Stroller issues

[SueC]

My husband is already stressing about how we will accomodate everyone when the new baby arrives (not till late April). Thinking we were done with babies, we got rid of everything, including the stroller/carseat combo we had. So, the bare minimum that we need to purchase is a carseat/infant carrier. We have two double strollers--a jogger and a side by side that has seats that go up and down (both could accomodate an infant). We are trying to figure out if it makes more sense to buy a travel system including stroller, or just to buy a carseat and use the double strollers. Sydney will be 2 years 8 months when the new baby comes, so I think we will need some type of seating for her. Our other daughter will be 4 years 4 months so I think she will be fine walking. The only advantage of buying the combo is that if the baby is sleeping, I could just snap the carseat onto the stroller and be good to go. That would leave the other two kids walking, though. I think I'd rather move him/her from a carseat to the double stroller we have in case I have a child refuse to walk anymore in the middle of the mall. Another possibility is to buy a sit and stand stroller, which seem to make a lot of sense, but would mean we would have to buy a carseat and one of those and this would probably be a more expensive option. I know we are totally jumping the gun here, but my husband keeps dragging me out to look at our options so I guess I better make up my mind what I want. How do you guys with 3 (or more) kids under the age of 5 do it?

I'm behind because I haven't really thought through this dilemma yet! All of our strollers are singles. I think I have grand plans for a Baby Bjorn carrier.
Our non-jogging stroller can adapt to having an infant carrier put in it (take off the padding from the front bar, the snap-in part of the carrier snaps in there). But it isn't really a "travel system" stroller. Does your double carrier work that way?

Thanks for the reminder!
I know I don't have to figure this out yet...but today I realized we'll need a place for Bryn to go when I deliver!! I've grown accustomed to her tagging along for my dr. appts.

[Phoebe]

I don't have 3 kids, but I am up on the latest stroller info since we just purchased a double stroller that our infant carrier would fit. Maybe you can find a car seat that fits onto your double stroller. Can you take your double stroller to the store and try out infant carriers? It would be a shame to have to spend money on a whole new travel system when the baby only uses the infant seat for a short time and you will want at least two seats. Epinions.com offers reviews on lots of strollers and strollers4less.com is a good place to buy a stroller over the internet because they offer free shipping. Do you know anyone you could borrow a travel system from or maybe purchase one on ebay?

Our big thing was trying out the strollers because some of them are like buses. We found the best selection at Baby Depot.

Good Luck! It is nice your husband is interested in shopping and finding the stroller. I had to drag DH out to shop and he could have cared less which stroller we bought as long as I was happy with it and he knew how to work it. He did surprise me with a glider rocker though which I am excited about.

Jennifer

[mommax3]

Sue,

I never had 3 under 5, so this may not be worth much to you, but for what it's worth.....

My excursions with kids were really cut back with the arrival of the third one. It was just too hard to watch all three at once. That may be because I have all boys, but I had always gone tons of places with two kids ---- suddenly, with three, it was just too hard to be productive.

I do take them to the grocery store with me regularly, but the mall and even Target/Wal-Mart are white-knuckle events.

I am telling you this in order to say that you may just want to get the carseat/stroller system for the baby, and then see if you need something more once life starts to return to something like normal again --- and if you need something different, you could check resale shops. My kids pretty much refused to be in the stroller much past the age of three, unless we were at an amusement park or something, and your baby will want/need a stroller for a lot longer than your second daughter will tolerate one -- and single strollers are SO much easier to manuever! Another thought -- have you ever had any luck with baby carriers, like a Snugli or a Baby Bjorn? That might be an alternative for outings, but you would still need a carseat.

I feel like I am just rambling, but maybe there will be something in the above that will help you!

Sally

[SueC]

I might have a solution. Last night we were searching online and we found that the sit and stand will allow most carriers to strap onto them. If you haven't seen the sit and stand, behind the stroller seat there is a little bench for a toddler to sit on or a platform for them to stand on. I've been seeing mothers out with them and they seem pretty nifty. I saw a mother of 3 at the zoo with one once and I asked her what she thought of it and she said she loved it. That way Sydney (the 2 year old) could sit if she needed to, though I suspect she will want to walk most of the time. They run about $170, though, so if we go this route we will be spending almost $300 by the time we buy that plus a carseat. My husband gave the "OK" if I do decide to go this route. Maybe I should check the resale stores for a sit and stand. Anyhow, thanks for the advice guys!

Sue, I have seen pictures of those strollers and they seem like a neat idea. I think there are platforms that you can attach to most strollers to give a toddler a standing platform. Maybe I saw them on babycenter.com?

I have the sit and stand stroller and absolutely love it! Currently we use the seat for our two year old and our four-year old stands (or sits). In March, we will be attaching the carrier to the front and our two year old will be the stander! Hopefully, our four year old will think it is cool to walk like mama and daddy! Our version of the stroller actually comes with a removeable seat (so it could just be a regular double stroller if you have two sleepy ones!) and though we haven't used the seat that much, I've been glad to have it when necessary. The brand-new version of this stroller even has a drink holder for the mama! Good luck stroller shopping

Elesa
Wife of a FP resident (9 months and 12 days left - but who's counting)
SAHM to John Thomas, age 4 and Graham, age 2
Expecting baby #3 in March!

[SueC]

Thanks Elesa--sounds like your bunch is about the same age as mine. When baby #3 arrives, mine will be 2.75 and 4.25. We are also hoping that our oldest will want to be a big girl and walk so I'm not pushing two older children around with a baby strapped to me!