Thinking of NOT buying a stroller...

StarlitRN · January 2010

As soon as we got a BFP I started researching strollers like crazy and we had finally decided on the baby jogger city select. What sold us on it was how many options you have if you have a 2nd LO (and we want ours fairly close together). We were set to go buy it after our big u/s in 2 weeks...

But yesterday I was out with some family & friends and one of the ladies was baby-wearing (BW). I have always been interested in BW but didn't know much about it. She showed me how to tie her Moby & let me carry her LO around as much as I wanted. I fell in LOVE!

She was telling me that they have this amazing stroller that they have never used (LO is 7 months!). Hmmm......Now I'm thinking about not buying a stroller yet & try BWing for awhile! Once the kiddo gets bigger & active we could just get a cheap umbrella stroller.

Plus the fact that we will most likely be moving to Germany when LO is a month old makes this sound even better. We will be doing a LOT of traveling while we live overseas & BW sounds so much easier than traveling with a heavy stroller.

What do you think? Anyone else planning on BW? Are you getting a stroller? What do you plan on using it for?

MoniqueJW · January 2010

I'd go for it if that's what you want!

however, keep in mind that if you move to Germany you may not have a car & may use public transport - if that's the case you may want a stroller just to help getting groceries, etc.

StarlitRN · January 2010

Luckily where we will be getting a car will be easy (cars get passed around like crazy on overseas military bases!). That was actually one reason that we thought about holding off on a stroller as well.....our American car seat won't pass regulations there whatever car seat we buy in Germany won't work with the stroller we buy here! Aye this is going to be a headache!

BlondeBeachBride08 · January 2010

I'm planning to baby wear as well. I think we'll get a snap and go that we can snap the car seat into since it's only $40 but I'm debating whether to get the whole shebang stroller.

The one perk of getting it now, for me, is that someone else might help me pay for it. (I know, I know). But I doubt that someone will want to get the baby a nice stroller as a gift when s/he is 9 months old.

CD+AL · January 2010

Honestly, I probably didn't need to have my stroller right away, especially if I had gotten a really good carrier (as opposed to the regular Baby Bjorn or other similar carrier), b/c I did wear DS a TON early on. I still wore him a lot later on, but as he got heavier, it was tougher to wear him on really long shopping trips.

I don't have experience with umbrella strollers with my DS, but my niece's doesn't seem very comfortable if she's in it for very long. It kind of cuts her legs off behind her knees, and it can't be reclined at all if she gets sleepy. You might start researching them now to see if you can find one that is more comfortable before you decide on that plan for sure. While I do love the Chicco Courtina that we bought for DS, I do kind of wish that I had invested in a Phil & Ted's or something along those lines that could be expanded to a double instead of a single stroller as close in age as our DCs will be. It might have been more economical in the long run.

I will say that one of the things I'm really glad that I did do was get him used to shopping in his stroller fairly early on b/c now that he's a toddler he knows that when we go shopping that's his spot unless he's given special permission to walk (ex. a quick in and out of the store trip). This is soooo important for me b/c I have to do most of our shopping by myself except for big grocery shopping trips. I talk to my mom friends with toddlers about his age or slightly older, and they're amazed at what I can accomplish with DS in the stroller b/c their DCs want to be down walking and into everything, which can be pretty tough if you're by yourself.

A stroller diaper change is also a really great option over using nasty public bathroom changers. I changed him in the car a lot too, but there are times when it's too cold, too creepy to be out in a dark parking lot alone with him or we don't have the car handy to use the car as a cleaner option.

I guess my basic advice is that I'd be open to using both options from fairly early on, but definitely invest in a really nice carrier. I love my Angelpak (APLX), and I found a pretty good deal on mine at frogmama dot com. I think you could easily get by with waiting until you move to get your stroller though. With DC2, I plan to use a similar combo (BW + stroller) approach when we're out and about, but I'll probably mostly wear her for the first couple of months. From there, I'll mix it up a bit more.

MoniqueJW · January 2010

StarlitRN:
Luckily where we will be getting a car will be easy (cars get passed around like crazy on overseas military bases!). That was actually one reason that we thought about holding off on a stroller as well.....our American car seat won't pass regulations there whatever car seat we buy in Germany won't work with the stroller we buy here! Aye this is going to be a headache!

ah that's good:) well you may as well just not get one now then & see how you go! you could always get one later

MrsRebecca · January 2010

Go for it! If you find you need/want a stroller you can always purchase when when you're ready.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · January 2010

If that's what you want...just be aware that not all babies like being in a sling or wrap.

Court0026 · January 2010

Ivana.Stolichnaya:
If that's what you want...just be aware that not all babies like being in a sling or wrap.

This. And some babies hate strollers too! I was constantly carrying my DS around and pushing the stroller.

BFab11 · January 2010

One of the main reasons I'm getting a stroller (as part of my travel system) is so when LO is asleep in the carseat I can just put the whole carseat in the stroller and go. Also, going shopping at the mall or something like that would be hard to BW the whole time because you'd have LO and whatever bags you were carrying. With a stroller you can set LO in there, put your bags in, put your drink in, whatever and it makes it so you're not carrying EVERYTHING all the time.

I plan to BW when I can, but there are times when I'll want a stroller. I can't imagine that I'll be ok with carrying baby, the diaper bag, and whatever else I need to be toting around all the time. And I won't want to take LO out of the carseat to tie them on if they're sleeping.

JMO, but I plan on using both.

juliane2004 · January 2010

Ivana.Stolichnaya:
If that's what you want...just be aware that not all babies like being in a sling or wrap.

This is definitely true. AND some babies like the sling, but HATE a wrap, or like the Baby Bjorn but HATE slings, etc.

All you can do is be flexible. Try the BW-ing, but if it doesnt work, you may need to then buy a stroller.

teamsweet · January 2010

We're not buying one for a few months after LO arrives either. We'll BW and if it doesn't go well, then we'll have to buy one.

We aren't mall shoppers - we do a weekly trip to the grocery store and that's it. I figure one of us can BW and the other can carry bags. We also have car so it makes things easier.

Besides, I think walking the dogs will be easier at first if I'm BW - especially for the first few months.

JhawkCE · January 2010

BW hurts my back after a while, but I guess if you do it every day you would get used to it. We used the stroller for walks mostly and for trips when the kid is already asleep, you can just click the seat on the stroller instead of poking the bear by taking them out.

earthycrunchymama · January 2010

I'm in a wheelchair and will be babywearing rather than pushing me + a stroller. I know people that did a stroller by wheelchair but my neighborhood is FAR from flat! Tongue Tied

I'm still debating on getting a stroller system for my partner. the only reason I would spend a lot is if it was also a carseat. (right now, I'm contemplating the Orbit Baby). Otherwise, I'm leaning towards getting a good umbrella stroller.

mommyrenee · January 2010

I prefer baby wearing as well, but there does become a point where its a PITA (when the baby gets heavy). Those first 6 mos or so, we transported him in the carseat (especially if he was asleep) or I wore him.

I think you can definitely get away with it for a few months.

mrsjenni · January 2010

You will need a stroller. Your friend is in the minority. Some babies don't even like the different slings, etc... not to mention that are you really going to want to wear a baby around the mall for a few hours? Lastly, what do you plan to use when your baby is a bit older 10+ months. If you like the Baby Jogger now, I highly doubt you'll settle for a "cheap umbrella" when your baby is older. It's worth the money, trust me!

My son weighed 25lbs at 5 months... I doubt you'd want to wear him around

CaitlinJ22 · January 2010

mrs.jenni:
My son weighed 25lbs at 5 months... I doubt you'd want to wear him around

my goodness! Ds is 22 lb now! thats a big baby

CaitlinJ22 · January 2010

OP- try the attachment parenting board and ask them some ?'s.

Dec31stBride · January 2010

Moving to Germany a month after LO comes is a good reason to hold off on buying a stroller. That said, keep an open mind beyond the month.

I wore DS around the house for a few weeks so I could get stuff done (like eating and cooking), but he did get heavy quickly...the stroller and infant carrier is a dream if you want to do thinks like take long walks, go out to dinner, etc..

SarahMay77 · January 2010

We didn't buy a stroller until DD was 6 months old, and we haven't used it much. We live in a cold climate, and DD was born in mid-November. I used my Moby Wrap around the house and sometimes at stores when DD was young. We also just put her infant carrier in the carts at stores.

You definitely don't NEED a stroller the first month, so I'd wait until after you move.

canamama · January 2010

We hardly used our stroller at all the first time. I carried LO in a bjorn or a back pack most of the time. When we had our second we bought a ride on/stroller and used it quite a bit at the mall or airports. Neither of our kids ever wanted to be in a stroller - they always preferred to be held/carried and we were okay with that.

This time I am going to invest in a jogger though since I have taken up running and my two oldest will be in school during the day so I should get a lot of use out of it.

magdalina.h · January 2010

I have a stroller and plan on BW.

blushado · January 2010

I wore my first baby often but the stroller was also helpful, especially if you get one that fits with your carseat. There were many times that she'd be asleep in her carseat, and I'd just move her to the stroller without waking her. As she got older and more alert, I could wear her more but there comes a time when they are just not happy dangling in front of your body. Plus, depending on how big your baby is, it can be quite a strain on your back. Now, having a two year old, I cannot imagine not having a stroller...

mrsjenni · January 2010

CaitlinJ22:
mrs.jenni:
My son weighed 25lbs at 5 months... I doubt you'd want to wear him around
my goodness! Ds is 22 lb now! thats a big baby

In his defense, he started out at 9.5lbs born at 38w He was 15lbs at 7 weeks old! I make monster babies, I guess

georgia_peachy · January 2010

We're going to babywear, but we're still going to have a stroller. There will be times when I will want it even if I'm wearing DD 98% of the time.

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