strollers and carseats...oh my!!

ok so I am expecting my second child in Feb. of next year. I also have a 2 year old. I was wondering if I sould go and buy a double stoller or sould I just use two seperate stollers? I think it would be a problem If I wanted to go out to the mall or something and need someone to push one of my kids...also I was wondering if it would be safe to use the carseat my daughter used because it was brand new when we first got it and its less than 3 years old. I need some advise! thanks ladies!

Double strollers are a PITA unless you have twins or they are extremely close in age.
I use a single stroller for the bigger child and keep baby in a carrier/wrap/sling. Normally, by the times baby is getting too heavy to carry all the time, the other child has gotten too big for the stroller anyways.
Car seat, check the expiration date and inspect all the components.

If it isn't expired and hasn't been stored somewhere really hot or damp, yes, it's safe to use.
and yes to a double stroller unless you really commit to wearing or carrying the baby when the toddler doesn't want to walk. We have the joovy caboose sit and stand, which is great and accommodates most carseat brands.

<blockquote><b>Quoting *Mrs Cherry*:</b>" Double strollers are a PITA unless you have twins or they are extremely close in age. I use a single ... [snip!] ... other child has gotten too big for the stroller anyways. Car seat, check the expiration date and inspect all the components."</blockquote>




are u going to use a double this time? im stuck in the same dilemma, my kids will be exactly 2 years, 2 months and 16 days apart...should i just keep my single and get a carrier, or invest in a double?

Quoting s.daud:" <blockquote><b>Quoting *Mrs Cherry*:</b>" Double strollers are a PITA unless you have ... [snip!] ... will be exactly 2 years, 2 months and 16 days apart...should i just keep my single and get a carrier, or invest in a double?"

I had one with my older two. Honestly, I used it maybe 3 times because it took up the entire trunk, was hard to handle, especially indoors and none of mine really used one past 2-2 1/2.

My youngest will be about 21 mo when this baby gets here and I have no plans to buy one. I really have not missed having one. We live about 3 blocks from the nearest playground and if we go somewhere like the zoo or theme park we just rent a double stroller for the day. But even in the case of us renting one, it seems that we end up carrying the baby at some point so the carrier/wrap/sling comes in handy even then.

If you go for a lot of walks/running or do a lot of outdoor activities it might be a good idea.

i guess it depends on lifestyle then...my SIL has two kids exactly two years apart...she thought she would be able to survive with her single, and she had a carrier as well, but still when her youngest was 3 months old she bouht a Baby Jogger City Mini Double. She mostly goes shopping or travelling, or days out with friends who have kids in similar ages...she still uses hers...me, im going to be mostly either dropping my kids off (walking because its too close...it would take longer to strap the kids in the car to drop my daughter off...my sons pre school is about a 10 minute walk, but hes going in August 2013)...shopping (also walk there as its walking distance) going to misc place by bus or train...which is not everyday but atleast once a month...i dunno im just so confused...and i have backpain and im having my third c section, so i dunno how long id be able to use a carrier/wrap...i mean how long before baby gets too heavy...but i also dont want to spend so much on a double...im so confused!

I say yes to the car seat and it really depends on the double. We have a Phil and Teds double jogger which we use ALL the time!! It can be a double stroller or single whenever you need it. Its not bulky . Stores very easily in the trunk with plenty of room to spare. It handles like a dream and fit anywhere a normal stroller would. Honestly our double stroller has been a god send!! My oldest two are 21 months apart and my second and third children are 27 months apart. Right now there 4 1/2, almost 3 and 7 months. Its so nice to have the double when we need it since my almost 3 year old is and extreme doodler . It would be to much for me to to ware my son right now hes over 20lbs and kills my back if hes in the carrier for to long. If your going to be doing allot of walking or your going to be getting out allot then a double is a must if not then i would just use the single till your children are a bit older since you wont be getting out much and wont use it for long.