do you use a stroller at all? - Page 2

[spearso]

timely question!

took DD#2 to the park this evening, used the stroller... It was a novelty for both of us! Hannah is 20 months old and very independent, so she has no interest in the sling right now (plus she wants to do everything Maddy, 3 years old, does). So the stroller was a nice change... leisurely walk, no having do deal with Hannah walking backwards, or in circles, or examining rocks and ants. It was a pleasure!

On another related note, I saw a kid in an umbrella stroller on the weekend who *had* to be 5 or 6, and from what I could tell, he had no reason to be in there, he was folded up like an accordian, he was so big... was tempted to ask when he was ever going to learn to walk, lol (based on an earlier thread on this board).

susie

[Artisan]

If I'm going to be somewhere for a long time, I bring along the stroller and the sling. My DS (2) will ride in it while I carry DD (2 months).

[wednesday]

Originally Posted by kris1225

My stroller is actually too short for me. Ideally, I'd like a stroller that's as light and easy as an umbrella stroller, but made for taller people and with a cup-holder. I hate not having a cup holder.

We have a Graco Citilite stroller that basically fits that bill. It's not quite as compact as an umbrella, but it's much more compact than most full strollers, and it also has a swivel type of handle bar that can be adjusted higher or lower, plus cup holders, a basket underneath, etc. It's also nice that the seat reclines, unlike an umbrella--if DS looks sleepy I just gently recline the seat and let him nap. We only use it once a month or so but we really like it.

[marnie]

I do use a stroller, most of the time, actually. We don't have a car, either, and so it's all walking for us. We carry our Ergo everywhere we go and 9 times out of 10 my daughter ends up in it. the stroller is useful for carrying groceries, though

[Tanibani]

Originally Posted by achintyasamma

i was wondering if other babywearing mamas use strollers from time to time. how do you decide when to use it and when to use a sling?

1. I only use it when baby is still asleep in car seat.
2. When she wakes up, she comes out and goes into the sling (because she doesn't like to sit in the car seat for long.)
3. sometimes I do usually push an empty stroller (no baby) because the basket is FULL of my crap I have to carry (diaper bag, my small purse, our lunch bags, a jacket for DS, etc...)

I intend to wear my baby most of the time (not push her in the stroller if she is awake - only asleep).

That's what I did with my first. For the first 20 months, I carried my baby around. I only used the stroller for napping. After 20 months, he rode in the stroller more often.

T

BTW, did you notice the pic on the top of the BW forum? That's me holding Giancarlo (he was 15 months or so) in the Maya Wrap. I could have totally released my hands (should have) and I was completely comfortable carrying him.
I was pushing my Maclaren Techno stroller in NYC (empty of course) while he was nursing to sleep in the sling. I only used the stroller when he was sleepy or just so he could sleep in it. I preferred to sling.

[thismama]

I have been using the stroller lots recently as I am finding that once my daughter hit 20 lbs, she was too heavy for me to carry in the ring sling. Plus the weather has been hot hot hot. She needs to be bribed with snacks and toys to stay in the stroller though.

I just got a wrap carrier and am hoping the stroller is history for a while!

[meco]

I NEVER used one (and I had a great easy to use Peg Perego and a Maclaren). In fact, I forgot where mine went. It took me forever to unearth em. And then we moved to NYC. I sling my babe everywhere, but now I love to take DS for a walk and he will fall asleep. Easier in the Maclaren than in my arms. We walk like 5 miles a day so a stroller helps. That said, if we go to the park or just to walk around for a little bit, we leave it home.

If I am going for an all day affair, then I take it. This is only after I left it at home, carried DS ALL day for many miles and realized just how heavy he and a diaper bag can be

But I will never abandon my slings--EVER

[morgainesmama]

We've never owned a stroller. Well, not entirely true -- I got one for my baby shower and gave it away when my first was 3 months. I thought I might have to get one when Isaac was born, since Orion was only 23 months, but found that once I learned to use my wraps well I could easily and comfortably carry them both, even on walks, and my 4yo walked with us. I have occasionally used a wagon though w/the oldest child mostly for fun or when I go to the natural food store and don't want to try to juggle groceries in my hands, kids on my body and 1-2 hands to hold! If you walk a lot toting more than a diaper bag, I could see the value of a stroller or wagon.

IME, most people without major back problems who are unable to carry their kids for long walks often just need a bit of help w/their carriers -- a tweaking of sholder placement or fabric spread.

Kristi

[Carolinamidwife]

We have an Aprica stroller, it's really nice, I have no idea why I bought it, lol.

I find that there are times when I could use the stroller, times when it might be easier, but I don't because most of the time I feel like I am making a statement by babywearing in public. I want people to see someone doing it in their everyday life so they will learn that there is another way to be with a baby. Most of the time the idea of hauling a stroller around seems like a huge PITA.

I use the stroller for walks though. I think Stella really enjoys feeing the wind on her bare piggies and watching stuff go by. I always bring a sling though because sometimes she gets sick of it.

[leahdbc]

We don't own a stroller. I did have one for awhile when I was living abroad but I ended up using the stroller to cart the groceries home while Gabes enjoyed the stroll from the sling on my back. I gave the stroller away when we moved and knew we would have a car again.

I guess so much depends on the temperment of your baby and what you like. It rains nearly every day in Wales so it was easier for me to wear him under my raincoat than to struggle with rain gear over a stroller. So I quickly developed a liking for the ease of no stroller travel but that is just me.

[Mizelenius]

Here's a question I've never found a solution to, and all of you stroller-less mamas should be able to help!

I have NEVER learned how to pack lightly. Never. Once we switched to cloth diapers, this became an even bigger nightmare. Even though my DD is now out of diapers, this is still an issue. Though I nursed my DD until recently (she was 28 months when I weaned her), we still brought at least one cup of water and snacks. In case we went out to eat, we brought books and some drawing materials. The list goes on.

Anyway, how the heck do you carry anything at all (even if we just limit the list to ONLY cloth dipes) and wear your baby w/o bringing a stroller to carry things??? Let me know your secrets!!!! (I guess if you EC, then that simplifies things, too, but we pro'ly won't be doing that with #2!)

[Viola]

Elena, I admire you. You're one of those moms who is so organized and always has snacks and water and everything. I'm lucky if I have a diaper in the car. I usually just leave everything in the car and figure I'll go back there to get a diaper if I need it. When I go to playgroup, I will actually get things together and pack my cooler bag--it's a good sized one. So I might throw a couple diapers and an extra cover or maybe two AIOs, plus our food and bags for diapers and trash. I might remember wipes, I might not. I don't take cloth wipes out. Half the time I forget wipes and I just use a napkin and water. Even with cloth, I don't change as frequently when we are out.

Anyway, if I am bringing diapers and wipes, I throw them in a canvas bag with my water bottle and camera, and sling it over the other shoulder.

This past summer we were going to concerts in the park and had to park a little ways away from the park and carry everything. One night I had my cooler bag and two collapsible chairs hung over one shoulder, my baby in the sling on the other shoulder, and I picked up 5 year old up and carried her under my arm for awhile because she was walking so slowly. Normally I just travel very lightly.

But now that my daughter is older, it's getting harder unless she is sleepy. She is going to be 1 on Tuesday and is about 19 lbs and over 30" long. When she starts twisting and really trying to get out, I end up taking her out and letting her get down, but she can't walk yet. She gets so dirty lately from crawling all over the place. I guess it wouldn't be any easier in a stroller other than she can be strapped in the jogger stroller, but she'd cry and be unhappy so that wouldn't work either.

I do enjoy using the jogger stroller for walks. I started using the backpack and I've decided with the uneven terrain I end up walking on, and the hills, it's easier on my knees and I get a better workout if I use the stroller.

[art4babies]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

how the heck do you carry anything at all (even if we just limit the list to ONLY cloth dipes) and wear your baby w/o bringing a stroller to carry things??? Let me know your secrets!!!! (I guess if you EC, then that simplifies things, too, but we pro'ly won't be doing that with #2!)

I am that way with packing - the best thing I have found is the Petunia Pickle Bottom backpack - I can fit just about everything in it (cloth diapers, playsilks, toys, bottles, food, 2 changes of clothing, a blanket, hat, sweater - get the idea? :LOL) with a little extra room for my wallet and makeup bag - and it rides nicely on my back as Isabel is snuggly on my front.

[meco]

In regards to packing, I have found that less is more. If I am using a front or hip carrier, I use a simple backpack with a cup, a snack, CDs, washclothes, a book, a car and maybe flashcards. It is not too much or to bad.

I use a small shoulder bag for back carries, but I want to get on of those one strap backpacks and wear it on the front or wear it loose and put it over DS.

But less is really more. I pack lightly. I never end up needing all the crap I bring. A pen suffice for art fun as he can draw on any napkin, trash paper or whatever. I try to be his toy or let the world be his toy.

Originally Posted by morgainesmama

IME, most people without major back problems who are unable to carry their kids for long walks often just need a bit of help w/their carriers -- a tweaking of sholder placement or fabric spread.

In regard to this, I was with a very kind, smart MDC Mama today who stopped a mama and helped her readjust her carrier so it would be comfortable. How kind! And helpful to that mama who may have gave up her carrier due to comfort. She told me another story about it, and said the mother was very happy it was so much more comfortable when worn correctly. So if it is NOT comfortable, something might be wrong

[farmer mama]

We don't use strollers, either I carry my kids or they walk. Ds is 2 and still goes in his sling if we are out walking around a long distance and he is tired. We have a great backpack that ds rides in when we hike. Dd can hike for miles so she is a trooper as far as walking. When we are around town or at the park, it is so much easier for me to fold the sling and keep it is in my pack than to lug around a stroller or baby backpack. I agree that less is more as far as packing the diaper bag, I make sure to bring water and a snack wherever I go, as well as a few old cloth diapers for cleaning up any muddy hands, yogurt spills, etc. I do have the tendency to try to over pack, you know how it goes, "raincoats in case it rains, warm coats in case the temp drops, sun hats, change of clothes in case they get wet..." and I don't end up using any of it.

[Tanibani]

T T T

Originally Posted by art4babies

the best thing I have found is the Petunia Pickle Bottom backpack - I can fit just about everything in it (cloth diapers, playsilks, toys, bottles, food, 2 changes of clothing, a blanket, hat, sweater - get the idea? :LOL) with a little extra room for my wallet and makeup bag - and it rides nicely on my back as Isabel is snuggly on my front.

Holy cow.

I love the look of Petunia Pickle Bottom - Boxy Backpack, but it's $149 or something and I was worried about having to set it down on the FILTHY floor (park, preschool, asphalt parking lot) and having it get dirty. Then I'd be so I didn't want a diaper bag that I would get to anal about.

So that's why I bought this one - Skip Hop for $56. I really luv it 'cause I don't have to worry about dirt/stains (there is some paint on it from preschool - see?)

My other problem with is is that I use a ring sling. It's kinda difficult to use it as a backpack with a ring sling. Though I could just switch it to 1 shoulder use.

Hmmmm, you are making me reconsider the PPB! (Pardon me while I whine....) but it's $150+!!! I could afford it, but it's so much dang money for a diaper bag. I know it's beautiful, but it's so much dang money for a diaper bag.

I think we have to start a thread on this... how people combine babywearing and diaper bags.

[marnie]

i agree about the overpacking issue, and i think if i had a car i would never ever use the stroller. but since most days when i leave the house i'm out and about for 4-5 hours, all of it walking, i can't lug around the diapers and wipes and snacks and drinks and books and wallet and keys and cellphone and something to gnaw on for teething AND my 22 pound 17 month old daughter without a stroller. and honestly, she likes to wiggle and lounge and change position and point and bounce and all kinds of things that she can do in the stroller. But strapped to me non-stop for 5 hours is too much for my curious kid, and we can walk holding hands only sometimes. she's not very good at it yet

if i were running errands here and there with a car, i could and would never use a stroller; i find the stroller a PITA, personally. as it is i have to plan my stroller trips by choosing the route with the elevators at subway stops, or which routes use the big busses that allow me in the doors without folding the stroller....

[polka123]

I use a sling & stroller equally.

[Carolinamidwife]

Originally Posted by Tanibani

T T T


Holy cow.

I love the look of Petunia Pickle Bottom - Boxy Backpack, but it's $149 or something and I was worried about having to set it down on the FILTHY floor (park, preschool, asphalt parking lot) and having it get dirty. Then I'd be so I didn't want a diaper bag that I would get to anal about.

LOL, that is my exact bag... I love it! I can cram a ton into it too..

[art4babies]

Originally Posted by Tanibani

T T T


Holy cow.

I love the look of Petunia Pickle Bottom - Boxy Backpack, but it's $149 or something and I was worried about having to set it down on the FILTHY floor (park, preschool, asphalt parking lot) and having it get dirty. Then I'd be so I didn't want a diaper bag that I would get to anal about.

My other problem with is is that I use a ring sling. It's kinda difficult to use it as a backpack with a ring sling. Though I could just switch it to 1 shoulder use.

Hmmmm, you are making me reconsider the PPB! (Pardon me while I whine....) but it's $150+!!! I could afford it, but it's so much dang money for a diaper bag. I know it's beautiful, but it's so much dang money for a diaper bag.

I think we have to start a thread on this... how people combine babywearing and diaper bags.

I have the Avacado Roll, and YES, I cringe when my DH throws it in the car or sets it on the driveway. However, you can use it as a single strap OR backpack (it has both) and you can get them on eBay for a little cheaper, say $90 or something.