Strollers - help

raqlima · February 2012

DH always wanted a jogging stroller to run in the nearby park with our baby. I definitely don't want to spend money on 2 strollers (regular and jogging). It seems, however, that most jogging stroller are now compatible with a baby car seat so that you can use the jogging stroller (although not to jog/run) from day 1. That is great. Doing my research I found out that the better the stroller is for jogging/hiking the less manueverability it'll have (for walking through tight aisles in a store, for instance). So, as I'm trying to figure out the right stroller for us, and because this is our first baby, I have some questions to the experienced moms out there.

When do you use your stroller the most? What are the day-to-day activities that requires you to use the stroller vs car seat without stroller vs baby carrier. For instance, transporting baby to and from daycare, doing groceries, visiting friends, going out to dinner, weekend activities, etc.

I'll have to drive to and from the daycare, supermarket, doctor's office, etc. But we live in a nice neighborhood that is walking distance to a nice park, church, restaurants, etc.

Also, please feel free to comment on your stroller and what you like about it or hate about it. Or any features that you find are a "must have" in a baby stroller.

TIA

speckledfrog · February 2012

I'd check out craigslist and see if they have the stroller you might be interested in there, particularly for a jogging stroller. I imagine a lot of people buy true jogging strollers with good intent but end up not using them that often.

goldenleaves · February 2012

I got a jogging stroller and I never jog. Seriously, if you see me running please call the police. Someone is chasing me.

But seriously, I do a ton of outdoor walking! We live in a great neighborhood with lots of parks and shops nearby. We spend a ton of time outside and I wish I would've had a jogging stroller for my first just because I feel like they maneuver well outdoors. I got a stroller with a lockable front wheel so it can swivel or not, depending on where you are and what you'd like.

kiarstin · February 2012

I posted about strollers the other day b/c I felt like I was ending up with an excess of strollers! I bought the BOB. I haven't used it with baby but its really easy to move around and we have the carseat adapter. I got the revolution and the wheel swivels with ease. My friends that have it say they use their bob for everything. I however only go grocery shopping once a week and do it with my husband so no stroller needed. I also don't live in an area where you would walk to a restaurant so that didn't factor in. Ultimately I decided on having the one bulking good stroller and for later I will also have a smaller umbrella stroller for easy use if I am out and about by myself. I run/walk and hike a lot, live in the desert and near the beach a good stroller was a must.

pinkshades05 · February 2012

We bought the baby jogger city mini and like a pp, I don't do a lot of jogging. But we do spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer (there are parks, zoos, and great neighborhoods for walking). What I liked about the city mini was how that it was less bulky than other joggers and easy to take out and put away. However, I would say go for something that you will be getting a lot of use out of. And like someone mentioned, you could look for a separate jogger on craigslist or something just for him to use if he wants.

KatelynEA90 · February 2012

Some of the jogging strollers have a feature where you can lock or unlock the front wheel. That way it works for both jogging and maneuvering.

shannm · February 2012

Of the things you listed, we only really used a stroller for weekend activities. For example, the mall, the zoo, festivals, museums, walks in the park and walks in the neighborhood. I never used the stroller for daycare, food stores, visiting friends or going out to dinner. In your situation, I would imagine you might want to walk to dinner but you don't want a huge stroller for that. Parking a stroller in a restaurant is a PITA. We did it once while vacationing in DC and luckily it was a folding stroller and they were able to tuck it away behind the bar.

I would not recommend an all-in-one. For park jogging, you really need stability and bulk. You don't want this for everyday errands. Parents who wheel their stroller SUVs into museums drive me nuts.

For errands, especially in crowded areas, for an infant seat, I would just buy a snap and go frame. Easy to maneuver, won't be in the way when you are in the mall or walking through the zoo on a Saturday afternoon. They run about 50 bucks but you could probably get one used on craigslist or ebay. When baby outgrows this, you can get a smaller umbrella type stroller. We have a Maclaren but you can spend less.

For jogging, there are a lot of good options. But only really spend money on this if your DH is truly planning on using it. You might be able to find a good one used for a lower cost. We have a Kelty jogger that we have used on park trails nearby, also for walks in our neighborhood because it rides nicely. But it is BIG and the wheels don't turn. Even when folded up, it can be a pain because it is awkward and we don't have a great place to store it. There are other brands out there that I would look into but it was on sale and has worked for us.

EMOmamma · February 2012

shannm:
I never used the stroller for daycare, food stores, visiting friends or going out to dinner.
For errands, especially in crowded areas, for an infant seat, I would just buy a snap and go frame. Easy to maneuver, won't be in the way when you are in the mall or walking through the zoo on a Saturday afternoon. They run about 50 bucks but you could probably get one used on craigslist or ebay. When baby outgrows this, you can get a smaller umbrella type stroller. We have a Maclaren but you can spend less.

This and this.

You can't really "jog" with a baby until they are about 6m anyway- they don't have the neck stability (I don't know about the infant seat attached to a stroller but it doesn't seen safe to me).

A snap-n-go is a great option to start. Then an umbrella for 6m+. Having 3 strollers isn't that bad when they really do different things and pack up quite small to store.

Also, consider using a carrier for errands, Ergo, Beco, Moby wrap, sling, there are a lot of options to find one that will work for you.

9/13/08 · February 2012

goldenleaves:
I got a jogging stroller and I never jog. Seriously, if you see me running please call the police. Someone is chasing me

Haha thanks for the laugh

lovvie · February 2012

We have a bob revolution with the swivel wheel. It locks into place if you want more stability for jogging, but I don't jog either. You have to buy the car seat adapter for the infant seat. We got ours on craigslist. I highly recommend it!

I have 2 other strollers that were given to me, but this is my everyday stroller choice because it is to easy to push.

plymouthmomma · February 2012

I purchased a Bob Revolution only with my first LO. Or I should say I registered for it. We didn't have a large house or space for more than one stroller and I did my research and asked around and it was the best one around. It is easily to use, fold up, and fit in my jeep. I bought the car seat adapter and it rocks. You can lock the wheel for jogging and I use it everywhere.

We are now on # 2 and have bought a double Bob. I kept the single as well just in case I only have one of them somewhere. I would recommend it very highly. We bought our double on Craigslist. Bought it for half the price...Just FYI

good luck

92405bride · February 2012

I have the Baby Jogger City Classic (now discontinued, but I think similar to another one they have - City Elite maybe?) - it's similar size-wise to a BOB. I also have a snap-n-go that I used for maybe the first 2 months, but never really used outside because I had a winter baby.

Especially as a working parent (I say that because just based on time alone, I didn't use the stroller as much as a stay at home parent would), I never used my stroller in stores - before she could sit up, I just used my Ergo to bring her places like Target or the grocery store, and then after that she was in the cart. We LOVE having a stroller that can navigate uneven city sidewalks super easily, and can go off sidewalks no problem. 95% of the time we've used our stroller has been outdoors, mostly just short walks around our neighborhood and to a local park.

The City Classic was the only stroller we really needed - I even think I could have gotten by without the snap n go too - although it was helpful for things like trips to the doc's office and a few mall walks I did over maternity leave.

heavenlyflower1 · February 2012

We have three strollers. The snap and go, the single BOB, and an umbrella stroller. We have gotten good use out of all three. But i love my BOB, we actually just bought the double BOB for when #2 arrives (the boys will be 16 months apart). I have used it for running, walking, and just shopping. Very easy to maneuver and can hold a lot if you are shopping. We also have taken it on many vacations to the beach, Disney, etc. Can't imagine not having it. Only downfall is that it is bulky.

Mrs.Teddy · February 2012

We have several strollers but our splurge was the baby jogger summit, we love it, it has an easy fold isn't too big when folded so it's fits in our car well, it can take an infant seat is a true jogger the front wheel can swivel or lock it holds up to a 65 lb child. We have used it for everything from jogging to walks go the zoo and the mall. We could have made do with just that for sure. Watch for sales the 2011 models will be clearing soon. The city mini is nice and we are considering the double but it's nit meant for true jogging.

Want a personalized experience?

Strollers - help

Re: Strollers - help

Choose Another Board

Search Boards