umbrella stroller?

Hi!

My DH's very sweet aunt gave us a Graco Duoglider (on a side note, anyone try to put that together with the instruction book that came with it? It was almost non-verbal, with vague illustrations, and an occasional "snap!" to let you know what to do. We were going nuts putting it together, and both of us have graduate degrees, LOL!).

I was thinking it would be nice to have an inexpensive double umbrella stroller (I've been looking around at places like Craigslist for used ones) for traveling, or just for when we wanted something smaller just to pop into the trunk. I was wondering how old the babies needed to be before they could use one. And if umbrella strollers are worth it?

Also, a mom who has teenage twins said that there are actually things you can use to hook two single umbrella strollers together. Anyone ever used something like that? It seems like that would be kind of nice, to be able to each push a stroller, or snap them together when there's just one of us.

Anyway, any input would be great!

 

Hi,

I just posted about this on FY. You can look on there for my post - from two days ago. Some people like the Jeep Twin Sport Umbrella Stroller ($80) for the mall, Target, zoo, etc. There is no storage space so not good for everything, just some things. You can buy bags for storage to hook onto the stroller. One person responded about hooking two umbrella strollers together, I believe.

 

With my first, I liked having an umbrella stroller that was simple and light for little trips, but mine never lasted long because they always fell apart. The wheels would either stop rolling or things would break on them. I hated my big bulky stroller too. We went through 3 inexpensive umbrella strollers before I finally bought a higher quality one that has lasted (a Britax that was about $80).

My opinion is if you go with an umbrella stroller for short trips, to buy one that's inexpensive but a little higher quality rather than wasting your money on a cheap one that won't last. This time around with the twins, I went all out and bought the Valco but it's pricey.

 

I was a huge fan of the Graco Duoglider when they were small. That being said, I just bought a used Jeep Twin Umbrella Stroller off craigslist and I am in love!! My son is 5 months old and loves it. It can recline (not all the way, but enough for naps) but mostly he loves being able to see everything! Once he outgrew the snugride (he's a big baby) he was never thrilled to ride in the duoglider anymore. The twins love it too. I have one in the stroller with the baby and the other twin "helps" me push the stroller. It's very light and manueverable. My only complaint is the lack of storage space which was awesome with the Duoglider. I bought the "S" hooks from BRU and that helps when we are shopping. They hang of the handle bar to hold bags.

Like I said, I got mine used. I called Kolcraft and ordered a new sunshade and cupholder and they shipped them fast and cheap (total $20 including shipping) and now it looks like a brand new stroller for half the price.

I have heard bad things about the connectors. I heard that they make pushing two umbrella strollers together tough and that they always wobble.

 

Thanks for the tips, everyone! Anyone know how old the kids have to be (i.e., weight, or do they need to be able to hold their head up on their own) before they can use something like the Jeep stroller?

 

I started putting my two in our Jeep Twin Umbrella at about 5 months old. I brought it with us on vacation and use it all the time now instead of our SNG. I still only use the recline position though. I love the stroller and the price can't be beat! I'm not sure but I think on the website it says from O months and up. I didn't feel comfortable putting my newborn in it. I did use it a couple times when my two were 3 months old around the neighbourhood. I waited till they could hold their heads up

I also bought the "S" hooks...one for each seat. I also purchased an extra large sunshade since the shades that come with the stroller aren't the greatest for keeping the sun off the babies.

 

We used umbrella strollers for the first time when our twins were 5 months old. We have two for travelling. We never bought the connectors, since DH and I always travel together and there has never been a need (plus the strollers then become too wide to fit through doorways).

But we ultimately ended up buying two nicer single strollers. We found that when there were two adults, it was easier to have two strollers. I am kind of a stroller junkie.

 

RE: how old twins should be for various strollers
Hi, my twins are 8 months old, and I did a lot of research on strollers when I was pg with them. Here's what I found out:

many manufacturers say that their (side-by-side) strollers are not for twins under 6 months. If you do a google search on a specific stroller, it usually has age guidelines. It comes down to how much the stroller reclines. Newborns do not have much neck strength and cannot support their heads, so any stroller should recline all the way flat, 180 degrees, or just a bit less than that. My side-by-side stroller had a 6 month age limit on it, but the owner of the store told me that it is a liability issue and since mine reclined all the way, I could use it from birth. I used it once or twice when they were a month old, but preferred to put them in their carseats in the duoglider for convenience (no waking up when you get home!) and because they were more comfy and often slept. I do not know how far the jeep double stroller reclines, so that would be important to ask. By 6 months they have pretty good neck control, so you have more options. Same thing goes for jogging strollers: a German study (I think) showed that babies in jogging strollers sustained far too much pressure on their necks from the bouncing of a stroller if the parent was running/moving over bumpy ground. If you put the carseat in the baby jogger (i.e. like the double BOB stroller setup) that is not an issue.

Some company does make the little connecter things so you can hook two umbrella strollers together, and some parents said that was great for travel or when you have two adults: just separate the stroller and each adult gets one stroller with a kid in it. Also good for the mall if you have a buddy to push stroller #2 because it is easier to get between racks. There is not much back or neck support in the cheap umbrella strollers, so you would have to wait until they are older. I think that mine (at 8 months) are still too young for that, but that is a judgment call.

Good luck!

 

I have a Jeep SBS umbrella, and started using it around 3 months old. The seats do recline a little, so they aren't sitting straight up.

 

I have a Graco Duo Glider that i used all the time when they were younger. I was searching for an unbrella stroller and found a used Peg Prego Aria side by side stroller on craigslist. I LOVE it i don't think i have use the duo glider since i got the peg prego. (of course i would if i had to take them say to the mall where isles can be narrow)
My stroller weighs only 11lbs its so light and i like that they both have a good view if we are at the park or something. They also like being side by side sometimes they will hold hands in this stroller. One thing i did also get was a Ray Shade. You can look them up on ebay they do have the side by side style for the double stroller it just goes over your sun shades and makes them longer so the babies are much more shaded. i believe i got mine on ebay for $20.00 (well worth it) I think its a great idear to have both strollers and to use them depending on where you are going. Hope that helps