This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... strollers!
Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.
For S+TMs:
For FTMs
To view past Product Spotlights or view the upcoming schedule, click this link.
(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)
Re: Product Spotlight Series: Strollers (w/o 3/12)
For S+TMs:
-It's relatively affordable
-The infant travel seat can be transferred from the car seat base to the stroller with one easy click.
-The stroller is under 21 lbs, has an awesome 1-second, 1-handed fold feature, and is very sturdy!
- Has the largest canopy shade I've seen on any stroller.
-Tons of storage space, cupholders, and a compartment to hold your phone, keys, etc
-Unlike jogging strollers with inflatable wheels, you'll never get a flat!
The only negative thing I can say about this stroller is that it doesn’t have a lot of shiny bells and whistles. I did have some stroller envy when I saw moms walking down the street with their $1000+ bugaboos. But ultimately, the graco was perfect for our family, and in hindsight, I would have felt pretty stupid spending that kind of money on something that will at some point be covered in poop/vomit and/or Goldfish cracker crumbs.
https://www.target.com/p/graco-174-aire3-click-connect-travel-system-snugride-click-connect-35-gotham/-/A-17235418?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9033351&gclid=CjwKCAjwypjVBRANEiwAJAxlIgk2_MlzQJetcZQ9nIH5YvuMislBxajCEqQ1YwnAbVGas0QEDC00mxoCbCIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I also got a beat-to-absolute-shit City Select on Craiglist and it works beautifully and has the bells and whistles--hand brake, giant basket, extendable handlebar for tall people (me), seat that can face toward you or out, and it can convert to a double. Will handle trails. I love this stroller, but new it is $$$. I got the adapter for a Graco infant car seat, and it has the same click-in tech as the Graco stroller that way. The only thing I don't like about the stroller is that it is heavy and doesn't fold one-handed, so that's a con if you're more suburban and will be loading it in and out of the car often.
As a FTM, I bought the Graco Verb Click Connect travel system. I got it during the Black Friday deals for $145. It was light enough for me (I've had 2 back surgeries, including fusing two lumbar vertebrae when I was 24) and easy to fold, unfold, and store in the trunk. After using MIL's stroller last weekend, I came to appreciate the cup holders for parents; it's now a must. Also, it has a latch that locks the stroller when folded but doubles as a handle to hang a few light bags off of.
Link
Currently, this is what I'm looking at for two. I like the different ways you can use it for various ages and you can use any Graco Click Connect bucket seat, so we can use DS's for #2. Drawbacks: I don't see cup holders in the pictures and it says it's 32 pounds. I'm hoping to go to Buy Buy Baby sometime to check out other strollers in person and maybe they'll have this one or a similar one. It's also in the $220 range, which is high for our income. Plus, I'm not sure if we'll be able to use this when #3 comes. We want 3-4 kids and relatively close in age, so I need a good double stroller that can accommodate DS1 as a kid plus #2 as a toddler and #3 as an infant if things go according to our plans.
Me: 33 DH: 38 Married: 1/10/15
1st Pregnancy EDD: 1/1/17 Born 1/10/17 Team Green turned Blue!
2nd Pregnancy EDD: 11/6/18 Born 11/09/18 Baby Boy!
3rd Pregnancy EDD: 12/?/21
Children are like casseroles; it takes a lot to mess them up.
Though I doubt a double stroller exists that weighs much less...unless it’s some carbon fiber contraption that costs ALL the money. It’s also 53” long when folded, so people with smaller vehicles may need to remove the sunshades and snack tray to make it fit. The snack tray with cup holder is removable. It’s not in the picture, but if you look at the product review video, it’s there.
Me: 33 DH: 38 Married: 1/10/15
1st Pregnancy EDD: 1/1/17 Born 1/10/17 Team Green turned Blue!
2nd Pregnancy EDD: 11/6/18 Born 11/09/18 Baby Boy!
3rd Pregnancy EDD: 12/?/21
Children are like casseroles; it takes a lot to mess them up.
(We transferred two embryos...)
Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
Check out my Infertility blog
Check out my Infertility Instagram
BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
Met with OBGYN in January 2016
Me: all clear, H: OAT
November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
January 2017: H tested again, High DNA fragmentation and stainability
February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo.
BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two!
Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel.
ER#2 ~Jan 2019
- Any lifestyle factors that could influence your picks: if you frequently walk/run this is my recommendation (we didn't get it until DS was 1.5, so I can't comment on the carseat attachment that would need to be purchased for younger/smaller babies in their bucket seat).
- Favorite [stroller]: BOB revolution flex jogging stroller
- Link/picture: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019EZD7Y2/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&th=1
- Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $380-450 (we got our black one when it was $50 off)
- What you like about it: It is SO easy to push and steer. It folds up in two quick steps and I can fit it in the trunk of my ford focus. It's awesome for our daily walks and frequent trips to the zoo where DS doesn't want to walk the entire time
- What you don't like about it, if anything: n/a - it's seriously amazing and worth the $$ IMO
- Is there a [stroller] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
- Is there a [stroller] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
- Additional thoughts on [strollers]?:
RE: regular strollers - we have the chicco cortina keyfit 30 travel system. I love the carseat, and the stroller is fine. It's a little bulky, so I plan on doing more research for smaller strollers that the carseat snaps into. I think it's the 4moms moxi stroller I've seen a few people have and it looks pretty neat but yikes at the price tag.Dx: PCOS
DS1 born 11/2014
DS2 born 11/2018
3 previous losses
Rainbow baby due 12/2021 - Team Green
Me: 33 DH: 38 Married: 1/10/15
1st Pregnancy EDD: 1/1/17 Born 1/10/17 Team Green turned Blue!
2nd Pregnancy EDD: 11/6/18 Born 11/09/18 Baby Boy!
3rd Pregnancy EDD: 12/?/21
Children are like casseroles; it takes a lot to mess them up.
DD1: 8/2014
TTC #2: 6/2017
BFP 8/3/2017 | CP 8/4
BFP 10/16/2017 | CP 10/21
BFP 12/18/2017 | CP 12/28
BFP 2/15/2018 | EDD: November 2nd | It's a girl!
DD2: 10/2018
our neighborhood. Trying to load it in the car would probably result in me harming myself. DD walks when we are out and about or I will wear DS and she will ride in the single bob. Also in a pinch, your older could perch on the little cover area over the front wheel. DD has sat there plenty of times when walking through the mall.
Favorite - We went with the Graco Modes click connect travel system.
Link : https://www.gracobaby.com/en-US/modes<sup>-trade;<-sup>-click-connect<sup>-trade;<-sup>-travel-system
What you like about it : I love that it reclines almost flat and I can turn the seat around to face me. When she was little, DD hated facing forward where I was out of sight so it kept her happy for more of the walk. It also folds one handed which is awesome.
What don't you like about it : at the moment? That it doesn't concert to a double. But I really have no complaints.
Stroller you don't have but are considering? : We're looking at the modes duo (Graco) but not sure if we really need a double or not.
@goldie987 That's a great point that since the baby will be born in November, we won't need a double right away anyways, so we'll definitely have time decide if it's a necessity for us.
DD1: 8/2014
TTC #2: 6/2017
BFP 8/3/2017 | CP 8/4
BFP 10/16/2017 | CP 10/21
BFP 12/18/2017 | CP 12/28
BFP 2/15/2018 | EDD: November 2nd | It's a girl!
DD2: 10/2018
ETA that the S&S options are also smaller than a full double so it wouldn't feel to awkward used as a single
DD1: 8/2014
TTC #2: 6/2017
BFP 8/3/2017 | CP 8/4
BFP 10/16/2017 | CP 10/21
BFP 12/18/2017 | CP 12/28
BFP 2/15/2018 | EDD: November 2nd | It's a girl!
DD2: 10/2018
L: 7/12/13
C: 5/11/15
E: 3/7/17
Due 11/10/18
https://m.toysrus.com/product?productId=69964016&cp=2255957.2273443.2256189.2256206&parentPage=family
I’m excited. My husband joked that now that I bought a stroller we’ll definitely have twins lol.
Two Furbabies: Mika (american eskimo) and Gypsy (wire-haired terrier, dachshund mix)
Twins: Kaiden and Zara born 10/2018 conceived after 6 years of infertility via a medicated IUI
DD1: 8/2014
TTC #2: 6/2017
BFP 8/3/2017 | CP 8/4
BFP 10/16/2017 | CP 10/21
BFP 12/18/2017 | CP 12/28
BFP 2/15/2018 | EDD: November 2nd | It's a girl!
DD2: 10/2018
Two Furbabies: Mika (american eskimo) and Gypsy (wire-haired terrier, dachshund mix)
Twins: Kaiden and Zara born 10/2018 conceived after 6 years of infertility via a medicated IUI
For S+TMs:
Any throughts on a traditional double versus a tandem stroller?
I am thinking of possibly a double citi mini
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Jogger-2016-City-Mini-GT-Double-Stroller-Teal-Gray/130096280?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228045451073&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=94361816570&wl4=pla-216585944450&wl5=9009565&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=130096280&wl13=&veh=sem
or something like
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Trend-Sit-N-Stand-Double-Stroller-Carbon/17689557
DD will have just turned three when new baby comes along. Any advice on double stollers in general or especially with a three year old that would be greatly appreciated!
I got mine on sale at albeebaby.com. saved almost $100.
I can comment on the carseat use. It held my Chicco infant seat just fine with the correct attachment. It even folds up with it still connected. (The attachment, not carseat)
If you need compact then the BOB is not for you. I also purchased a Chicco lightweight almost umbrella stroller that is compact and I kept it in my car. It holds a Chicco infant carseat also. It was perfect for shopping or quick trips. It has a basket on the bottom also.
We also purchased the UppaBaby g lite which is a very lightweight umbrella stroller. I don’t hate it, but we haven’t used it much. We always take our vista and probably haved used the light less then a dozen times. Not sure if it was worth purchasing a second stroller. It was nice when we traveled, but that’s really it.
My kids have never been super in to strollers, so I never got one for just general out and about stuff. Up until this baby, I've only had BOBs because I run a lot. I had the single for DD and loved it. Yes it is heavier, but it is SO easy to push. If I needed to take a stroller somewhere, it was pretty easy for me to use. I had the Peg Perego adapter for it and would snap the car seat into that.
DS mainly used the BOB single as well. I have a double that I use all the time for neighborhood runs. That stroller has not been out and about beyond using it for runs, walks, or pushing around to neighborhood functions. It is hefty and I would be terrified flying with such an expensive stroller packed in the cargo section of a plane.
This go round, I actually purchased a leisure stroller and carseat that snaps right in without an adapter. I was able to score a UppaBaby Vista set at my local BBB on insane deal. I got the UppaBaby infant seat to go with off of Amazon Warehouse deals. I'm hoping I can grab the Vista Kickboard so DD or DS can hang out on the back. I don't envision DS wanting to ride in it much. It is a really pretty stroller and will hopefully make life easier hauling around 3 kids. We will see.
I feel like my stroller collection is a little ridiculous, but I'm not getting rid of any. They all still serve a purpose.