Do you NEED a double stroller?

blueandgray · August 2012

Our bfp last week was a bit of a surprise, and now expecting our second when our first is 20 months. I recognize this is premature, but I hate the overload of baby gear as it is, and I already have 3 strollers (Snap n go, a jogging stroller, and now a small umbrella stroller since the SnG is in storage). Will I really need a double? I work FT and dd is in daycare now, and both will be once I go back to work.

Can I get by with baby-wearing the little one, while pushing dd in the umbrella stroller for the few times I need to take them both somewhere? If its a weekend family outing, I'd be with MH so we could both push strollers.

Thoughts?

HLDJMS711 · August 2012

My boys are 20 months apart. DS2 is 3 weeks old. We just went to the zoo this weekend and pushed two strollers. It was a nightmare. Yesterday I took them to the mall, wearing DS2 in the Moby and pushing DS1 in the stroller. I would have much preferred to push them both. We are definitely ordering a double.

MammaBear81 · August 2012

There are many posts below about this, but I'll try to sum it up. A double isn't NEEDED, but it's more convenient for some people. I am out by myself a lot, so having two people push two strollers isn't an option, and I have back issues, so carrying LO (on my front) for long periods of time is out for me too. I LOVE my double and get tons of use from it, but there are a others that prefer to stick to the single and babywear, or have the older one learn to walk with the stroller.

It all boils down to your specific needs- the positive, if you decide you want a double you have a lot of time to scout craigs list for an awesome find!

jf198400 · August 2012

I think you do Need a double stroller. If you and your DH go on an outing with 2 strollers, what happens when the toddler decides they don't want to ride in the stroller. Then one of you has to push the stroller while chasing the toddler, or else one person has to push 2 strollers- ugh not a good situation. There have been times I'll go out with the baby in the ergo, which works nicely until my toddler gets upset/jealous/whatever and wants "Mommy carry me"- yea doesn't work too well if you are already carrying the baby. Personally I think its worth it to get a double. That said I highly recommend keeping your single as well.

sosoph · August 2012

I was like you - and no way was I getting 3 doubles ... so I thought about which one I used the most and situations where I would need to keep two kids safely contained. That's the one I got a double of.

KacieLeigh · August 2012

We made it without a double stroller with our girls (15mo apart.) DD1 preferred to walk at that age and we just took a little umbrella stroller for her in case she changed her mind. When I found out we were having 3u3, I gave in and got the double - because THAT would've been a nightmare.

ETA: I agree with pp, though. I think it depends on how much you're going to be getting out and doing things that require a stroller. We don't do a whole lot of shopping and "strolling" so we wouldn't have gotten a TON of use out of it. I wore DD2 a lot, as well. Since getting the double with 3u3, I can see where it would've been nice to have it with the girls.

memali26 · August 2012

Do I need a double? Yes, I do. For my sanity and my kids' safety.

Do YOU need a double? Won't know until you try without

Honestly, I thought I could do it without a double. My girls are 19 months apart and I thought I could wear the baby and push a single or put the baby in the single and let DD1 walk. Then when DD2 was 10 days old we had an unexpected trip to the doctor and pharmacy and trying to juggle an infant and keep my toddler from running off was impossible. I ordered a double that night and have loved having it. I do use the single fairly often, sometimes when we go on walks DD1 will be on her little push tricycle and DD2 in the single, so I'm glad I kept it, but I love my double.

hmt7 · August 2012

When my husband and I are together......no. When I am alone....yes!!! I also have a 3 year old that would rather be pushed than walk. I recently flew with them by myself and I could NOT have done it without one. We are going to Disney in December and I know it will be great. Now with another one coming I feel that it is essential!! I have the sit-n-stand and LOVE it. I waited until I had a 20% off to Babie r us and I think it was about $140.00. I use the sit part now for my older one, but when the newest one comes, she will have to start walking!

Irisheyes1247 · August 2012

DH and I are usually NOT together on outings - we work opposite times so we can forgo daycare. I tried to go without a double. Most of our outings are grocery shopping, or to Target or BRU and they have carts, so we wouldn't need it there. But when DD2 was born, we made the switch to me working PT and us working opposite shifts and I realized that (for ME) if I ever wanted to feel comfortable getting out of the house, I needed the double. We had more time to fill, I wanted to be able to take DD1 places (on a walk, to the park, to the mall, etc) and I needed a safe place to have them both contained without having to fight with the toddler to hold my hand or try and get the baby to stop squirming. I like the concept of babywearing, but I still haven't found a carrier I love that works well for us and leaves me with the free hands I need to watch after a toddler. So again, (for me) it was imperative.

Kaiterz · August 2012

Mine are about 20 months apart and we wouldn't have been able to survive w/o the double.

babe21 · August 2012

I am gonna have a newborn and a 2 year old. We will because me stay home mommy...it will come in handy. What kind did you all get? there's so many to choose from. Help me find the best one.

JennaNAaron · August 2012

I'm in the minority. So far I hate the double stroller (we did buy one). It's hard to manuever and really hard for me to get in and out of the trunk of my car. Older LO screams and cries when he's in the stroller if it's not moving, so honestly I prefer to just let him walk and carry the baby in her baby carrier. We'll see if my feelings change as LO #2 gets older though.

GHBEA · August 2012

I will be getting one, my girls will be 20 months apart. Even though I baby wear for the NB phase we will still get a double stroller for the car and a jogger for at home. I prefer the side by side over the front to back ones.

megann831 · August 2012

I almost didn't because when I got pregnant DD wanted nothing to do with the stroller. We got her a leap pad for her 2nd birthday (they are 26 months apart) and she can watch lots of nickelodean shows on it, so that keeps her very busy in the stroller, the only time she gets it. I actually use my double more even more than I used a single. Primarily I use the stroller for outside walks and some runs(my main stroller, single and double, has been a jogger) but now I find I use it at the mall alot more because I just can't carry or chase around DD as easily anymore.

delg23 · August 2012

I think it is a necessity. Baby wearing can get exhausting.

FormerlyKrista555 · August 2012

My kids are 20 mos apart.

We've gotten good use out of our double seat. I wear DS a lot, but some days I'm just not in the mood..lol

This summer has been ridiculously hot, so we haven't gone out as much as I would've liked.... however, I still am glad we got our double stroller. I know that we'll use it next summer as well, as DS will only be a little over a year and DD will have just turned 3.

My sister still pushes her (albeit small) 5 year old in a stroller when we go to places like the zoo. Her little legs get tired too.

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