pinkcat
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Post by pinkcat on Aug 28, 2017 12:13:46 GMT -6
I am in the process of starting my registry, and I am SO overwhelmed by all of the stroller options! Who knew there could be sooooo many choices?
I need Stroller Lesson 101. What type of stroller do I need? (Travel system, jogger, etc.?) Do you normally have multiple strollers, or just one? What types of things should I look for in a stroller? Do you have a favorite you'd recommend?
We are lucky to be a BMB with so many STMs and TTMs because you guys always have great advice!
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 12:38:05 GMT -6
For DD we got a travel system, the Britax B Safe & B Agile. LOVENLOVE LOVE. I could not say enough good things about them. We have a Britax convertible seat for DD now and I ended up getting the Britax double for this kid too. We're a Britax family! Haha
Some skip the infant seat altogether though, but I loved being able to carry her in without getting her out of the seat.
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 12:39:19 GMT -6
I recommend going to BRU or somewhere to test them out, push them around. You can get them cheaper on Amazon probably but it helps to see how smoothly it rides and practice opening & closing. Ours has a one handed close which I LOVE.
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pinkcat
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Post by pinkcat on Aug 28, 2017 12:46:35 GMT -6
Thanks dragonflyinn! What is a travel system exactly? (Can you tell I am stroller illiterate? Lol) Does it mean you could just unhook the carseat out of the car and hook it into the stroller? Did you use that feature a lot? |
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Post by flippinchica on Aug 28, 2017 12:49:58 GMT -6
I have a contours bliss that I don't love but you can use the infant seat and use it as a basinette. It is huge when folded though. I also have an umbrella type stroller I bought for travel but use it anytime I have to bring it in the car. The big one we use just for home walks. You don't need a jogger unless you actually want to run with your child (which isn't recommended till 6 months I believe) or are going to use it on uneven ground.
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aprilz81
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Post by aprilz81 on Aug 28, 2017 12:56:50 GMT -6
I was thinking about this the other day. I work from home and most of the time have the groceries delivered to the house. I'm not sure how much I will actually need a stroller during the first few months because I can't imagine going out "for funsies" with a newborn in tow in the middle of winter and flu season. If we go out to eat or something we would just leave her in the car seat on a chair. And when we go to church I would just bring the carseat in with us and not use the full stroller.
Maybe I'm delusional?
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 12:58:44 GMT -6
Thanks dragonflyinn! What is a travel system exactly? (Can you tell I am stroller illiterate? Lol) Does it mean you could just unhook the carseat out of the car and hook it into the stroller? Did you use that feature a lot? A travel system basically means you're getting the car seat & stroller together, they're the same brand & you purchase as a set. Some people don't like that, they will get the car seat and then a "shell" type of stroller like a snap n go (which is simply where the car seat clicks in and that's it, there's no seat for when the kid gets older like in a regular stroller). Or some people like to mix & match, you can get a car seat from one brand and the stroller from another brand & they make adaptors so you can use the two together. All infant car seats will be able click in and out of the car & stroller. |
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pinkcat
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Post by pinkcat on Aug 28, 2017 13:00:01 GMT -6
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 13:00:03 GMT -6
Also pinkcat we looked up everything on babygearlab.com they do reviews of all the top products in tons of categories. That's how we ended up with our system. |
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sarahh
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Post by sarahh on Aug 28, 2017 13:00:38 GMT -6
With DD we had a bunch of strollers. An Uppababy Vista which we love (bought used on Craigslist). We didn't use the bassinet with DD but we do plan to use it with DD2. And we purchased the 2nd seat so we will see how much we use we get out of it next year. We also have a Bob which we use a lot now for when we go places and do a lot of walking. That one we got used as well. I think what we used most when DD was a baby and still in her infant car seat was a cheap Snap and Go stroller. It is really light and easy to get in and out of the car and you just place the infant seat in it. We also had a Baby Jogger Vue which was great when DD was probably 4m+ because it lays all the way back. When we went to Disney when she was 9 mo it was awesome because we could lean it up so she could look around and then lay it flat for naps. We don't use it much anymore though.
This time around we just got a Double Bob. Bob's in general are hard to find in decent condition on craigslist and BST groups at least around me. We lucked out on the single we got for $180 when we were up at a wedding in Virginia. The double we just bought on Amazon and actually got a good deal on the color we picked ($150 off) and the next day it was back up to it's normal price.
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Post by flippinchica on Aug 28, 2017 13:05:11 GMT -6
I was thinking about this the other day. I work from home and most of the time have the groceries delivered to the house. I'm not sure how much I will actually need a stroller during the first few months because I can't imagine going out "for funsies" with a newborn in tow in the middle of winter and flu season. If we go out to eat or something we would just leave her in the car seat on a chair. And when we go to church I would just bring the carseat in with us and not use the full stroller. Maybe I'm delusional? I think this is very Baby dependent. Mine hated the stroller (or being in the car seat when not in the car so I didn't use mine much until he could sit up and look around. I would mostly baby wear for errands and just carry him to go in and out of places. pinkcat we also didn't use the snap car seat into stroller feature much for that reason unless he was already sleeping in the seat. That worked ok for the first few months |
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 28, 2017 13:16:41 GMT -6
I will say you are probably going to want more than one stroller. The basic types I can think of: Jogger (which you can use for walking or jogging, but as someone else mentioned, no jogging until babe is 6 mos). Umbrella Stroller (these are the thinner, smaller kind which again you wouldn't use until babe is sitting up). Big? Stroller - I don't know how else to describe it. This is the one we use all the time. We have the uppababy vista like sarahh mentioned, also bought it used on CL. We used the bassinet all the time though. While the infant seats all click into these strollers, you really arent' supposed to use the infant carseat except in the car aprilz81. The baby's head can fold down and then block baby's airway. I know people do it all the time, but I wouldn't ever be comfortable with babe in the infant seat for church. But you could use a baby carrier and that would be just as convenient, maybe more. I'm sure this is uncommon and all that, but I can't deal because of anxiety. So I personally need the stroller that has the toddler seat, the ability to click in the infant seat if needed, AND the bassinet. We got the Bumbleride Flite umbrella stroller. I like it a lot and at this age (DD is 2) I use it almost all the time. The first 18 mos though I almost exclusively used the big stroller. But now DD likes to walk a lot and I don't want to push the big stroller. aprilz81, I agree you don't need a stroller at first because of when our kiddos are due. I think I am going to hold off on a double until the spring. You should invest in a few infant carriers (the kind you wear) if you chose not to get a stroller. |
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sarahh
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Post by sarahh on Aug 28, 2017 13:20:35 GMT -6
benandjerrys, I am in a safe sleep group on FB and it has scared the hell out of me on everything that I did wrong with DD. We always let her sleep in her car seat (big no no) so I've vowed that we won't do the same with DD2 and actually use the bassinet with our Uppababy.
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aprilz81
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Post by aprilz81 on Aug 28, 2017 13:22:23 GMT -6
benandjerrys , I am in a safe sleep group on FB and it has scared the hell out of me on everything that I did wrong with DD. We always let her sleep in her car seat (big no no) so I've vowed that we won't do the same with DD2 and actually use the bassinet with our Uppababy. I know you aren't supposed to let a baby sleep long term in a car seat, but are you not supposed to let them fall asleep in it while in the stroller running errands or in the car while driving? I'm confused. |
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sarahh
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Post by sarahh on Aug 28, 2017 13:28:01 GMT -6
benandjerrys , I am in a safe sleep group on FB and it has scared the hell out of me on everything that I did wrong with DD. We always let her sleep in her car seat (big no no) so I've vowed that we won't do the same with DD2 and actually use the bassinet with our Uppababy. I know you aren't supposed to let a baby sleep long term in a car seat, but are you not supposed to let them fall asleep in it while in the stroller running errands or in the car while driving? I'm confused. According to the group, when you can't avoid it, it is what it is, just be extra mindful of watching the baby. If they fall asleep in the car and you get home, transfer them out of the car seat when you get inside. Car seats are fine if the baby is awake and you are watching them. But take all that with a grain of salt. I had PPA with DD and am kind of anxious anyway so after reading everything on the FB group I am changing my ways. Now if I had never joined the group I would probably do the same with DD2 as DD1. |
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 28, 2017 13:28:19 GMT -6
benandjerrys , I am in a safe sleep group on FB and it has scared the hell out of me on everything that I did wrong with DD. We always let her sleep in her car seat (big no no) so I've vowed that we won't do the same with DD2 and actually use the bassinet with our Uppababy. I know you aren't supposed to let a baby sleep long term in a car seat, but are you not supposed to let them fall asleep in it while in the stroller running errands or in the car while driving? I'm confused. If they fall asleep in it in the car, that's fine, but if you are at the mall or at church or something, put them in the bassinet in case they fall asleep. sarahh might know more because of the babysleep site, but for me, if I was on the way to something and DD fell asleep I transferred the carseat and let her keep sleeping. Thats probably technically a no no too, but that is where I drew the line. If she was awake when we arrived she went in the bassinet, asleep she stayed in the carseat. |
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Post by sunfrogger on Aug 28, 2017 13:40:12 GMT -6
I was thinking about this the other day. I work from home and most of the time have the groceries delivered to the house. I'm not sure how much I will actually need a stroller during the first few months because I can't imagine going out "for funsies" with a newborn in tow in the middle of winter and flu season. If we go out to eat or something we would just leave her in the car seat on a chair. And when we go to church I would just bring the carseat in with us and not use the full stroller. Maybe I'm delusional? This. A lot of this. We really didn't use the two together. The option was nice though. Now that we're having two, I am getting a car seat adapter for my Joovy caboose I scored used so I can click in the seat and still have my toddler on the stroller. |
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dragonflyinn
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Post by dragonflyinn on Aug 28, 2017 13:42:43 GMT -6
I know you aren't supposed to let a baby sleep long term in a car seat, but are you not supposed to let them fall asleep in it while in the stroller running errands or in the car while driving? I'm confused. If they fall asleep in it in the car, that's fine, but if you are at the mall or at church or something, put them in the bassinet in case they fall asleep. sarahh might know more because of the babysleep site, but for me, if I was on the way to something and DD fell asleep I transferred the carseat and let her keep sleeping. Thats probably technically a no no too, but that is where I drew the line. If she was awake when we arrived she went in the bassinet, asleep she stayed in the carseat. I think most of this stems from people who would put baby in the car seat to sleep, like when they're at home. Bc of the incline some babies would sleep better and parents did it even though it's not safe. |
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 28, 2017 13:46:17 GMT -6
If they fall asleep in it in the car, that's fine, but if you are at the mall or at church or something, put them in the bassinet in case they fall asleep. sarahh might know more because of the babysleep site, but for me, if I was on the way to something and DD fell asleep I transferred the carseat and let her keep sleeping. Thats probably technically a no no too, but that is where I drew the line. If she was awake when we arrived she went in the bassinet, asleep she stayed in the carseat. I think most of this stems from people who would put baby in the car seat to sleep, like when they're at home. Bc of the incline some babies would sleep better and parents did it even though it's not safe. Yes. TW: <spoiler> There was also a story about a daycare that would do this and a baby died  </spoiler> |
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Post by benandjerrys on Aug 28, 2017 13:48:42 GMT -6
Ahh how do you spoiler?
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Post by tiffrobot on Aug 28, 2017 14:03:38 GMT -6
Ok. My over explaining is coming out. But I'll just tell you my stroller experience.
For DS we bought a travel system. He was born in July (well, he was supposed to be August, but regardless, summer baby), and I took him for LOTS of walks. That's the only stroller we had for him.
When pregnant with DD, I bought the Joovy Caboose double with a car seat adaptor. She was a June baby so I was also expecting lots of walks. Well this kid HATED her car seat, and I wore her ALL the time (which was actually really convenient). So for the longest time I wore her, and pushed DS in our old stroller or pulled him in the toboggan once it got to winter. Once it hit spring again, she was more interested in sitting and looking around and the double stroller became very useful that summer. This stroller packs up small and is easy to take places, and is a sit n stand which gives them options.
This summer I was back to the single again, as DS started riding a bike with training wheels.
THEREFORE my conclusion is, this time I am not getting anything different, I expect to babywear more since it will be winter and the stroller won't work for me in the snow anyhow. If I'm with the kids by myself say, in the city or something I'll have the double for the two older kiddos and hopefully wearing baby for awhile.
My only regret is not having a jogging stroller from the start. The 3 wheels would have been nice in my rough little gravel streeted small town. But now that I'm on kid 3 and probably our last, I feel too cheap to buy one now haha. Maybe if I find a used one for cheap come next summer or something.
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stephne
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Post by stephne on Aug 28, 2017 14:07:32 GMT -6
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Post by maddisonrose on Aug 28, 2017 14:11:32 GMT -6
+1 to not letting baby constantly sleep in the car seat. There have been quite a few incidents here that I just cannot justify being the risk. DS ALWAYS fell asleep in the car seat so I can totally understand the want to doing it, but it's just a no for me personally.
Even though our due dates aren't around the best time of year I feel like getting a stroller is totally worth it. I had PPD and PPA last time around and neglected getting out and about with baby. Once I started it was almost instant alleviation of a lot of things. But baby wearing is also a great option for this!
We have the uppa baby vista and love it. We used both the bassinet and the seat so often. It's also extremely easy and somewhat light weight for getting in and out of the car etc. I'm not a runner so did not use it for that purpose but we have taken it hiking/walking on all sorts of terrain and have never had a problem.
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kyzo
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Post by kyzo on Aug 28, 2017 14:20:12 GMT -6
We are a single stroller family. We have the BabyJogger City Mini GT (with carseat adapter). I need a stroller because I plan to do an RCS and my OB has some pretty strict lifting restrictions (including a carseat carrier). With DD I went to the BF clinic a lot at the beginning and needed a stroller to walk around the hospital (where the clinic is). I like that the stroller is pretty light and I could unfold and collapse with one hand. I wish it had a larger basket, but it's just another reason to reduce the amount of stuff I carry. We rented the same stroller at Disney World last year when DD was 3 and it was still big enough for her.
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teraiin
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Post by teraiin on Aug 28, 2017 14:22:14 GMT -6
For ds we got a BOB and I bought the car seat adaptor for it. We really like it for our needs. It's been great and ds likes it. We wanted something that we could take on trails and would hold up with our weather.
However it can be a little heavy for me (I have back and shoulder problems) also i purchased a cheap umbrella stroller for shorter trips or going through the store.
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teraiin
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Post by teraiin on Aug 28, 2017 14:25:57 GMT -6
One thing to keep in mind is since our due dates are feb. jan. That might impact your stroller usage while the baby is young. I doubt I'll be going out with how snowy my area is, I'll probably baby wear.
Like my son was born in May so I got the car seat adapter for the BOB. If he had been born in winter I might not have bothered buying it. 🤷🏻♀️
My major advice is look at them in stores. Think about when and how you will be using it. Think about things like a cup holder for you, under seat storage, etc. and hopefully you can find one that checks everything off your list 😁
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 14:50:44 GMT -6
I have never owned a travel system and have zero regrets. I love my City Mini GT that I love, love, LOVE and it reclines enough that I used it with both of my kids when they were newborns. They do have carseat adapters available but I never used those either. I have an umbrella stroller that I bought for travel but I hate it so much that I usually just end up taking my City Mini.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 14:53:37 GMT -6
I think most of this stems from people who would put baby in the car seat to sleep, like when they're at home. Bc of the incline some babies would sleep better and parents did it even though it's not safe. Yes. TW: <spoiler> There was also a story about a daycare that would do this and a baby died </spoiler> There have been two of these deaths in my state in the last year or two and both were because the babies were not strapped in. Sleeping in a car seat is fine but DO NOT loosen or undo the straps! |
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pippiann
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Post by pippiann on Aug 28, 2017 15:05:51 GMT -6
We had the uppababy cruz for M and the mesa car seat and loved it! We just upgraded to the vista! We always went on walk with M during his witching hour even tho he was a dec babe! It doesn't get that cold here and fresh air is good for everyone!
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clm585
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Post by clm585 on Aug 28, 2017 15:16:26 GMT -6
We've got a bob (but we also do a lot of running)... the bob is absolutely giant and I hate it for anything else. Found a great deal on a bob duallie, and that thing is a BEAST. Definitely not an everyday stroller.
I also did a bunch of baby wearing with DS. Easy for nursing, he slept well there, and having my hands free was awesome. We loved our lillebaby but I'm prob gonna get a Tula with this kiddo. The patterns are so adorable.
We did the cheapo cart that you can click the infant seat into (chicco keyfit) and that was great for the early days. If you live in a city or do a lot of walking, it's probably not the best though. The wheels/suspension are cheap.
As far as umbrella strollers, we have a maclaren mark ii that weighs about 5lb and is seriously fantastic for the everyday stuff. When it comes time for the umbrella stroller, I think lighter is better. You carry around so much stuff, it's not the time to have some 20lb stroller as well.
For baby number two, we got the uppa baby stroller with the skateboard for DS to stand on. But I'll probably do quite a bit of wearing the baby and putting DS in the maclaren stroller, at least in the beginning!
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