strollers and carseat questions

CesEve99

so the only two big items on our registry would be the stroller and the car seat - everything else we practically already have this time around.

however, we're stuck on what to do.techinically, mady would be 2.5 yrs old and still gets tired after some time and sits in the stroller. so i would need a double stroller but i want a practical one, not a huge one. my dilemma is the new baby as an infant would most likely not fit comfortably in a double stroller. then i thought i would get a snap n' go just for the baby but what's the point of an infant car seat if it would be impossible for me to carry an infant in his/her car seat up my stairs plus hold mady's hand as we walk up the stairs. besides mady outgrew her infant seat by 6mths and i then had to buy a convertible, an extra cost i don't want to incur this time around. i'm just confused on what to do.

for those of you with two kids (about 2.5 yrs apart) what did you guys do? double stroller? snap n' go for the 1st few months? convertible car seat from the get go? if you could please show me also what you got, we're planning to go this saturday to test the items out.

i really need to start looking at my options.

cocojack10

Not sure if it exsists (tried searching quickly, and wasn't successful), but how about a snap-n-go w/ a small seat for Mady.  Since baby will only use that stroller for about 6-7 mo anyway, that will give Mady some time to begin adjusting to walking more often rather than relying on stroller... but giving her an option to rest if needed.

That's all I got.  GL!

allison8878

I don't have 2 kids YET, but I struggled with the same decisions. Quinn will be a little over 2 1/2 when the baby is born and still needs to be in a stroller so I decided to get the Baby Jogger City Mini double with the car seat adapter for baby 2. It is light and easy to fold. I am using Quinn's old Graco Snugride car seat for the baby as well. Once baby outgrows the infant car seat, I will probably have to buy another Britax convertible.

Good luck test driving this weekend :-)

CesEve99

cocojack10:

Not sure if it exsists (tried searching quickly, and wasn't successful), but how about a snap-n-go w/ a small seat for Mady.  Since baby will only use that stroller for about 6-7 mo anyway, that will give Mady some time to begin adjusting to walking more often rather than relying on stroller... but giving her an option to rest if needed.

That's all I got.  GL!

i thought of this too...but i don't like the option of mady just having a small seat...it looks like a stepping stool. jmo though...

CesEve99

allison8878:

I don't have 2 kids YET, but I struggled with the same decisions. Quinn will be a little over 2 1/2 when the baby is born and still needs to be in a stroller so I decided to get the Baby Jogger City Mini double with the car seat adapter for baby 2. It is light and easy to fold. I am using Quinn's old Graco Snugride car seat for the baby as well. Once baby outgrows the infant car seat, I will probably have to buy another Britax convertible.

Good luck test driving this weekend :-)

thx allison ill be sure to see that this wknd.

MrsJOSEnADRI

When I was looking at strollers, this was one of my dilemmas b/c we are mostly likely going to have more kids in the near future.  The one I was considering was the Baby Jogger City Select b/c you can make 20 different combinations with it, like a toddler seat facing away with an infant car seat facing you.  However, we decided to just focus on the one baby right now and went with the City Mini.  The City Mini double also gives you the option of adding an infant car seat on one side and having the toddler on the other side. 

cocojack10

CesEve99:

cocojack10:

Not sure if it exsists (tried searching quickly, and wasn't successful), but how about a snap-n-go w/ a small seat for Mady.  Since baby will only use that stroller for about 6-7 mo anyway, that will give Mady some time to begin adjusting to walking more often rather than relying on stroller... but giving her an option to rest if needed.

That's all I got.  GL!

i thought of this too...but i don't like the option of mady just having a small seat...it looks like a stepping stool. jmo though...

I'm not a huge fan of the option either, but threw it out there.  If she wants to nap, no space.  : (  With niece, SIL didn't need a double stroller (only for Disney which was a loaner) b/c niece was very mature and bahaved well outside stroller.  However, now w/ baby 3 on the way, she's getting the double b/c nephew isn't mature enough (and same age as niece when baby born)... so it really depends on child.

 

CesEve99

cocojack10:

CesEve99:

cocojack10:

Not sure if it exsists (tried searching quickly, and wasn't successful), but how about a snap-n-go w/ a small seat for Mady.  Since baby will only use that stroller for about 6-7 mo anyway, that will give Mady some time to begin adjusting to walking more often rather than relying on stroller... but giving her an option to rest if needed.

That's all I got.  GL!

i thought of this too...but i don't like the option of mady just having a small seat...it looks like a stepping stool. jmo though...

I'm not a huge fan of the option either, but threw it out there.  If she wants to nap, no space.  : (  With niece, SIL didn't need a double stroller (only for Disney which was a loaner) b/c niece was very mature and bahaved well outside stroller.  However, now w/ baby 3 on the way, she's getting the double b/c nephew isn't mature enough (and same age as niece when baby born)... so it really depends on child.

 

not only the no space issue for naptime but mady is the type of kid who loves to walk the mall/stores etc and sometimes i NEED to strap her in stroller so i dont run after her. with a small seat she can get up and off whenever she wants. im not worried about disney i can rent a stroller when i go with both kids (we dont plan on taking the new baby until he/she is past 1yr...just like mady).

CesEve99

no one like the maclarens or combi double strollers? they just seem so easy and practical. if someone has this stroller do infants fit in them?

cocojack10

CesEve99:

no one like the maclarens or combi double strollers? they just seem so easy and practical. if someone has this stroller do infants fit in them?

I believe the Maclaren double is "suitable from birth."  But an infant seat doesn't fit.

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3446840&moduleName=Brand+Name+Secondary

 

CesEve99

cocojack10:

CesEve99:

no one like the maclarens or combi double strollers? they just seem so easy and practical. if someone has this stroller do infants fit in them?

I believe the Maclaren double is "suitable from birth."  But an infant seat doesn't fit.

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3446840&moduleName=Brand+Name+Secondary

 

this is what im struggling with. get something practical like this and skip the infant seat...or get the infant seat and a bigger stroller. ughhh

allison8878

I think that Andrea (ahh, i forgot her screenname but it starts with ANJ) has the Maclaren double that she is using for Nicholas and Adrianna. She can probably give you the reasons she chose to go with that, rather than another one that an accomodate a car seat, so that you can get both sides ;-)

karenlisa714

I think that what I will do next time is get the City Mini.

I have seen people put newborns right in it as it reclines just about all the way down. They just put the newborn right down on a padded blanket and the babies look very comfy.

If not the City Mini, then I'd be getting another stroller, preferably something lightweight, that can accomodate a newborn. 

For a carseat I think I'd use my old one that Zachary used, and buy a new convertible car seat for when the baby outgrows it (Zachary outgrew his at 4mo!). That way I only have to buy one carseat. 

Mrs. Aleman

I think that one that Jen (British) has is great. It has the car seat and then once the baby outgrows that or you don't want to use the car seat you can just place him/her in the actual stroller. Also, Dawn has a Maclaren I think- and she loves it! We have the Sit and Stand which SUCKS and do not recommend. Waste of money and big for nothing! Also, I'm not too sure where you are going to do your research- but def. check out BBB. Their stroller selection is AMAZING and the staff actually know their stuff. Good Luck on your search!

ANJ410

I have the Maclaren Twin Triumph and think its a great stroller! It folds so small, almost as small as a single umbrella stroller. Its heavier than a single umbrella stroller, but not too heavy overall. And it steers really easily, even with one hand.

Originally, I didn"t think I was going to be able to use it until Adrianna was a bit older and could sit up, but the seats recline 3/4 of the way back and the straps can be adjusted to make them very tight, so I was able to start using it right away. She was 2 weeks old the first time I took it out.

I borrowed a snap n go from a friend to use with the infant carrier, but truthfully I mostly use the double. Now that I am used to taking Nicky in and out of his carseat into the stroller, the convenience of the infant carrier is not so important to me this time around. And in the hot weather it is so much more comfortable for her in the stroller.

The ONLY negatives about the Maclaren double are no trays and no cup holders. I love it though!!

melly&jimmy

CesEve99:

no one like the maclarens or combi double strollers? they just seem so easy and practical. if someone has this stroller do infants fit in them?

I am using the combi stroller side by side now for B&C.  We snap the Combi infant carrier into it.  It works out great.  It is light and folds into a golf bag size with a carry strap -- its pretty cool!  I went with this one b/c C is too young for a sit and stand.  B&C are 15 months apart.  We used the Joovy sit and stand for E&C who are three years apart.  I recommend either one. 

CesEve99

ANJ410:

I have the Maclaren Twin Triumph and think its a great stroller! It folds so small, almost as small as a single umbrella stroller. Its heavier than a single umbrella stroller, but not too heavy overall. And it steers really easily, even with one hand.

Originally, I didn"t think I was going to be able to use it until Adrianna was a bit older and could sit up, but the seats recline 3/4 of the way back and the straps can be adjusted to make them very tight, so I was able to start using it right away. She was 2 weeks old the first time I took it out.

I borrowed a snap n go from a friend to use with the infant carrier, but truthfully I mostly use the double. Now that I am used to taking Nicky in and out of his carseat into the stroller, the convenience of the infant carrier is not so important to me this time around. And in the hot weather it is so much more comfortable for her in the stroller.

The ONLY negatives about the Maclaren double are no trays and no cup holders. I love it though!!

so melly & andrea: would you recommend jumping right into a convertible car seat? you pretty much convinced me on the combi or the maclaren but what do you think about car seat? infant or convertible? i carry mady out of her car seat, so the idea of taking another baby out of car seat is not horribly bad. also, do you guys ALWAYS use stroller, meaning was it worth it? i plan to keep my single strollers too just in case im out with only 1 kid.

CesEve99

btw thank you all for educating me on double strollers and car seat options. i LOVE this board lol

melly&jimmy

I'm not sure what the convertible is so can't really speak to it.  I've only used an infant carrier for all three kids.  It is much easier to manage both children without the infant carrier - so I usually take B out and just carry him unless he is asleep.  I do use the double stroller often so think it is a good investment.  My Combi is gently used.  I do plan on getting a new one this summer b/c the one I have doesn't have a tray and the baskets are small.  But the newer Combi Sport has the tray and a bigger basket.

britishbride05

eve- sarah fit very comfortably in our double stroller.  it laid completely flat and i put a blanket underneath her to keep her warm, strappedher in, and the swaddled her up.  she slept really well!  now she sits in the stroller instead of the car seat.. she actually hates the infant car seat (surprising because abby loved it so much, she slept in it for 2 months lol)  We thought Sarah was goign to love it, so we bought the car seat adapter for the double... she refused to sit i the car seat, so we just returned the infant seat adapter lol