To buy a double stroller or not to buy one...

PBear93 · February 2016

My daughter will be a few months shy of turning 4 when the new baby arrives, and I am torn about buying a double stroller or not. We went and looked at them today and she looked really uncomfortable sitting in the back of all the sit-n-stands that we looked at, so I don't want one of those. If I get a double it will be a side by side.
I know 4 is old enough to walk most places, but she still likes to ride in the stroller and will ask me to get it out frequently. Also, we go to places that require a lot of walking at least once a month, if not more (zoo, fair, apple picking, festivals, etc) and I feel like she's not really old enough to walk the amount of walking required at those places.
Right now we have a basic City Mini and a jogging stroller, both of which I can use with the new baby from birth. My issue comes when we go to places like the zoo.
I did get a LileBaby carrier so I can wear baby and have thought about just taking the jogger with us and wearing the baby whenever DD wants to ride in the stroller, but I'm not sure that's the best solution either.
I'm just so torn. Any suggestions? What would you do if you were me?

goldie987 · February 2016

I'm a FTM so I could be totally off here, but you could always look to get a cheap umbrella stroller for the times that she doesn't want to walk and use the stroller you have for the new baby. I guess it doesn't work if you don't have 2 people to wheel the two strollers around but if you do, it's a cheap way to be able to keep her comfortable for the next year or so without having to fork over a bunch of money to get a double stroller that's infant compatible.

Sydvicious08 · February 2016

With a sit n stand, certain car seats will clip on seat on the back for a while. She would probably be fine sitting in the front seat.

Also, baby wearing is beneficial for both you and baby, so unless its just way to uncomfortable for you, I'd try it first

Trinirican3ondway · February 2016

DS was 3 1/2 when DD was born and we did great with a joovy caboose sit n stand. I remember one time at ikea he even fell asleep in the storage space underneath. But if you really don't want one it sounds like your option of baby carrier and stroller is a good one. I just felt like a side by side double stroller would have been a waste for us because he wanted to walk quite a bit at that point already. If you do a lot of outings though it may be whats best for you.

GinnyJ2012 · February 2016

I have a double side by side jogger (Baby Trend) and it's too wide for most doors. Some side by sides are small enough though. That's what I'd recommend. My infant seat will snap into one side and one of the older kids can ride. With this being my third I'll wear baby whenever we go to places like the zoo, because I'm not buying a triple stroller. (I'll have 3u4).

I had a baby trend sit and stand after my second was born that worked great, but it was so clunky that we sold it.

PBear93 · February 2016

@sdnybrk, the only sit-n-stand that will take a car seat in the back and let my daughter sit in the front that can have a child that weighs more than 40 lbs in the front seat costs $400. There are others that will take them in the back, but the max weight for the front seat is 40 or less.

@sgoldberg247 it's usually just me out with her, so that won't really work.

Huskerfanz · February 2016

I would wait. By the time the baby can sit in a double, your DD will be older and you can decide then if it's worth it. I think the plan to wear LO and let DD use the stroller is a good one.

Tawny87 · February 2016

Maybe find a cheap double stroller second hand??? My 2 1/2 yr old twins refuse the stroller, which makes me want to cry, so we decided against a triple stroller. We bought a single stroller for new baby and if we go anywhere with a lot of walking we will throw the double in the car and my hubby can wear the baby carrier.

VikingGirl12 · February 2016

We just got the Graco ready 2 grow click connect. It has 12 different positions including big kid in the front and car seat in the back. My parents found it for $170 at Burlington coat factory. It's around $200 at target.
I definitely think it'll be worth getting a double if she still likes riding a lot!

GinnyJ2012 · February 2016

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the Baby Jogger Citi Mini GT Double has a combined weight of 100lbs. You can get different adapters for different car seats. It's pricy at $580, but is on sale at babies r us for $460. Or check mom groups to see if any come up second hand. Our local Facebook group has them show up some and they're closer to $300.

PBear93 · February 2016

@vikinggirl12 that is one of the ones that has a max weight of 40lbs for the seats. And she really does like riding.

@huskerfanz, with the doubles I am looking at, I will be able to use it with a newborn because it reclines all the way.

I'm worried about getting really hot if I wear the baby all day when outside. Especially during the summer.

Boonhilde · February 2016

With my first it was always too hot to wear him, and I had him in early February. I'm also considering a double stroller, but I don't use one that often. If I go somewhere where I want one I can rent one. However I think you'd save money in the long run if you bought one because you go places where you use a stroller often.

HeartLikeMine3 · February 2016

OP I am struggling with the exact same thing. Mine will be 3 when the baby is here but we only use the stroller at the airport or zoo. I think we are going to wait and see. I'm gonna try baby wearing and taking the single stroller somewhere if it's a nightmare I'll look for a used one since I doubt we will get much use out of it. I'm wondering if I'll even have the guts to go places like that myself for a while haha! I'm thinking by the time I feel comfortable to take two to those kind of outings alone DS will be able to walk.

fishwife799 · February 2016

Our daughter was just over two when our son was born and we have somehow managed without one. I will say last summer when we were walking to swim lessons it was a pain though. Luckily my friend who walked with us had a double and her son is 6. So she would ride in hers and our son in mine. I did recently purchase one since this baby and S will only be 21 months apart. I got the joovy x2 and really like it so far. It's not meant for off road at all by what we do it works great. The seat weight limits aren't super high though which is kind of a bummer. Works for us though since at 3.5 our daughter only weighs 31.5 lbs. I would say that it's dooable without one, but it will likely make your life a lot easier having it. Especially since you do the zoo and stuff regularly.

fishwife799 · February 2016

This is the exact one we got. It was easy to put together, fits through doors and for a double fits very well in the back of my rig. I still have room for groceries and stuff back there.
JOOVY Scooter X2 Double Stroller, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O20OPTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_zRg1wbXDEJ2CV

btorgers · February 2016

I am in this predicament as well and not sure what I want to do. My son will be 2yr 8 months when we have the baby. He doesn't like to be in a stroller much now the way it is but on the other hand I think that I will want one for things like the zoo, walking to the park ect! Baby wearing in the summer is going to be sooo hot!

Lyette1206 · March 2016

My DD will be three when baby comes, and she loves her stroller. We have the britax b-ready, and will get the frame so we can clip the infant seat on the back, eventually will get the second seat.
But, I really want the maclaren double. From what I've read it's a narrow double so it fits through most doors, and if you get the higher model, if fully reclines so you can use from birth (other model can only be used 6m and up). But it's over $400 as well, and I don't know if we can justify it.

vulpini · March 2016

PBear93 said:

@sdnybrk, the only sit-n-stand that will take a car seat in the back and let my daughter sit in the front that can have a child that weighs more than 40 lbs in the front seat costs $400. There are others that will take them in the back, but the max weight for the front seat is 40 or less.

@sgoldberg247 it's usually just me out with her, so that won't really work.

The Baby Trend Ultra has a maximum of 50lbs and clips the baby car seat in the back. I got mine used for $75

https://www.babytrend.com/pdf/SS66XXX_3L_0415.pdf

on3in2015 · March 2016

Get a stroller with a stroller board? You could remove it when you dont need it and put it on when you do.

purplefan1 · March 2016

OP, sounds like you are pretty set on getting a double stroller. I agree to try to find one on sale or consignment so you aren't out a lot of money, especially if your daughter decides in a couple of months or a year that she no longer wants to ride.

PBear93 · March 2016

I just ordered a double stroller. I think I got a really good deal, and if she only uses it for a year, then hopefully I can sell it for a decent price.

alysemci · March 2016

I got a used graco one off craigslist for $75 and it's great. My son will be 2 when this boy comes and we do a ton of walking around and going out so we needed it. I really want a BOB double jogging stroller I plan to look for on Craigslist as well since I run 3 times a week and go on 5+mile walks any day I don't run. It's part of our daily routine. But I didn't want a jogging stroller for stores or waking around because they don't fit through most doors so it would be a pain. Having two definitely starts to complicate things

purplefan1 · March 2016

Glad you got a good deal and you are totally right, even if she only uses it for a year it will still be in great condition and you will be able to resell. Happy double stroller-ing!!!

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