How Do You Carry Both of Them Into Daycare?

My twins are just over 19 lbs and 26 inches, so I know we'll be outgrowing their infant carriers soon & moving to convertible car seats. For those of you who've moved to convertible car seats, how do you get both of them out of the car & into daycare? We have a double stroller but it's huge & I have to halfway dissemble it to get it in the trunk of my car, so that doesn't seem practical for everyday use. Plus, I usually drop them off & DH picks them up, so I'm looking for an easy way for each of us to get them in & out safely. We have to cross a small parking lot & then go through 3 doors to get to their room (2 I can push open with my hip, but one I have to open with my hand). I'm wondering if single umbrella strollers would work---could I put one in there & carry the other one & still be able to maneuver them safely? Before I tried that, I wanted to check and see if any of you who've BTDT have better suggestions.

I'm sad that they'll be done with their infant carriers, but those suckers are getting HEAVY!!

 

I use the double stroller each time - I have the Graco Quattro Tour and I drive a SUV - so it only takes me 2 seconds to take the stroller out, pop it open, and move it to one side of the car to unload the first baby. Then I move the stroller to the other side of the car to unload the 2nd baby, and I store the diaper bag in the basket underneath and my purse I hang from the handle bars.

I can get us all in and out of the car in under 1 minute I've done it so many times.

 

Sorry, no help here. Our daycare was two steps from the parking lot, and we didn't have any help, plus there was no ramp to even use a stroller up the front. My DH takes them in the morning. He takes one in, hands them off to the teacher, and then goes back and gets the other. He turns off the car, and locks the one in the car so nobody can get them. We hated doing it though. They were in the car alone for a total of like 30 seconds. Now they walk in together.

 

I don't think this will help you, but I use the double stroller. I'm the one that does all the daycare runs - if DH would ever need to, I would have to switch vehicles as his car doesn't have carseats or the stroller.

An umbrella stroller does seem do-able though. I would think that it would be harder when they get to be the 9-10 mo age when they're heavier and a bit more antsy.

 

I feel for you and know exactly what you mean. DS is in the convertible seat and DD is still in the infant carrier. Fortunately, we take them to a lady's house, so I can leave DS in the car while I bring DD in the infant carrier to the door. She takes her in and then I go back to get him.

What about a sling for one and carry the other? There are some great side (hip) slings that just go over your head and across your chest. I've even used mine over my winter coat with them in their coats. Go to http://www.cabinbaby.com/ to look at the slings I'm talking about. The owner of the website actually has twins herself and a little boy. I talked to her a lot when I was pregnant and my husband and I used her slings while back in IL visiting family this summer. They are really simple, but might be just the kind of thing you could use to get the babies in the door and then go back out to the car for any other bags.

 

Just because they are 19lbs & 26" doesnt necessarily mean they are ready to move!
I recently had someone from the car seat safe rider in our town come give a demonstration to our twin group. The recommendation she gave is DO NOT follow the height and weight to the T on the car seats. Some babies are 29in with LONG torsos, some have LONG legs etc. When the babies head is within 1 INCH of the top of the infant carrier its time to switch whether they are 20 inches or 40 inches just depends on how the babies body is built.

other things she pointed out is if I doesnt come with the car seat dont add it. there should be nothing between the baby and the seat. Its best to cover them with a blanket or car seat cover becausee in the event of an accident the materials get compressed and that allows more room between the baby and the straps. the straps should be tight so you can only get 1 finger in between the strap and the babies collar bone. The buckle should be armpit level. the handle should always be down when in the car. the straps for a rear facing child should be LOWER than the babies shoulders. If you are driving along and you slam on the brakes the baby is going to be hoisted towards the front windshield. If the straps are LOWER than the shoulders it will help to better keep them in place. She was very informative and I felt like I knew alot more afterwards. hope this helps!

Now to answer your question. My son is heavy also. So even though he has not outgrown his infant carrier I moved him to his convertible seat. My daughter is still in her infant carrier as she is much lighter than he is. Ive still been able to manage carrying them both in, him on my hip and her in the carrier. BUT when they both are in their convertible seats I plan on using a front baby carrier. Put one in the carrier on the front of me, and hold the other baby on my hip - no stroller necessary! would that be an option for you?

 

I use this stroller: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2953833
I'd be lost without it. It fits thru standard doorways. I use it for everything and it only takes a second to undo and break down and it's not heavy.

 

Yes, I take them in the stroller into wherever we're going. Works like a charm!

 

QUOTE(E&Msmom @ Nov 13 2008, 03:31 PM) [snapback]1069080[/snapback]
Put one in the carrier on the front of me, and hold the other baby on my hip - no stroller necessary! would that be an option for you? [/b]



This is what I do, too.

 

QUOTE(Fireweed in AK @ Nov 13 2008, 03:30 PM) [snapback]1069076[/snapback]
What about a sling for one and carry the other?


I did that for a while then I moved to slinging the lighter baby and the heavier baby goes into the umbrella stroller. It's a lot easier than our Graco dbl stroller. We did buy a Jeep dbl umbrella when they first outgrew the carriers but found out after the fact it doesn't fit through one of the interior doors at daycare. If not for that it would have been perfect.

Christy

 

I also use the double stroller, we have the Graco duoglider. Sometimes it's a pain but they were just getting too heavy to carry in their infant seats.

 

Have you asked if someone might be able to help you? I was so concerned about this before we made the switch and I've actually only had to get them in by myself twice. Someone comes out to meet me each morning and carry one of the boys in. The teachers of the older kids are always thrilled when they are closest to the door and get to hold one of the babies. Just a thought - I didn't ask and wasn't expecting it, but it's been so nice and saves time each morning. I keep a single umbrella stroller in my car just in case I need it.

 

Thanks to everyone for your helpful answers! We do have a front carrier so maybe I'll look into using that (DH can't, he has a bad back). I also remembered that the daycare has a staff entrance near the baby room so I may ask if I can use that entrance temporarily. And I like the suggestion about asking if staff can help me. They already help open the doors when we come in. Everyone gets all excited & says "The twins are here!" and we get a lot of attention, which is kinda great.

So anyway, thanks again to everyone who responded. At least now I have several options I can try!

 

I dont really have any suggestions. . My DD stayed in her carrier until a little after a year b/c she was so small. So I was able to carry her in the carrier and DS either on my hip or walked. I was concerned about this as well b/c I also have two other children, but everything worked out well.