Please help me pick a stroller - Page 2

[andreac]

My friend had a Bumbleride and didn't love it, but it was the first year they came out, so the little things she didn't like (and I can't even remember what they were) may well have been fixed. She bought it here:

Magic Beans 312 Harvard St. Brookline 02446 617-264-2326

This is a great store and carries TONS of cool strollers, you should be able to test drive just about anything you can think of.

Good luck!

[Heffernhyphen]

Since this is your first child, I'd be willing to bet you don't know 100% what kind of a mom you'll be. I say that only because it turned out to be SO true of me. I had to feel my way through every aspect of mothering to see what felt right to me and DS.

As it turned out, we aren't stroller people after all. I got one as a gift, tried it once or twice, then let it collect dust till I sold it at a consignment store. Instead, I fell in love with my sling, an Over The Shoulder Baby Holder, which was also a gift. I loved the closeness and snugliness of having my baby right there in my arms, but still having my arms free to do whatever I needed to do. I could discreetly nurse him as we strolled the grocery store and no one was the wiser. And it is so convenient. Takes up no room, takes no folding up or stowing away. And you can get one cheap, especially if you look at consignment stores or garage sales.

My advice would be to see if you can't borrow both a sling and a stroller and give them each a go before you buy. You might find out you don't need a stroller at all and you can use that money for something more fun.

[treemom2]

That Bumbleride is pretty cool, but did you check out this one by Combi--it has a lot of the same features (including the ability to change the direction babe faces) and is way cheaper. They are also offering free shipping right now. It is also a little lighter than the Bumbleride and may fold up a little smaller (check on this though, I may be wrong). It is very popular here in Japan--in fact, I think it is the only stroller I have seen the Japanese use since they mainly wear their babies.

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by Heffernhyphen

Since this is your first child, I'd be willing to bet you don't know 100% what kind of a mom you'll be. I say that only because it turned out to be SO true of me. I had to feel my way through every aspect of mothering to see what felt right to me and DS.

As it turned out, we aren't stroller people after all. I got one as a gift, tried it once or twice, then let it collect dust till I sold it at a consignment store. Instead, I fell in love with my sling, an Over The Shoulder Baby Holder, which was also a gift. I loved the closeness and snugliness of having my baby right there in my arms, but still having my arms free to do whatever I needed to do. I could discreetly nurse him as we strolled the grocery store and no one was the wiser. And it is so convenient. Takes up no room, takes no folding up or stowing away. And you can get one cheap, especially if you look at consignment stores or garage sales.

My advice would be to see if you can't borrow both a sling and a stroller and give them each a go before you buy. You might find out you don't need a stroller at all and you can use that money for something more fun.

I do plan on using a sling (already bought one for DH and have another on on order) when the baby is small. I just don't think I can completely get away with not having a stroller. We do way too much walking, that's our primary mode of transportation. I do think I can hold of on the purchase, but will end up needing one sooner or later.

[earthgirl]

Originally Posted by andreac

My friend had a Bumbleride and didn't love it, but it was the first year they came out, so the little things she didn't like (and I can't even remember what they were) may well have been fixed. She bought it here:

Magic Beans 312 Harvard St. Brookline 02446 617-264-2326

This is a great store and carries TONS of cool strollers, you should be able to test drive just about anything you can think of.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'll check the place out.

[afishwithabike]

When they were little I NEVER used a stroller JUST a sling.

ETA... after they were over one and liked the stroller I just got a simple umbrella stroller.

[mommy_milky]

Hey Earthgirl! I'm a Rozzie mama too, and I bought a used Emmajulga (is that spelled right?) and I love it! My daughter is almost three now, and I can go the Village Market, the library, and the bakery and lug all my stuff home in the big basket. It's heavy and it doesn't fold so well, but we never put it in the car, so it's a great Rozzie stroller! You can usually find some good used ones on Craigslist.

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

I totally agree . . . a newborn has no need for a stroller, IMO. If I had to do it over, I would have gone with the Triumph which is lighter than the Techno Classic and therfore more versatile and easy to use for city living.

How would you do groceries with a newborn or small baby walking without a car and no stroller?

[mrsfru]

Zooper makes a 3 wheel all terrain stroller that you can turn the seat to face you. (-: We have a Zooper Swing that has wonderful features--they come with lots of nice extras, but don't have big baskets or cup holder consoles like Graco's. Rain hood, sun glare filter, bar to attach a carseat with, boot, bottom folds into a "bassinet" for a newborn. All around very nice.

[afishwithabike]

Originally Posted by huggerwocky

How would you do groceries with a newborn or small baby walking without a car and no stroller?

In that case I'd use the stroller to carry the groceries and wear the babe. You have more room for groceries that way.

[mimim]

Originally Posted by huggerwocky

How would you do groceries with a newborn or small baby walking without a car and no stroller?

The same thing that you did before you had the baby. A newborn or small infant in a sling makes very little difference when it come to transporting stuff.

I don't drive at all (never even had a license) and I prefer to leave the stroller at home, even with my toddler. It's just a pita when going up and down curbs, getting on and off the train, going in and out of shops, etc.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by huggerwocky

How would you do groceries with a newborn or small baby walking without a car and no stroller?

I've done it without a problem. If you really need something to carry groceries, use a shopping cart. A small baby really doesn't get much in the way.