Strollers

[DCJenn]

It's called the Bee and it's $529 at http://www.babystyle.com .

If it has existed when we needed one I would have probably gotten one- looks AWESOME.

The mag says it's only 17 pounds, folds one handed and has a carrying handle. plus shock absorbing tires!

Jenn

[Flynn]

Cheri -- my SIL and brother just went through this.

They settled on this one:

Bob Revolution

http://www.bobstrollers.com/strollers/s ... oduct_id=4

They don't fly (airplane) very often and when they do they have an inexpensive umbrella stroller. For walking around the block or whatever I'd go with a jogger with a swivel wheel -- for the mall too. It's so convenient. Joggers are perfect for the zoo, parks, etc. They are more convenient for the on the go mom who only wants one stoller. You can also get a carseat adapter with some Bob strollers which is a nice feature they didn't have when I was a new parent. Check out the accessories too. They have this neat sleeping bag thing you can put over the child when it gets cold.

If you are going to add a child before or very close after your first is two years old, I'd go with the Phil and Teds model (see my previous post) but if not, the Bob one is very nice.

Yes it's 23 pounds but soon you'll be lifting your heavy child everywhere and that won't seem like a lot to lift.

[SuzySunshine]

I don't know what we're going to do. We're having real issues with buying an expensive stroller when we can buy the Graco set and then all we have to buy is another car base for the car seat. These other strollers are great but once you add a car seat and two car bases you're looking at a lot of money. We're going to a store in Minneapolis this weekend that is supposed to have a large selection of everything so hopefully they'll have more strollers we can look at.

Thanks!

[Vanquisher]

Whatever stroller works for you and suits your needs will be great. I couldn't pay that much for a stroller either, but I insist you get the graco safe seat car seat. It has side impact foam! Good for little noggins.

And always keep your kids rear facing as long as possible and buckled in securely, and their car seat should not MOVE at all.

That is all.

[Flynn]

I don't know what we're going to do. We're having real issues with buying an expensive stroller when we can buy the Graco set and then all we have to buy is another car base for the car seat. These other strollers are great but once you add a car seat and two car bases you're looking at a lot of money. We're going to a store in Minneapolis this weekend that is supposed to have a large selection of everything so hopefully they'll have more strollers we can look at.

Thanks!

I completely get what your saying Cheri. I had sticker shock for months after DD was born. Everything was SO expensive!

Going to a big store to try things out is very smart. You can really get a feel for what you pay for that way. Some of the bells and whistles I could do without no problem -- others were TOTALLY worth the money.

A stroller can make or break time out of the house for mom. It's a very important purchase. Definitely one of the top three in my book.

Sometimes my "outings" as a new parent consisted of a coffee and some window shopping. DD loved her stroller and it was easy to get through small spaces. I could take a mental break from her and not get a babysitter. Money in the bank in my book.

I think the Bugaboos are REALLY expensive but now as a seasoned mom, dropping 200 - 400 dollars on a stroller that makes my life easier is no problem. Mom's mental health is AT LEAST worth that much.

Your parents your ILs will want to get "something very special for baby." Can you have them chip in or one party to buy the thing for you? I know a bunch of people (myself included) who got their stroller that way.

My brother's ILs got a glider rocker for them and my mom was disappointed. She wanted to get that. When bro brought up the fact that strollers were expensive, BINGO -- my parents were thrilled to get them something they were so excited about.

Good luck Cheri!

[SuzySunshine]

So here is a stroller related question, how fast do kids grow? Like if a stroller says it has a 50 pound capacity versus a 70 - when will the kid outgrow it? :huh:

Cheri,

I'm sure once you test drive the different strollers, you'll find one that has all of the features you want at the price you want.

Just a note on the Quattro Tour....it is HUGE. We had one and used it only about 2-3 times before we decided it was just too big. It has a one-hand fold feature, BUT you still need two hands to put it in the car because of its size and weight. We also found it hard to navigate in shops that had narrow aisles. It took up half of the back of my SUV and the entire trunk in DH's car.

[Flynn]

So here is a stroller related question, how fast do kids grow? Like if a stroller says it has a 50 pound capacity versus a 70 - when will the kid outgrow it? :huh:

Cheri, I just PMed you on this very topic!

[Vanquisher]

Well, my daughter is 3 and is quite tall. She weighs just over 30 pounds. It isn't usually the weight restrictions on a stroller, it's the height. Her feet hit the wheels on some strollers.

It doesn't really matter though because at 3, she mostly walks everywhere. I rarely use her stroller anymore as it is. By the time a child is 4, they probably aren't going to be in strollers very much, if at all. In fact, I am trying to decide if it is worth it to have a stroller with us when we take the kids to Disney. We had one last time, but she was 18 months old at the time. I think she would heavily resist the stroller, but I can see it being convenient for if she needs to rest or nap. Otherwise, I think it will mostly be in the way. We will have a number of adults that can carry her if need be. :huh:

The stroller I have is not as nice and fancy as a lot of the strollers posted here, but it weighs less than 9 pounds. It has its drawbacks, but it was what worked for me.

The best advice I can give you is to spend a lot of time in stores looking at strollers, and not only looking at them, but pushing them up and down the aisles, around corners, through tight spaces. Make sure you fold and unfold it. Test the up and down features. Look at what is has. See what you like and what you don't. Everyone is different. Some people need more rugged offroad types, some people need portability, some people need to travel quickly, some people need to carry a lot of crap.

So here is a stroller related question, how fast do kids grow? Like if a stroller says it has a 50 pound capacity versus a 70 - when will the kid outgrow it? :huh:

Jacob is a big 6 year old and has only recently hit 50 lbs. Heidi is right, it will be height or independence that pushes them out of the stroller before anything else.

As far as the crazy prices for the strollers, honestly I'm with you. We bought a graco "travelsystem" (infant car seat included) when I was pregnant w/Jacob, and it was perfectly functional. I'm obviously not a jogger, or I might have different opinions on that point. IMO the 2 "extras" that were most important to me were cup holders for mom, and a bin underneath the seat that was accessible w/o taking the kid out. You want the stroller to steer well - but most strollers these days do. I had an Eddie Bauer / Costco double stroller that would nearly turn over if you tried to make a turn. Also - 23lbs for a stroller is nothing. That Costco behometh weight almost 40.

[SuzySunshine]

Ok, on that topic - I'm not a jogger either and while DH is I don't think he'd take the kiddo. BUT I do walk the dog everyday and plan to walk at the mall in the winter after the baby is born to take off the baby weight. The mall walking I could do with a wrap/carrier of some kind but I would prefer to have a stroller for walking the dog. Would a jogger really make that much difference when walking on sidewalks or paved trails?

[Flynn]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Considering you are not a jogger, I'd get one with a swivel wheel.

They make them so well (compact) these days I prefered this option to the plastic wheel ones after I had DS for all stroller outings.

Jacob is a big 6 year old and has only recently hit 50 lbs. Heidi is right, it will be height or independence that pushes them out of the stroller before anything else.

ITA with this.

I've done some running with the jogger but mostly walking. The walking in Denver was all neighborhood walking (sidewalks, bike lanes, etc) and I much preferred the big wheels of a jogger stroller. You don't have to be off-road or running to enjoy the benefits.

IMO, you can wait on the jogger type stroller for 6 months or longer. I think I got ours when DD1 was around 1 year old (and I got it from a Babyjogger seconds website, but I don't think their strollers are the best joggers anymore). I primarily used carriers before that and occasionally the umbrella type stroller. You can get the cheap $20 umbrella strollers. They just don't hold up as well (in my experience). If you get a nicer car/mall/airport stroller now, it will hold up through all your kids.

I used to have an odometer deal on the jogger. Before the odometer broke, I put over 500 miles on that stroller. The cost of the stroller was worth every cent. Getting out for a walk was my routine and sanity break, guaranteed exercise for me and the dog.

I think transporation related babystuff has been worth the money we spent on it. First and foremost, the carseat, as Heidi said. The baby carriers, backpacks, strollers, etc. have allowed me to get out and enjoy things with my kids -- *comfortably* for all in involved.

If you don't get the stroller as a gift, do you have good consignment stores there? I almost always see a jogger or two at the consignment stores here.

If you don't get the stroller as a gift, do you have good consignment stores there? I almost always see a jogger or two at the consignment stores here.

I meant to mention that. Craigslist or consignment stores are great for pricey items like that. When Jacob was an infant I was *appalled* by the idea of 2nd hand stuff. I wish someone had smacked some sense into me back then. All well-made baby stuff is made so that it can be thouroughly cleaned, so who cares if it's not brand-new??

I do plan to replace our carseat for this kid. Ours is 7 years old, and while it's never been in an accident, I figure there are newer safety methods out there.

[Vanquisher]

If you don't get the stroller as a gift, do you have good consignment stores there? I almost always see a jogger or two at the consignment stores here.

I meant to mention that. Craigslist or consignment stores are great for pricey items like that. When Jacob was an infant I was *appalled* by the idea of 2nd hand stuff. I wish someone had smacked some sense into me back then. All well-made baby stuff is made so that it can be thouroughly cleaned, so who cares if it's not brand-new??

I do plan to replace our carseat for this kid. Ours is 7 years old, and while it's never been in an accident, I figure there are newer safety methods out there.

Yes, and car seats should never be used that are over 6 years old. Though, I think that is stretching it. Also, I would never ever buy a used car seat. You never know how it has been stressed or if it has been in an accident.