What Stroller(s) Do I really Need?
As a new mom it can be extremely overwhelming when tasked with the choice between the hundreds of stroller options available to you. Don’t get me wrong, we love options. But it can be hard to differentiate between a want and a need. Is the stroller worth the price? Do you need both a big stroller and a travel stroller? What about the convertible car seat/stroller? Let’s dive in!
Bugaboo Butterfly Travel Stroller
Lets start off with my personal favorite and most used stroller. The Bugaboo Butterfly is a compact, light, and IATA compatible travel stroller. I keep this stroller in my trunk at all times and use it whenever I take my daughter out. It fits very easily in any overhead bin and it has a great storage compartment that fits a very full diaper bag and other items! I did buy a stroller caddy like this one to strap onto the handle for water bottles, phone, etc. It doesn’t feel flimsy like a ton of other compact strollers and my 6’4 husband doesn’t complain about the handle height! It is super durable, smooth, and so sleek which is why it is my #1 most recommended stroller. A need, not a want!
Doona Car Seat and Stroller
Next up: The infamous Doona Car Seat + Stroller! I have mixed feelings about this one. I used this as my infant carseat for about 6 months before switching to a bigger one. In theory, this is super convenient, not having to unclip your baby and move them, especially when they’re asleep. BUT, this is not a light carseat. I had trouble lifting it in and out of the car with the baby inside. It is around 14 pounds on its own, plus the weight of your baby, its not light. When I happened to be with my husband and he could do the lifting part, it was fantastic and super convenient. I could also see how this would be a good travel solution if you were going somewhere that you needed to bring a car seat and stroller with you. You could bring just one item instead of two. Would I buy it again? Probably not. Will I use it for my next baby since I already own it? Probably. A want, not a need.
Heavy Duty Stroller Options
Last but not least, you have your big (main) stroller. This is your heavy duty stroller, with lots of storage, and most likely some inter-changeable seating arrangements that allow it to grow with your baby and family. There are many options for this type of stroller. The most popular being the Bugaboo Donkey, The UPPAbaby Vista, and the one I personally used, the Cybex Priam. Each one offers a build-your-own model where you can just buy the pieces that you want such as, a base, bassinet, incline seat, or attachable car seat. If you’re going to a place with gravel roads, a sandy beach, or any non-smooth surface, I recommend taking your heavy duty stroller over your travel stroller. But for the most part, my travel stroller comes with me everywhere I go and my Cybex stays home. So although it is not my most used stroller, I would say that it is a need. BUT being that it really isn’t used as much as I thought it would be, as much as I do love the Cybex, if I had to do it again I would've maybe gone with a less expensive option for this one.
Double Stroller - Valco
And just when I thought I would never need to buy another stroller…baby #2 is on the way! I will be needing a double stroller very soon and this Valco Baby stroller is the one that I am getting recommended the most. I personally don’t like the “one in front of the other” style strollers. I don’t want to not be able to see my older child behind the bassinet. From what I am told, this stroller almost completely reclines allowing one infant to lay flat while my toddler sits up straight which is great for those first few months! I will most likely be buying this on but if you have any better recommendations please share in the comments!
