Expecting Second Babe - Should I Get a Double Stroller?

Go for the double stroller! You have no idea how much you'll use it and if it is successfully collapsed- keep it in the trunk! Trust me. You'll never regret it.

My first two were 11 months a part so I had to get a double stroller but my third was 2 years after the second and still used it with the younger two. It was really great to have and a nice big basket on the bottom for all that stuff that come with 3! lol as they got older I have an umbrella stoller for the middle one and the single for the youngest. Just for long shopping trips and stuff like that. I usually have some one with me when I do that! lol
K.

I wjould say get a double! My two were 17 months apart and it was the greatest gift we got. In fact we still used it this summer even though my oldest is 5 . Now that I have a new little baby I am sure my middle one will be jealous come this summer so we will still use this coming summer. As far as side by side or a "inline" double, I have both and they each have their own drawbacks and good points. The front and back fits between isles better but its harder to manuever (sp). The side by side doesnt fit between many isles but its definetly easier to "stear". At least the ones I have are. I am sorry but I dont know for sure what brands they are.
Good luck!!!
S.

Definitely invest in a double stroller! It will be the smartest thing and the safest for your family.
Congrats to the baby on the way!

It honestly depends on how much you go out or plan to go out with both of your kids. My 2 daughters are 17 months apart and because I like the freedom of going out with both of them without giving my oldest daughter (now 22 months) the chance to run off on me, I ended up getting one. Also, we have a zoo membership and it is much easier to tote both around in a stroller. It also allows me the opportunity to comfortably nurse my youngest while my oldest is strapped in and can't go anywhere. Because we all know that toddlers like to act out when they think you can't get up and do anything about it. =) However, if you don't plan on going out much with both of them the first 6 months or so, then I wouldn't spend the money because they are very pricey. If you do end up getting one, I'm very happy with the graco quattro tour duo I just got. It actually fits in the back of my corrolla. How amazing is that?

My daughter is days away from being 2 (12/26) and we are expecting a second child in July. Even though she will be 2 and 1/2 when the baby is born I would demand she be in a stroller. She is very active and loves to run! lol. I would take into account your girl's personality. If it were me, I would get a double. Good luck.

If you can afford it (or if grandparents want a gift idea), and if you can fit one in your car, you should definitely get one. I know my double stroller was and is my lifeline to the outside world. My little ones are 19 months apart, now 2 1/2 and 1 at the end of January, so last year I was where you are now. We're still using the double stroller almost every day. My daughter was too young to walk all the time when the baby was born, and a little too small to use the ones with the little stand/sit thing on the back, so we got the full-blown double one. It's a little big, and takes up room in the trunk, but I found it to be worth it, especially becuase we want to have more kids. The Bjorn thing works while the baby is tiny, and it's a great way to do grocery shopping with two little ones. Good luck...it is doable, and is a lot of fun most of the time, especially now that my son is starting to play and react to his big sister. Have a sense of humor, and plan on 20 minutes more than you think you need when you get ready to go out :-) It's so much fun to be the mom of two kids!

a defenate neccessity. i have a four year old and he is deaf and an 20 month old and they run seperate ways. if you want to go to the mall and get things done in a timely manner. i don't know what i would do with out mine. my four year old is kind of like a 2-3 year old in his age. so i kinda feel i have twins. i have a graco and i love mine.

I bought a double stroller when I had my second child, and it did come in handy sometimes. But my oldest was almost 3 when my little one came along, so it wasn't long before she outgrew the stroller stage. Your children will be a lot closer in age, so you may use a double stroller longer.

That being said, I would check out the consignment shops rather than paying full price. I would also recommend the front/back type rather than side-by-side.

Best of luck with your new baby!!

I have 3 kids. My first two are 23months apart and I purchased a new front/back double stroller from Walmart for around $60-$70. I used it a lot! Especially to go to the mall and other stores that I knew didn't have carts to accommodate my two little ones. When I had my third, the last two are 15 months apart, so again I used it everytime I left the house, which wasn't much, because I was overwhelmed with all my little ones! Get your hands on a double stroller! Don't get hung up on it being a name brand or matching perfectly with your infant carrier. My girlfriend did that and purchased an Eddie Bower on Ebay to match her infant carrier and her stroller is very tall (awkward for short people to push) and much more bulkier than mine. She just had her thrid, and she wants to ditch her double and borrow mine!

I have a 3.5 yr old and a 9m old. I use my double a lot. That is how I go grocery shopping. If you want to walk any further than a 2.5 yr old can walk and can't carry a 9 month old in a bjorn, you might want one. I LOVE my Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Quattro-Tour-Stroller-Ionic/d...

Hi K.,
As a mother of 4 ages 7 and under, I have tried every possibly combination of transportation device. Here's my best recommendation....... with a 19month old and newbown, you can get by the first few months with a single stroller and a bjorn. If the 19month old was closer to 2 or 3, I'd recommend this new smaller, lighter weight double stroller called a Joovi (I think) that has a spot for the baby carrier in the front and the toddler to sit or stand in the back.
Traditional double strollers are WAY bulky, hard to open, hard to lift in or out of your car (well, essentially you'll need a van to even transport one!)
But, by summer, I'd recommend one of 2 types of double strollers depending on your lifestyle. There are lowcost double umbrella strollers that are light weight and relatively easy to manuever. These are essential for events like the fair or community festivals or going to the mall. Or if you are more active, outside a lot or if you care to walk or run a lot, the best double jog stroller on the market is the Chariott. It's a pretty penny but it is totally worth it. I've had mine since we had out 2nd. It's the lightest weight double jog stroller on the market. assembles fairly easily. Is comfortable for the kids and very safe. Has all weather covers. (I've taken the kids out for walks in the snow and light rain and wind!).
My only other advice about a double stroller is that none of them seem to have much storage room. So I've always gone with a backpack style babybag to free my arms up.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to email me with more questions.
Merry Christmas!

L. Mercer
Heritage Makers Independent Consultant and Director
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My kids are almost exactly 2 years apart and I used the double stroller for at least a year, particularly if I was going to the mall. Mine was a hand me down from a neighbor. Maybe you could borrow one or get one at Once Upon a Child or something?

The double is the best purchase I have ever made. I found one for $60 at Once upon a child and have lused every penny of that and then some. My daughter is short and it has worked perfectly to have her in the stoller so that she does not decide to wonder off and get run over when you are out and about. SO I vote that you get the double stroller.

I purchased a double stroller. Wish I would have gotten the sit and stand. My 3 y/o would rather walk most of the time, sit some of the time. Good Luck.

Get a double stroller. I wanted one when I had my second but my husband insisted that we didn't need it...he really just didn't want to spend the money.

GET THE STROLLER! My kids are now two and four and I sometimes still wish I had gotten it.

It will come in handy when you do not have a second pair of hands to catch your eldest when she tries to run off or knock stuff off the shelves. If you are like me you want your kids as close to you as possible while out and about to avoid any potential hazards be it a broken vase or a kidnapping.

I was lucky because my daughter listens well, however she loves talking to strangers and touching things and well...you can't always catch 'em when they are taking things off the shelf.

You may not use it as much when baby is only a few weeks because a Bjorn and one stroller will due just fine, but when he gets older you'll want a two seater.

It's a wise investment if you value easy going outings.

Like I said, I still wish I had one.

I found it neccessary to get a double stroller when I had my second daughter. My first was two and I couldn't imagine carrying her and pushing a stroller. I bought one I really liked from One Step Ahead. This stroller has a convertible back seat that can be a sit and stand. It actually moves more smoothly than my single stroller did! If you haven't already, check out onestepahead.com

I had the grand plan to carry new baby in the sling all the time and eliminate the need for a double stroller, but that didn't work out very well!

I would say, yes, get a double stroller. Do your research though. As another mother pointed out, there are pros and cons to both types of doubles (front/back and side by side). Depending where/how you use it will ultimately dictate which type to buy. Also check Craig's List and E-Bay (for local pick-up) to find a used one.

Personally, I find the "travel system" combos too heavy and unweildy, but everyone is different. That's why there are so many choices!

Yes, yes, yes! A double stroller will be well worth the investment with your kids both being so young.

I have three kids and have never owned a double stroller. With two children, I would recommend putting the new baby in a baby sling/wrap (search online for baby wrap to find a nice one), and push the other one in a stroller. By the time the younger one is too heavy to carry in the sling, you might be able to have the older one walk with you.

K.,

My first baby was 2 1/2 when I had my second. I got a double stroller at a good second-hand store, and we used it exactly once. Initially, it really was just easier to carry baby #2 in the sling while pushing the stroller with baby #1. Later, my firstborn was more mobile, and I'd push the baby. What actually still works the best for 2 little kids is a wagon.

The problem with a stroller-built-for-2 is that it is heavy, awkward, and difficult to manage. It is either really wide so it's tough getting through doorways, or it is really long which makes it a problem in crowds. Universally, the double strollers all have those stupid little wheels that only work inside malls or on sidewalks; forget trying to off-road in any way, including across a smooth lawn. Finally, it puts the two kids in very close proximity, which means one of them will kick or pull the hair of the other.

Really, just not worth your money; get a wagon instead.

Best wishes,
K.

Congrats on the new addition!
My son was 20 months when our daughter was born a year ago, and we've used our double stroller SOOOO much. We don't have the travel system style (That's up to you if you want to spend the extra money, but how often do you think you'll actually use the stroller in teh winter since she's due in Jan., and both of my kids grew out of the infant seat by 6 months, so then you dont' need the travel system...)
But I definately recommend a double, and I hope you enjoy this age difference as much as we have! It's been wonderful!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!