What kind of stroller do I need?

[sora]

I'm due in April and my first one will be almost 4. Should I buy something likes this, sit and stand one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Baby-Trend-S...item53df1ad9be

It looks really bulky. I wonder my older one still needs to be sitting or standing on a stroller when she gets tired.

Please recommend a stroller, a brand and model if possible! Thanks.

[Lauren31]

I am sorry if this sounds dumb bc I don't have kids,but isn't a 4 year old old enough to walk? If I were you I would just buy a single stroller, especially if you are going to baby wear at all. Then you can transition the 4 year old to walking with you.

[tri31]

I would expect much would depend on how much you walk, and the terrain. Little legs get tired quickly, it can be hard for them to keep up with an adults pace. For me a stroller was must have for festivals or vacations, and the stroller doubles as a pack mule. I like the stroller you posted, I will be looking for something like it, I think. Only, I will have to wait for this springs garage sales.

[staceychev]

A friend has that stroller and said that there's not a lot of room for the older kid when it's in full recline for an infant.

Anyway, I got a double jogging stroller for free from a friend that I'll use when we go on long walks, especially "off-road" in the local nature preserve. I still have my Peg Perego P3 from DD which has a "running board" on the back that DD can stand on when she gets tired, and I'll use that if we go places like the boardwalk in the summer.

Agree with PP that it depends on how much you're walking. My DD (4.5) still gets tired easily, and it makes things much more enjoyable for me if she can ride a bit when she needs to. That being said, we don't stroller at ton, so I'm not planning on investing in something new.

[Astraia]

Have you seen/heard/thought of one of those... boogy board things? I think they're called that? It's just a little board that clips on to the back axle of the stroller and is like the standing part on the sit-stand, just something for a toddler to stand on when they get tired. I think it would be annoying to push a stroller with a little head up by the handle bar, but if it's just when your older kid gets tired and not a constant thing, it would be better then lugging around a bulky stroller.


Also, at 4, you might only get a limited amount of use out of a sit/stand, which would make me hesitant to put out the money for a stroller like that (as neat as they are).

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by staceychev

which has a "running board" on the back that DD can stand on when she gets tired, and I'll use that if we go places like the boardwalk in the summer.

Or maybe it's called a running board

[LianneM]

I did a ton of research while pg with my 2nd, and decided to get the Peg Perego P3 - I LOVE IT. My son was 3.5 when DD was born and it's been perfect. We mostly use the stroller at SeaWorld and for walks around our neighborhood. We have a small sedan so it had to fit in the trunk with room to spare. I can wear DD and let him ride, or if she's riding he can jump on the back. We really love it and it's been perfect for us

BTW I bought a previous year's color and saved a lot that way I choked on the price the first time I saw this stroller, but it has been worth every (discounted) penny

[mommy2maya]

Do you have a stroller you already love? I would look into a buggy board or kiddie board over a sit and stand at almost four, if you think your older child still needs a ride now and then.

[Chryseis]

A sit and stand may be a bit of an overkill with an older child that age, unless you really think you're going to use it all the time. I think I'd get tired of dragging something that big around all of the time, which I'll find out soon enough as I recently bought a Joovy Caboose for when the new one arrives (my son will still be under 2). I hope to only have to use it occasionally (state fairs, ren faires, etc.).

So, another vote for the Peg Perego P3. My very soon to be 4 year old loves the running boards when she gets tired, or we're in a hurry to get inside (it's raining/snowing outside). I also love the truly one-handed fold. We also got a deeply discounted previous year's model when we bought ours. However, fair warning, when the seat is in recline, the running boards don't work terribly well.

[Bokonon]

My son is 4.5, and even when we spend the day at the zoo or Disneyland, he mostly walks (and he's pretty immature for his age), but when he gets really tired, I just wear the baby and let my son sit in the stroller.

I agree with the PPs that unless you plan on doing a lot of walking and/or don't wear your baby, you probably don't need a sit and stand.

[1babysmom]

My DD1 is almost 4 and I PREFER her to be in the stroller many places, like walking out here along the road, or in crowded places, or when she's running off on me in the mall or something. Yeah, she can definitely walk on her own, but I'm thankful for her having a seat.

We have the P&T's e3 and love it. We will only have one extra seat if I ever use it with the carseat in it (which I likely will sometimes this winter, otherwise the baby will be worn most of the time), but it's nice to have the option of it just being a single if I know we won't be using the double seat. I could never have afforded a new one, though. CL, even across the country, was my best friend in the search for this stroller.

[clicksab]

Just thought you should know...when I saw this stroller in the store, the box says that the weight limit on the back is only 40 lbs! I thought that was just insane, especially as they show bigger kids pictured on it. But to me that just wasn't worth it, to buy something my DD would be outgrowing in just a few months. My hope is to buy a side by side stroller (they seem to have higher weight limits). I'll be spending more, but it's worth it to have something that my DD can use for a while.
Don't know how big your DD is, but it's something to keep in mind.

[MamaMonica]

Moved to LWAB

[ann_of_loxley]

My son was 4 in September and it was shortly after that we no longer needed the pushchair. We don't have a car during the week so walk everywhere (cause I hate public transportation - its also too pricey if you ask me! lol). He could probably still use it sometimes but he is just far too big for it now at like 50lbs and being super tall for his age as well... So sometimes, 'strollers' are still a must...

What I would suggest though is a sling. For the baby of course. I would never dream of putting a baby - even such a small baby in a pushchair (or any other contraption). If you are using a 'stroller' for your current child, stick with that one and save yourself some money. If, when you feel that you would need a pushchair for your next child (I find they really come in handy for toddlers mostly - but I realise I sling much more than your average mainstreamer...mind this is MDC! lol), then get one then...and you may find your first born by then no longer actually needs one so you can stick with the one you have or buy a newer model of choice!

[sora]

I will be walking to the park and a play center a lot this summer. The play center is about 20min by adult speed. My 3.5yr old loves the ride in Chariot currently. I think that she would probably want to ride a stroller with a newborn. When I took out my old stroller she used to be on, she went crazy for it. A double stroller would be a overkill, right? I also worry that with Peg Perego P3, when the front seat is all the way down, there isn't going to be much space for an older child to stand.

[mommy2maya]

The step on the p3 can't be used when the seat is reclined.

[Mom2M]

I got a double stroller when DD2 was born and DD1 was 4 because we walk the dogs very fast for miles almost every day. DD1 gets out for some of it to run/walk along but it's way too far for her to go the whole time. I got lucky and found a used Bob Revolution which is amazingly easy to push and has a 100 pound weight limit.

If you are walking a lot that far, I would get a double.

[Auraji]

MY dd is 8 months and my dss just turned 4 in October. I have a single stroller, he walks with me to the bank, grocery store, pharmacy (they are close) and he has never mentioned being tired.

It just depends how much you plan on walking and where.

[WC_hapamama]

I'll second the recommendation of the Peg Perego P3 (or a used Peg Perego Plikomatic) or a Inglesina Zippy (made in 2006 or newer).

If your budget has more wiggle room, a Phil & Teds Sport or one of the Valco Joggers with a toddler seat may be a good option too. I have a Phil & Teds Sport (with the doubles seat and the car seat adapter) and I love it.

[lilith1]

How about a Phil&Teds with a double kit? It's a little pricey brand new, but maybe there is a used one around.
Works great for us.