Best time to buy...(for newborn coming in July)

[hokie98]

So I hear the 2011 are coming out. Is now the best time to buy a stroller, deal-wise? I'm pg with #2. DD1 is 5-1/2 and I still have a PP Pliko P3 left over from her (manu in 8/04). I'm torn in between using that initially (I took the stroller to TRU to verify that a SnugRide will fit on the stroller with the universal adapter), or looking for a stroller. I'm not generally a big fan of the travel system deal, so I'm wondering if I won't end up wanting a stroller with a full recline. I wore DD1 alot when she was a baby, but she was a fall baby in VA...this is going to be a summer baby in AL, and I fear it'll just be way too hot to wear him/her too much, esp when outside.

I'm intrigued by the BJCE...we had a Jeep AT when DD1 was a baby. At the time we were living on a small farm in the country with gravel roads, etc. We were big fans, and thought it rolled like a dream with the air tires. The downsides were it was a little tippy, and it was bulky, but in use, and when folded. Again, that would have been a circa 2005-ish. I doubt if they've decreased in size much, no?

But again, I'm not really sure what my needs are going to be this time around. Last time I just had one child, this time with a kindergartener and a newborn, my schedule/life is going to be alot different. Not to mention now we live in a neighborhood (with paved streets/sidewalks). The downside I may encounter with the PP is the two handle steering. We have 2 large dogs I walk daily for exercise, and from past experience with DD1, it's a pain to handle when you're also trying to hold dog leashes.

Anything else I should consider that would recline flat for a newborn the first few months?

[hokie98]

DD1 came to the computer and hit the post button before I was done.

I was also curious if there are any recommended used stroller swapping boards - I'm all for a good deal, and to be candid, really don't want to pay retail (hence looking at 2010, or earlier models).

[poohbear]

Sorry, in a hurry, so I'll just answer your second question - strollerSWAP is a yahoo group run by Strollerqueen. It is a good bet for finding good quality well taken care of strollers.
Also check CL.

[hokie98]

Thanks for the tip! My CL is sad...I live in Southern AL, so unless I'm in the market for a super-deluxe Graco, I'm out of luck! Occasionally you'll run across a Mac or PP, but that's about it. If BRU doesn't sell it, most people around here don't buy it.

[crl]

I'd look at a Bumbleride Indie if I were you. Full recline, huge canopy, definitely suitable for a newborn. And definitely one handed steering. I'm assuming your kindergartner will be walking?

You might find some deals on 2010s. Bumbleride discontinued the spice color and there were some deals on that a while ago.

Catherine

[hokie98]

Thanks...yes, DD1 SHOULD be walking, but all of a sudden now she keeps asking me to get a stroller for "5 year olds!" She saw a double stroller and keeps asking me for it! I'm assuming this is a getting-ready-for-new-sibling phase perhaps. She hasn't ridden regularly in a stroller for a LONG time. However, I do see how having one with a high weight limit (she's 95 percentile hgt/wgt - so around 50lbs) could be advantageous at times (could put her in it and wear the baby)...but really, not too often (major, all-day outings is the only time I could think of it), plus she's getting older/bigger.

[Multimama]

Well, I have a BJCE and it is huge. HUGE. But that is both good and bad. I'm sure your five year old would fit in it no problem. It has one of the biggest seats of any stroller on the market. It could be a really good stroller for walking the dogs, but you would probably won't something else for quick trips and in small spaces. Maybe look at the First Year's Indigo for that? (I am a big fan of using a parent-facing stroller with a newborn/young baby. You can get good deals on it since it is sold by diapers.com and amazon (both of whom have good deals and coupons, diapers.com also pricematches).

The BJCE isn't tippy at all (you mentioned your Jeep was). In fact, I have been thinking about selling mine, but then I was thinking that if DS would ever want to push a future baby I'd be most comfortable with him pushing the BJCE since it is so stable. It's a bit hard to find deals on because Baby Jogger doesn't usually allow their products to be discounted, but it can be done. I got mine on sale at albeebaby.com.

ETA: If you want to babywear in the summer look into a solarveil sling. I actually think that particular fabric may be discontinued, but there are other summer fabrics that work well in hot weather.

[crl]

Do you think your kindergartner would go for a ride on board? Or would you rather avoid that?

A Mountain Buggy Swift is another small air tire stroller and it has a really high weight limit, but the seat is probably a bit small for a five year old. Another poster on here uses hers with a valco hitchhiker board regularly. And MB is coming out with the free rider, which is a scooter and ride on board in one. The weight limit on that might be a bit low for your dd though.

Catherine