Will I *Want* a Double Stroller?

I haven't read all the responses, but I got a double stroller with my third child because they were only 13 months apart. My first two kids are 2.5 years apart and I never felt I needed one. With two young ones so close in age, I did use it, but now that my youngest is 2 we hardly ever use it - they want to walk most of the time! If you do get one, I got an umbrella double stroller because it's light and easy to take with you. I personally don't think you need a huge one, but it might be nice to have a light (and inexpensive) on one hand for those times you do end up going to the zoo or doing a lot of walking. Good luck!

My first two are nearly 3 years apart. My mother insisted that I needed a double stroller because she had used hers all the time. Well her two were only two years and my father wasn't too helpful in the baby department. So the stroller she just had to get me, I gave it away. It was just too much, plus my child knows how to walk...its not like we're walking around the zoo each day. I now have a third child, 3 years apart again, and I don't miss that stroller.

I would say no. My daughter and son both didn't want to be in a stroller not long after they could walk. We never got one and I never missed it. I'm actually glad we didn't waste the money on one assuming we would need it. I'd wait until you actually feel like you need it before buying one.

I only have one child, but my sister now has three. I would check out garage sales and craigslist for a decent used one. My sister didn't always use hers, but there were times when she was so glad to have it.

Are you planning on having more than 2 kids? If so, it is a good investment.

I have 2 double strollers: a side-by side jogger from Baby Trend (sold by OneStepAhead.com) and a tandem Graco Duoglider. I use both of them ALL THE TIME. I have a 7 month old, 2 yr old, and 4 yr old. Most of the time I have my baby and toddler in it, but occassionally my 4 yr old will ride (if it has been a long day/trip/walk/outing), and then I'll wear the baby in my ERGO carrier.

Does your daughter do a good job walking alongside of you and obeying your directions?
Do you go on many solo outings (meaning, without hubby or another adult?)

For me, because my oldest is ACTIVE and I like to be out of the house as much as possible, I opted to buy one...and then another so I could get some exercise.

You can always buy used off of Craigslist, or request one on Freecycle.com

Yes... you will want one -- for your sanity.
LBC

Get a used one. You eill need it for the zoo mall.. i used mine for walks in the neighborhood too. Sometimes u need to keep both kidd contained safely.

I think it depends on your lifestyle. My daughters are 18 months apart. I absolutely loved my double stroller, it was one of the things I couldn't live without.

I agree it depends on your lifestyle & your child (older one). I STILL use my double and my girls are 17 months & 4 years old. My 4 yr old will still fall asleep in the stroller at the mall! :)
ETA: I have a minivan, so I keep the dbl & single stroller in at all times. If I feel like letting my 4 yo walk I'll ask her if she wants to walk or ride. It's 50/50 with her. If it's a mall trip, I ALWAYS use the dbl and if she wants to walk for a bit she can...

My kids are two years apart and I almost never use my double stroller. I find it much more convenient to babywear the little one in a comfortable carrier (like the Ergo), and push my older one in an umbrella stroller. So much less bulk, baby gets to see what he wants and be held by mama, and toddler can get in and out of stroller as she likes.

FYI, I'm launching a baby carrier lending service within the next month, so you might be interested in checking that out. www.CarryMeBabyCarriers.com.

Good luck!

I have both a side by side for walking and a sit and stand that I keep in my car. I would at least recommend a sit and stand. Even if your older child likes to walk - there will be times when you want them both contained - airports, crowded malls, street festivals, crowded zoo, etc. especially when you are by yourself.

We didn't have one, and I probably would have used one a total of 10 times or less if we'd had one.

But, our older daughter (2 yrs 8 months when our younger was born) was in preschool/daycare every day, so we only went out together on the weekends, and then the older one walked. If you will all be doing a lot more walking than we did, you might use it.

My daughter is 2+ and I watch my 8 mo old niece every day. My sister picked up a double stroller from my neighbor's garage sale this summer (only $40!! Only needed some cleaning and it was in good shape) and that double has been a godsend for me! For walks, for outings, whatever :) And since my sister's now expecting her 2nd that I'll also be watching when she goes back to work, the stroller will get an even bigger workout. I definitely don't use it everyday, but I don't feel so bad since she didn't spend a lot for it.

In Feb/March-ish, there will be a gigantic resale by the Tri-City Mothers of Twins & Triplets Club. Since only members can sell at their event, you'll find double strollers for sale and most are very reasonably priced. Since you'd only be using it for a shorter period of time, given your daughter's age, you definitely shouldn't pay full retail price!

I didn't use the double stroller until my second born was 6 months old, up until then I carried him everywhere in the Ergo...it was the most comfortable way to travel and run errands and left my hands free for my 2 year old in his stroller. I did however end up purchasing a double stroller, it's almost a necessity at times although it still doesn't get used a ton. What I use a TON is my double jogging stroller on the bike path, that was well worth the investment.

Hi K. im having #2 in Jan and my oldest will by 18mths then im not real sure if i will use a double stroller our not but i did find and very nice one at a garage sale a few weeks back for $25 so just in case i dont use it much it wasnt $200 wasted. You might try garage sales, craigslist or ebay and look for a used one since they our so pricey.... Congrats on ur new baby on the way

Hi K.-

I have to agree with 'queen' in that although I 'had' a double stroller with/for my second kiddo...I did not use it all that much. I 'wore' the baby for the most part...and occasionally switched out with is 14 month old plus brother...

BUT...when the NEXT kiddo came along, a double stroller was GREAT! If not two kiddos...then one kiddo plus and 'stuff'!!!

With as many kiddos as I had...I burned out at least two double strollers...and even considered one of those 5 to 6 seaters like a daycare uses! lol

Best luck!
michele/cat

It really depends on your lifestyle and your older daughter's personality. Is she the type that will happily sit in a stroller when you want her to, or does she insist on getting out and walking? Do you frequently go places that have a lot of walking, like the zoo or a theme park?

My son was 3 years and 5 months when my baby was born. For a long time, I didn't need a double. But, just after his 4th birthday (baby was then 7 months), we went to Disneyland. I had borrowed a Graco tandem stroller and I didn't like it at all! It was so unwieldy and hard to move through the crowded park. Since we bought Disney passes and I knew we'd be going back frequently, I decided to finally bite the bullet and buy a double.

I ended up with the City Micro (very similar to a City Mini) and I love it. See if you can find a good deal in your area through craiglist or a consignment shop or something.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - got kids? I've got toys!

When my kids were little, I had a double stroller as well as a sit and stand. I gave the double stroller away. We used the sit and stand for everything. I even took it overseas with no problems. My older daughter loved to be able to get on and off at will and having the seat may it easy for her to ride if she got tired.

I say no! Your 2 1/2 year old won't want to be in it much anyway.

I had a stroller with the sit/stand seat on the back. LOVED it...we walked everywhere at the time. My kids are 3 years apart.

hi K., you will need it. I my son was 2-2m when the baby was born, he is 2,4m now and I can not imagine not having the double stroller.
All doctor appointments, walks to the park I make him sit, or he starts running away if he's not sitting. It can get dangerous if he starts running towards the street! and you have to leave the baby and go chasing after the bigger one! I find it so much easier to have one!
I bought mine used from Craigslist for $40, that way I can still re-sell it after I'm done for about the same!
Good luck!
also, my older kids are 3 years apart, never needed one but with the 2 year old and baby Im glad I have it!

I had one and returned it. All that I tried were so big and cumbersome. They take up SOOOO much room in your trunk, or back of your van. Not worth it. My youngest are 2 years and 4 months apart, and I've never regretted taking the double stroller BACK......Never needed it. I have a sit and stand that has been more convenient. But could live without it too lol Usually both kids don't want to be in the stroller at the same time, so save yourself the money!

It depends on how much walking you do. I'm in same boat, have 5 mo old and 2.5 yr old. We used our DS a ton this summer. He was big so we just laid him in the back part and put my daughter in the front. They are super expensive so we went with the sit and stand from One Step Ahead. It beat all other prices by far. We noticed our 2.5 yr old loves to be w/her brother in the stroller and she walks far too slow to not put her in something. Good luck!

We have our two boys two years apart. We bought the double stroller and then regretted it. It was so big and heavy to carry, not to mention a pain in the butt to navigate when we were out. So we only used it a couple of times. I carried my baby in the carrier and let the2-yr old use the stroller. Then when the baby was big enough the older child walked. Maybe you should look into buying a used one. It is good when you know you will be out walking for a long time. Good luck!

It really depends on whether or not your daughter likes to ride in the stroller. I too had (and still have) the city mini and LOVE it! My son was 2 1/2 when my daughter was born and since he likes to ride in the stroller, we upgraded to the city select double stroller. I was leary too about spending the extra $$, but, I absolutely love it and am so happy we spent the money. It is so easy to handle, storage is amazing and I can open doors by myself and steer the stroller with one hand! There are so many options for seating and you can also convert it back to a single stroller at any time. I use it too for the grocery store sometimes, but, always at the mall, stores, etc. I did buy it off of ebay (brand new in the box) and it was much cheaper. Good luck.

I used my double stroller for several years. We took it everywhere, even shopping to Walmart. I would just put the groceries in the lower basket or on top of the canopy. It wore out because I used it so much. It depends on how much you'll use it.

My twins were 2.5 when my daughter was born. I was panicking because I didn't want a triple stroller if I didn't need one. I'm so glad I didn't get a new one. My were done with the stroller within weeks of her being born. They don't like to ride in it at all. So, they just turned 3 and I use the stroller for my daughter's carrier but not for them.

I still use mine. I have a sit-n-stand stroller by Baby Trends. My daughter was 2 when my son was born, they are now 3 and 1. I was never a fan of the side by sides, but a friend of mine LOVES her side by side, and her kids are the same ages as mine.
I find that the Sit-n-Stand is, obviously, longer than a standard single stroller, but not so awkward as to not be able to use it for just one. Also, it's nice to have the option for my daughter to hop on the stroller for a ride if she gets tired when we are out. We used it more when my son was smaller, but it still gets regular use.

Edit: The Sit-n-Stand tends to fold up much smaller than a side by side. When mine is folded it is about the same size as the single I had before, so I don't have trouble fitting it in the car or anywhere else for that matter.

I still use my double side by side stroller for my 5 year old and 2.5 year old. We use it almost everyday- to walk to the park or just around the neighborhood. The kids love to walk but get tired quickly. The advantage to the side by side is I think they stay comfortable for older kids, but the downside is I can't take it anywhere in the car. It is just too big. So it would really depend on what you need it for. I would check Craigslist and garage sales for a nice used one. Good luck.

C.

When do you use the stroller? Is it for long walks and traveling or trips to the park and quick walks to the store. A coworker had a 2 yr old when she had her 2nd. She bought a double only because they were always out and they traveled, never drove around to get anywhere so the double made sense. When she had her 3rd, she didn't bother getting one again (gave the first away) because they only made trips to the park and local grocery or went for walks or else drove.