Do I REALLY need a double stroller?

MsShib

I have a one-yr-old and a baby due in 2 weeks.

We bought the Britax b Ready and decided to sell it because it is way too bulky, heavy, and once you put the two seats in, it is impossible to put our diaper bag underneath.

So then I considered the BJ City Select, but after the responses to my previous post and the reviews on Amazon, it seems like it is indeed an unstable set up for two kids when using my own car seat (a Graco Snugride).

So now I am thinking: Do I REALLY need a double stroller?? A big, heavy contraption to carry my two little babies that costs over $500? Can I get away with carrying my newborn in a Moby wrap and eventually a Bjorn and my one-yr-old in the stroller she already has?

I guess the answer would be - well, it depends on how much you use the stroller and where you go with it. True. But do you have any other thoughts? Perhaps any other stroller recommendations?

 

kcisthebombdotcom

YES. Get a double stroller. I wrote a post on this a few weeks ago, and while wearing the baby in a carrier works, it is NOT fun when it is hot out. Even if you just get something on CL used for cheap, you need something, especially with a 1 year gap.

I paid less than $200 for my double and love it. It's the combi twin sport and sold at BRU. I also have the graco carseat and it fits perfect.

Raffes484

With only a one year age difference I would definitely get a double. In theory, wearing #2 sounds good, but some babies don't enjoy being worn. We have the Baby Jogger City Mini Double it is less than 25lbs and there is a car seat adapter available, although I just put DS right into the stroller from the beginning.

MsShib

Raffes484:

With only a one year age difference I would definitely get a double. In theory, wearing #2 sounds good, but some babies don't enjoy being worn. We have the Baby Jogger City Mini Double it is less than 25lbs and there is a car seat adapter available, although I just put DS right into the stroller from the beginning.

The complaints I hear about the BJ City Mini Double is that there is barely any room to put the diaper bag underneath because of the bar that runs across the bottom. How does it work for you? 

Bran_ham

I scored a graco duoglider stroller on clearance. We figure we'd try it, if we hated it, we weren't out much money. So far it's been nice but it's bulky. Using the infant seat in the stroller makes accessing the under storage area impossible. It will be especially useful when I'm out and about on my own with both kids. Yes in theory I could wear the infant but I hate to mess with her when she's asleep in her car seat.

kcisthebombdotcom

MsShib:

Raffes484:

With only a one year age difference I would definitely get a double. In theory, wearing #2 sounds good, but some babies don't enjoy being worn. We have the Baby Jogger City Mini Double it is less than 25lbs and there is a car seat adapter available, although I just put DS right into the stroller from the beginning.

The complaints I hear about the BJ City Mini Double is that there is barely any room to put the diaper bag underneath because of the bar that runs across the bottom. How does it work for you? 

My double doesnt have much storage space either but there are so many ways to get around it.

You can buy something that attaches to the carseat at BRU that provides additional storage.

We have a small diaper bag that we keep extra diapers/wipes/bibs/etc that fits perfectly. In our stroller (combi twin sport), there is extra storage near the top of the stroller directly behind the seats where we can store a bottle for teh baby, a water bottle for me, and snacks for the kids perfectly.

It is really easy to make it work with a stroller with little storage.

Raffes484

MsShib:

Raffes484:

With only a one year age difference I would definitely get a double. In theory, wearing #2 sounds good, but some babies don't enjoy being worn. We have the Baby Jogger City Mini Double it is less than 25lbs and there is a car seat adapter available, although I just put DS right into the stroller from the beginning.

The complaints I hear about the BJ City Mini Double is that there is barely any room to put the diaper bag underneath because of the bar that runs across the bottom. How does it work for you? 

It's true, the storage space is difficult to access. I just hang my diaper bag from the handle bar. It says not to, but I've never had a tipping issue. The bottom basket works better for small bags or coats, I think.

Mrs.Christie

How long do you plan to use the graco infant seat anyway? If that's your main concern with the BJCS then I'd either get a different infant seat or just deal with it for the short amount of time it's used. With kids ~12 mo apart I think you'll be needing a double stroller for a while and the BJCS is great IMO. Why don't you order the stroller & adaptor from somewhere with free returns, like diapers.com, and try out your infant seat first to see if it's really as problematic as you think.

MammaBear81

Mrs.Christie:

How long do you plan to use the graco infant seat anyway? If that's your main concern with the BJCS then I'd either get a different infant seat or just deal with it for the short amount of time it's used. With kids ~12 mo apart I think you'll be needing a double stroller for a while and the BJCS is great IMO. Why don't you order the stroller & adaptor from somewhere with free returns, like diapers.com, and try out your infant seat first to see if it's really as problematic as you think.

 This!

snapplegirl

I personally love mine and wouldn't be able to function well without them. But then, my husband and I love to take long walks around the neighborhood (which is when our double jogger comes in handy) and I'm a SAHM who takes the kids to places like the zoo every day (which is when the Sit N Stand is useful).

At the end of an outing, if my older son is tired and cranky (which is often), it's nice to be able to tell him to just hop onto the stroller. So, yeah it depends a lot on your lifestyle. Why not just wait and see and get one if you think it will fill a need for you?

smo522

Honestly, I love my double stroller. I couldn't imagine doing things without it.  In the very beginning I used my wrap & ds rode in the stroller. But sometimes it just wasnt possible to keep my littlest in the wrap.  For example when I wanted to try something on.  Plus it's nice being able to just move the carseat to the stroller without waking her up.

We have the new Kolcraft Contours Optima & love it.

thaira

I have the BJCS...and cant imagine my life without it! I take it everywhere...even into McDonalds.  DD1 loves to sit in it and I dont ever have to carry anything!!!

Sure you can plan on wearing DC2, but I wouldnt want to have to risk waking my child to wear them. 

trinny

We did fine without one.  BUT we work full time and are rarely out with both of them by myself and mine are 17 months apart (not 12).  Wearing a newborn is fine, but once your LO hits 20 lbs, it gets harder!  I actually considered getting one last month, but just decided to push through-- if I had it from Day 1, I'd definitely be happy I had it, but I didn't want to spend the $$ when DD probably would outgrow it by next year.

We ended up getting a wagon, which they both love.  DS even napped in it this weekend!

I think you'll be happy you have one-- I covet the BJ city mini, since the 2010 is discounted now.

 

MsShib

Well, we can't seem to find any buyers for our Britax B Ready, and after considering the alternatives, the only one we seem to like is the BJCS, but it would cost us an extra $200 and is most likely as heavy as the Britax... so I guess we're going to keep it and I'll just develop some very strong muscles getting it in and out of our car...! (I'm only 5' feet and weighed 110 before pregnancy, so I look kind of funny pushing such a huge stroller!)

Kimmy683

Mine will be 23 months apart and I have the B-ready.  It has the zipper in front to get to the storage compartment and I really love the stroller even though it is heavy. I plan on getting the Pickle bottom backpack diaper bag to either wear or put on the stroller.  I am 5'1 and around 100 lbs before pregnancy and have traveled alone with the B-Ready.  The pros outweigh the cons....I'd make it work if I were you!