Who is not getting a double stroller?

SweetPeanis · March 2010

My kiddos will be 21 months apart but I really don't want to buy a double stroller. The single stroller that we got is in almost new condition since we haven't used it much and I think getting a double would be a waste of money for us. I plan on using my Ergo and wearing whichever baby isn't in the stroller.

Does this seem insane? I just don't want to spend the money on something that I might not use.

moonfaerie · March 2010

I haven't given too much thought to it yet, but I too think I'd rather wear the baby and put L in a stroller for long-walking trips. For short trips I hope L is capable of walking by herself. (Moms with 14 month+ kids, am I expecting too much to expect her to walk during short trips to the store, etc. when the baby arrives?)

SweetPeanis · March 2010

DD is 14 months right now and very into walking on her own. The only hard part is getting her to hold onto my hand...but around that age they are very independent so short trips would probably be ok. I normally let DD walk into the store on her own (unless I'm in a hurry) and she loves it.

agmaso · March 2010

moonfaerie:
I haven't given too much thought to it yet, but I too think I'd rather wear the baby and put L in a stroller for long-walking trips. For short trips I hope L is capable of walking by herself. (Moms with 14 month+ kids, am I expecting too much to expect her to walk during short trips to the store, etc. when the baby arrives?)

Mine are 15 months apart and even though my toddler listens pretty well and holds my hand, i would not want her out of the stroller even for short trips. If I'm going to the store, I don't want to have to worry about where she is.

I do use my snap-n-go and DD walks when we go to the Dr and other enclosed environments and that works just fine for us.

To the OP, yes it's doable not having a double but it just depends where you live and your lifestyle. My baby was born in Nov at the beginning of a harsh winter in WI... there's no way I could have used a baby carrier on her. With wind chill of -20, the carseat stayed completely covered up with a blanket on the double and also, my toddler hat to be sitting down so we could get where we were going faster.

Also, as I said before, when you go to places like the mall, fair etc... you really don't want to be chasing a toddler... no matter how well they listen, there will be distractions and you want to enjoy yourself, not keep your eyes fixed on your child.

Obviously, that is assuming you're alone. If DH or my Mom come along, I'm fine taking the single because there's an extra set of hand but given how young they whatever makes life easier for me is totally worth the price.

If you're into long walks outdoor you will also appreciate a double so the toddler can rest if she wants too. A jogging stroller is also fine for indoor trips like the mall so you could get away with just one

agmaso · March 2010

I should also add that it's fine waiting until after your child is born to buy a double so you figure out what kind you really need.

But again, it all depends on your lifestyle... not having a double works for some families.

brideatbeach · March 2010

We are not getting a double stroller. I MAY get one when dd #2 is old enough to be in a umbrella stroller but I think by that time dd will want nothing to do with a stroller. She would just rather walk. So as of right now dc 2 will be in a sling or travel system/carrier and dd can either walk or be in her umbrella stroller. I don't plan on venturing out much on my own in the beginning can ya tell? lol...

tommygirl03 · March 2010

My DDs are going to be 27 mo apart, but I just want to mention one thing. DD1 didn't start walking until she was close to 15mo. So if they were that close in age, there's no way she could have been left to walk around a store or whatever. We've just started leaving the stroller behind when she was about 20 or so months. Even now, she sometimes still wants to ride.

We just got a Phil & Ted's - I like that I can use it as a single or double, and it's not that huge. I researched like crazy about what kind of stroller I wanted (I knew I didn't want a full-size double, though).

Good luck with whatever you decide. I just wanted to share some of our experiences. Also, we take DD for long neighborhood walks (1.5 miles), so I couldn't expect her to walk for that.

Jerseygirl16 · March 2010

Us! Each of my kids are 21 months apart. We bought a double stroller with #2 and used it twice. They are so big feeling. This time we didn't even try and bought a small snap and go to used for the baby. Kids can walk on their own by the time they are 21 months so there really is no need for a double. Now my 3 1/2 and 23 month olds walk together while I push my 3 month old DS.

firsttogo · March 2010

We use ours enough to justify the purchase. Even though DS1 is independent enough, it is nice to be able to strap him in like while at the Dr. It is doable to have one on you and one in the stroller, but I like being able to get stuff done like I can when they both are in the stroller. Plus, when we do things like the zoo, ds1 may walk most of the time, but he does get tired. Also, we have a lot more crap to drag around with two, and soon three, so the double stroller helps with that.

bacala1 · March 2010

Jerseygirl16:
Kids can walk on their own by the time they are 21 months so there really is no need for a double. Now my 3 1/2 and 23 month olds walk together while I push my 3 month old DS.

I completely disagree. My son runs on his own and wont hold my hand. I think it is dangerous. I guess it depends on your child and lifestyle but I feel safer knowing that both of my children are safe in a stroller when I go out with them on my own. We go for very long walks and I couldn't imagine my 2 or even 3 year old walking all that way!

bacala1 · March 2010

I also wanted to add I wouldn't invest in an expensive one unless you plan to have more children or walk everywhere. Thjat way you won't feel bad if they out grow it quickly. There are alot of decent ones for $200

Telyco · March 2010

We bought a graco quattro tour duo (through Bed Bath and Beyond online - and then I brought receipt in with 20% coupon to get over $50 back) and I think it is TOTALLY worth it!! We waited to see if we would need one. But in your case especially - you aren't going to take the baby in and out of the carseat in the winter...to me, that is a logistical nightmare. We've got DD all snuggled in - and if she falls asleep while we're out...no biggie.

We also do a ton of walking - and walk to the market to get things for dinner.

I would sell your nice single - buy a $20 umbrella single (just in case you only take one out) and a double.

SweetPeanis · March 2010

That's why I have the Ergo. I won't need to take the infant out of her carseat, I'll put her in the regular stroller and put the toddler in the Ergo. (Yes you can carry a toddler in there no problem..I ahad my 35lb 3 year old niece on my back for over an hour and it was not an issue.)

niki81 · March 2010

Just wanted to say that we bought a Combi double at a very reasonable price. It's not the best in quality, but it does the job, and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it. Right now, I stay home with my little ones, so I take them to the mall quite often; I always use the double. DH and I also use it for walks and to go elsewhere. It's been very useful for our lifestyle. There were a few times when I carried my youngest in the Baby Bjorn and pushed a stroller, but I always found that to be cumbersome (especially when she got heavier).

earthboundmisfit · March 2010

Nope. DD is already fighting to be out of hers and walk instead. I don't really feel that at 2 years old [when #2 comes] that she'll be too interested in it. Plus it will be almost november and probably snowing here already so it's not like we'll be going out a lot. DH works from home so I don't don't/won't be going anywhere with 2 kids without him! I think we're buying a moby and then later an ergo and calling it good

babypuplove · March 2010

moonfaerie:
I haven't given too much thought to it yet, but I too think I'd rather wear the baby and put L in a stroller for long-walking trips. For short trips I hope L is capable of walking by herself. (Moms with 14 month+ kids, am I expecting too much to expect her to walk during short trips to the store, etc. when the baby arrives?)

DD is 14 months old and just started really walking two days ago. She is still very much a stroller/carrier baby when we're on walks and in public. DC #2 will be here in July (DD will be 18 months), and I just ordered our double stroller yesterday. I would like to have the option of using it with both if I want to. If it makes a difference, I'm a SAHM, and we go on a LOT of walks, so it may make more sense for us.

babypuplove · March 2010

Also, we bought the Phil & Ted Sport with doubles kit, so it can be used as a single or double (it literally takes a few seconds to add or remove the double seat). We haven't received it yet, but I did a ton of research and have seen it in person, so I know we're going to love it! And I agree with pp who mentioned lengthy outings to the zoo, fair, mall, etc. If we go to the Cherry Blossom Festival next weekend, we'll definitely use the stroller. DD will be able to get out and walk around a little, and then sit and rest while we walk a few miles.

eaglesfan700 · March 2010

Mine are 16 months apart and we definitely needed our double and still use it every day.

Kids can walk at 21 months but that doesn't mean they will. There is no way my 2y/o could be trusted to walk with me in a store or something. Even when I only have him, it is tough.

When we are out at the park, children's museum, aquarium etc, I often put #2 in a carrier and let #1 run around. But sometimes I need to have #1 in the stroller whether he likes it or not.

Some people make it work, but in our situation I would not be able to survive without my double. I should mention that I am a SAHM - maybe if I wasn't and was mostly out with them on weekends with my H it would be different

queenie521 · March 2010

moonfaerie:
(Moms with 14 month+ kids, am I expecting too much to expect her to walk during short trips to the store, etc. when the baby arrives?)

Some kids are not even walking at 14 months, so yes, I think that is a lot to expect.

ctana · March 2010

Given that walking still may be fairly new at 14 months (if even walking at 14 months) - do you really want to deal with them walking in the opposite direction from you and therefore putting themselves in a dangerous situation (cars, lost in mall or store, whatever) while you are focusing on a newborn?

I am due in Nov and my DS will be 14.5 months so I have NO idea what he'll be doing at that point, but I'm not taking any chances. The only way I know I'll be able to definitely get where I need to go safely and quickly is with a double stroller. We bought a Maclaren Twin Techno, which because of the recline, I'll be able to use flat for a newborn. Sure there will be times when I can have DS in a single stroller and the newborn in a carrier of some kind, but I am not going to commit to always doing that. It is important to me to have options.

Want a personalized experience?

Who is not getting a double stroller?

Re: Who is not getting a double stroller?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards