Do I need a double stroller?

[Anonymous]

I am currently expecting my second child. My first will be 26 months when the second is born. Do I definitely need a double stroller? My first isn't a huge fan of the stroller, but I'm not sure how else I would manage 2 kids when I'm out. I'll probably wear the newborn in the bjorn sometimes, but not all the time. Would you buy a double stroller in advance? Or is it worth waiting to see what I really need?

[Anonymous]

Try to find one used. My 1st liked the stroller a lot more when #2 arrived

[Anonymous]

Mine are 27 months apart and we never got a double stroller. As you said, we used the bjorn and the stroller in early days. Later, we got a lot of use out of a buggy board attached to our single stroller. And we started training our older child to walk longer distances.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat, though my child is a little older. I posted on this awhile back and the consensus was either wait and see (especially if you are planning on Bjorning, as I will).

Or, another good suggestion is to get one of those boogie boards that attach to strollers that the older child can ride.

[jennrgolden]

I had the same thoughts as you up until about my 5th month of pregnancy.

I'm not sure what your situation is on a daily basis (ie. are you in the city and walk everywhere, are you in the car most of the time, do you only use the stroller in the malls) but for me, I live in the District and walk everywhere (grocery store, park, visiting friends, everywhere). My son will be 26 months old in March when my baby is born. I do plan to get a double stroller. Not a day went by that I didn't use my stroller with my first, and he is extremely fond of the stoller now. Whether he's fond of it or not, our walks/outtings tend to be roughly 2 or 3 hours long...no way he could walk that long.

I've done my research and plan to buy the Phil & Teds Vibe. But, I'm not buying it immediately. I plan to have the newborn in a sling with me pretty much all the time for the first 2 or 3 months. I plan to use that time to see how life is with these two boys; but I can't imagine not having a double stroller.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I agree with trying to get it used. Mine are 27 months apart. At first the baby was in a bjorn or for short trips in the carseat/stroller combo with my toddler walking. We did use the double religiously for about a year though - mostly for neighborhood walks and the occasional trip to the mall. For quick trips it was easier to have my older child walk. I'm now expecting #3 so I know I'll get my money out of the double (we got the Phil & Ted's which I LOVE) but if I hadn't had another child it would have felt a bit like a waste since I tend to like to have my older child walk so he'll get some energy out of him. Also, now that the kids are older (2 &4) they tend to take turns in the single stroller!

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your lifestyle. I am out and about all the time so it was critical for me - especially since #1 is still very young and sure to run off at any moment. For quick trips I hold his hand but to go to the mall or for walks in the nice weather it has been a life saver. I hate to say this but #1 was very fond of the stroller until I got the double, now he is less patient in it. I got the Peg Perego side by side so he may not be comfortable in it. But I refuse to buy another one stroller - I can honestly say I have a fleet of strollers in my garage now.

[Anonymous]

My first was nearly 3 when his sister arrived. We got the Joovy Caboose Ultralight and i can honestly say that everyone is happy. I'd been in love with my Maclaren Volo so I wasn't prepared to like anything else. The Joovy is not that heavy and DS can either sit or stand -- perfect for a whimsical toddler who changes his mind 18 times in the parking lot. It turns on a dime and has a reasonable basket underneath. If DS asks to take the Joovy and then decides to walk, it's so easy to push I really don't care that I took the "big" stroller for no reason. (Plus, I want him to walk more anyway.) Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My kids are a little closer together, but I got a TFK Twinner Twist Duo. It works really well for us because my newborn goes in a bassinet on one side and my 2 year old goes in a seat on the other side. I had a bugaboo before this and really liked the bassinet feature for the newborns - I think the double stroller we got is a nice transition from the bugaboo because it also does bassinets.

I am not a big fan of the slings - I always use the stroller and the one we got has been really great so far.