When is a Stroller a necessity?

Question

Started our baby registry last night and got bombarded by staff people giving their opinions about all the best of the best travel systems. While I appreciate their information, my husband and I are struggling a bit when it comes to the stroller bit. We plan to carry the baby on trips to the grocery, outdoor activities etc. When is a stroller most used? Do we really need a travel system that accommodates the infant car seat, or would we be ok with a more inexpensive umbrella stroller? Our budget will be fairly tight and I just don't want to drop hundreds on something we may not truly need.

Answer

My son is 16 months old and we have used his stroller since he was born. I enjoy going for walks, especially when he's fussy, at the store and mall, when we go to the zoo, craft shows etc. I think a stroller is a great investment that you will use for years!

Answer

We used our Graco travel system (car seat, base, stroller) every single day. It was my favorite piece of baby equipment. When I was at home or friends houses, I used a wrap or carried baby, but virtually everywhere we went-stores, walks, doc appts, etc- we used the stroller.

Answer

It's up to you, one thing that I recommend is not getting baby used to being carried all the time. I'm a child psychologist and parents often bring their 2 year olds because they are having severe tantrums that will not cease until they are picked up. Baby should learn to be comfortable and self soothe while being in the stroller or walking eventually. When he or she is tiny you'll want to hold them all the time but as they get bigger it will become more burdensome especially when you need to use your hands and baby wearing is not an option anymore. Good for thought. Ultimately you are mom and you make the best choices for your little nugget 😊.

Answer

I say don't get the whole travel system stroller. But depending on how you feel they have a frame type stroller that fits the car seat right into it. Something like the picture below. I got it for my daughter (2 months old) and it has been our life saver. Especially with carrying groceries etc.  Hope this helps!

Answer

I was the same when my baby was little I carried her in a wrap or Tula carrier everywhere but as she got older wanted a stroller for those rare occasions like museum visits or longer walks or the mall whatever, I had a stroller system in the past and I found that the strollers were so bully and took up too much trunk space that it was often left in the garage and when an occasion came up that I could use it I didn't have it anyway. We finally bought the GB qbit it's light weight like an umbrella stroller but can recline enough for naps and has a space underneath just big enough for my bag. It folds up small enough that it's permanent home is my trunk. We even took it to Disney and my 5 year old daughter took turns using it so I think we will get a lot of use out of it.

Answer

Depending on the car seat look into the GB Qbit. It folds small so good for when your baby is older and has adapters that fit certain car seats. We just got it for our daughter and like how our baby boys car seat can snap into it if we don't want to carry him. It's $180 but only stroller you would need plus has a great canopy which most small/light weight strollers do not have.

Answer

Yes a stroller is a necessity. When I first gave birth I was too weak to carry my baby around all the time, it hurt my back so bad-- I would have hubby carry baby in harness or we used the stroller until a few months after birth and I was a bit stronger. But even then sometimes baby carrying becomes plain ole HOT if your having a summer baby like all of mine were. Also going to malls or even just taking the baby out for a walk will be difficult without a stroller. Just get a stroller with a regular seat for when theyre older but that also has the option to place the baby car seat into it. I got to basic Graco stroller (about $125 for stroller and car seat combo) and we used for my son until well after he was two so def got our money's worth. If money is an issue even try 2nd hand stores or see if anyone is willing to hand one down to you(that's what we eventually did with ours). But yes a stroller def goes on my list of "essentials," on baby number 3 and couldn't imagine not having one.

Answer

A baby can not be put into an umbrella stroller until they are 6mo or older. The infant needs to be in a very reclined position that many strollers can't offer.

Answer

Depends, if you don't plan to take the baby out in the stroller till it's much older and umbrella stroller would be fine. A new born in one tho.....

Answer

I'm getting a stroller once baby is too big to wear. I'm guessing at age one

When is a Stroller a necessity?

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