Carriage Question- Best Way to Manage Two Kids

41 pounds is big - most strollers only go up to about 40 or so lbs. There's a Baby Jogger that is less expensive than other Baby Joggers ($400) and goes to 50, and it has an attachment for an infant carrier, so that might be a good option, but if the double stroller that converts to a sit-n-stand has high enough weight restrictions, I would go with that one. He's a big kid, and that might be the best option.

My girls are 3 years apart. I had no problem with my older clinging to me wherever we went, even tho someone said to use a harness when she walks, which I whought was cruel. When my 2nd came along and started walking, she was everywhere, so out came the harness, lol, it was a Godsend. Maybe you can use the single stroller on the newborn and a harness on the older one. My younger one would literally run into the street, so it was a blessing for me. Something to think about.

L.,
You might have 2.5 yr old in front- or back-pack while pushing stroller. Unless, of course, your favorite forbidden toy for your baby is - your hair.

You might also consider a sling for the infant, and the stroller for the stronger one: 5 point harness is best bet for the older one I'm thinking. That would give new baby a little more close time (and easier faster access to nursing w/o having to watch older sibling).

Good Luck!
M.

I'm not sure if you seat will work with it. You'd have to check the site but I have a Graco Quattro Duo that has been perfect for my two youngest who are 4 years apart in age. The front seat is more like a big child chair so it's perfect for a 3 year old plus they have their own little storage section under their seat. I LOVE my stroller.

I am not sure about your son, but ours hated to sit in the stroller from the time he was 18 months old. Our second was born when he was 23 months and our inlaws got us Safety 1st double stroller(most compact double tandem stroller out there )It really felt like pushing single stroller but it was nice to have second seat(no recline and no shade) just in case. Well what do you know, when baby was born our oldest suddenly wanted to ride in the stroller and HAD to have comfy seat(that reclined and had a shade)Still to this day(he is almost 4) he wants to ride(if he is not riding his bike)so we sold our lovely gift and bought Combi Counterpart.You can try sit and stand and see if it works for you(I love Craigslist too and if one stroller does not work you can always sell and buy another)

My kids are 13 months apart so I wanted a stroller that would last a long time. I got the baby jogger side by side stroller and am in love. I never use anything else. It was outrageously expensive. Sometimes at the doctor or something, I carry my daughter (8.5 mos) in a front carrier, and let my son (22 mos) walk/hold my hand. Total nightmare. I can't control him at all with her 20 pounds hanging onto me. Maybe your son will be better because he's older and can be rationalized with? But I think you're totally right to be worried about managing both when out and about!!

I used a snap n go and HATED it. Sure, it was convenient (actually perfect, in a mall setting) when I had JUST the baby, but it doesn't have good suspension, hits every bump and jolts the baby, and is hard to push while negotiating streets/curbs etc (not sure what you'll be doing). I definitely could not push it while carrying my son or holding his hand. But like I said, your son is older so maybe things will be smoother for you. The alternative is a backpack carrier for those desperate times, but 41 pounds is pretty hefty, and you'd have to wait until 6 months to put the newborn in it. I have an Ergo carrier (front, back, hip) and just love it for both kids. Good luck, and congratulations!

L.,

I had my 2nd child in May when my daughter was 2 yrs 6 mos and was facing the same situation. I ended up with the Joovy Caboose Ultralight -- it's like the sit-n-stand but more compact and easier to maneuver. The Graco car seat doesn't snap in like onto my Graco stroller frame, but it sits pretty securely onto the metal frame/neoprene-type cover (I'm pretty fanatic about safety issues and didn't think I would be comfortable with the "strap" securing the baby in, but amazingly I am). With the car seat in, there's not as much room for my daughter to sit on the back, but she's still happy standing on the little platform (and when the baby can sit in the main seat, she'll have more room to sit). See if you can find one in a store to check out -- we went when the baby was a few weeks old and my daughter liked helping us buy a stroller that was for both of them to use together. Overall, we've been very happy with the Joovy... just be sure you get the Ultralight.

A.

hi L.
i have 3 children but my oldest doesnt count my 2 younger children ages 2 1/2 and 15mths go in the graco double stroller i have which was given to me which is front and back and works fine my 2 1/2 yold dont give me a problem with staying in the carriage i dont shop much but when we go out thats where they go if i have to go in and out of a store quickly i use my jogger stroller which is side by side and i love it it is a safari one when i walk with them in the mornings and they like it but i will say i didnt use that in the beginning when my dtr was born because she was small and i was afraid my son would bother her etc so i used front and back if i needed to it is up to u everyone is different good luck