Need Advice: Is a Double Stroller a Must for a 23 Month and a Newborn?

My girls are 20 months apart, and I found a double stroller to be a huge help in the first 6 months or so. Baby could stay asleep in her car seat and toddler was contained, too. However, I'm glad that I didn't spend a lot of money on it, as my nearly 3 year old now usually walks and holds my hand. This is a great item to borrow from a friend or get second hand. I have a graco double and a VW Passat.

I have a two year old and a five month old. I have the stroller where my daughter can sit or stand and it carries to carrier. Once my baby sis bigger he an sit in it. This is the same size as my old single stroller. AHope this is helpful.

Yes a must. I had the same question. Mine are 24 months apart and my 2 year old refused to sit in the stroller at that time. I bought the footboard attachment for my single stoller and the double stoller was a gift from my inlaws. We use the footboard and single stroller when we run to the doctor or go to museums or shopping. When the baby was around 3 months, my daughter suddenly decided she wanted to sit in the stoller and loved going for long walks. Now we rarely use the single stoller. I'm really glad to have both and they've both gotten tons of use.

I think I already responded to you.
It is nice to have them contained. My son, even though he's a good boy, was hard to handle sometimes. Having them both safe in the "cadillac" of strollers, the Bumbleride Indie Twin, was really convenient.
Plus, when I'd take them to the zoo or all day trips, that stroller held everything!!!
I got the SKIP HOP DUO DOUBLE DELUXE to hang off the handle bar, and the basket held our lunches and Thermos'. Even loaded up, it handles like a dream.

I had three children two years apart each and my experience was that a double stroller is definitately a must - and a lifesaver. I don't think I would have been able to go out without it. We had the Graco DuoGlider, which was nice for snapping the infant seat in and out of when the baby was young. There are several lighter weight type options out there now, and it sounds like you've done some good research. Side by sides are nice for outdoors, but don't work very well for mall shopping, etc.

Ok so I was in your exact situation last summer - my kids are 25 months apart and my original plan was to forgo the double stroller, carry my baby in a sling, and push my toddler in his usual stroller for longer walks. Or put the baby in the stroller and have toddler walk for short walks.

The reality: my baby got really big really fast - like 18 lbs at 4 months! Also, I ended up with some physical issues related to the delivery that caused me to not want to carry a giant heavy baby a lot. Also, it's darn hot in the summer and carrying a baby next to you is even hotter (my baby was born in late June). So I ended up NOT going on many of the longer walks that I wished to go on. Finally, in November when my baby was 4 months old I went and got a Sit N Stand type stroller (actually got a Mia Moda Compagno, which I love). I wish I had gotten this kind of stroller back when my baby was first born. Yes, it's not super light or small, and if you want to put a newborn in you'll be using the carseat adapter (though the front seat of this model, unlike the Joovy and Sit N Stand, reclines quite far), but it's GREAT for long walks. I would not recommend the boogie-board type accessories - they're expensive and get in the way of your feet. Plus, a 2-year old will still want to sit when she gets tired and a stand-board won't allow that.

So ask yourself the question of how and when you'll be using this stroller. Is it for long walks in the neighborhood? If so, I recommend a sit/stand stroller. For in/out of the car? If so, I recommend a cheap umbrella for your toddler and a sling for your baby.

It would just make your life easier. Maybe go with a sit and stand. I had a Jetta when I was pregnant with my second and was worried about the same thing...I ended up with a Minivan, but I think its possible that the Joovy Caboose may fit in your trunk-it isn't as long folded up as a regular double.

Maybe get a sling or a carrier like an Ergo? Can try them on at BeByBaby in Chicago (I like promoting them because they have helped us soooooo many times with sooooo many questions!)

I have a three year old and a 10 month old. I used a double stroller only on the weekends when we went to the zoo or places we would be doing a lot of walking. For this summer I am going to purchasa a double jogging stroller for long walks through the neighborhood and weekend actvities. For everyday use I did not need a double stroller, but for getting out for long walks I would get a double jogging stroller

Having had 3 in 3 1/2 years...I say get a double, we used the tandum graco one in the beginning, the 2 youngest needed to be belted in witht he harness for no escaping...look at used stores, craigs list, freecycle ect....we currently use a sit and stand for our 1yr old and the 4 and 3 year old share the sit part. I love the sit and stand

I agree with Diane - sometimes it's nice to have the walking child safely contained! I think it depends on your lifestyle - how much walking you do, and how much baby-carrying you did the first time. We had a Peg Perego double stroller that we got at a garage sale that we used when my two were younger - I didn't use it very often, but it was nice for things like long trips to the zoo or long walks. That would be my recommendation - get the lightest, smallest double you can find used or inexpensively. Personally I don't think we got enough use out of the double to have made it worth spending over $100, although it was nice to have it when we did use it.

Yes a double stroller is a must! My kids are exactly 24 months apart and are 1 and 3 now and I still use it all the time. I have the Graco DuoGlider. It folds together for easy storage or to lay flat in the back.
If you are worried about spending money on yet another accessory, try freecycle!
Good luck!
M.

My situation is quite different, but maybe I can give a little insight. My twins were only 16 months old when my 4th daughter was born last May. I ended up buying a triple stroller so the 3 little ones could all ride. The twins are now 23 months old but I still put them in the stroller because it's easier to keep them contained. On the few occasions where I've tried to let one or both of them walk, they will either run in opposite directions or get tired and not want to walk at all. Even though the stroller can be a hassle, it's much better than trying to run after everyone!

As for which stroller to get, I don't know if I can help with that. I have a minivan so space isn't an issue for us. And I have 7 strollers -- singles, doubles and the triple. Some are tandem, some are side by side. Some are lightweight, some are heavy but sturdy. All have their pros and cons. I decide which one to use based on where I'm going and what I'm doing.

Since you like to go on walks and you say you're a fast walker, I would think that a double stroller would definitely be helpful. Your son will still be young enough to want to sit down. Have you looked at the Sit N Stand strollers? There are some that start as 2 seats, then convert to a seat plus a bench/platform, so the baby can have a regular seat and your son can either sit or stand. You can look up the details and read the reviews on the Babies R Us website. You should also be able to go to the manufacturers websites for the dimensions when the strollers are folded and when they are opened. That should help you figure out if it will fit in your car.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with your new arrival!!

I recommend a double stroller also. I researched a lot of strollers before my son was born 10 months ago. Daughter was 18 months at the time. Because of small trunk space (and cost) I went with a Graco double stroller I found on Amazon.com for $89!! With free shipping because I was a prime member. It was a discontinued model. I buy a lot of baby stuff there because they do tend to be cheaper than the stores (car seats for example). I have had no problems with it. Probably not the fanciest in features and design, but works for my needs.

IT'S A MUST! My kids are 20 months apart and I wanted to give an option to my older child to rest if he's tired of walking. You can find great deals at Craigslist.

God Bless,
K.

E.,
I have a two-, almost three-month old and a 22-month old. Before you listen to all of the great advice people who have SUVs and minivans give you, consider if you ever want to put the stroller in the trunk of your car. I didn't think I wanted a double stroller but after I had my baby, I decided I wanted one because it would be a little easier to go places for just the three of us. The only stroller that we could fit in the trunk of my Honda Civic was the Graco Quattro -- and you can only fit it in with the wheels up and in a certain position without much room for error (or else the trunk won't close at all). I don't know how the truck of a Jetta compares, but I'm sure it's small. Make sure before you buy anything you try this out. I bought mine at Buy Buy Baby and they will help you go to your car and test it. Honestly, it has been nice to have - the carseat clips into the back and my toddler can ride in the front. He likes to walk a lot but when he doesn't obey the rules (like staying on the sidewalk, staying with us, etc) he gets put back in the stroller. The Duoglider that some have mentioned folds up a little larger than the Quattro. I don't think that the stand up combo double stroller would be very good -- how many times have you ever seen anyone using one? (I have just ONE time.) Good Luck!

I'd drop my vote in for the Sit 'n Stand. I picked mine up at Target so I could check it out before I bought it. I have an SUV now, but it fit fine in the back of my Infiniti G20 sedan - with groceries packed around it.

Honestly, I needed the double stroller. My son is a little over two years older than his sister and he wasn't ready to hike it the whole time at every summer "taste of", or the fireworks, or the mall. While I didn't use it daily, I definitely grabbed it for anytime we have been out and about somewhere for a long period of time. Museums, the zoo, the aquarium - all are a lot easier with the double stroller. My son is five now and I've upgraded to a Radio Flyer wagon for these trips at this point, but I consider the stroller to have been a wise purchase.

Have you looked into a Phil & Ted's? You can put a newborn in it, and it easily converts from a single to a double stoller. It's not light (but nothing with air tires will be), but it easily folds and is fairly small when folded.

Baby Trend XL Sit and Stand Stroller

Its a MUST! This way your 2 year old can either walk with you, hop on and sit when she's tired or stand and ride with you. Its totally convinent and a LOT better than dealing with a temper tantrum from a 2 yr. old while pushing an umbrella stroller and then trying to carry a 2 year old!

Good Luck! I love my Baby Trend!

My oldest was 26 months when my daughter was born and I did not buy a double stroller. I think it all depends on the child. My son liked to walk and always held my hand. If I needed to put him in the stroller, becasue I liked to go on walks around my neighborhood for exersize myself, I would put the baby in my baby bourjourn (sling) and she was very content in there. It was also better exersize for me to carry her around. I think it all depends on your prefrence. I am not a fan of strollers. I would rather have my kids get exersize and walk then sit around.
I personally think double strollers are big, bulky and not especially easy to push.
K.

there are a whole bunch of things that you don't absolutely have to have but your life will be much easier if you do have them. the average 2-3 yr old still uses a stroller at times. yes you can make them walk when they are tired or they can ask you to carry them ahhhhh but you will all probably be happier with a double stroller. I got a great high end stroller for cheap on craigslist. So I would look for what you would like and then go see if you can borrow or buy second hand.

Hi E..
We just finished researching strollers, and I know that Grow, on Division in Wicker Park, has the double bumbleride in the store for you to look at. Buy buy baby in downers has bumbleride, but I can;t remember if they had the double in the store.
I'm also a full time teacher, due in April. I think our timing is great because we have a few months home, and the summer off! good luck

I think it's a huge plus to have one. My kids were 18 months apart (now 3 and 1 1/2) and we still use it. My oldest loves to walk, but there are times when we need him in the stroller (the zoo, if the mall is really crowded, etc.) My oldest also went through a phase where he didn't want to walk...after walking for a long time around 2. It's also great for discipline (if you can't listen you'll need to get in the stroller.) We have the Graco Duo-glider and I'm very happy with it. Congrats and good luck.

My daughters are 12 months a one day apart.....and a double stroller is a MUST! My daughters are now 30 months and 18 months and without the double stroller you are just asking for trouble! I have a Graco double stroller...and depending on the car seat you have....the Grace snug ride can snap on the stroller and then your toddler can sit in the front....that made my life easier for the first year that my daughter was in a car seat carrier! Good Luck!

Hi E.,
I think a double stroller is NOT a must. My kids are a little over 2 years apart. We carried the baby in a front pack for a while & let the older ride in the stroller. Then when the little one got too big for the carrier, the older one was big enough to walk for a while. No, the walk doesn't go very quickly that way, but it's really good for the older kid to get used to walking.
Have fun with #2!

We have a Joovy Caboose. We love it, b/c it is not wide like other double strollers and not as long as the traditional sit and stand strollers. It has a converter bar to use with the infant carseats until baby is old enough to sit in a stroller. And, my daughter is not confined to the stroller, she can get in when she wants and get out when she wants. There is a strap for the second seat, but we have never used it since she was almost 3 by the time her brother was born.

We do a lot of walking in the city, and it just is not practical to expect our older child to walk everywhere, so she can walk when she wants and then get on the back and sit, kneel or stand. She loves to kneel and talk with her brother in the front.

There are a few issues...the basket in the bottom is not very big, the front seat is really only for the smaller child (my daughter gets bummed that she can't sit in front sometimes), and I am not sure it folds small enough. It fit in my Acura TSX trunk, but I think that may be wider than a Jetta?.

I too am going through the same decision.

As for the Bumbleride Double see this video I found about folding it and putting it in the car (it looks to big)
http://www.bumbleride.com/updates/index.php

As to were you can find it they I noticed that buybuyBABY carries it in Downers Grove. Great store by the way.

The other two I found that will accomadate an infant carrier are the Kolcraft Contour Double at Toys R' Us
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3121487

and the B.O.B Revolution at The Right Start Naperville and Yorktown
http://www.bobgear.com/strollers/stroller_accessories.php...

Good luck to you!!
Hope this helps!

I have a 33 month old and a 4 month old and I would recommend a double stroller.

The Bumble Ride is very nice but it is big. My girlfriend has one and we tried putting it in my trunk (Mitsubishi Galant)and it was hard and a very, very tight fit. Here is her review on it and pictures.

http://www.kidbuyproducts.com/2008/10/review-bumbleride-i...

Many people have recommended the sit and stand which would be ideal for a once in a while stroller, maybe for the car. I borrowed a friends to see if I liked it and hated it for longer walks. Also my son was not comfortable and when you have the infant carrier in it the space for your toddler is super small. Oh and there is no space to hold a diaper bag...so annoying!!

That all being said, mainly because of the space in my car, we went with the City Mini Double by Baby Jogger. It is super light weight, fits great in my trunk (and even allows for extra space for groceries!!), and is nice for walks. Some cons are the basket isn't super big from the back but you can put quite a bit into from the sides, you can't use an infant carrier with it, and it does not have air tires. I personally love it for our needs.

So just some ideas and good luck. Also you can try going to Lazar's (http://www.lazarsfurniture.com/)on Lincoln..they let us put strollers in our trunk to see if they fit!!!

Just to add that Grow on Division in Chicago (Damen and Division area) has the Bumbleride twin.