Transportation options

lbonga1

I know that double strollers probably get asked about a lot, but I'm trying to figure out if we'll even need one. DD will be 19 months when this LO is born. I'm trying to figure out what would be the best option when we're out and about and for my FI when I'm at work (he's a SAHD). We could either get a double stroller (I was looking at the Contours Options or Optima, I'm not sure of the difference between the two), get a infant seat adapter for our current stroller (Britax B-Agile) and carry DD backpack style in our Ergo if needed, or let DD ride in the stroller and carry LO #2 in the Ergo.

There are positives and negatives to each. The Contours strollers have a lighter maximum seat weight compared to our Britax (40 lbs. vs. 55 lbs.), but I'm not sure if FI will use the Ergo when I'm not around, and I'm not sure if LO #2 will even like being carried in an Ergo. I know at least for DD, my FI preferred to leave her in her carseat when we were out.

What do you ladies think? For those that already have 2u2, what did you do?

beccalee721

Following.. I've been wondering the same.

bookworm982

We have a sit and stand stroller (the Joovy Caboose Ultralight). DD is only 20 months, but she already prefers to walk everywhere, and I like her getting the exercise. It does have a tiny seat and buckle when I need to contain her. DS goes in his infant car seat in the front, but he'll transition to using the regular seat as soon as it is warmer. We also have an Ergo to use when we need to baby wear one of them.

I only recommend a double stroller if you will be using it a lot and for long outings. Otherwise your single stroller should be good enough. I will warn that my opinion might be in the minority though.

ebp913

I am going to suggest the opposite. If you are getting out and about with both kids, you want 2 full seats for them.  There are just times where you need them strapped in.  Diaper changes, moving through crowds, etc.  There's no way I could have done a single with a carrier and my husband and I both work fulltime.

MommyAtty

We got a sit n stand bc DD at 20 months hates every stroller she has ever encountered except the Sit n stand. She loves that one and will actually stay in it. We also use the Ergo with her extensively and just ordered the K'Tan for when DS gets here in a few weeks. (Yes, we are using a sit n stand for one kid. Desperate times call for desperate measures!)

ashiscute

I agree with the sit and stand.  We got a double stroller (grand safari I believe) and I only used it for walks around neighborhood.  It was so heavy that I didn't want to get it in and out of the car.  And too wide for aisles at stores.  Things were much easier when we switched to sit and stand.  

However, I wore DS in the moby and then the beco a lot the first year.  And just put DD in the stroller.  But the sit and stand with the carrier gave us a lot of options.  And DD was 19.5 mos when DS was born.  

JACKIE_RS88

My boys will be 15 months apart.  I was also considering the Contours or City Select but they are bulky.  I thought about just keeping my B-agile and putting a kickboard on it but DS1 might still get tired with that.  I'm figure for at least the first six months DS2 will be in the infant seat.  We just prefer not to move him since mostly they sleep anyway in the infant seat early on.  I'm thinking of a Baby Trend Ultra.  DS1 will get the front seat and while DS2 is in the infant seat.  After he outgrows in the infant seat DS1 may or may not manage in the back area (sit/stand).  We'll figure it out once we get there but I figure he'll be way more eager to move around than he is now.  

I know Graco has something similar to the Baby Trend Ultra that actually has two seats and you can take out the back one and put in an infant car seat but I don't know if its compatible with our B-Safe car seat.

jf198400

I highly recommend a double with kids that close in age. My 2 were 18 months apart and we used the double a lot. Walking the mall, going to the park, the zoo, amusement park, you name it we took it. What happens if you are at the mall with a baby carrier and a single stroller and you need to go to the bathroom- you are out of luck. With a double stroller you can contain both kids. I think a double stroller is a necessity. Yes it's big bulky and heavy but that's life with 2u2. We have a baby trend double that can also work as a sit and stand. Also make sure you keep a single stroller too. There will be times you are out with only 1 kid and will want a single to use.

JACKIE_RS88

jf198400 which baby trend do you have?  I'm looking into the Baby Trend Ultra.  I'm figuring DS1 can go in the front seat and DS2 can go in his car seat in the back.  I figure this will work for a good six months - then DS1 will be 21 months maybe he can do the sit/stand then?

vettymama

jf198400 said:

I highly recommend a double with kids that close in age. My 2 were 18 months apart and we used the double a lot. Walking the mall, going to the park, the zoo, amusement park, you name it we took it. What happens if you are at the mall with a baby carrier and a single stroller and you need to go to the bathroom- you are out of luck. With a double stroller you can contain both kids. I think a double stroller is a necessity. Yes it's big bulky and heavy but that's life with 2u2. We have a baby trend double that can also work as a sit and stand. Also make sure you keep a single stroller too. There will be times you are out with only 1 kid and will want a single to use.

My LO #2 isn't here yet, but I got a used Baby Trend Sit n Stand Double and I hope it works as well as you just described. So far DS loves riding on the stand part around the house ha ha!

SusanC111

I don't have a double yet, DS2 is 3.5 months. So far, I've been making it work. I do want to get one this spring/summer when we'll be out more. I have the baby trend travel system and I HATE it so I didn't want the baby trend double that would click the car seat. At this point I just need to wait until DS2 can sit up in a stroller. My point is.....I haven't figured this out yet either.

VineyardMel

Mine are 18mo and 6wks and I'd be sunk without my double. I have the City Select and am using the car seat adapter (works like a snap and go) and a full seat. DD is starting to like to walk/run around, but I can let her out it keep her contained as needed. I wear DS some but don't feel like I could safely control DD (she's a handful) and wear DS in certain situations. Just going to the mall I need to be able to change both diapers, go to the bathroom myself--not to mention something like trying on clothes.

At some point I'll add the rider board and then eventually just use it as a single again.

jf198400

JACKIE_RS88 said:

jf198400 which baby trend do you have?  I'm looking into the Baby Trend Ultra.  I'm figuring DS1 can go in the front seat and DS2 can go in his car seat in the back.  I figure this will work for a good six months - then DS1 will be 21 months maybe he can do the sit/stand then?

@JACKIE_RS88
We have the baby trend sit n stand double, not the ultra. I'd be a bit nervous about putting a 21 month old on a sit and stand seat. I like my kids to be contained. Like when it's time to leave the park and they're flipping out, I can strap them in and go. They recommend that you wait until age 2 for the jump seat I think.

That said, the stroller we have is HUGE, like gi-freakin-normous. It fits in the back of my van but would not fit in the trunk of a car. So if the ultra is smaller, I could see the appeal of it.

JACKIE_RS88

@jf198400 - I didn't realize the double existed until I saw it in store.  I think we're going for that one instead.  The extra seat is handy.  It is huge but it is lighter than the Contours Options/Optima we were comparing against.  This one will also last longer as a Sit n Stand.  I don't think there is any way around the train and getting storage but out of those options still the SnS double is probably best.