What Kind of Stroller to Get with 2 Kids

Updated on July 10, 2011
W.A. asks from Fremont, CA
15 answers

Hi,

We are expecting a 2nd child in December. By then our daughter will be 3 years old (about 28 lbs).
We currently own a Micralite stroller which we love because it's lightweight (about 14 lbs) and folds easily.
I am considering buying an attachment where the toddler can stand behind but with Micralite, you can just stand and not sit. I worry with a toddler, she would want to sit more.

Another option is to buy a sit and stand stoller but I have been looking and it seems those are bulky and at minimum it would be 30 lbs. For all mamas with 2 kids, what works for you? Any suggestions for strollers out there?

Thanks.

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R.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Just got a JOOVY LOVE it love love it the lightest one I could find and is set up like a sit and stand but much lighter. Easy to handle.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

I'm not sure. By the time my boys were each three, the stroller had been put away for at least six months.

If we go someplace where there's walking involved, I expect my kids to be at least as tired as I am by the time we're done. No fair wearing Mom out and then getting home full of energy!

1 mom found this helpful

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I got a sit and stand when my DD was born and my DS was 3.5. It is big, bulky and heavy. I did like having all that storage for the gear I needed in the winter here in the mid-west.

I got a Chicco side by side when DS was born and DD was 2. Used that a lot more. Much easier to handle. DD is now 4 and DS is 2 and I rarely use it. I just have the 2 year old in a single stroller and DD walks. So I got about 1 year of use out of it.

I guess, knowing what I know now, for you, I would just get the attachment for your stroller. Unless you can find something used and super inexpensive, as you will not use it much.

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I would just avoid the double strollers where the kids sit side by side, and if you get a double stroller, get the one where one sits behind the other. It is nearly impossible to navigate one of those double wide strollers through a thick crowd when you go to fairs, malls, amuzement parks, etc. Good luck!!!

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K.S.

answers from Bloomington on

I figure stick with the stroller you have. You can get the attachment and she can stand or she can walk... I doubt you'll be using the stroller too often during the winter, so she'll be 3 1/2 at least before it gets used on a regular basis.

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N.P.

answers from Mobile on

CONGRATS! I am also expecting my 2nd child on December 10th, the day after my son's 2nd birthday! lol What are the odds, huh? I just bought a Jeep double stroller. The one where the toddler sits in front and the carrier goes in the back! I love it so far! It is kinda bulky though! But It has LOTS of space in the bottom for things! Good Luck!

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My son was an early walker and didn't like to be strapped down once he started walking so we didn't make as much use of the single BOB stroller - this was unfortunate because I love the BOB. He turned 3 when his sister was born and I needed something to keep him by my side, so I was very interested in sit-n-stands. I chose the Joovy Ultralight because it is a very light version of the sit-n-stand - probably lighter than my single BOB. Has plenty of storage space underneath and the best part - my son LOVES riding in it - he can climb on the footstep and ride along or take a seat when we're at a theme park. Best thing to do is try it out at the store with the kids before making a purchase. Good luck finding something that works for you & your growing family!

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K.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I have an 8 month old and a now 5 year old. I bought the 2010 Joovy ultralight and love it! It came with a bar to put on it for the infant seat (universal). It is lightweight and when folded the dimensions are much smaller than the sit and stand which I returned at once. My oldest uses the seat on long walks and it is also good for storing stuff along the way as she would rather walk herself now. But it will get much use in Disneyland.

G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I truly, ABSOLUTELY LOVE our Sit n Stand stroller!!! My 4.5yo son loves to either sit or stand on the back, and I've used both the infant seat attachment and now the stroller part for my daughter (she's now 20mo). I can't say enough good things!!! It's really not all that heavy; a little larger than our other stroller and it makes it hard to put groceries, etc in the back with the stroller. I also wish it had a bigger storage basket that was easier to get to. But the advantages to this stroller have FAR outweighed what I would change about it!!!! And it's GLORIOUS when we travel! Easy to put through security, and awesome if we need to hurry to make a connection :)

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K.W.

answers from Seattle on

My older kids were usually expected to walk. One alternative is to wear the baby and leave your older one in the stroller.

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C.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I have to boys, an almost 3 yo (August) and an 8 month old. My boys weigh 32 lbs and 22 lbs and we have a Combi Double stroller (Twin sport I think?). Yes it is a side by side but here was our reasoning for getting it:

-first I have a small car, Nissan Sentra, and needed something that would fit in the trunk which was almost impossible in a double. This one actually has a trifold so it is really compact and also great for air travel as it has a strap.
-It is lightweight, I can fold it easily and pick it. I'm 5"1 so some of the bulkier doubles were hard for me to pick up, this one is a breeze.
-I hear the arguments about tandem vs. side by side. We obviously looked at both, and although the width of a side by side is something to consider, I haven't had any trouble getting through a standard door with this stroller. Of course a mall or store can be tricky depending on its set up but that would be true with a tandem as well. The reason we went side by side was because no tandem stroller we found allowed for both children to nap and recline at the same time. What if we took the kids to a theme park or party or anywhere where they would both need to comfortably recline?
-Along with that the Combi has a bump bar which I like just for the extra barrier for the kids, it has 3 cup holders for the kids, and the seat cushions are removable and machine washable which was a super plus. There is also a decent amount of storage. And for infants the seats recline all the way flat, it has a 5pt harness and also there is extra fabric that pulls up to make it sort of like a bassinet style (if that makes sense).
-The only cons in my opinion are there is not a drink holder for the parents and the shades are not very large but I added my own drink holder and got shade attachments for really sunny days.

If I had a bigger car I would have gotten the Peg Perego double but the Combi has worked out really well. It's not all terrain so probably not the greatest for bumpy roads but I take my boys on walks around my neighborhood with little issue. I feel like this was a lot longer than I though and I probably sound like a commercial for this stroller but I really had to give this a lot of thought because of the small car issue. Good luck!

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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Im in the same boat. daughter just turned three and I'm due in a month. I have spent hours looking at reviews and gone to buy buy baby and a.local store to try them out with my daughter. I have an accord so it can't be huge. I'm 5'4 and have chronic pain issues so I don't want anything that is too heavy to heft into the car. So far what is in the running for us:

Combi side.by side
Baby jogger city mini
joovy ultralight

I love the Phil and teds but it felt a tad heavy to me and I could see ky daughter kicking the back of her sweet little sibling to be. I like the bob dualie too bit it just seems so monstrous to me.

I think we have decided to wait and make the decision later on after we see what are needs are. Have you looked on Craigslist at all? I scan everyday just in case there is a really good deal. I think with any of these products, it is very subjective. some people just rave about one stroller and others totally rip it apart. I wish there was a few day trial. take it home and try it out type of deal. Anyway, good luck and I know how frustrating it is bc it's such an expensive.investment that you want to get right!

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J.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I have a 3.5 year old and a 7 month old (girls) and I have the sit-and-stand. My toddler uses the seat and the stand option equally. Yes it is bulky and heavy - a necessary evil, in my opinion, in order to lug 2 kids around comfortably. It seems like all double strollers are big and the sit-and-stand seems the most compact and it is well-priced. My kids love it - they can see each other and interact in it - so I put up with it.

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M.F.

answers from San Francisco on

The Phil and Teds is the best! I loved the versatilty of being able to use it with a carseat or as a double or a single stroller and both my children loved riding in it. My children are now between 40 and 50 pounds and can still ride in it if they chose although we really don't need it anymore. I love how easily the front wheel rotates for easy steering and the fact that it fits down narrow isles in a store and is great for jogging/walking on the trail. Well worth the price tag!

D.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Most toddlers her age, don't want to sit. She would like the stand option or walk by herself.

Just my thoughts. LOL

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