1 year old - stroller vs. baby carrier?

[Krabby Patty]

My daughter will be one on our trip in January and I'm debating which would be easier... stroller or baby carrier (i.e. Babyhawk). If it was summer, I would use the stroller but since it's January, I'm trying to decide.

Thoughts? Preferences?

 

[Krabby Patty]

I should add that we use both regularly so she is comfortable with each. We will probably only be at the parks for 2 - 3 hours at a time.

 

[DopeyDame]

We usually bring both, but we LOVED using the carrier when DS was 1 and 2 (at 3, he would much rather be walking himself.) It was so convenient and way easier than dealing with the stroller.

 

[jrtoastyman]

The great thing about a stroller is that it gives you a place to store all of the gear you need when you have a one year old. If you do the carrier, you're carrying that gear, PLUS your child, and you don't really have a way to take a breather if you need to give your body a break. If you're only going to be there for 2-3 hours at a time, it might not be that big of a deal, but it's something to keep in mind if you think you might stay longer from time to time.

 

[sritter78]

Both! The convinience of a stroller can't be beat. I wouldn't want to carry around a diaper bag and a child.

 

[kmb584]

I also agree with bringing both. Options are good.

Strollers are great to have especially for storage purposes! I can count on 1 hand the number of times DD used her stroller (aside from afternoon naps) on our trip in April/May. She rarely uses it at home and I know she's outgrowing it but I HAD to bring it with us -- it holds her diaper bag, my handbag fits nicely around the handles, the drink holder is lovely, and the seat is a nice home for our collection of purchases that aren't sent to pick-up.

 

[MScott1851]

Stroller... A one year old can (and will want to get down and do it!) walk and getting them in and out of a stroller will be easier. Throw the carrier in the bottom of the stroller and use it for lines, etc.

 

[adventure_woman]

Both. I took DD when she was 16 months. I did wear her A LOT, but she liked the stroller too. (and I WAS there in August!) It is obviously easier for her to look around in the stroller than when you are wearing her. I also agree with the diaper bag. You might also have coats in Jan.

I found wearing DD was great because she would nap in there (which she did all the time at home too). That was nice because if we were someplace and she was cranky....I just popped her in and night night!

 

[bumbershoot]

Both.

(though when we did it we had to rent the stroller, since we didn't own one until DS was 2)

I found that when DS was in the stroller he wanted OUT, but when he was up in the carrier he didn't mind as much, because he could see far more interesting things than when he was walking or in the stroller!

 

[rainynight]

I've always found strollers to be more of a hassle than their worth, so I vote baby carrier. I have yet to find a time (not even during our first Disney trip with a 2 year old) that a stroller was convenient, or at least worth the annoyance of pushing around.

 

[jenlov]

I say both. We even took TWO strollers for our last trip since our youngest were 2 and 3. We just bought inexpensive but GOOD umbrella strollers. they were easy to fold up and carry on the buses, etc. We kept our stuff at the bottom, which was nice w/ other kids as well. This time, our youngest is going to be 13ms old. We'll be bringing our umbrella stroller and our Beco carrier. I don't know if she'll be walking or not, but I can't imagine any 13mo old wanting to walk any length of time in the parks, nor wanting to keep up with her (and the other 6 kids) if she does. She'll either be in the stroller or in the carrier. Part of me even wants to bring an extra stroller for the 5yo, but I guess he could ride in the baby's stroller while she's in the carrier. There will be plenty of waiting times when she'll be able to exercise her little legs if necessary.

 

[msmama]

Another vote for both.

You may not take both to the parks with you every time, but I would definitely take both on the trip, if that's what you're asking.

Even if you're both used to the carrier, you're both not used to DISNEY with a carrier! It's a different kind of walking and standing, I think. No matter how in shape I am, I come back from Disney hurting, so personally I'd want the option of carrying or not carrying. I've had trips where my back aches from baby carrying and others where my back aches from stroller pushing.

My rule with Disney is always mix it up, lol!!

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I'm a huge advocate for baby wearing but I have to say not having a stroller at WDW with a one year sounds scary.

At 10 months I was about to do a 9 hour day in Manhattan with DD in a carrier but by 12 months I was uncomfortable within a couple of hours. I even upgraded my carrier and bought a support belt... still couldn't do it.

I'd say, if by 12 months you can still carry her around at home, I'd bring both.

 

[Madzac]

I would also bring both. I plan to bring both with our one year old in Oct. I actually just sold my babyhawk as it was starting to be less comfortable and went for a soft structured carrier which is much more comfortable now at 21 lbs. I expect I will wear her more than put her in the stroller, but I figure if she falls asleep and I want to ride something I will need somewhere to put her! As well as the diaper bag. We will see how it goes!

 

[unclescrooge_0707]

We took both in December. It wound up being so cold I HAD to wear our then 4 month old, just so she wouldn't freeze! wearing her let me zip her up in my coat.