you find yourself having to lift it round tight corners rather than steer it round. Its also heavy to tip up kerbs. It has no storage space, the shape of the hood doesn't allow you to throw coats over it or tuck your babies drink cup in it IYSWIM. The shopping basket carries nothing other than the rain cover, its tiny. Its not as small folded as the marketing makes out, I can actually get my Duolite in the car easier than the MST went in. DS was very uncomfortable if he fell asleep in the front.
Do you use https://www.bounty.com at all? If yoiu look in the forums there you will find some negative threads.

Have you thought about the Phil and teds (see https://www.kiddicare.com).

Chell

...... and also the MST isn't suitable from birth.

bylromarha

I've heard really bad things about Phil and Ted...children being severely splashed on rainy days, no shopping space, bad view for rear child and more. Plus hugely expensive!

Marco is now suitable from birth, it's been upgraded. Still haven't actually seen one yet as nearest stockist is 100 miles away and not going that way for a few weeks, so it's the top of a very small shortlist of ones I'm happy to consider.

Thanks for link to Mothercare...however, max budget is £150...I'm not happy to pay more for something that'll only really get a years use. Would rather go for a buggypod if Marco isn't suitable.