Double Stroller vs Snugli Type Carrier

My daughter was 22 months when my son was born and I used the Joovy Caboose Standon Tandem Stroller.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2827345
It was nice because it works with any infant carrier and converts easily to the next stage as well. Your older child could either sit or stand on the back. I used the front carrier with an umbrella stroller too. I like the Baby Bjorn best even though it's a little more expensive. The Snugli one hurt my back. Good luck!

We hated our Graco front and back. It was way too hard to steer. We ended up with a Combi Twin Sport that we love. Our Graco car seat sat in it deep enough to be stable. It fits in any handicapped stall and only has problems on old buildings that aren't up to code. It can also be steered with one hand. As far as a front carrier goes, we didn't like the Snugli. It was possible to do with one person, but pretty difficult. We were given a Baby Bjorn for our second and love it! You can get them resonably priced at consignment stores. I can do the Baby Bjorn very quickly and easily, even to change the baby from facing in to facing out, etc. I highly recommend it.

I would go with a front back double stroller for the days where you are going to be doing a lot of walking, When my oldest were little they were only 11 months apart, so I had the double for long walks and then for the shorter in out kind of things I used a single stroller with the baby in a snugli type carrier, I know it creates more stuff but this is what worked for me. But I can also say that with my younger ones know (I have 7 total) I don't do double strollers after the age of 2 they can walk, I start the "trainging" process from the day their little feet can handle it, I always make sure I have enough time to work with them in a store. I do it along the lines of a time out, if they wander or run off I put them in the cart for 3-4 min then I get them out and let them know they have to stay with mommy and repeat the process. My 19 month old will almost always stay with me...he's 19 months not perfect. It might take some trial an error to figure out what is going to work, good luck on your new journey and congrats on the new baby!

My two youngest boys are 14 months apart. I used both,I liked using the snuggli at home and when I had to pick up my oldest from preschool when the baby was small and lightweight. Once the baby got heavier I preferred the graco double stroller front/back.I liked the feature of being able to put the carseat in it as well. I used the jeep side by side stroller for the older boys but I had a hard time fitting it through doorways and isles in stores at the mall. So, with experience of both types of strollers I reccomend the graco front/back style. It was easy to operate with one hand and even take on vacation through the airport and to DisneyWorld!!!!If at all possible I would try to get both.

I am also pregnant due on the fourth of july, but my current youngest is 25 months. I was asking myself the same question and this is what i came up with. I have been allowing my daughter when we go to wallmart or wherever to walk, because she is in that phase too, but i tell her to hold onto the cart. She then if she tries to run off she has to get in it, she hates being strapped in something so it works. I have been doing this for about a month now and it works pretty well. I am planning to use the sling/single stroller combo once the baby is born, then by the time the baby is too big for the sling my daughter should be better public trained. Another idea is a sit stand stroller. If you are not familar, they are a double stroller the size of a single. the front is a regular stoller with a platform in the back there they can stand holding onto bars, and a bench seat with a seat belt so they can sit, allowing the older child to walk and rest as needed.

I use the snugli/stroller combo for when I'm in a hurry. And then for more leisure walks/trips to the mall, I have an Elmo Leash for my toddler and the stroller OR Snugli for the infant. It gives the Toddler a chance to walk/exercise and me piece of mind that he's not going to run off. He likes to run everywhere too. I keep all 3 items in the car to give me more flexibility. I know some think it's cruel to use a leash, but in today's society, you can't be too careful. I've only had positive comments from strangers in the mall - and most of them were Grandparents who actually used leashes themselves.

I've never had a double stroller, so I can't comment on that piece of it. Good Luck with your decision.

Hi A.!
Have you ever checked out BOB Strollers? They have a really cool double jogging/everyday stroller called the Revolution. They have singles and doubles (Duallie). I think it will work with your car seat but you'll have to check.

www.bobgear.com

They also started this new campaign called I am Mom and there's a really neat video of the type of gauntlet you can put their strollers through. I think it's in the blog. Anyway, hope you have a great day!

-J.

I used a carrier plus a stroller when mine were younger (they're 25 months apart). I had a front carrier and a backpack, but, I usually put the older one in a backpack (my kids are thin, he didn't hit 30 pounds 'til he was three) and the infant in the stroller. The deal was, he could walk unless he misbehaved. If he misbehaved, into the backpack and strapped in - it only took a few times for him to figure out how to listen. And, this way I didn't have to carry a kid most of the time. Plus, the in-out of the stroller drives me up the wall. Once our youngest could sit up - then I could use the back pack for either of them. FYI - we had a double stroller but we almost never used it - they are so big that they're just more pain than they're worth for anything but a walk to the park. You could also try one of the toddler leashes and let her walk.

Double Stroller hands down for me...I have five kids, and the snugli always turns out to be a bigger pain than it is worth. My sister would disagree, she uses a sling and that works really well for her. The only time a snugli works well for me is if I am going to a setting where I don't want my little baby held and passed around by others (neighborhood party, family reunion etc) If she is strapped to me people are less likely to ask. The double stroller is so nice cause you don't have to bother your baby-you just put the whole carseat sideways in the back and put your 2 year old in the front. When they are in a snugli you have to worry about the sun, wind, cold, etc and you don't have to worry about all of that if they are in their carseat with a blanket. When you are shopping for a stroller pay attention to how much room it takes folded up. Some models are ok, and others are ridiculous to try and fit in your vehicle. good luck! Amy

I LOVE my Snugli Front & Back pack. Sometimes, it's the only thing for the situation! Especially when they're old enough to sit on my back! I could mop, vacuum, whatever, and the baby was as happy as can be. When he was cranky and wouldn't let me put him down, on the back he went and would often fall asleep. I could get him out without waking him up sometimes, too, or just lay him on my bed in the pack! But I used it mostly camping, hiking, airports/travelling(it's much more compact than a stroller), at sporting events (strollers don't work with stairs) and at home. Anywhere that was stroller-accessible, we used a stroller instead. It was $30 at WalMart.
I also have an Evenflo Take Me Too double stroller. I'm pretty sure it accomodates any infant seat in the back. My 2 year old sat in front until the baby was big enough to sit in front (it's easier to steer with less weight in front). The oldest has just outgrown the weigh limit of 40 lbs. I never would have been able to do some things if it weren't for that stroller! I took it to tons of stores, especially those that aren't kid-friendly because it kept my kids confined and portable. They had snacks and toys, and the back seat lays down for whoever was sleepy. It was $116 shipped from WalMart.
Another advantage of the stroller is the weight limit. I think the Snugli is just 26 pounds, where the stroller is 40. But tiny babies love being so close in the Snugli.
I guess my conclusion is that I would get both, if I could! I'm not rich, but I found both items to be well worth their cost, did lots of research before I bought them, and got them for reasonable prices ($150 for both). As opposed to a Baby Bjorn and Peg Perego version of the same items, which could cost you over $500!