stroller advice

[new york momma]

Hi,
I need a light weight stroller I can carry up and down four flights of stairs that is also durable enough for a good five or six mile walk. We don't have a car and walk at least five miles a day for work and errands.
Suggestions?
Thanks

[Chamomile Girl]

I love my City Mini. It breaks down in a moment and is lightwweight and easy to carry. It is comfy for the kid and seems durable enough. As the name implies its designed for city walking.

[Mom2M]

That is a really nice stroller! I'm looking for one that is light too and that seems like a good choice.

[Shannie77]

I always hear really great things about Maclaren strollers. They are like an umbrella stroller only much more versatile and durable - I like that they recline and have storage. My friend has one and I tried it and it was so smooth to push. They are really easy to fold up too. If I had to do it again I would of just got a Maclaren from the get go.

[new york momma]

Thanks for the suggestion. Can the City Mini be used with a newborn?

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by new york momma

Thanks for the suggestion. Can the City Mini be used with a newborn?

Yeah, but it requires you to add a bucket seat (and the bar to attach the bucket). I never used it for a newborn, but my cousin is and likes it. I think it only works with certain kinds of bucket seats, but I am not sure what they are. I'm sure it explains it on their website though.

And of course any stroller with a bucket is harder to get up the stairs easily.

[texaspeach]

the chicco liteway has full recline and can be used with young babies. not sure if it has enough features for you - the basket looks kind of small, but it is very light weight

[new york momma]

I am still dazed and confused when comparing strollers. Even though we don't have a car, we will need a car seat for the very rare taxi cab rides we take--like coming home from the hospital. So I'm thinking a combo car seat/stroller travel system might be more economical than buying them separate. I'm shopping at babies r us and it's been tricky to tell which travel systems work for a newborn. I was also disappointed to learn how quickly you have to replace a stroller as the baby gets bigger. Seems like a big investment for something that will be used for less than a year.

Dear MIL is gifting us the stroller of our choice and I need to pick it out within two weeks for our upcoming shower.

Chicco makes some light weight car seat/stroller combos but the wheels don't look that durable for the mileage we need to put on this thing.

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

[Truckerdoo]

Originally Posted by new york momma

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

Actually, the ERGO carrier works great for the 12 week and up crowd (or really, once they can hold their head up). I use that more for the grocery store walking trips now then I did when he was younger, and he is going on 8 months. There are a million carriers out there but I like the ERGO best - it is functional and makes you look least like Crazy Baby Lady Out In Public.

[texaspeach]

you might consider a stroller frame for when you want to take a cab

[Aufilia]

Originally Posted by new york momma

I am still dazed and confused when comparing strollers. Even though we don't have a car, we will need a car seat for the very rare taxi cab rides we take--like coming home from the hospital. So I'm thinking a combo car seat/stroller travel system might be more economical than buying them separate. I'm shopping at babies r us and it's been tricky to tell which travel systems work for a newborn. I was also disappointed to learn how quickly you have to replace a stroller as the baby gets bigger. Seems like a big investment for something that will be used for less than a year.

I'm pretty sure the whole point of a travel system is that it works with the bucket seat for a newborn, and when they outgrow the bucket seat or can hold up their head well (around 3-4 months) you can just put them in the stroller of your travel system, without the bucket seat.

Aside from our Snap-n-Go style frame, my 4-year-old has yet to "outgrow" a stroller. She's short for her age, but still! A 1-year-old isn't going to have outgrown many strollers either.

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

You could, but let's break down the baby-and-groceries stuff.

First, you have a baby. Then, you have groceries. How much do they weigh, and how many sacks? If you have a sling over your shoulder, how can you get the straps of the sacks on that shoulder? Possibly you can't without bumping the baby, so you either have to carry all the sacks with one hand, or not use a sling. Same with other carriers, except both of your shoulders will have carrier straps on them. Once your baby gets bigger you can put her on your back, but mostly with a newborn you will need to keep her where you can see her and make sure her head isn't at a funky/dangerous angle.

Also, you will have a diaper bag. You may be thinking you can do without the diaper bag, but IME, the minute you go anywhere without a diaper bag is the minute your baby decides to output so much poop it's literally up to their chin. (This is known as the "Costco-sized poop" in our house because for many months it ALWAYS happened at Costco.)

If you use a stroller instead of a carrier, other things to consider like, how to push a stroller while carrying bags of groceries? You might benefit from considering a stroller with a basket that's big and sturdy enough to hold your diaper bag and heavier items, like a gallon of milk, so at least you can even your load on your shoulders.

Personally, what I'd probably do would be put the baby in a baby carrier and put the groceries in a the stroller, but I'm odd like that.

[snoopy5386]

Originally Posted by new york momma

I am still dazed and confused when comparing strollers. Even though we don't have a car, we will need a car seat for the very rare taxi cab rides we take--like coming home from the hospital. So I'm thinking a combo car seat/stroller travel system might be more economical than buying them separate. I'm shopping at babies r us and it's been tricky to tell which travel systems work for a newborn. I was also disappointed to learn how quickly you have to replace a stroller as the baby gets bigger. Seems like a big investment for something that will be used for less than a year.

Dear MIL is gifting us the stroller of our choice and I need to pick it out within two weeks for our upcoming shower.

Chicco makes some light weight car seat/stroller combos but the wheels don't look that durable for the mileage we need to put on this thing.

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

I would NOT get a travel system - you are right, they are outgrown quickly and the strollers are usually crappy. I would do one of two things - get an infant carseat and a snap and go type stroller - if you don't have a car, I would get a higher weight limit infant seat - like a Graco Snugride 32 or 35, Keyfit 30, Combi Shuttle 33 or Safety 1st Onboard 35. They are easily portable and will most likely last you until your child is 2. And then get a snap and go type stroller - they are lightweight, easy to use and have a huge basket for shopping. The ones by Combi and Maclaren fold up super small
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=31
http://us.maclarenbaby.com/from-birt...veller?lang=en
These are some cheaper ones, but they don't fold up as small
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2327597
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2266236
Another option along those same lines is the Combi Cocorro carseat - it is a convertible seat, but it is a small one, super easy to install, will last you until age 3 or so and also has a stroller it can snap onto
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=12
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=49

OR get the carseat of your choice and then get a stroller you can use long term that also works with your carseat. I would suggest either the Maclaren Techno XLR or one of the Baby Joggers - either the City Mini or City Micro
http://us.maclarenbaby.com/from-birt...no-xlr?lang=en
http://babyjogger.com/city_mini_lp.aspx
http://babyjogger.com/city_micro_lp.aspx

I have a Maclaren Quest - if the Techno XLR was around when I had DD1 I would have gotten that or perhaps the city mini if that was around then too. I love, love, love my quest. DD1 has been riding in it since 6 weeks old and still rides in it at 4 years old. It's been riding around in my trunk and been thrown around, up and down stairs, etc. and looks pretty much like new. It is an awesome stroller worth every single penny.

Oh and as for walking home from the store, carrying the baby and groceries and a diaper bag soon after birth, well that is most likely a pipe dream, sorry. Having a baby kicks your a$$ and it will be at least 6-8 weeks before you can think about doing that.

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by snoopy5386

I would NOT get a travel system - you are right, they are outgrown quickly and the strollers are usually crappy. I would do one of two things - get an infant carseat and a snap and go type stroller - if you don't have a car, I would get a higher weight limit infant seat - like a Graco Snugride 32 or 35, Keyfit 30, Combi Shuttle 33 or Safety 1st Onboard 35. They are easily portable and will most likely last you until your child is 2. And then get a snap and go type stroller - they are lightweight, easy to use and have a huge basket for shopping. The ones by Combi and Maclaren fold up super small
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=31
http://us.maclarenbaby.com/from-birt...veller?lang=en
These are some cheaper ones, but they don't fold up as small
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2327597
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2266236
Another option along those same lines is the Combi Cocorro carseat - it is a convertible seat, but it is a small one, super easy to install, will last you until age 3 or so and also has a stroller it can snap onto
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=12
http://www.combi-intl.com/Products/Item.aspx?Item=49

OR get the carseat of your choice and then get a stroller you can use long term that also works with your carseat. I would suggest either the Maclaren Techno XLR or one of the Baby Joggers - either the City Mini or City Micro
http://us.maclarenbaby.com/from-birt...no-xlr?lang=en
http://babyjogger.com/city_mini_lp.aspx
http://babyjogger.com/city_micro_lp.aspx

I have a Maclaren Quest - if the Techno XLR was around when I had DD1 I would have gotten that or perhaps the city mini if that was around then too. I love, love, love my quest. DD1 has been riding in it since 6 weeks old and still rides in it at 4 years old. It's been riding around in my trunk and been thrown around, up and down stairs, etc. and looks pretty much like new. It is an awesome stroller worth every single penny.

Oh and as for walking home from the store, carrying the baby and groceries and a diaper bag soon after birth, well that is most likely a pipe dream, sorry. Having a baby kicks your a$$ and it will be at least 6-8 weeks before you can think about doing that.

Bolding mine. I'm sorry but I had to laugh at this. We had a Keyfit 30 and my kid outgrew it at about 7 months old. Baby buckets are not really designed for long term use (and they are all heavy). Because of this I would also not encourage a snap and go. They are worthless after the kid outgrows the infant seat.

We had a Chicco Cortina travel system (with the keyfit 30 bucket) and I hated it. Its big and bulky and not very user friendly. And forget about getting it on a bus or train. Thats why I went out and got the citymini. The cool thing about the City mini is that once the kid outgrows the bucket you can still use the stroller until they are MUCH bigger. It also has a full recline, and the straps are very adjustable. Plus you can drive it with one hand which is great because I often sling the kid and put all the crap in the stroller. Honestly its an awesome choice.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by new york momma

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

nak

I walk about 5 km each am with my babe in a wrap. he is 3 mo and over 14 lb. i carry him on the front and groceries in a back pack - or pull an old lady grocery cart (this type http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en ) with heavy stuff like kitty litter. it works well and has done since i was able to walk (4 weeks?)

[SubliminalDarkness]

We have a Maclaren Quest and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

I also agree that you're going to want some kind of very good baby carrier, if for no other reason but to free up your hands while you go up and down the stairs carrying other things.

[LaughingHyena]

I like our maclaren quest. It's not listed as suitable for newborns as it doesn't lay quite flat but we used it for short periods from a few weeks old. Our 6 year old still fits in it too, we took her round the supermarket asleep last week.

The seat cover comes off easily and looks great after a trip through the washing machine.

The downsides are that you can not fit much in the basket, and you can't get into the basket when the seat is reclined. Also I think the wheels wear down quite quickly, though you can get replacements form maclaren and they are easy to fit. I also missed having the kids facing me.

[Katie T]

I love my britax lightweight stroller.

http://www.britaxusa.com/strollers/blink

[tzs]

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!
don't get a travel system! the strollers suck. yuck.
find a lightweight stroller that you like that has a carseat adapter.
i don't know about the maclarens but the citymini has one and is supposed to be amazing. alot of my nyc pals have it because it's so light and easy yet maneuverable.

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by tzs

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!
don't get a travel system! the strollers suck. yuck.
find a lightweight stroller that you like that has a carseat adapter.
i don't know about the maclarens but the citymini has one and is supposed to be amazing. alot of my nyc pals have it because it's so light and easy yet maneuverable.

I agree with the no travel system. I just had to have one and what a waste of money. The stroller was so heavy I never wanted to use it. I have since sold it off to by the Britax Blink that I got on sale.

[SunRise]

Originally Posted by new york momma

I am still dazed and confused when comparing strollers. Even though we don't have a car, we will need a car seat for the very rare taxi cab rides we take--like coming home from the hospital. So I'm thinking a combo car seat/stroller travel system might be more economical than buying them separate. I'm shopping at babies r us and it's been tricky to tell which travel systems work for a newborn. I was also disappointed to learn how quickly you have to replace a stroller as the baby gets bigger. Seems like a big investment for something that will be used for less than a year.

Dear MIL is gifting us the stroller of our choice and I need to pick it out within two weeks for our upcoming shower.

Chicco makes some light weight car seat/stroller combos but the wheels don't look that durable for the mileage we need to put on this thing.

Also, maybe when the baby is a newborn I could just carry it in a sling or backpack and still be able to carry groceries for the two mile round trip walk home. I wonder how long I could get away with that until the baby is too heavy to carry with the groceries. That way I wouldn't have to worry about a stroller that accommodates a newborn.

Advice?

We have the Chicco lite and I am quite pleased with it - it is made for newborns+ (they can lay down in the stroller) and I suspect it will be good for when she is older due to my previous experience with the umbrella Chicco. The compartment underneath the seat is on the small side. And it doesnt unfold as easy as I recall my first chicco unfolding, but it is definitely doable, holding babe in one arm and unfolding with the other.

I used a Chicco for my son, the umbrella chicco, and this one held out really well...he could still sit in it when he was 5. He thought the chicco was comfortable as well. We didn't use it every day, but because of how easy and light and ergonomic it was, was the reason I bought the chicco lite for my daughter (my babes are 7 years apart and I had finally gave away the first chicco)