Is stroller a necessity? - Page 2

[mamatoady]

well, I sold my stoller after dd was about 18months thinking I won't use it for my next kid. It was one of those that holds a carseat.

I got a super awesome maya wrap and use it just about all day long--my son is about 3 months. I wish I had kept my stroller for a couple reasons.

1--My back is killing me. I had serious back problems while pregnant and it hasn't gotten better, in fact the sling is making it worse, but I've "trained" him to absolutely LOVE the sling.

2--I spend a lot of time outside and I can hardle fathom putting long sleeves and pants and socks on him (as well as hat) b/c he's too young for sun screen. When we go for a walk, he HATES to have his head covered if he's awake--so hats and the sling tail are out and then his legs stick out the bottom of the sling so they have to be covered.

3--because of the above two reasons, it makes it REALLY hard to enjoy outdoor events where there's not much shade and I have to walk long distances.
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all that said, the only other reason I can see for stroller is if your kid WANTS to be in the stroller. Eventually the kind of like a bit of freedom (and so will you)....it doesn't make you non-AP if your kid sits in a stroller.....now, if he DOESN'T want the stroller and you leave him there......just bring your sling with you!

Sarah

[Baby Hopes]

We hardly used our stroller when DD1 was an "only." In fact we considered tossing it or giving it away prior to moving stateside. I'm glad we kept it though. It's been a lifesaver on a number of occassions. With two little ones to tote around now, I find I seem to have twice the stuff. Sippy cups, training underwear, cloth diapers, baby toys, DD1's stuffed bear... Not to mention blankets, wallet, keys, wipes. Seriously it's insane.

The stroller has also come in really handy with DD1 now that she's 2 1/2 and is quite Houdini in her efforts to slip out of my grasp in stores. When we're out and about even in places like the zoo or parks it's nice to have the stroller for when DD1 is tired and I'm already slinging DD2.

I'm actually in the process of weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a twin stroller. Preferably a jogging system. Just so that I can get out everyday and run/walk with my girls. Something -in texas heat- that would be impossible to do if I insisted on slinging the kiddo's rather than allowing them to hang out in a stroller.

So my advice is to keep the stroller.

[Peppamint]

I think in general it's the moms of more than one that seem to be using strollers!

[snowbunny]

We were so excited to get our jogger/travel system.

DS is 10 months, and we've never used the jogger!

We are always out and about: going on hikes, long walks, concerts in the park, shopping, air travel etc. I've never once felt that a sling wasn't enough.

A good friend of mine used her stroller and it was always such a PITA to go on a walk with her because it severely limited where we could go. We had to cross the street at this particular cross-section because the stroller wouldn't go up that hill etc.

They are so cumbersome.

I have a pouch, a mei tai and a few wraps and I'm so happy with the sling. I wish I'd never received that jogger that we so desparately wanted when I was PG.

[EVC]

We bought a nice stroller and I actually wish I could use it sometimes, but dd screams after about 10 minutes in it. So it was a total waste of money for us

[purplemama]

I love my stroller! My ds2 is one of those kids who doesn't care about wandering off and gettng lost. Now, ds1 is totally opposite. But I use a sling for dd2 and stroller ds2 because I can't run after him quickly when I'm slinging the baby. He just jets off and wants to do everything independently, he doesn't even want to hold hands. I think it really depends on each family and the type of children you have!

[mama2G]

thank you for your suggestions.

i will keep it just in case for another baby.

[Hoopin' Mama]

I was just thinking the other day about how rarely I use my stroller.
Another vote though for keeping it, you never know what you might want when you have a 2 year old.
If you hardly use it and it stays in good shape, you can take it to a children's consignment shop and trade it for something you truly need.
One thing I do like about a stroller option, is that it provides shade that my Ergo does not.

[New Mexico Beach]

No, I do not think they are necessary. But they aren't evil either. In fact, a stroller can be very handy in some situations.

[minta]

I think it's necessary if anyone other than you will be taking your DC out and not wanting to wear him.

[MotheringHeart]

You know, I'm a mom of three and I find my backpacker (like a kelty carrier) to be REALLY much more useful than my stroller. I can put my 14 mth old in the backpack and then have two hands for the 4 and 3 yo. Just another option that's out there.....

[kalisis]

I thought my answer to this question would always be a resounding NO! But then, DS started walking, and running, and darting into traffic and disappearing around corners...you get the picture. AND, I also got pregnant again. Also, DS now weighs nearly 35 lbs.

It's too much for me most days to sling him around now. He's too wiggly, 'cause he wants to walk or too heavy, just because he's a chunky kid. He actually likes the stroller now and if given the choice, will 9 times out of 10 pick to sit in the stroller. He also can do other stuff, like read a book or play with some cars while he's in there, so it's not such a bad deal.

I never even owned a stroller until a couple of months ago, but I did go and buy one that I LOVE and we're a very happy pair now.

I never use it for strapping him in just to contain him around the house and if we stop very long while out and about, he wants to get out and run around. I do know women in my LLL group who use the stroller as a containment device all the time, but for me, the purpose is to haul my 35 lb son around while I'm doing errands so I don't kill my back or pull my uterus (which I can feel the sling doing sometimes). In fact, I've never even brought my stroller into my house or anyone else's house for that matter. Ha.

Like anything, used in moderation and with compassion and understanding, strollers are not an inherently bad thing. They can be quite useful at times.

[Valian]

Well, we only have one Ds but he hates being worn in slings. Liked it as a newborn, but now he won't tolerate them unless he's dead asleep and then I just use the sling to help me support his body weight. He likes his stroller better and since he's quite the chunker and only wants to be in arms, I need the stroller to give my arms/back a break. The other nice thing about the stoller is that he likes the near constant eye contact and conversation we can have (which you can do in a sling in DC likes it).

I have also really liked having a stoller for air travel. But again, that's because Ds isn't a sling lover.

[pjlioness]

Neither of my ds's was ever in a stroller before he could walk. Ds1 was born when we lived near NYC, and when I got pregnant I decided to get a sling, because I didn't want to have to schlep a stroller up and down the stairs in the subway the way I saw so many people doing. PITA! With the sling I could put ds in it, grab the diaper bag, grab my purse, and walk wherever I wanted to without being tied down by a stroller. Freedom! I still use my sling(s) at times - yes, ds1 is quite small for his age.

I do like the stroller for the zoo, but lately the kiddos have been fighting over it, so now I'm taking the wagon. If all I had to carry was the diaper bag and my purse, I'd forgo either so the kids have to get some exercise, but we usually bring our own (natural/organic) lunch, plus we sometimes stop at a gift shop, so I end up with four things to carry.

When I was pregnant with ds2, we got a Maclaren Volo to use for ds1 if he got tired while walking. We have always used it sparingly so he isn't always slumped in it wherever we go. We did use it a lot not long after ds2 was born - ds1 broke his leg and was in a 1/2 body cast - fortunataly seated. Other than that, we've used it at malls occasionally when we're going to a bunch of stores. We usually avoid indoor malls though - overload for the kiddos (and me, to be honest - I dislike the rampant consumerism).

So, no, you don't really need a stroller. I believe the majority of the population overuses them for convenience.

[the_lissa]

Definitely not. We had one. It gathers dust in the basement.

[hhurd]

I'd keep it around. Your babe is only 7 months old. He's going to get a lot bigger and wigglier as the months pass.

We use ours a lot for those trips when my ds has no problem walking when we leave, but then gets very tired and just doesn't want to walk by himself on the way back home. Which happens all the time.

But maybe you drive more than we do (almost never). And, my ds is a moose and always has been (40 pounds at age 3).

[crescentaluna]

When DD was 12 months, I got a jog stroller (used from craigslist) because I really NEEDED to go faster and get some exercise! My back was hurting from slinging DD 6 plus hours a day and you know, you just can't run with a baby in a sling. I had thought I'd never ever use a stroller, but we do find it useful in this neighborhood where we walk everywhere. If we drive or bus anywhere, it's back to the sling, but for us that's only 2-3 times a month. (That's Portland for you.)

So I think it depends on: weight of the baby
strength of your back
your neighborhood & transportation
amount of stuff you need to carry

[kyndmamaof4]

Now in my opinion...

I Have ds-7, ds-4, ds-22mos, and dd-5.5mos. I am a user of a stroller, Kelty carrier, and a sling, depending on the situation. Depending on the ages of your baby/ies. My ds#2 was, and still a maniac, (hugs for #2), He just likes to be free, ykwim. but anyway, ds#3 *loves* his stroller, and dd will only be attached,: so I like them all, but oh boy, is it a hassle with the stroller, but some times, if ya have enough kids, ya kinda need one. Hope that this helps, And like one of the other posts, you could always sell/trade it if you don't use it. One more thing, if little one gets bigger, or too heavy for the sling, the kelty carrier is my favorite, I think that it supports kid and mama equally well. Very comfortable.

[Sharlla]

It's nice to have a jogging stroller for when I'm rollerblading, otherwise I find a stroller to be a pain. I don't even have a regular stroller.

[Isaacs_mom]

I too think that some times a stroller is a waist , I really wish we would have looked at more options before we bought. I am now trying to sell mine on CL ,it is a travel system. We got a more compact one for way cheaper than the ts, I think though that the lighter weight strollers are good for as the baby gets heavy and when you are preggers again. I am trying to decide if we should get a double when we have #2(of course that is after we concieve him or her ) so anyhow I think it is up to you and again I am first time mom so that is my experience , this was great to read everyones advice and experience