Pram for 2 kids help and suggestions please

So i have accepted that there is no such thing as the perfect pram. I currently have a BeemaQ and it somes pretty close - except for the fact that it doesnt have a toddler seat option. This wasnt going to be an issue as i really didnt expect to be so lucky as to fall pregant so quickly this time. I will have a nb and a 21-22 month old so i really do need to be able to have them in the same pram together.

My diliema is which pram to get. Every pram i look at has something i dont like about it - Phil and Teds sport, for example, the brake is a PITA to use and i've only heard bad things about how hard it is to recline the seats with the clip thingy they have.

Phil and Teds Dash - cant put the brake on with one hand and most reviews i have read arent very nice :( and all the accesories for the P&Ts are sooo expensive too

Srtider Plus - looks and feels nice but its so wide, dont think i really want a pram that wide.

I can afford to buy a new pram but it has to be my forever pram so i really need to love it. I can afford to spend up to $700. I have been looking on ebay for 2nd hand P&T's too and will happily buy 2nd hand but i need to be convinced that i love them in the first place.

I also have the option of getting a cheaper double pram or stroller or something and keeping my Beema so when DS is older and not in need of riding in it i can always go back to old faithful. I have also thought about slinging the little one for a while but its not going to work that way forever and in every situation.

I really do want a pram that goes well on all terrains as i do alot of walking outdoors.

What pram do you have for 2 kids and what do you like and dislike about it?

Sorry about the long post lol, i kind of needed to get it all out at the same time too...

Thanks xxx

I have p+T sport and I love it. I find it easy to use and haven't had a problem with the clipy things. I've been looking after a friends little one some days so had him and DD in there and found it great.

DS will be 16 months when the next bub arrives and I've decided to invest in a P&T sport with double kit. Haven't bought it yet but have done a test run in the shop. I know what you mean about not loving it - the footbrake is a PITA for me too and I'm sure I"ll find little tricky things that annoy me - but its the closest thing I'll find to my dream pram for 2 kiddies - and so I'm willing to deal with it IYKWIM!!! Its hard, but I doubt the perfect one with no hassles really exists TBH! Good luck.

Phil an Ted Dash and I love it. Only thing I find hard is that getting newborn out while toddler seat on top, this will be fine once newborn is old enough to sit up. It does take up a lot of boot room but most prams do unless you have a stroller.

I have a 21 month old and a 3 month old. I bought phil and ted as I planned on having 2 close together. Friends had the sports and complained about the brake.

I bought cocccun for newborn and originally bought rain and UV protector but have not bought for it for 2 as a few people have told me there kids seem to have cover nearly touching them and didn't like it so I haven't wasted money.

Happy shopping

Thanks for your feedback. the P&T sport is my front runner atm. I'm just a little nervous about spending alot of $$$ on a pram too.
How does the nappy bag go on the sport? does it hit the kiddy on the head thats riding in the back ?

On the dash as newborn still flat I don't put nappy bag on back for fact it seems to hit him in head, not sure how it will be when he is sitting up in seat on back.

Thanks Feeb, thats one thing i didnt check out in the shop but thought of when i got home ;)

My gf has a 21 mth old and just had her second bub a week ago! - she ended up going with the ABC mountain buggy - she loves it :)

I have a phil and ted sport as well, the brakes are a PITA but otherwise its good. Not to fussed on the newborn/toddler arrangement but they arnt lying down long enough for it to be an issue. Its easy to fold up and doesnt take up to much room when its lying on its side folded up (but i do have a wagon) As for a nappy bag I cant use one on it either but maz had the awesome idea of putting the link a do's on the handles and attaching a green bag...so i now put everything i need into a greenbag and hang it off the link a do's and it doesnt get in the way.

I have the Valco Run About and use the toddler seat which can be collapsed when not in use.
Had it since DS1 so that's 6.5yrs and the toddler seat we got when I was pregnant with DS2.
It has technically been through 4 kids as when DS1 was younger and DS2 wasn't here yet the toddler seat got used by our lovely niece on a weekly basis.
This pram goes outback! My DH runs with DS2 and DD in it and has ran with it with all kids.
When we had DS1 we only had one car and I walked every where. It is very easy to push, effortless.
Only problem is it doesn't fit through a normal size supermarket aisle, have to use the extra wide aisle.
I have used it for DD since newborn, so it works for all ages. They may have improved even more since we got ours.
Oh, and the nappy bag goes well over the back without hitting baby in the head. You could also attach a mummy hook if you really wanted to carry a few extra
bags and I have also attached a drink holder to mine as well.

I have a Bugaboo for my first and am buying a secondhand Mountain Buggy double for when I have to take both kids out, mine will be mainly for walking. I've found a 4 year old MBUD in great condition with sun and rain covers for $460.

I was looking at the MBUD, the P&T twin and the Adventrue Buggy. The seat reclines on the P&T twin were totally flat or very upright and the Adventure Buggy was a close second, it's a little heavier than the MBUD though.

I have a P&T Vibe and I absolutely love it. I don't know why it would be said that you need to hands to put the brake on as it is a single button right at your hand, very easy to put on. It is however a little more difficult to release, which I personally think it s good thing. You can do it one handed but it does need some practice... I have it down pat now ;)

I have Anelise in the back toddler seat now and Harrison in the front. I only carry a small back pack with me in the pram in the basket and leave the big nappy bag in the car.
I have found that most of the accessories for the P&T's are expensive as you said, but I got a great deal through babies galore which included the sun cover & a rain cover. I have never used the rain one.

THanks ladies, Lisa - oops, i meant to say the Dash ;)
Never thought about a mummy hook or a backpack for a nappy bag - thats why i obviously need help :rofl:
Might have a look at the Valco, not too keen on the MB though as its wide like the strider. I'm goign to have to compramise somewhere but its great to get all of your opinions first.

We have a trek bike trailer as our pram (ie: a proper light weight foldable trailer, not one of the heavy cheapies out there). To buy new it costs a bomb but we got it for $600. It weight 12.5kg (I could lift it when 9 months pg), fits in our car, seats to kids, turns on a dime and of course can be used as a bike trailer. Love it :)

I had the P&T Vibe, while i loved it for DS(he was over 1 when i got it) i wanted something that could face me etc so we ended up selling the Vibe & got the Strider Plus.

Im not sure i like how wide it is, but i do live in Country WA so it wont be to much of an issue as our shopping centre has huge checkouts and the only other time we will use it is for walking.

I have a valco run about ultralite, its very light and its great being able to fold/or take off the toddler sear if its not needed. I had the BeemaQ too and loved it but had the same problem as you, I needed the toddler seat.

have you looked at the baby jogger city mini twin and elite twin?

I bought the city mini single and love it, it might not be what your looking for but its so light and easy to fold

I have the P&T sports & love it. I admit the brake is a PITA & at times I get fruestrated with the zipper/clips recline but over all I've found it great. It's nice & narrow so fits through the supermarket checkouts, light enough & folds really well. I used to have it in the boot of my sedan (before I got the territory) & I could still fit all my weekly groceries around it (& ontop of it).
I'm currently on the Gold Coast & brought my P&T with extra seat with me because my sister has a 6 month old son, so we use my pram at the theme parks.
If you're planning on travelling a bit I highly recommend you buy a travel bag for it (I've seen some second hand ones on ebay) I put the pram + second seat + handle bar organiser (bumbag) all in there then it has a handle to pull & the wheels go through holes so its so easy to transport! I love my travel bag :lol:

Have fun finding the right one for you ;) I'd also personally keep your beema for later on, you may not "love" the next pram as much & once Byron isnt interested in sitting in the pram anymore (DD was 2 when she stopped using the pram) then you can change back to the beema if you like :)

I got a P & T e3 off ebay for $450. It came with doubles kit and cocoon. I went and bought the sadle bags which are ok to store stuff in/groceries. I have a back pack as my nappy bag so never had an issue with it hitting bubs in the head. I love it because it fits into shops, sticky beaks cant really see newborns to touch! I have the one with the clips to do the seat up, and while initially I thought it was a PITA, its easy now. I have a foot brake and its tricky to do with thongs on. Its easy to fold, folds flat in the car, isnt too heavy. The only thing I wish it had was rubber tyres. My dd1 is now 3 and still rides up top. Problem with that is it is getting tricky to pop dd2 down the bottom without smacking her head. We have bub 3 on the way, so it will be good then and am going to get dh to design a seat for dd1 over the front wheel (she often sits there but her weight makes the pram hit the tyre...hard to push and has ruined the fabric underneath).

All in all...best pram I have had....I have had 3 others!

My friend who is pg with her second has just bought a Peg Perego duette, she has a 13 month old. They are pricey new but you might be able to get your hands on a second hand one. It's one of those one seat in front of the other ones so getting through doorways shouldn't be an issue and you can turn the seats to face each other. Can't go wrong with a Peg really.

Wow - thank you again for all your info and advice. I really appreciate the feedback as i get nervous about spending so much money on something and i want it to be perfect :)

I'll have alook at the valco too and i absolutely love the look of the baby jogger (thanks krikkit). Unfortunaelty i cant find anywhere just yet that stocks the baby jogger in my area and i dont think i would buy a pram un road tested by me. Are they wide too like the mountain buggy and strider? i think they are but not 100% sure.

I'm still at a loss, its either a 2nd hand P&T sport or E3 or a new strider delux (which i love but didnt want the wideness issue). what to do, what to do, what to do???

I have also seen some valcos going cheap 2nd hand so i'll def have a look at those and i think a friend has one but i do like the option of both kids being able to sleep confortably in the pram - not just perched up on top. This is not a deal breaker though lol.

Keep the suggestions coming, i still have a few months up my sleeve. If anyone has a strider delux and wants to give me some feedback id apprecite that too.

Thanks my lovely BB ladies xxxx

Baby Jogger Australia

this may have the stockists locally for the babyjogger

thanks, now why didnt i see tha the first time i looked?? pregnant brain :) xx

on youtube for the city series

YouTube - Baby Jogger - City Series

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thanks, now why didnt i see tha the first time i looked?? pregnant brain :) xx

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I think the first website I posted was the US one, they have a bit more detail than the AU one.

Not sure if you have looked at the Adventure Buggy Company prams (made in NZ by Phil & Ted under a different name) but the single pram with fully reclining toddler seat looks amazing and I will be getting one when this bub arrives.

I've seen a few on Ebay as well in the Eastern States.

Good luck deciding! After names, pram is definitely the hardest one for me!

I have the same age gap with my two boys.
I have a Phil and Teds Vibe. Now, before you fall off you chair, yes they can be expensive, but we bought ours online cheaper than a P&T Dash retails for. It is the less popular 'graffitti' colour, that's why. (It just made your budget). We have no accessoried though - yes, they are pricey.
The brake is a tiny red button on the handle which can be turned on so quickly and easily. Also, it actually folds with the two seats still attached, which means that you don't have as much trouble folding it up etc.

We have the same age gap as you, and I also started out with the Beema Q which I loved.

I was never keen on the P&T's, mainly as DD still will sleep in the pram when we were out, and I didn't like the fact that the seat for the older child couldn't recline, so when the Strider Plus was released I bought that and I love it. Yep, its a bit wider than the beema but still fits through most places that you'll take a pram - def not as wide as a side by side, and the valco single is about the same width I think.

I like the fact that I can have the new baby in the top seat facing me, and DD in the bottom (I don't think they endorse this, but it works!) it means that she can hop in and out when she wants - she'll quite often want to walk when we 1st get to the shops but after a while, still wants to pram ride. Other times, I'll put the baby in the 2nd seat at the bottom and DD in the mainseat, and its not tippy at all - its really stable even if DD gets out - unlike the P&T in toddler mode - if the toddler on top gets out, it gets tippy.

The change bag - i use nappy bag clips and attach it to the front of the pram, at the bottom of the main seat itms. I also have a mummy hook and things attach fine to that without hitting the baby in the head.

It also came with the rain cover, boot cover and sunshade, and the 2nd seat has its own hood.

Good luck!

I have a strider 4 wheeler (not the deluxe but I think they handle the same). On the positive side for its size it is very manouverable and easy to push. the seat does not go flat for a newborn but that didn't bother my DD. The basket is quite roomy and easy to get to which ever way the seat is facing, but not so easy if you have the bassinet in palce. On the negative side, it is very heavy, I found it very difficult to fold it up with the seat in so always had to remove the seat to put it in the car but I got used to that. It took up a lot of room in the boot of my medium sized sedan (most of it really). I also found that with the seat fully upright DD slid down it a lot and ended up slumped. It is wide because the back wheels stick out quite a bit and I do have trouble going through some checkouts and aisles with it.

Saying all that I actually really liked it and would still use it quite happily if it wasn't for number two coming along in the next few months. I have just bought a P&T sport second hand off ebay for $510 including toddler seat, rain and shade covers and so far (having only just recieved it today) it looks really good. I can PM you the web address of a company in Queensland that sells prams at a really good price if you want (not sure I can put it here).

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I have a P&T Vibe and I absolutely love it. I don't know why it would be said that you need to hands to put the brake on as it is a single button right at your hand, very easy to put on. It is however a little more difficult to release, which I personally think it s good thing. You can do it one handed but it does need some practice... I have it down pat now ;)

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:yeahthat:

Although I must say we did have a major issue with the Vibe early on. After a few weeks of use, suddenly the front wheel wouldn't swivel properly, and if we put the wheel on lock (forward) it yawed to the right. Apparently this isn't uncommon in the Vibe. At the time it was virtually unuseable but was fixed within 10 days and the place of purchase loaned us a Dash to tide us over. It's been fine ever since.

I started sitting DS2 upright in the Vibe at about 3 1/2 months - he's a big boy and at about 7kg and 65cm was too big/long to lay flat in the newborn part.

A good pram though - would recommend it, even despite the small glitch we had.