Double stroller infant & 6 y/o

[brockash]

Hello on our upcoming trip I'll have a 3 month old and a 6 year old. If it wasnt for the infant I wouldn't do a stroller, but since I have to do one anyways, I'm really considering doing some type of double. While my 6 year old is taller - about 48 inches she's pretty tinily built (about 37 lbs.). One of my biggest issues with a stroller is that it will have to have at least one seat that reclines fully for the 3 month old. We would really also prefer a seat that you can "close" put up etc. the feet area for the infants part of the stroller. Does anyone have any ideas. We'd prefer a skinnier front and back stroller as opposed to a side by side. Any thoughts or opinions as to any type of stroller that would come close to meeting these needs would be very appreciative. TIA!

 

[Coonhound]

The six year old should not need a stroller, unless there are disabilities. Otherwise a healthy six year old should be able to walk the parks just fine.

 

[brockash]

The six year old should not need a stroller, unless there are disabilities. Otherwise a healthy six year old should be able to walk the parks just fine.

Really not what I'm looking for or helpful at all. I'm not asking what you think a 6 year old should be able to do. We go to Disney every year and I have had kids of all ages. My kids are healthy (although on the skinnier side) and active, however we travel with a larger group and if I'm going to have to have a stroller anyways I think for my convenience I would prefer to have a double (if it met my needs) in which I could put both kids in it at times that I feel it would be more convenient for us (when trying to get across a park quickly, at closing when trying to leave, at night time, during crowded times, parades etc.) When my now 6 year old was 1 1/2 and my older son was 6, I brought a sit n stand and absolutely loved having the peace of mind of being able to have them in the stroller at times and knowing I "had" them, they were safe and were able to be off their feet for a little while. We are more the type to spend most if not all of the day at the parks and it's our preference to allow the 6 year old somewhere to rest/sit when she gets tired, so we're not purely running on this 1 particular childs schedule. I can certainly understand others who prefer to not do it this way, but this is our vacation and for us, this is our preference. Like I said, if I wasn't already needing to bring a stroller, I wouldn't worry about it and would most likely rent a stroller on a few days, but since I need to bring one anyways, my question was if anyone knew of any strollers that met the needs described in my first post.

Anyone?

 

[tms295psu]

I'd do a single and an infant carrier (ergo snuggle etc).

Our 1st trip dd was turning two. Lots of in and out of stroller became a pain but necessary.
Trip 2 dd was 4 ds was 1.5 took a double and was great while it was raining but dd didn't ride otherwise. Was a lot of stroller for the little time used.
Upcoming trip we r doing a single and a carrier. 6 yr can ride for a break while 2 yr old is in the carrier or walking.

 

[Julie711]

We bring our sit n stand for our now 25 month old & 6 year old. We will be taking it again in October. It works out perfect when oldest is tired of walking she will just hop on for a ride to take a break, she is also on the smaller side.

 

[WDWAurora]

You're going to want one of the city minis. I know you say you'd prefer tandem, but trust me, they are so hard to steer and the oldest will be so far away from you. You'll constantly feel like you're about to hit something. I'm renting a city mini from apple strollers. I have the britax equivalent at home, but we never need it anymore. The feet aren't enclosed, but YDS always felt very secure. It is so easy to push, steer, and fold. Way lighter than most tandems, too. EDS is 3.5 and I debated a double vs a single because he never uses a stroller, but we're doing it. It won't be great for her height, but it's probably about the best you'll find. Strollers just aren't made to fit older children since they aren't really intended for their use.

 

[mom2maggie]

I would actually recommend using a single rather than double! When your eldest is tired, carry the baby in a ergo/wrap.

 

[brockash]

Thx for the replies. I never really thought about only doing a single and a baby carrier, but I'll put some thought into that. For those who recommended the double citi mini...do you happen to know how far they recline? I'm not real concerned about how comfortable it is for my older dd as it will mainly just be used for her during certain times, but I've found it more difficult than I thought it would be to find a stroller that reclines enough for a 3 month old even in a single stroller, so I wasn't sure if they even made them in doubles. Thx!

 

[tourguide81]

Thx for the replies. I never really thought about only doing a single and a baby carrier, but I'll put some thought into that. For those who recommended the double citi mini...do you happen to know how far they recline? I'm not real concerned about how comfortable it is for my older dd as it will mainly just be used for her during certain times, but I've found it more difficult than I thought it would be to find a stroller that reclines enough for a 3 month old even in a single stroller, so I wasn't sure if they even made them in doubles. Thx!

The BJCM is probably your best bet. Both seats full recline - will work for birth on up. Full, separate sun shades, etc. And I agree w/ the PP, much easier to steet/navigate w/ a good side by side than a tandem. It also folds pretty flat.

 

[WDWAurora]

The baby will be fine in the city mini.

 

[AEpoppins34]

Just rented a city mini double for our 6 month old and our 3 year old. It'll be great for you and we loved having it with us. I have a 6 year old and he also rode in the CM when baby was in the Ergo (which I highly recommend bringing regardless of what you rent). Baby was secure and safe. You could also bring your headrest from the coarsest for extra head support if you feel baby would benefit.

 

[iheartwalt]

We have a city mini single and have used (and adored) it since ds was 5 days old. We used this for about the first three months http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045VA3SO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1389849153&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40 i liked having him a little more snug in there.

 

[brockash]

Thanks again for the opinions/advice. It sounds like the double citi mini is the way to go. Thanks!

 

[SweetMissy]

Yes, some 6 year olds will need a stroller at disney....MAYBE not the whole time but at least some of the time. The parks are HUGE and their legs are small. We've rented strollers for our kids when they were 7 & 4 and 8 & 5 and our 4 month old. I'm a baby wearer but on occasion took a break and the baby used the stroller and the other 2 took turns. The year before last when he was 4 months old I wore him 90% of the time and we parked the stroller for a couple hours at a time because they were a bit older and didn't need it all the time. I would rather have the stroller than have tired whiny kids. Do what works for you! Also look into baby wearing....makes life much easier and you'd only have to rent a single, much easier than a double.

 

[dsneygirl]

I'd do a single and an infant carrier (ergo snuggle etc).

Yes. I also had 5.5 years between my kids. We have done 3 trips now and used the Ergo for the little one sometimes. At night my ODS would hop in the stroller if the baby was sleeping in the Ergo.

 

[rphlori]

Are u not bringing the "bucket" seat for the infant? We will have our 3 month with us on this trip and i can't see getting around bringing the "bucket" seat since i will need it to sit her in at dinner.

 

[angelmom27]

Are u not bringing the "bucket" seat for the infant? We will have our 3 month with us on this trip and i can't see getting around bringing the "bucket" seat since i will need it to sit her in at dinner.

I wouldn't use a bucket seat. Baby can get over heated in them.

I agree city mini double but would also bring a carrier like ergo for when in line or at restaurants. My baby will sleep in the wrap while we eat.

 

[WDWAurora]

Are u not bringing the "bucket" seat for the infant? We will have our 3 month with us on this trip and i can't see getting around bringing the "bucket" seat since i will need it to sit her in at dinner.

I doubt they'll let you bring it in most restaurants. There just isn't room. I would plan to wear the baby during meals. I'm not much of a baby wearer, but it probably is not practical to bring in a bucket seat. I'm sure some have done it, but it's not the norm.

You're not going to want the baby in there for temperature regulation, as mentioned by a PP. They are not recommended for extended use outside of cars due to head positioning, etc.

 

[brockash]

Are u not bringing the "bucket" seat for the infant? We will have our 3 month with us on this trip and i can't see getting around bringing the "bucket" seat since i will need it to sit her in at dinner.

No, we've decided not to. I just don't see the advantage after taking Disney transportation into account. We went a cpl yrs ago with my dsis family and they had a 4 month old and didn't bring it and they worked it out fine. I just plan on holding or having the baby in some type of pouch/carrier while we're at restaurants without a baby carrier seat and that won't allow the stroller.

 

[amomommy1]

Double check the height for the double city mini. I think it's 44 inches. DS was about that height when we rented the double city mini and it was tight. His head almost hit the canopy. For taller kids, check the City Mini GT. Kingdom Strollers has those and the max height is 48 inches. I actually just rented the GT this morning from Kingdom Strollers.