The age gap between DD1 and DS is 2 years 4 months. I bought a toddler seat for the pram but DD wasn't a big fan, she would only sit in it if I gave her food - we left a lot of sultana trails around shopping centres. DD would go in the pram to sleep and I would carry DS in a sling. If she wasn't tired she preferred to walk so I attached a spare strap to the pram and told DD she needed to hold the strap 'to help mummy push the pram'. Worked a treat! I did have a double pram for walking outside but I found it too heavy to take in and out of the car and to big to drive around the shops.

DD1 is 9 now... she pushes DD2's pram for me or carries her around!

ETA Both of my older kids got a 'Big Kids Bed' for their second birthday and went straight from the cot to the bed. Although, DD1 was co-sleeping with us most nights!