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Post by tiffrobot on Aug 28, 2017 15:26:14 GMT -6
OOH I knew I had an extra thought. And maybe more helpful to the parents with older kiddos learning to ride their bikes.
We just bought a used double bike stroller off a friend (that also converts to a stroller) which I think will be SUPER useful to us over the next couple or so summers. I wish I had one this year.
Now that DS is old enough to bike, he is fast and I actually don't really like taking him out for walks without H because I'm pushing DD in the stroller and can't keep up! H and I both have bikes so H has been biking with him so they can go ahead and do their thing.
So I am so happy next year I can hook a stroller up and keep up with everyone, and not feel stressed about taking DS out alone when he gets going ahead of me! I live in a super small town with little/slow/usually observant traffic so he's *generally* safe, but accidents still happen and with people randomly backing out of driveways and such I don't like to let him go too far without me.
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amesie
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Post by amesie on Aug 28, 2017 18:06:36 GMT -6
So here's my 2 cents on strollers...
1) we got a graco travel system with DD. I loved that the infant carrier was easy to take out and click right into the stroller. It was super convenient in the beginning months so I didn't have to take her in and out of the car seat a million times.
2) don't get a graco. The price tag is awesome but the strollers suck. They're not well made and the wheels are horrendous. If I hit a twig with the wheel, the whole stroller comes to a complete stop. It's obnoxious.
3) If you don't get a travel system, a car seat adapter would be handy so you can click the infant carrier directly into the stroller.
4) if you go with a stroller that has decent wheels (any of the city minis, especially the GT), you can forgo a jogging stroller all together... unless you're an avid jogger or are going through very high terrain. The city minis are fantastic and can drive through pretty rough conditions. The britax strollers are pretty comparable to city mini.
5) we also got an umbrella stroller, but I have not used it once in 2.5 years. Our graco stroller is light enough and easy enough to collapse and pop open and light enough that I'm able to take it in and out of my car with ease.
I referenced lucieslist.com a LOT. She gives awesome reviews and recommendations based off lots of research. And based off multiple price points. Highly recommend checking it out. She breaks everything down so simply.
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 18:24:43 GMT -6
+1 to lucieslist
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Post by helloerrbody on Aug 28, 2017 19:52:28 GMT -6
I got an expensive convertible stroller and didn't use it at all after he was big enough to sit up in the stroller. By that point I wanted something super easy to get out of the trunk and set-up, so I just got an umbrella stroller.
If I went back and did it again, I'd get just a stroller base/caddy thing for the infant seat to sit in, an umbrella stroller, and a jogging stroller. I'd skip the expensive convertible stroller.
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pippiann
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Post by pippiann on Aug 28, 2017 21:58:40 GMT -6
I am *was* a stroller whore, the expensive strollers are worth every penny if you use them regularly. It would drive me mad trying to walk with a stroller that didn't maneuver well.
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Post by jessijean on Aug 28, 2017 22:17:42 GMT -6
We have a graco one which the infant seat snaps on. Click connect? We wish it had better wheels but we have gotten a lot of use out of it. It also opens/collapses one handed. LOVE that. We use an umbrella stroller for quick things like rummage sales.
Found a used double zooper stroller for when #2 arrives. Obviously won't use out until spring.
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snowyowl
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Post by snowyowl on Aug 28, 2017 22:38:02 GMT -6
I have the Citi Mini GT as well, and it's great. Very maneuverable, easy to fold, and the adaptors were simple to figure out. We would just snap our Britax car seat into it. It's light for its size and the tires are nice.
I'd recommend going to a baby store and trying some out. It helped to do things like trying to fold the strollers, rolling them around to see if they moved smoothly, picking them up to get an idea of the weight, etc.
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sarahh
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Post by sarahh on Aug 29, 2017 8:13:40 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. Speaking of baby wearing, I need some opinions on what is best for little babies. DD was born frank breech and had hip dysplasia so was in a brace her first 6 months of life so we weren't able to baby wear. I have an Ergo with insert, a Baby Bjorn and a Beco Gemini that I got before she was born and didn't use much. Is there something better and do I need a wrap or sling?
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 29, 2017 8:31:25 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. IMO you will still probably use your stroller whenever you have a second kid. For me, I'm keeping our single & just using it or the double depending on what we're doing. Like at the zoo I want the double...for a quick errand I'll wear #2 and DD sits in the single. For traveling I'll probably always just bring the single & wear the baby.
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 29, 2017 8:32:30 GMT -6
But I'm also on team "the expensive strollers are worth it." Also on team "get it used."
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Post by helloerrbody on Aug 29, 2017 9:19:24 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. I could be wrong, but I believe it is totally safe for them to sleep in their car seat as long as it is locked into the base in your car or locked into a stroller base that's made for it. It's when the seat is just sitting on the floor or wherever that the angle isn't safe. I mean my kid literally cannot be stopped from sleeping in the car and never could be.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 10:08:20 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. I rarely ever use my stroller, the only time I use it is recreational walks around my neighborhood on summer days when it is uncomfortably hot for babywearing. I loved a ring sling for the first 6 months or so and then transitioned to soft structured carriers (I love Tulas or Lillebabys). I am an overweight gal, so the second I found myself saying "I can't go for a walk, it's too hot to babywear" I decided to get a stroller because I didn't want to use it as an excuse to neglect my health if that makes sense.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 10:17:54 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. We spent more on our stroller and DS is still using it at 5. Its in almost brand new shape for baby.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 10:22:02 GMT -6
We need a new infant seat this time because DS's expired and I want a bucket carrier because of being February in upstate NY. With DS we bought our car seat separate (Britax bsafe I think it was) and got the Agile stroller and bought the adapters for the car seat. I wanted a stroller that would last and many of the Chico/Graco/baby trend sets from reviews didn't tend to last as long. It's probably my one of my favorite purchases (the sun shade on it is amazing.
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 29, 2017 10:58:02 GMT -6
But I'm also on team "the expensive strollers are worth it." Also on team "get it used." I'm on both these teams too.
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 29, 2017 11:01:39 GMT -6
sarahh I loved wrapping DD but it seems like you have lots of options. We LOVED the Solly wrap and used it daily until she got the weight limit. I had borrowed it from a friend so now I'm trying to decide if I should get my own or if I should find a stretchy wrap with a higher weight limit like a wrapsody hybrid.
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Post by sunfrogger on Aug 29, 2017 11:08:57 GMT -6
If we're talking baby wearing I loved the ktan while they were little but I also really love my lille. I actually need to make suck pads for it.
I will elaborate that I plan to get the car seat adapter for the Joovy I got used because I want to be able to use it before baby can really sit up well on their own. Last year February was gorgeous and in PA it's so touch and go I think we'll get plenty of use from it.
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 29, 2017 11:15:41 GMT -6
We need a new infant seat this time because DS's expired and I want a bucket carrier because of being February in upstate NY. With DS we bought our car seat separate (Britax bsafe I think it was) and got the Agile stroller and bought the adapters for the car seat. I wanted a stroller that would last and many of the Chico/Graco/baby trend sets from reviews didn't tend to last as long. It's probably my one of my favorite purchases (the sun shade on it is amazing. Yep! Team Britax 4 life!!! We have a convertible & their double now too haha. It's my favorite stroller ever!!
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 29, 2017 11:16:55 GMT -6
sarahh I didn't wear DD much as an infant but I want to wear this one so I'm stalking the Solly BSTs for an EUC wrap. We also have a tula which I LOVE and will use when baby is a bit bigger.
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Post by acarpediem on Aug 30, 2017 12:08:28 GMT -6
I was soooo naive the first time buying a stroller. I fell in love with a Jane stroller and then bought second hand. Welp, turns out it was not in the best of condition when the baby came along. It also didn't even fit my needs. Anyways, I'm much more in tune with what I will need this go round. Since we live in the city, I need something I can haul down flights of stairs, fit in small elevators, fit through the metro turn stiles, and fold up easily. I scored a Yoyo Babyzen for half the price though a mom's group. The great part of the yoyo is that it folds up so small that it's carry on approved for most flights. I mostly wore my first baby but I think it was due to not having a convenient stroller.
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Post by helloerrbody on Aug 30, 2017 13:58:05 GMT -6
I like to baby wear when I'm doing stuff around the house and baby doesn't want to be put down, but I'm really reliant on my stroller for being out and about. I love going on neighborhood walks (well when the weather isn't 214 degrees) with one earbud in listening to podcasts.
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Post by nuggetrn on Aug 31, 2017 21:32:38 GMT -6
I'm having such a hard time deciding what to do. I'd really like to baby wear almost exclusively, especially since it's not safe to let them sleep in the car seat. I don't want to waste a ton of money on a stroller that barely gets used and then likely needs to be replaced when we have a second kid. Sigh. I could be wrong, but I believe it is totally safe for them to sleep in their car seat as long as it is locked into the base in your car or locked into a stroller base that's made for it. It's when the seat is just sitting on the floor or wherever that the angle isn't safe. I mean my kid literally cannot be stopped from sleeping in the car and never could be. This actually makes total sense because in a car seat base and in the stroller the car seat is at the proper reclining position for the baby's airway to stay open. I'm glad you pointed that out. I am still team nervous about the temptation to leave the baby in the car seat sitting somewhere just because they're sleeping though. Which makes me lean towards removing that as a possibility altogether and just starting with a convertible seat. But I don't know if I'm delusional.
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Post by helloerrbody on Sept 1, 2017 6:04:21 GMT -6
I could be wrong, but I believe it is totally safe for them to sleep in their car seat as long as it is locked into the base in your car or locked into a stroller base that's made for it. It's when the seat is just sitting on the floor or wherever that the angle isn't safe. I mean my kid literally cannot be stopped from sleeping in the car and never could be. This actually makes total sense because in a car seat base and in the stroller the car seat is at the proper reclining position for the baby's airway to stay open. I'm glad you pointed that out. I am still team nervous about the temptation to leave the baby in the car seat sitting somewhere just because they're sleeping though. Which makes me lean towards removing that as a possibility altogether and just starting with a convertible seat. But I don't know if I'm delusional. I know some people opt to just start with a convertible seat, but I could not imagine it. Not just the leaving them in the car seat thing, but also being able to get them strapped in while inside the house instead of having to do it in the car itself.
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amesie
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Post by amesie on Sept 1, 2017 6:07:01 GMT -6
This actually makes total sense because in a car seat base and in the stroller the car seat is at the proper reclining position for the baby's airway to stay open. I'm glad you pointed that out. I am still team nervous about the temptation to leave the baby in the car seat sitting somewhere just because they're sleeping though. Which makes me lean towards removing that as a possibility altogether and just starting with a convertible seat. But I don't know if I'm delusional. I know some people opt to just start with a convertible seat, but I could not imagine it. Not just the leaving them in the car seat thing, but also being able to get them strapped in while inside the house instead of having to do it in the car itself. yes! Especially in the winter with them being so itty bitty. I definitely need the infant seat for the first few months.
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Post by benandjerrys on Sept 1, 2017 6:25:57 GMT -6
There was at least one mom on my old bmb that went to a convertible seat directly. She lived in TX so I guess the cool weather wasn't a concern and she didn't use the car super frequently. I think it makes sense to do that if you live in a warm urban area. Otherwise I'm team infant seat.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 6:34:37 GMT -6
We went to a convertible seat directly with DD2 and plan to for this baby too. We live in a cold state and it wasn't an issue for my March baby but it is just our preference. I hate lugging that stupid infant seat around and would much rather wear baby wherever we need to go.
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Post by marygracerich on Sept 1, 2017 7:18:32 GMT -6
I love having the infant seat. It makes going into restaurants and such.
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Post by helloerrbody on Sept 1, 2017 7:39:48 GMT -6
There was at least one mom on my old bmb that went to a convertible seat directly. She lived in TX so I guess the cool weather wasn't a concern and she didn't use the car super frequently. I think it makes sense to do that if you live in a warm urban area. Otherwise I'm team infant seat. I'm in TX lol. But I do use the car allllll the time.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 10:46:42 GMT -6
I am clearly unconventional in many of my stroller and carseat beliefs, LOL. My philosophy though is that if you think you can go without something, give it a try! If you find that you can't go without it, buy it then, but don't buy equipment that you're not sure if you'll ever use if it is just going to sit around. Babies are way too expensive for that :-P
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Post by benandjerrys on Sept 1, 2017 11:14:10 GMT -6
I am clearly unconventional in many of my stroller and carseat beliefs, LOL. My philosophy though is that if you think you can go without something, give it a try! If you find that you can't go without it, buy it then, but don't buy equipment that you're not sure if you'll ever use if it is just going to sit around. Babies are way too expensive for that :-P I wish I had that philosophy. I have so much crap I never used.
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