I am sure this has probably been done a gazillion times before.. but, whats the best?
I am not sure if i am keen on side by side, as, it just seems to be wide, and i worry also abit boot space in my car (i have a laser),
Aiden will be 22months when bubs is born, so, i think even thou him sleeping in a pram might be a rariety, i dont think he will be ready for just a 'toddler seat' yet.
I havn't used one as my kids had a bigger age cap, but lots like the phil n ted, there is a cheaper version called Europa by childcare i think. there is also the ABC adventure buggy that has a toddler/newborne seat that goes on the top. If i was going to have anymore and they were close in age i would choose the abc one.
OR there are teh tandem style where the older kid sits in the front but most only lay half back for the toddler.
I only have one bub but I recommend the Phil and Teds. It's sooo light and easy to drive. The ABC toddler seat does sit on top of the pram (so the toddler sits up like in a shopping trolley), but your toddler can't have a sleep in that seat, plus I wouldn't want the little one yacking in my face all the time!!!
I have the Phil & Ted and I dont recommend it at all its not safe to use for us at the moment due to my toddlers weight. Julia is 13kgs, she was 22months too when Tara was born. The Toddler seat needs to be at the top on the pram until baby is 6 months or can sit upright by themselves properly then you move the seat down the bottom and put them in it. When I had Julia in the toddler seat it has not been safe for 2 reasons, firstly due to Julia's weight her bum was sitting on Taras legs and squashing them, secondly the toddler seat moves around a bit when the toddler squirms in the seat up the top and wants to get out and not stay in the pram, its attached to the frame at the bottom but ' only has one side attachment strap red bit up the top to attach, it really needs both sides to attach properly. So we are not using the pram until Tara is able to sit down the bottom and is safe that way I totally recommend taking your toddler to a shop and seeing how he sits on the top seat, also how much does he weigh? We bought a small side by side stroller to use that is suitable for newborn until we can use the P&T again. Our side by side actually fits in a standard doorway (Its a valco twin delight stroller $159 at Toys R Us)
Last edited by *Belle*; October 20th, 2008 at 06:49 PM.
For first 6 months we used a three wheeler with detachable todd. seat
Now we use maclaren side by side.
Fast forward to when your baby is 1 year old. Your son will be nearly 3. I find now, my DD#2 whom is 32 months, will sometimes want to walk if we're out and about. of course that doesnt last long. If money comes into it i wouldnt be spending too much on a side by side....you might be better of with something that is detachable......(the todd. part i mean.)
We bought a childcare twin rover stroller, which lasted about 6 months. It is umbrella fold so will fit nicely in your laser, but unfortunatley they dont last so maybe look at the P&T for when your youngest is ready to sit up but get a side by side until then. Side by Side's are a pain to get through aisles and checkouts, but they can both lay down properly, and usually people get out of the way when you have a wide load
hi just thought i would add the toddler seat for the abc there are two of them, on that does not lay flat the other that can and you can put newborne in it so toddler can be in the big one down the bottom. both have hoods etc.
We have the Phil and Teds and think it's brilliant! My eldest was 18 months when I had my second and, at 3 and 4.5, we still occasionally use it for them both now (when they're VERY tired!). We didn't have any issues with squashing but then we put our second in the back seat (versus laying down) as early as possible as he HATED laying down! We've had no issues at all and would recommend it to anyone. Hmmmm....I should be asking them for commissions the amount I rave about it!!
We have just bought a P&H vibe, we are yet to use it but so far we are happy with it, also have you thought maybe to use a sling until you baby can sit up in the back part attachment or vice versa!
I've got three "two people" prams. I knew I would need a double of some sort given DD#1's age, and at almost 18 months I still don't think DD#1 would be very comfortable in a conventional toddler seat. I originally bought the Valco side by side because DD#1 was only 12 months when #2 was born - still very much a baby and I wanted good, comfortable pram seats for both girls and a good pram for long walks for my benefit. Weighing in at just under 20kgs and not exactly the most compact thing when folded I bought a Babylove tandem (one in front of the other) for my "shopping/car" pram. I hated it because the front seat (for your toddler) always seemed to be uncomfortable for Iz - she slid forward and never really seemed totally happy in there. So, Pram No. 3 is a Phil & Teds, which is now my shopping/car pram. Folds up small and is very manoueverable. I'm still in two minds about it - I think it is the very best option for getting around the shops but I agree with some of what Belle said. I also find it very unstable going up/down stairs with two babies in there - seems very, very easy to tip. So, if you are only getting one pram I would go the side by side. As big as they are, IMO they are the best bet for safety and comfort.
If you're interested, I've been "getting around" to selling the Babylove tandem. You're welcome to give it a try and see what you think of it - surely it has to suit some kids?? If it suited your DS, it would be a cheap shopping/car pram for you.
I have a Phil & Teds Sports, and love it. Nina is 14.8kg & Emily is about 8kg and I have no problems getting them around in it. I now have Nina sitting in the front, Emily in the back, and we've been doing it that way for about a month or so. Before that, Nina would sit in the toddler seat on top, and Emily on the bottom laying down.
I find that it folds down very compact, and it's lightweight.
A friend of mine has another pram very similar to the P&T (sorry, can't remember the name), and it's awful. It weighs about 19kg, isn't very compact, and the turning circle is shocking.
A P&T is definitely worth the money. And you'll always get your money back when/if you sell it.
Thanks guys.. has given me lots to think about.
Lulu - perhaps we can arrange a meet up at your place? would love to have a lookie at your prams. PM me if you are interested.
We have the P&T's too and we love it. It doesn't get used much now as they are pretty good walkers, but we had no problems using it with the two boys (19 months apart). But I did find my sling was my most useful possession in the early days with both boys. They sleep so easily in the sling and it's much easier to get around without a pram. When DS2 was born, we still needed the pram for DS1, but I had DS2 in the sling more often than the pram. We used the toddler seat anyway, so that we could have two in the pram, and if only one was in there there was plenty of room for bags as well.
If I knew about the abc adventure buggy when buying my double pram, it would have won hands down. As someone has already said there is a reclining seat that is placed on top of the handle bar, that would be perfect for your newborn. And your toddler can sit comfortably in the front seat, without a seat blocking her view. It's light, 10kg I think and folds very compactly. Oh and the top seat can hold 25kg and the main seat up to 45kg I think, so would last you right through.
Im doing this exercise atm myself as my two boys will be 17 months apart.
I like the ABC buggy, they do two types of toddler seats, one that reclines and the other that doesn't. Im tending towards the reclining version. They also do a side by side double which looks good. Its the old everest pram from memory.
We are also partial to the new babyjogger city mini. It's so small for a twin pram and is easy as to fold up and has the best sun shade I have ever seen on a pram. As my eldest has an eye condition this is a huge positive for us.
Of course, the mountain buggy urban elite is gorgeous just not sure I want to spend that type of money in case my eldest refuses the pram once he is walking..... ??
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Pram for 2 under 2
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