I have a little boy that is going to be 28mo when I have my second child. I am not sure if I should get a stroller that will hold both of them or keep the single stroller I have now. I got a travel system with my little boy, so I have the big stroller that holds the car seat, and loved being able to take the car seat out and putting it on the stroller and going. If I use that again I will be hand holding my 2yr old every where we go. Since he was my first I don't know how hard that will be and am looking for product or other suggestions on what to do. Thanks for your help!
My older son was 32 months when my 2nd was born and I still got a double stroller. I also kept my original stroller for when I only had the little one (and still use it today!!)
The double stroller was (is) great for mall shopping or anyplace that doesn't have a cart. My older son is almost 5 now and I still use the stroller on occasion although I think I'll have to give it up!!
When are you due? I was thinking about putting my Graco DuoGlider up for sale soon. It's really in good shape since I didn't use it day in and out like I did the single stroller. Even if you don't buy mine, you might want to look into resale shops so you aren't paying full price for one!!
Good luck!!
I read the other posts about the naps. It was heaven when BOTH kids fell asleep in the stroller. I could actually SHOP!!!
I think you would definately regret it if you did not get a stroller to fit both. No way is your 2 year old going to be able to keep up with all the walking you may do. Then they can both take naps at the same time if they need to while your out. It would be too hard to hold his hand and push the stroller at the same time too. Also it will be safer in crowds.
Lonie
This was a hard decision for us as well. We have a 2 and 1 yr old. We ended up with the sit/stand stroller so it gives our 2 yr old the option to sit or stand or walk if they want to. The walking was a bit crazy because she just did not want to go the same pace or couldnt keep up or found something interesting on the floor or in a window passing by. The con on the sit/stand stroller is that when our 2 yr old was tired she couldnt lean back and rest so ended up holding her. Imagine holding a 2 yr old and pushing a stroller. :) Good luck.
I love the Joovy Sit& Stand for outings that require a lot of walking. They accommodate most infant carriers and can be found at Babies R US or USA Baby. Target also carries a different brand that is the same idea.
Otherwise, I still use the travel system.
I would definitely get the double stroller! My kids are 18 months apart. We ended up with a double stroller from the same brand as the travel system so we were able to fit the car seat in the back seat with ease. Keep them in the stroller as long as possible! It makes outings easier on you.
Best wishes to you!
Our sons are 21 months apart, and I never did anything without the stroller with my first, so I figured I had to have a double stroller with two. I didn't count on my older one thinking it's for "babies" once the baby went in there. My older son threw the biggest fit every time I tried to get him in his side, and he loved his first stroller. I ended up using it only about 10 times in over a year. It was very bulky when I did use it and wasn't worth the money to me. I imagined using it so much more than I did. I'll probably try to sell it on Ebay once I'm sure they won't be using it. I keep thinking we'll do something where I'm so glad that I have it but that hasn't happened yet. :)
My son was 29 mos when my daughter was born. I originally bought a double tandem (Safety 1st 2 ways Tandem). It was a great stroller, but pretty big, and I only used it a handful of times. I then switched to a Sit-n-Stand stroller, which has worked out wonderfully. My son is now almost 4 and we are still using it!
Mine are 22 months apart and we didn't use the double a ton, but it was necessary for trips to the mall or for walks to the park and other places where there weren't shopping carts. Two-year-olds don't walk very fast, and they tend to wander off, so I'd say it's worth it to use a double for about a year. We bought a used Graco Duoglider, which was perfect. I think I paid $40 for it and feel like I really got my money's worth. We just got rid of it when my second baby was about 18 months. By then, my older child was ok walking most places.
My oldest was 3 when I had my second child. I had to make the decision not to get another stroller. My reasoning was that the 3 year old would out grow the stroller before my baby. I did not want to be stuck with a double stroller and only 1 child to put in it. My oldest will be 5 next month and the baby is 19 months, it has worked out great. I was worried my oldest would go wild in stores, but has learned to walk with me and stay by my side. It has been a lot easier than anticipated and I saved money.
our oldest two are 24 months apart, and we bought a double stroller. It is an absolute lifesaver!!! I used it all the time. My oldest isn't fond of walking. For my second son we almost never used the normal stroller we bought for the first one. When my oldest was 3,5 baby nr. 3 was born, and so he had to walk and nr 2 and 3 in the double stroller. Still, if he got the chance he climbed in the double stroller, and nr. 2 walked.
Buying a double stroller was for us a very very very good investment.
But I have a friend who's oldest wanted to walk all by himself all the time from the time he could walk. So she never bought a double stroller, she bought one of the "skate boards" you can hang behind your normal stroller. For them that was the best solution.
So I think it depends on your oldest.
Good luck with your growing family and happy new year.
Inge
My first two are 17 months apart- I could not have done anything without my double stroller!! I loved having it- The baby carrier fit on it and I would put the baby in the back seat and my older one rode in the front and "directed" where he wanted to go :0) It was totally worth it! I now have 3 sons and we still use the double wherever we go- Two in seats and one on the handlebars if necessary!!
Angela,
I got a tandem stroller, which allows you to put the carrier on the stoller and allows your toddler to sit or stand on the back part. My oldest son loves it!
Jazen
I had a 20 month old son when my second little boy was born in June. We bought a double stroller travel system because our first is a very active toddler. He seems much more controlled when in the stroller and I can not imagine have one stroller with the newborn and trying to keep up with my oldest!! Good Luck!
I have been reading all the other posts and they are great bits of info. I just wanted to tell you that I just got my double stroller for Christmas!!! After 7 months of using my old travel system for the baby and having a 2 YO, that is the best gift ever. I begged for it from the beginning and my hubby kept telling me NO that the 2 YO could walk until he went shopping with me at the mall with both kids and realized why I had been begging for it. Being a SAHM and planning shopping outings around my 2 YO in mother's day out 2 days a week was painful. Now I can go and do anything without having to plan and compromize and stress and fight with a 2 YO!!! I had the Graco Mocha travel system and just got the Graco Double Stroller and the carrier fits in the Double as well as the single.
GET THE DOUBLE STROLLER...IT WILL BE ONE OF YOUR BEST INVESTMENTS WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN...AND IT WILL BECOME ONE OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON OUTINGS!!!
GOOD LUCK!
I am going to purchase a used double stroller - seems most people agree it will be a lifesaver and I think my son will appreciate it. Thanks everyone!