[lmk1]

We're expecting our 2nd lo soon, and I'm totally undecided what to get. We got rid of a lot of stuff after ds1 grew out of it, so we only have a Baby Trend jogging stroller and a cheapo umbrella stroller. We also have 2 convertible car seats. I think I can use a convertible for a newborn, right?<br>
I never really used a stroller for ds1 when he was a baby, just carried him a lot in a wrap. Now we live much closer to my mom, and she could take ds2 for walks in stroller (she won't be able to carry him). Also, if dh takes ds2 for a walk, he'll need to be a stroller too, as it's hot here (S Florida!) and dh would overheat. I'm also thinking it'll be good for someone to take ds2 for walks every day, so I can spend some time with ds1...he's very much a mama's boy, and I think it'll be hard for him to give up the constant closeness we have.<br>
So, the pram strollers I've seen are just outrageously priced (even used, 600+ on Craigslist) for something I'd use for only 6 months before baby can sit upright in a stroller. I hate to buy an infant seat just to use in a stroller, but that seems to be the cheapest option. So, I can get a $90 Baby Trend infant seat to use in our jogging stroller. Or can I get a stroller that fully reclines (but not a pram) and put the baby in that without the infant seat? Or would the baby slide around too much in that?<br>
I'm also wondering if I should get a double stroller, like the Baby Trend Sit n Stand, but it seems odd to have the toddler facing towards the adult and the baby at the far end of the stroller. Also, the front seat only reclines a little, so once ds2 is old enough to sit in the front without an infant seat, I can't see how he could sleep in it without his head flopping forward. And ds1 still falls asleep in the stroller sometimes, and obviously there's nowhere for him to sleep in this stroller...but who knows in 6 months, if it's still an issue?

 

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,<br>
Not going to be a ton of help to you, other than to say this:<br>
Garage sales..... we love them!<br>
We got a sit and stand type of a stroller super cheap from a garage sale when I was preggo with #2. I wasn't sure if I was going to use it, but we use it daily (DD1 just turned 4, DD2 is about to turn 1).<br>
Or see if you can borrow a Graco regular stroller from a friend for a bit...... They fully recline so you can use them without the carseat, or at least ours does.<br>
~maddymama

 

[akind1]

check your convertible seat to make sure, but it should be able to be used from birth, at least mine was (I have a Combi Cocorro)<br><br>
as for strollers, any that fully recline can be used from birth up. It needn't be a fancy pram style stroller. check craigslist, see if your area has any big consignment sales, etc.<br><br>
We got our babytrend bucket for $50 on Target clearance. It is nice for a bucket, I just don't like buckets. Target does a lot of clearance this time of year in prep for fall and christmas, watch their Clearance endcaps!

 

[rhiOrion]

I would also think, that if you're never going to use the bucket seat as a car seat, and you wanted to go that route, that it would be a good example of a reason to buy a used carseat.

 

[lmk1]

Running out to meet with my doula now...but just a quick question. So I can use any stroller that fully reclines for a newborn? The straps all would fit properly, etc? Do I have to get something to keep the baby from sliding around? like a head support or something?<br><br>
Where we live, it's mostly condos, and few houses, so not a lot of garage sales...but I'll try to hit some this weekend.<br>
maddy, what happens if your #2 falls asleep in the stroller, does it recline enough so she can sleep without her head flopping?

 

[texmati]

I would be comfortable with a baby in a full recline stroller.

 

[maddymama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>lmk1</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15617521"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">maddy, what happens if your #2 falls asleep in the stroller, does it recline enough so she can sleep without her head flopping?</div>
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She sleeps mostly upright, seat tilted slightly back, with her head turned to the side. It reclines enough that she isn't flopping forward. She's done this from about 4 months on. Before that I mostly had her in a wrap or a Connecta carrier, she would sleep in the carrier.<br>
Honestly, this kid will sleep anywhere and in any position- when she's tired, she's tired. It's made for a bunch of laughs in the past year.<br>
~maddymama

 

[akind1]

I do buy this wrap a round padding for straps, you can find it in the accessory aisle at BRU or any big store. partly for the cushion factor, and partly so DS can chew on something I can take off and wash. We used our Maclaren that reclines, but not fully, from about 2 1/2 to 3 months on. DS had good head control early. Maclaren does make a fully reclining stroller, I just didn't want to spend the extra $$ on it.<br><br>
If you are in a condo, do you have stairs you will be going up and down with a stroller? if so, definitely pick a lightweight one! that is why I chose the Maclaren, it is lightweight and folds really compact. Granted, there isn't a snack tray or cupholders, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make for space saving and ease of use.

 

[tzs]

i think reclining strollers work fine for newborns.<br><br>
but if you wanted a pram stroller there's this bugaboo imitation half off right now<br><a href="http://mamabargains.com/" target="_blank">http://mamabargains.com/</a>

 

[MamieCole]

I found a used Maxi Cosi Foray stroller in great shape on Craigslist for $125.00.<br><br>
CL is a great resource for used baby gear.

 

[Schae]

just a little note for you to check the expiry date on your carseats.<br>
i'm having my 2nd child too, and although ds1's convertible (suitable from birth) seat is in good condition, it's over 5 years old and has expired. So, we got an infant seat and a second hand quinny which converts to a stroller.<br><br>
dunno if that helps at all.

 

[mkksmom]

Also remember that many convertible car seats have harness straps that are above a newborn's shoulders. You don't want this. Some say they can be used for 5 lb and up, but then the harness height is way too high.

 

[Pookietooth]

Yes, I had to look hard to find a convertible that the straps were low enough for dd, and she was tall and was 3 months old! I finally went with a Graco MyRide 65.

 

[lmk1]

thanks everyone! I decided to go ahead and order the infant seat that will hopefully work with my jogging stroller, and just use that in the car as well. That way I also avoid the straps size problem that I could have with the convertible seat. My car seats aren't expired, as ds1 is not even 3 yet.<br><br>
I think I'm going wait on buying another stroller until ds2 is here...it'll be easier to tell what I need then.

 

[lmk1]

So I ordered a Baby Trend infant car seat, and it won't fit in my stroller!!! My dh called Baby Trend help line, and they told him that NO infant seat will fit with that stroller! But reading the reviews on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBaby-Trend-Expedition-Jogging-Stroller%2Fdp%2FB001NIZSF0" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-Exp.../dp/B001NIZSF0</a> at least 2 reviews say they've used it with an infant seat. Could this be "planted" reviews? I don't know what to do with the infant seat now...because I really wanted something that would work with my stroller; I'm very reluctant to buy yet another stroller (especially a travel system type)...we have a tiny 1 bedroom for now, so there's just no room. I did take a look at the convertible car seat, and while the straps would work ok, it seems much more vertical than the infant car seat, and I can see the baby's head would be flopping forward too much...