Pushchairs (Prams/Strollers)

riababy4

...because it's never too early to talk about them!
I have been through my fair share of pushchairs even thou my son is only 16 months old. For me it was a learn as you go along thing. I didn't know what to look out for really, when I bought the first one before he was even born! I have just bought my 4th, but that's because it has to fit two kids. My by then almost two year old and a newborn. 
So...have any of you FTM's looked into it yet? Second time moms, what are you doing to get two pram bound kids around? What are your favourite brands and models? Recommendations and stay away's?

mommac2017

I absolutely loved our Graco Modes stroller. It is so versatile! There are 10 ways to position baby, and it's lightweight. I really liked that I could turn baby either facing me or away from me. And that I could do this once he was a toddler as well. I don't know of any other strollers that do this for the toddler seat. We have used ours in every way it could be used.

It also has a nice big basket underneath. I found some strollers had super small basket. And once you put the diaper bag in there, there's not much room for anything else. 

If the jogging stroller had been out when we purchased ours, I would have gotten it instead of the regular one. We bought a cheap second hand jogging stroller that I used for going for longer walks with DS. I love the tires (rubber instead of plastic) but I hate how it turns. 

We havent decided yet if we will sell what we have to get a double stroller, or just keep this. 

Kimn99

I love my Britax B ready! We have the second seat underneath. Seriously my favorite baby purchase. It's big, but not wide like a double stroller. Plenty of storage space even with two kids in it. 

riababy4

I tried a few double prams, but with the top and bottom ones I don't like how low one child is and also that it doesn't get to see that much. I bought the Mamas&Papas Ocarro. It can be used from birth when fully reclined. So when my toddler gets too tired to walk, I'll put baby in my Juno carrier and he can sit in the pram. I'll also buy one of those buggy boards for him to stand on, there is even one with a detachable seat, although it's quite pricey for what it is. If anyone is considering an Icandy, I wouldn't recommend them.

beezeee

We have the britax b-agile for DD, which I love. We got the set which also included the b-safe infant car seat. Not sure if we'll just use it again for the new baby or invest in a double stroller. DD will be 3 + 3 months when baby arrives, so I don't think she'll need a stroller. I want to look into those attachments which allow the big kid to stand between the stroller and the adult pushing so they can ride along. Anyone know what I'm talking about or have recommendations?

riababy4

@beezeemarie yes! I was looking at the Bumprider Sit Stroller Board. It looks awesome!

mrs_fogue

I think this is the first time I've heard it called pushchairs.  Where were you from again @airamH

No help from me though on the subject.  I got one with my first that was way to expensive not to use.  Plus it works for our needs, just wish the basket underneath was more roomie.  I am looking at the one that allows the olders to stand or sit in the back.  Was it Gracco here in the states?  I really don't remember I just saw it on BRU. 

mamabear148-2

This is baby #3 for us (older sisters will be 5 and almost 3 when baby is born) so I'm sticking with what I have. A Stokke stroller and a hand me down double jogging stroller we use for trips to the park and to DisneyWorld (the thing is too big and heavy for regular use)

riababy4

From the UK. We call them pushchairs, prams and strollers. 

mrs_fogue

@airamH I've heard of prams before but pushchairs was a first.  I was thinking about those activity walkers the babies use haha!  Although that would really be a "pushchair" either.  But this topic brings up a great GTKY question!!! 

aprilsarahjune

My DDs are nearly 6 and this is the only stroller that I have ever owned: https://www.babyjogger.com/product/city-select/ (with the extra seat).  This was in a magazine that my OB's office gave us on our first visit and we were obsessed from that moment.  (I guess we were suckered in but it worked out well for us.)  When DS was an infant, I wore him in a Baby Bjorn carrier and had DDs in the City Select.  Then as DS got too big for the Bjorn, I put him in the stroller and had DDs take turns in the stroller.  Right now, for the zoo, etc., I put all three in awagon and carry our necessities in a backpack.  

I think for new baby, I will largely stick to wearing him so that I am hands free for the other kids.  (Three kids in a wagon plus wearing a baby and a backpack?  This might be the only stretch in my scenario.)  When he gets too big or if I need a break from wearing, I think we will go back to the City Select but with only one seat.

Here is to hoping that we can have 4 kids and only ever own one stroller!

riverrainez

We have a City Mini GT. It's great except the basket underneath is a little small. I do not want to buy another stroller and definitely don't want to deal with a double. We live in a pretty urban and walkable area and we used the stroller a lot at first, but DS is 2 now and he's more into walking or riding his scoot bike than sitting in the stroller. At this point only time I really use the stroller is for errands, like going to the grocery store, where I need the storage. So I'm hoping to get away with a combo of baby wearing and DS walking or riding his bike while baby is in stroller.

Check back in a year and we'll see if I'm being totally naive.

purplestarz

My first thought on pushchair was it must be some sort of device to help during labor that I didn't know about.

Well, I currently own three strollers for DD (plus this little tricycle thing that has a handle I can push her on). Anyway, it's a little over kill. We originally bought the graco modes travel system which I loved. Lots of riding options and I loved how easily her car seat clicked into it. However, I quickly learned it wasn't great for long walks. We have two dogs and go on long walks frequently. So, I went ahead and bought the graco jogging stroller (fast action click connect?). The car seat still clicked into it. So, I probably should have never gotten the first graco because both my husband and I prefer the jogger (much easier to push and control with the bike tires, especially one handed if you're walking a dog with the other lol). However, the jogger is much heavier, basket is not a large, and sunshade is smaller. We still use the original graco one depending on the occasion (maybe like going to the mall or something not outside). We also have a small umbrella stroller which I love to just keep in the car for "emergency stroller" occasions lol

So, even with all of these strollers, I now intend to buy a sit and stand. There are a couple options that will work with our existing graco car seat that we plan to use with this baby as well. DD will be 3 when baby is here so I think a sit and stand will be perfect for her to have the option to get off and walk but still hitch a ride when she wants to.

bluejeanbabi05

Ok FTM stupid question here. Should I have a stroller purchased before delivery or is baby way too small at that point?

mommac2017

@bluejeanbabi05, the stroller we bought came with our car seat. So the car seat clicks into it so baby can use it right away. It also had a section that folded down into a bassinet. We used this a lot during the newborn stage so DS could sleep lying down when we went for walks. 

A lot of strollers use the car seat until baby is older and can use the toddler seat. 

beezeee

@bluejeanbabi05 i second @mommac2017 on this. We used our stroller with the car seat carrier ALL THE TIME when DD was a newborn. Definitely a must have right away in my opinion.

canonmom413

With DD 1 we had a graco travel system that I hated. It was so big and bulky. As soon as she was big enough to sit up, we bought a Maclaren umbrella stroller. With DD 2 we bought a sit n stand since DD1 was 3 and would like to sit down while out sometimes. We got rid of that when they were older and used the Maclaren with DD2. We also hav a Joovy jogging stroller. Now with baby #3 I just bought a Chicco bravo trio travel system. It's so light. It converts from a snap n go stroller ( car seat and bar on the stroller no seat) , to a lightweight stroller with seat and car seat attached if I wanted to, or just use the seat by itself. I  cant wait to use this one! 

mrs_fogue

@bluejeanbabi05 I'll third that, go for the system.  In fact register for that thing and maybe you will get lucky!  All of our hostess' went in together and bought ours for us.  And pick a jogger (the one with the one wheel in front.) It's so much easier to maneuver.  Especially in tight places like when shopping. 

canonmom413

@bluejeanbabi05 its a personal preference. I like having the ability to snap the car seat onto a set of wheels so I can stuff the diaper bag under it and stroll away while out and about . Here's the one we just got for baby #3 .... the convertible ability sold us. https://www.chiccoshop.com/gear/travel-systems/full-size/bravo-trio-system---polaris/04079095810070.html

bluejeanbabi05

@canonmom413 @mrs_fogue @beezeemarie @mommac2017 You're all so wonderful, thanks for enlightening me! Oh my gosh there are so many things to get, things I don't even know about yet! Lol.

mrs_fogue

@bluejeanbabi05 thank goodness you have 8 months to learn! 

riababy4

We did have the travel system one to start with but we changed to a non compatible seat not long after baby was born. We now have one from birth to 7 years. It grows with the child and I find it safer than the standard pram one. But just my preference.

buttercream_frosting

I love my Baby Jogger Citi Mini GT. Folds up with one move and is one of the lightest on the market. The only con is that the bottom basket doesn't fit that much because the seat is low.

kkerner87

Anyone getting a double? What age do you not need a double. DD will be just over 2 when LO gets here. Is it worth it to buy a double you think?

mommac2017

@kkerner87, DS will be almost 2.5 when LO arrives. I'm debating getting a sit to stand stroller. DH doesn't think we need it. But he rarely will be the one taking both kids out at once on his own!

purplestarz

@kkerner87 @mommac2017 food for thought...my DD is currently 2.5 and I feel like her stroller days are limited. She gets antsy after awhile and just wants to walk. All kids are different, but that's why I'm getting a (cheap) sit and stand for things like the zoo and bigger outings where I know she will want a break now and then. I would worry a standard double stroller wouldn't be worth it for long.

stefanirn06

purplestars said

My first thought on pushchair was it must be some sort of device to help during labor that I didn't know about.

Me too! My mom actually delivered my siblings and I on a 'birthing chair', basically a reclining chair with a hole in it. It took me a ridiculously long time to figure out she was talking about strollers!

allslee

Kimn99 said:

I love my Britax B ready! We have the second seat underneath. Seriously my favorite baby purchase. It's big, but not wide like a double stroller. Plenty of storage space even with two kids in it. 

This is what we are thinking of getting. We have the Britax B-Agile now, and love it. But obviously with 2 under 2, it isn't going to be very functional for us haha. That or we are looking at the Contours Options. A few people I know love it. 

mommac2017

@purplestars, that's my thought as well. I've been keeping my eye out for Used sit to stand strollers on some of my Facebook groups. Otherwise I'll be watching for sales! 

nalex420

We had the uppa baby vista for our 1st....we loved it because it comes with a bassinet and I walked with baby ever day from day 1 with her in it and now it becomes a double if we want it to

kkerner87

Yeah I was thinking of getting the baby trend sit and stand!

riababy4

I just had to google sit to stand strollers as I never heard of them before! Learned something new there!

dogperson11

We have a City Mini GT that I love. DD will be 3 when LO arrives. She still uses the stroller a lot for our walks around the neighborhood, but not often at the zoo. I'm considering getting a wagon instead of a double stroller. I figure I'll babywear a lot at first.

soprano19

I'm already looking at the system strollers where the carseat/carrier snaps in and out. H thinks that in addition to the stroller, we should also each have a carseat in our cars. His argument is that every time we take the carseat in or out of the car and on or off the stroller, there's a chance of not installing it correctly and putting baby's safety in jeopardy. I see where he's coming from, but is this a crazy idea?

dogperson11

soprano19 said:

I'm already looking at the system strollers where the carseat/carrier snaps in and out. H thinks that in addition to the stroller, we should also each have a carseat in our cars. His argument is that every time we take the carseat in or out of the car and on or off the stroller, there's a chance of not installing it correctly and putting baby's safety in jeopardy. I see where he's coming from, but is this a crazy idea?

Lots of people use 2 bases for infant seats.

kkerner87

Oh we have a wagon and love it! I cant wait until LO is old enough to fit in it and DD can share it with her brother or sister and not her baby dolls lol

Colada584

@soprano19 we did a base in each vehicle for the infant seat and when we switched to the convertible car seat we did end up getting one in each vehicle as well, just because it was easier and DD rode in both vehicles often. 

mommagonz

With my DS we purchased the Britax B-Agile and I loved it! The only thing I didn't like was that it was a little low, I'm pretty tall I guess haha but that was my only complaint! It was very easy to use, lightweight and over all a good stroller! At the moment I am stuck on the City Select but I am wanting to wait for May when the LUX will come out! It looks amazing and has so many options!  

PS: I was stuck on the Bugaboo Donkey forever but it's just way too much money for us! But it is gorgeous! 

mommac2017

@soprano19, I agree with your husband. If baby will be driving in both cars, just get 2 car seat bases for the bucket seat stage. Once they're in a convertible car seat, I would get one for each vehicle. 

Aside from the fact that installing and reinstalling car seats could be done incorrectly and put baby in jeopardy. They're just a HUGE pain in the butt to install!!!!! I HATE installing them. Maybe DH and I are just weak. But it takes all of our effort to get those things tight enough in our vehicle. He always has to do it. And it usually takes both of us. There's no way I would be willing/actually able to do that on my own on a regular basis. 

Plus in the grand scheme of things, and extra car seat base is not that expensive. I think we got ours for $70-80. So not unreasonable when it will save you so much time and energy!