Stroller Question 2 of 2: can I strap an infant car seat to a rental double stroller?

[Perdita&Pongo]

I will be travelling in November with my Mom (who will be using an ECV), my 6.5 year old and my 6 month old.

This is the 6.5yo's first trip to WDW without her stroller. The problem is she has never been one to like to walk a lot (at WDW, festivals, airport, etc.) - she would rather be in the stroller. I am worried she will be too tired to walk all over WDW, so I was considering getting a double rental stroller and putting her & the 6mo's car seat in it. Can this be done? Will the car seat strap in safely?

My Mom will be in the ECV so she is no help to push a 2nd stroller - I am the only pusher, lol. The only other way is to have her ride on the ECV with my Mom when she gets too tired to walk, but I know that is frowned upon.

Advise, comments, opinions about this dilemma are all welcome!

~Nancy~

 

[jel0511]

No, you will be unable to place a car seat and properly secure it into the rental double strollers. There is only one strap, and it would do no good in properly securing anything, even a child. The bottom of the rental strollers (In every park except MGM) are a hard plastic and are molded to help make it more comfortable for children, so there wouldn't even be a flat place to lay the carseat safely. At MGM, the strollers are the jogging type without even a strap, so again not appropriate for securing a car seat.

 

[BevS97]

Also, you should really leave a 6 month old in a carseat all day - its' not great for their backs and not very comfortable

How about looking for a cheap double at a yard sale? Something that lies flat for the baby?

My plan in December with a 6 year old and a 4 month old is to take a decent lie flat stroller for the baby and have the 6year old walk. If she gets tired, then the baby will go in a sling and she can borrow the stroller.
If this doesn't work, then we will hire a single for her, but I will have my dh available to push too.

Bev

 

[jtslykin]

I agree with BevS97. Babies are stuck in a car seat while driving and then left in it strapped to a stroller it has to get uncomfortable. Try sitting in the same posistion without shifting for a long period of time it is very hard on your back and hind end. I would pick up a double stroller cheap somewhere, that way it is just yours and the baby can move around to different positions and you will be comfortable with it. It will be clean and the baby will know the smell and feel comfortable in it.

I also am bringing my 4yo DD and she has not been in a stroller for about an year but I will be renting one at the parks for her. She does get tired and wants us to hold her and she has really sensitive feet and I have to bring a change of shoes and socks for her when we are going to be out all day so she doesn't get blisters.

go with buying a double stroller and don't forget the sunscreen for the baby especially on the feet!!

 

[SueM in MN]

My Mom will be in the ECV so she is no help to push a 2nd stroller - I am the only pusher, lol. The only other way is to have her ride on the ECV with my Mom when she gets too tired to walk, but I know that is frowned upon.

You are right that it is not a good idea. Posters on the disABILITIES Board have said they had to sign something when renting that indicated they would not allow anyone under the age of 18 to ride on or drive the ecv. The reason is safety. I have seen several times where a small child was riding on the lap of a person driving the ecv and it went out of control. ECVs steer with a yoke similar to a bicycle and a child sitting on the lap can easily get in the way of steering. A 6.5 year old is usually large enough that they would be in the way of someone driving (plus kind of heavy to hold for very long). In both "out of control" cases I saw, the child bumped the yoke a bit, but it was enough to make the ecv go wildly off course and almost hit someone.

 

[Samandmom]

I agree with the above posters purchase a double stroller. I purchased an inexpensive one around $45.00 on sale it is a kolcraft side by side. I use it only if I go walking for long walk. My DS is 3yrs old and he walks if we go to the mall or whatever and just use the stroller for the baby. If your 6.5 yr old is small this should work out for you.

 

[dijid]

Another option is to get a buggy or kiddy board or a seat-2-go to attach to your single stroller. When your 6yo is tired of walking, they can hitch a ride. The peg perego pliko has steps built in on the back for an older child to hitch a ride. We used a pliko P3 on our last trip, and it was perfect as my DD was able to hop on the steps on the back when we wanted to walk fast, or if she was tired. But you can only have a rider on the back if the stroller is upright, so that wouldn't work for you if you plan on having the 6mo nap in the stroller.

 

[crisi]

Is there a double that will fit a six and a half year old? The double I have (an old Graco) barely fits my almost four year old.

A sit n stand sort of thing might work.

But you may need to resolve to have your daughter walk. Just keep the days short and the pace slow. If her choices are walking or not being in the parks - she may find new enthusasim for walking.