Have slings/wraps...stroller?

[mamathomas]

Hi mamas,

This is probaby the wrong spot to post this, but I couldn't find a baby gear forum.

LO is due in about a month or so and we have a few different slings, wraps and so on. Originally we had decided to forget the whole stroller thing because we do plan to wear her. Lately though, I've been thinking it might be nice to have a lightweight stroller around. We definitely don't want a giant stroller, just something that folds and travels easily.

Any recommendations?

Thanks again!

[lifeguard]

I'd wait on it. Then if you find there are times you wish you had one get one. I have a stroller & have NEVER used it thus far.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I'd wait, too. The only thing I used my stroller for in the first year was to carry bags if I went to a mall. As he got older I realized the big stroller I had from our travel system was useless to me. I got a nice umbrella stroller and that was perfect for DS as a toddler. I wish I would have listened to the people who advised me to wait. I could have saved some money (and spent it on another sling!) I'd just wait and figure out what your needs are, then go looking for a stroller that fits those needs. That is, if you end up needing one at all.

[grniys]

I thought I'd never need a stroller with my first because I had a sling but I found I needed one for trying on clothes and such. So it just depends.

[momtob&t]

I am going to say that a small stroller may not be a bad investment, but if you really think you are going to wear dc all the time then I wouldn't buy one. We spent over 200 dollars on a stroller and I for some reason drag it out everytime we go shopping, but I end up with dd in her sling or carrier anyway I always have someone with me when I shop, so I don't even use it when I try on clothes, the other person just holds her.

[Siera]

The only time we ever use our stroller is when I go for a run or a walk. Otherwise, I always wear DD when we go out. But, like a PP mentioned, it might not be a bad idea to a lightweight/inexpensive one just in case.

[4Blessings]

Start asking around. Once I mentioned that I was looking for a stroller everyone seemed to have one they no longer needed I don't feel so bad about hardly ever using it since it was free. I do think it will get more use this summer now that DD is older.

We walk a lot and actually used our first stroller until it was completely worn out. After two kids it no longer had any life in it.

I think it depends on your lifestyle. If you are out and about often and think you will need a break from babywearing and/or something to hold your diaper or shopping bags a stroller gets lots of use.

I just wouldn't spend a ton of $ on it

[Jezzy]

I would wait too. We bought a stroller and have never used it . If you think later on you need one you could always get one.

[pixiepunk]

what kind of environment do you live in? Urban? Suburban? Rural? What kinds of activities do you do a lot of? Do you go to malls? Do you walk around city streets and parks? graveled nature paths? do you travel a lot (by car) to other destinations (beaches, cities, etc)? do you (or DH) jog?

i think whether or not you will get use out of a stroller has a lot to do with your surroundings and your lifestyle. when i had DD1, i lived in the middle of a large city. i wore her everywhere, but had a light umbrella-style stroller (a Chicco) that carried our diaper bag and changes of clothes and a few toys and a snack, and sometimes the groceries on the way home from the park. occasionally it even carried DD1 i also watched another little girl two days a week, so i often wore one and pushed one. we used it every single day and it was an indispensable piece of baby gear.

but now we live in a rural area, there are no sidewalks and no 'town' to speak of. we're not mall-goers or shoppers in general, except at places we need to go for necessities like the grocery store and there i just use a cart if i don't want to babywear. it has been sitting in our barn collecting dust for almost 3 years. it got used once - when we went back to our old neighborhood to stay with friends for a weekend, and one of our older two would occasionally ride in it when they got tired of walking, and it carried some gear for us which was nice.

i do have a bicycle trailer that coverts to a stroller and we do still get some use out of that because it can go "off-road" on gravelled nature paths an things, and it seats two (which is nice when you have 3 kids). but if that were the only kind of environment you might use a stroller, you'd have to decide if it was worth buying something beefier. an umbrella stroller there would be useless, though they work just great on flat paved surfaces. or if you or your DH do a lot of jogging, a jogging stroller would be idea.

so i think you need to think about how/why/where you might use a stroller to see if would be worth buying one, and what kind of stroller would be of best use.

[isabchi]

Originally Posted by Proud2BeAnAmerican

Start asking around. Once I mentioned that I was looking for a stroller everyone seemed to have one they no longer needed I don't feel so bad about hardly ever using it since it was free. I do think it will get more use this summer now that DD is older.

We walk a lot and actually used our first stroller until it was completely worn out. After two kids it no longer had any life in it.

I think it depends on your lifestyle. If you are out and about often and think you will need a break from babywearing and/or something to hold your diaper or shopping bags a stroller gets lots of use.

I just wouldn't spend a ton of $ on it

:
I'll be wait and see.
All depend of you life style and what is going to happened IRL.
When we have our first (DD) we bought one, and every time we used we finish with DD in arms wishing to have our carrier. Now with DS the stroller still in the attic collecting dust. Neither of my baby likes to stay seat for more that 5 minutes,top!

[baturay]

With my first, I think I used the stroller maybe a handful of times. So, personally...I'd wait on this and get a used one or a cheap one later on.

Even with my second, I still only use the stroller for things like going to the arboretum, zoo, mall or other activities that require a lot of walking. My kids are all under 4 yrs old, so sometimes that comes in handy. But for regular use...it collects dust.

[PiePie]

I received a jogging stroller hand-me-down but DD hated it. Turns out she hates to be reclined. Even though reclining is considered a plus when you read stroller reviews. Had I purchased pre-birth, I would have got the Maclaren Triumph, but given that she hates to recline and doesn't care about extra padding, I got the Maclaren Volo.

[luv-my-boys]

Since your almost due I would wait and see if you find yourself *wanting* a stroller after the baby comes. DS LOVED the sling but at times it was more convenient/better to have a stroller with us. Especially as he got older and a lot HEAVIER holding a wiggling toddler in a sling while trying to do other things became a bit much for me at times. We opted for a Maclaren stroller. They are pricier but they last up to 55/60 lbs (depending on model) and since we live close to urban areas and travel a lot it was nice to have. It is very lightweight and even my now 5 yr old and sit in it comfortable ....and I can still steer it

[mamathomas]

Thanks for all the replies - great advice yet again

[georgiegirl1974]

Definitely wait. I bought a stroller for DD and she HATED it from the moment she was born. So I turned to babywearing. Some kids love the stroller, and sometimes babywearing isn't ideal for whatever you are doing, so you might need a stroller.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by Biscuits & Gravy

I'd wait, too. The only thing I used my stroller for in the first year was to carry bags if I went to a mall.

: And I have to say it has been really helpful for that . Also, I take the stroller when I plan to try on clothes - that's really impossible with a carrier!

[paquerette]

There are times that I wish I had one, but not badly enough to justify the expense. I had a monstrous Graco with DD1 that was used a handful of times, but it was a gift and secondhand so not a huge waste. I usually find myself more in need of bag and package carrying ability, so I think I might just get one of those little wire carts. They're only $15,compared to a $130 stroller that seems pretty good!

[cotopaxi]

I'm late to the party I see, but I'm another one that never did feel the need for a stroller. Baby girl did NOT want to be put down until she was about a year old, and at that point she was old enough to ride in the shopping cart, walk a little, etc., and would still happily be worn if I wanted to keep up a pace. We have one but only for jogging, and it's only ever been used for jogging. I've never felt the need for one while shopping or taking day trips.

[maymorales]

we moved around many times during my ds's first 3 years, from uber-urban to almost-rural.
occasionally, in nyc, we needed a stroller if we were roaming around the city for a while. but i wore ds before i'd get on the subway. so i had a smaller maclaren with the shoulder strap. forgot the model. I did use that stroller more than others.

I bought a new maclaren techno XL when we moved to a farming town. i thought i might it need it for the size and use a stroller more frequently as ds was starting to walk. but between the car and the store, i only used the big MacLaren once during x-mas shopping.

I agree with "pixiepunk." it depends on where you live.

anyway, a lightweight, umbrella stroller can be useful. just avoid those super cheapie ones that look like the baby is sinking into the seat.

[ChetMC]

Wait

I agree with waiting. You'll know when and if you need a stroller, and at that point you'll probably have a better idea about what you want to use it for specifically.

We have a stroller that we've used a lot, but we have three kids and I can't carry all of them.