I'm due with my 3rd baby on 23rd October and as well as a 5yr old will have an 18month old - hence the need for a double buggy. I've been looking at the Phil & Ted's E3 double as it will convert nicely into a single. Has anyone got one, got any advice on one or any advice on any other doubles? thanks, Claire.

HI Claire
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you!
I was talking to someone the other day about double buggies. In her experience, the 3 wheelers and she felt they really are hefty. However, the value of it converting into a single one does sound appealing.
She really rated the Maclaren double buggy as being easy to use, unpretentious and good value. Do think about hwo much you're paying for one that converts, compared to the price of buying a cheaper but still good double now and getting another single one later.
I heop you get some good feedback here from other Phil & Teds users and I will try to do a bit more digging on the subject! Cheers Laura (editor)

Thanks for that Laura. I still can't decide which to go for but I'm not keen on one that is side by side (getting through doorways etc). Have come across the Cossatto Duet Lite but not sure if that is too compact and a bit of a squash for the littlens - never thought shopping for a pushchair would be so difficult!! Pro's and conc for all. Oh well, think I'm gonna get a pin soon and let that decide:-)

have you looked at the Jane PowerTwin? i have a 14 month old daughter who will be 17 months when her sister is due in december and have also been looking into double (predominately tandem) buggies. i think i'll be going for the Jane but will not look into the Cosatto now that you've mentioned it. as for the Phil and Ted's i had seriously considered it for the same reasons that you mentioned but after my husband and i took a closer look we were concerned about the bottom seat being so low and it being in the way when we walked. my husband found himself kicking the bottom seat a bit when he pushed and overall found it too bothersome. that said i still like it myself and think it is a brilliant concept. all the best and keep us posted on your decision!

Hi Claire,

I am in a similar situation i have a 6 year old a 19 month old and an 8 week old!

I originally bought my side by side from ebay brand new for £80 and as much as i love it (getting in and out of dorrways is no problem) i do have problems with it when im going in certain shops when im out shopping. So i looked into getting a tandem the day before i was going to go and get it from mothercare someone advertised one on my local freecycle group www.freecycle.org so i got it for free saving me £120!

I find i use them both about the same amount of time depending what i am doing determines what buggy i take! lol

Although my 19 month old is starting to want to walk a lot more now so i cant see me getting much use out of either of them for much longer!

check out the buggypod. I have used tandems and side-by-side buggies in the past and they both have drawbacks, heavy and wide respectively, but I think the buggypod provides a real alternative.
check out the website http://www.buggypod.com/

Hi Claire, I have one year old twins and I have a nipper out'n'about side by side double buggy, I find it really light and easy to manouvre and I have no problems getting into any shops. The only draw back for me is there isnt a lot of storage (2 small pockets behind each chair) you can buy a storage tray to go under the pushchair itself but it doesnt actually give you much more room. Also its worth taking into consideration the amount of room you have in your home, it is quite bulky when folded so we tend to keep ours in the shed!

hi, my two are 13months and 3 months old, i struggled over what to get. hated the idea of side by side in the end i stumbled on the graco stadium duo which the car seat from their travel systems fits ionto, so i can reuse my stage 0 car seat from my single graco. little one can go in the car seat or in the rear seat that lies flat and is ell protected from the elements and the bigger one in front, that seat also reclines. one magor benefit as the back seat is raised and independent from the front so when they're both bigger the one in the back can see above the front seat and his theyre one leg space. also its still fairly light weight and not much bigger than my single(its smaller than a friends single) when folded and has a massive shopping bag underneath.

HI
I have been looking at double buggys also and joined here so that i could get other moms thoughts.. Anyway i just wanted to say that i found a great alternative to the cosatto duo if anyone is interested , its due to come on the market october the 10th i think it said on the website, and looks great in leatherette fabric with cosytoes and apron for older child at front. I have preordered one as they do seem the best type in my opioion for shopping with 2 littls ones.If anyone wants to view it i think the website is jusonne.co.uk , and its called othello.Not sure if im allowed to give weba ddress , im only a customer !

Anyway i hope it helps others out there who are thinking of buying cosatto one, the one i found seems better value for money
Bye for now

Hi all who responded to my plight!!After a great deal of consideration, searching and dragging my hubby out on Sundays, We've ended up with the Phil & Teds E3double after all. In the end Paul (hubby) shouting 'WILL YOU JUST ORDER THE BLODDY THING' made me stop and think o.k. I just can't keep looking forever and so that's just what I did. Toddler loves being in it, both top and bottom and my one condition of ordering it was that I had the pannier bags too. (Hmmmm-more money he cried!) Been having test drives with toddler, really pleased with it. Now got 2 weeks till 'D-Day' for life with three Aaaaagh!! Good luck to anyone else expecting soon.

Hi,
my sister has a 3 year old and 1 year old she uses the graco stadium duo, and has had no problems with it whatsover, i would reccommend for you to buy this from kiddies kingdom (www.kiddies-kingdom.com). I am a regular customer of theirs and am amazed with there level of communication and customer service
Hope this helps