Do/did you use a double stroller?

For those of you who have/had two small ones at the same time, do/did you use a double stroller?  I see so many people using them around here that my husband thinks that we're going to have to end up getting one, but I'm really resistant to the idea for some reason.  I've been gradually weaning Ellen off of her pram, which she doesn' t mind as she is so active.  We really only use the pram for grocery shopping trips.  I had been planning to carry the baby in a sling when I use the small pushchair for Ellen, and when I use the big pram with the new baby, have Ellen just walk alongside.  She has always been good walking and holding my hand or staying right beside me, so I am hoping that this would work!  She'll be almost 3 when the new one arrives.  Has anyone gotten by without using a double stroller?  If not, are the double strollers really that cumbursome?

A friend just purchased the Phil and Ted, it's made for a newborn and a toddler. It's a very interesting design, I don't like it though, just not my taste but I do see the practicality of it.

my sister had twins.(obvious reason  to get one)  .so  yes  she had  a side to  side one.. so  one kid  doesn't miss out on the action  ..  but my MIL had  four boys..all about  2-3 years  apart..   so she had one.. do you want  four kids?   

I think you can get away without a double buggy if you've got an almost three year old.  All my kids were out of the buggy by three.    You might want to look at a buggy board if you do a lot of walking.  

I think you can get away without a double buggy if you've got an almost three year old.  All my kids were out of the buggy by three.    You might want to look at a buggy board if you do a lot of walking.  

I love those buggy boards, genius idea.

I had a double stroller after I had Brett. But it wasnt a side by side one it was one of those tandem style ones it was like driving a bus and I hated it! I ended up selling it nearly new when I moved to the UK. If you get one I would suggest you steer clear (no pun intended) of the tandem style ones!

we have one.  we got it super cheaply, tho.  aillidh isn't keen on walking long distances at present, although she's getting much, much better - she'll be 3 19 June. 

i have a sling, but i didn't get to use it as much b/c my stomach muscles were WAY separated and toting any sort of weight hurt a lot. 

i like having both options, b/c i like to go for long, long walks. 

I use a double stroller with my two and its been helpful. Although, sometimes I do feel like a pack mule!

As Pebbles said, the tandem ones can be a real pain. I've always found it hard to see over the double stroller (I'm only 5'1) and its murder on my back, if we're going up hills.

As my DD has gotten older, she usually walks by my side and DS is in the front. The seat in the back is handy for any shopping you can't fit underneath.

I'd recommend the buggy board, I think. I've seen them at Tesco for around £35. Less hassle and DD can hop on if she gets tired. Or if you do get a double pram, get the side-by-side model. 

I had a tandem stroller when I was childminding..that was life saver sometimes. You can't see what the little one is the front half was doing but he took the opportunityone day  of stocking his seat with boots products off the shelves once ...that was embarrassing

Thanks for the ideas!  I guess I'll give it a go and try to see how we do without a tandem.  We take buses a lot and so could always hop a bus if Ellen's legs got tired. 

Can you buy the buggy boards seperately and attach them to an existing pram?  Whenever I've seen them in the US, they've been sold attached onto the stroller.

... do you want four kids?

No, I think this will be the last one!

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Can you tell I like this site!

TRY your older child in the tandem before buying one.  Aillidh is very tall and long.  She didn't fit in the tandems, her legs were too long.  So we went for the side by side, but it's very narrow.  

There's something new out called a 'Buggy Pod' that might be an idea.  

JoJoMamanbebe has them, but I'll need to dig up their website.

Thanks for the ideas!  I guess I'll give it a go and try to see how we do without a tandem.  We take buses a lot and so could always hop a bus if Ellen's legs got tired. 

Can you buy the buggy boards seperately and attach them to an existing pram?  Whenever I've seen them in the US, they've been sold attached onto the stroller.

No, I think this will be the last one!

About buggy boards...I went to Mothercare to buy one and they said they havent been proven safe so they wont carry them. Toys R Us didnt have them either. I never thought to check tesco. I have seen them on Ebay.

I said it was my "last one" after my first and now Im working on a baseball team!  

Expat what is a buggy pod?

A friend just purchased the Phil and Ted, it's made for a newborn and a toddler. It's a very interesting design, I don't like it though, just not my taste but I do see the practicality of it.

I have one of these and I LOVE IT.  I wouldn't use anything else.  They are so versatile and easy to use, the kids are comfortable (and yes the baby in the back can see what is going on!).  They can take 2 babies, a baby and a toddler and two kids up until the age of 5.  You can stick the extra seat on the back, or lay the main seat down and put a young baby in that part and stick the extra seat on top.  It is lightweight and easy to steer even with my 3 year old and 1 year old. I have no problems getting around shops or anything. 

I have 3 kids age 5 and under and I have used side by side and tandem doubles and they were miserable.  I would definitely recommend the E3 by phil and ted if you do a lot of walking.

I sound like a commercial don't I?    Oh well.   

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