Can i get by without a double stroller?

[anotherpeanut]

So I'm due with my second child in June. My first will be 2 1/2 at the time the next one is born. We are a very active family, lots of time outside, lots of walks, games, parks, zoos, forest preserves etc. Do you think I can get by with a single stroller and babywearing? I have a moby wrap and an ergo currently and would LOVE to save the money on a double stroller (i'm thinking i would probably need a jogger type if i got one because they are so much easier to get around) but I'm wondering if I can actually manage it in reality. The double strollers are crazy expensive too! I walk for exercise fairly as well so the thought of not being able to ever put them both in the stroller is a bit overwhelming. What do you think? What worked for you? Thanks!

[Quirky]

I didn't get a double stroller until I had #3, and now that #2 is 4.5 years old, we're not using it at all. But the whole time #2 was a baby, I'd wear her and push #1 (2.5 when #2 was born), so never had need for a double stroller.

That said, you will be doing yourself a huge favor if you learn how to do a high back carry with a newborn/tiny baby. My fave for doing that is a tall-bodied MT like a Kozy or a Toddlerhawk, and if you're really ambitious you can use a woven wrap. I think it's so much easier to push the first in a stroller with #2 on your back, so it's more ergonomic and safer, too (because you can see your feet!)

[mum4boys]

You definitely do not need a double stroller with the ages of your children.

[jenniet]

I thought I needed one, my boys are 2 years and 2 months apart but I am so glad I didn't spend the money. My older child rarely wanted to sit in a stroller past the age of two. Plus, I find it so much easier to wear a baby and push a stroller than to worry about a maneuvering a double stroller. My youngest is now 9.5 months and we have never needed a double stroller.

[Daisie125]

My kiddos are 18 months apart and I never even had *a* stroller. #3 will be 26 months younger than DD and I have no plans to get one this time either. I think you'll be fine.

[boigrrrlwonder]

I'm due with my second. They'll be a little less than three years apart. We keep thinking about getting a double jogging stroller, because I'd like to jog. (It's just so expensive, even used.) However, for just getting around, I think we'll be fine with just one stroller - my daughter already walks quite a bit.

[iowaorganic]

I could not have survived without my double strollers. When we go we are going for a long time. I always pack a sling or my ergo but the double goes too. That thing has been an absolute lifesaver. I even seriously contemplated getting a triple when DS2 came along- that would have been a bit much though. The only problem with double joggers is that they are so wide you can't take them 'in'. There really isn't much of an alternative though.

[JamieCatheryn]

I never bought a stroller, my boys are 3 years apart. Older one walks and I wear the baby. Strollers are so restrictive, no way you can hike with one, and the point is to get DS1 some exercise. But if I were to have to really go somewhere walking with my boys rather than going at DS1's pace I guess I'd need a wagon or something to keep him moving. No real destinations are within walking distance or have sidewalks to use a wagon or a stroller on though.

[woodchick]

We went back and forth when we were expecting DD2. In the end we decided to get a double- the Joovy Caboose. The tipping point was vacationing- I knew DD1 wouldn't make it all around Philiadelphia, and I didn't want to end up carrying her.

We don't use it every time we go out. I wear the baby or DD1 walks... But it has come in very handy. DD2 gets the front seat and loves seeing the world and DD1 really loves her 'Big Girl Seat' in back.

[Tjej]

We have a double, the kids are 22 months apart, and it has been very useful for us. Part of that is we go on long family walks with our two dogs, along some fairly busy country roads. So having DD walk all the time just isn't easy for me to do by myself/she gets tired anyway.

It isn't necessary. When DS was a baby I would just wear him and DD would ride in the stroller (or walk). When DS was an older (and BIGGER!) baby, it was nice to have the double stroller option for our lifestyle.

Tjej

[LaughingHyena]

Mine are just over 2 years apart and I found I used the double a lot for the first few months. Putting them both in the buggy and walking was one of the few ways I could get DD to take a nap

I had a C/S which made it difficult to carry DS for any length of time for the first month or so., but even then I found that it was hard on my back to carry him and push DD. Once he was a little older and could go on my back I found things a lot easier.

I bought a cheep maclaren (£5) and defiantly got my money's worth.

[isabchi]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

I never bought a stroller, my boys are 3 years apart. Older one walks and I wear the baby. Strollers are so restrictive, no way you can hike with one, and the point is to get DS1 some exercise. But if I were to have to really go somewhere walking with my boys rather than going at DS1's pace I guess I'd need a wagon or something to keep him moving. No real destinations are within walking distance or have sidewalks to use a wagon or a stroller on though.

We don't own any stroller by choice. We use a wagon once a year for the 4th of July, that's all!. Otherwise, my oldest likes to walk and it's good for her.

[calpurnia]

Originally Posted by isabchi

We don't own any stroller by choice. We use a wagon once a year for the 4th of July, that's all!. Otherwise, my oldest likes to walk and it's good for her.

so can a 2.5 / 3 year old just walk all day? we walk about 3/4 hours a day (no car)

[IandA'smom]

We purchased a double stroller a few months ago and it is parked in my dining room. It is huge and you can not get through isles in stores or door ways, it is a side-by-side. I put DS, 9 months old in our Beco and DD in her single stroller, in the shopping cart or she walks. I wish I had purchased a double jogger instead of the one I have because it barely makes it over bumps in sidewalks so we can forget about festivals, farmer's market, etc.. I would see how it goes and purchase one if you feel you need one later.

[jewelsJZ]

I purchased one used but didn't use it until the baby got heavy. I still wear him, of course, but not for as long. I am glad I got the double stroller used and didn't spend as much money because I still don't use it often but it's nice to have.