June 2011 Moms

Stroller v/s carrier?

This is a total newbie question, since I haven't really used either before.  I keep seeing strollers out there - pricey ones, ones designed to deal with city traffic, etc.  But I'm really attracted to the idea of using a baby carrier when taking LO out, provided my back is OK with it.

If you use carriers a lot, do you really need a super-fantastic stroller?  Or would you use it less?  For example, while shopping, wouldn't it be easier to have the little one in a sling (if you're not trying on clothes, which I rarely do in the store anyway) rather than schlep around a stroller?

I'd love to hear about people's experiences because I honestly don't know.

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Re: Stroller v/s carrier?

  • I don't have any experience, but right now we're planning on mostly wearing the baby. We will be getting something like a snap and go for the infant carrier, just in case the situation arises where a stroller would be nice.

    If we decide we need an actual stroller, I think the decision is best made after the baby's here anyway. I was reading the stroller section of Baby Bargains, and it really sounds like you need to know your family's needs and habits before you can know what is going to be the best stroller for you.

    So that's our plan! HTH.

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  • im planning on both - when going to ILs, restaurants, going for long walks at the park , etc... i will want the stroller (mainly for the infant carrier)

    When around the house, some shopping runs, places where im standing around alot - ill want the wearable carrier...

  • First off, I'm jealous of your mango!

    Second, after I ordered my stroller online last night, I started to ask myself if I would really need it at least the first 3-6 months. I'm sure the first month, we will only be going to Dr's appt and will have DH there to help me carry baby. The next few months after that, I feel like I might want to have the baby close to me in a carrier vs a stroller anyway. I'm thinking I might not need to use a stroller right away. I do think in the long run, we would need it especially when the baby gets bigger and heavier. I'm a pretty petite person, I've held 6 month old babys that were almost 1/2 of my size from also very petite moms even smaller than me. They vouch for a stroller but for the first 3-5 months, they preferred the Moby carrier.  

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  • I registered for a moby wrap and a baby bjorn...thats what DH feels he would be comfortable using...then we are registering for a jogger w the infant adapter. We are outdoorsy and not regular 'shoppers' ... other than groceries lol.  So I think we will be ok with hikes and walks with little one and then the wrap will work for a while. 2nd time Mommas on here have suggested an umbrella stroller for later on ...which is like 30-50 new! So since the jogger is so $$$ i am only going w that.  

    PLUS i cannot wait to carry baby in that MOBY...so snuggly!

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  • Thanks!  I love my little mango :)

    Good point re: height, I'm not super small but that's definitely something to think about.

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  • imageMelanieAdam0707:

    PLUS i cannot wait to carry baby in that MOBY...so snuggly!

    I totally agree!!  I was watching videos on how to wrap a moby the other day and it really, really made me want one.  The baby looked so snuggly in there!  I could see using it around the house, too, to keep the baby close and hands free.  I really hope carriers don't hurt my back because I think I'm going to love them.

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  • I have both. I wasn't able to do a lot of baby wearing right away because I had a c section and I was in significant discomfort. Since my ab muscles were weakened, my back took a lot of the load to compensate and it ended up pretty painful. Also, for the first 6 weeks I didn't feel comfortable wrapping my Mei Tai tightly enough around my waist... I used the stroller daily, tough because it was crucial to my recovery to go for short walks daily (just down the block) Also, where I live is super, duper hot and humid, so neither the Mei Tai or the Ergo felt cool enough to wear outdoors. I did wear the Mei Tai indoors, though. That's how I got a lot of chores done around the house when my baby was colicky.
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  • I truly believe you need both.

    There are times when carriers are much better: https://www.lucieslist.com/2-baby-carrier/

    and there are times when you really just want a stroller. Heck, you will use a stroller for years to come.

    If you want, get the carrier now and wait on the stroller until you see what your needs are... 

  • We have both a stroller and a carrier (actually two - an Ergo and the Moby wrap)

    I think it depends on the child - DS loves being carried!  

    I generally only use my stroller for running with DS (when I absolutely couldn't use a carrier).  Sometimes the stroller is nice if we'll be out for a long time (eg sightseeing with family in DC) and I don't want to carry both DS and a diaper bag.  But usually, DS would rather be walking on his own or in the carrier.  (I'll even put him in the carrier if he needs to nap but I have things to do around around the house like baking Christmas cookies or hanging up decorations.)

    The Moby wrap was much better for when he was a newborn.  Now that he's bigger we usually use the Ergo on our backs. Learning how to use the Moby took some practice, the Ergo just straps on like backpack. 

    HTH  :) 

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  • imageDuckDuckGoose123:

    Thanks!  I love my little mango :)

    Good point re: height, I'm not super small but that's definitely something to think about.

    I'm 5'1" and I'm still able to put DS in the Ergo on my back without problem (although I need some help loading him in there)  Also, I had a c/s and was able to use my Moby right away. Guess it just depends on what you're comfortable with  :)

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  • With DS I was given a traditiona sling, and kinda hated it. But when I got the Moby wrap, he was already like 3 months old, and I wish I had bought it sooner! Love, love love it. We have both a stroller...actually 2 and the Moby. I am a runner so a jogging stroller was a must. We were given a travel system with the car seat and stroller, and I gotta say we did not use it much. I love the jogging stroller cause it is way eaiser to manuver. But when going into the grocery store, I would use the Moby wrap, cause then I had 2 hands, and could comfort DS at the same time, and if he fell asleep I could tuck his head under and his head wouldn't be bobbing around.
  • I think we'll be using a combination of both.  I definitely want a moby wrap but I think, for instance, wearing a toddler around, for examply, Disney, for a day might get tiring and I think I might want the stroller for that :)
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  • Thanks for all of the opinions, ladies!  This is helping me figure out how much I want to invest in an amazing stroller or just an OK one.
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