Twins ?: Thoughts on double snap n go.....

[veronica]

it seems as though these get mixed reviews. We never had a snap n go for either DD or DS, since we just carried them in their carseats for our quick trips (ped. supermarket, etc.). with twins, I don't think I can handle two seats, a 4 YO and 5 YO.

DH and I have thought of the snap n go but have read so many mixed reviews. I have a horrible CL, so getting a used one is impossible as far as money savings. I have one more trade in I can do at BRU, so it would be $75 plus tax after trade.

Do any mom of multiples recommend this for the very beginning? I'm not quite certain how many times we will be out.

as far as doubles go, we have a Baby jogger city classic double but the snap n go would be more for the newborn (don't bother sleeping baby) stage.

TIA

[roseyloxs]

Maybe you can sell the bjccd and buy the MB duet (http://www.ratedbymom.com/2010/10/mountain-buggy-duet-slimmest-side-by-side-yet/) (not out yet)
http://www.peppyparents.com/catalog/mb_duet_pp.jpg
or the 2011 bumbleride indie (http://www.ratedbymom.com/2010/10/new-for-the-bumbleride-collection-2011/) twin both of which can take two car seats at once.
http://di1-3.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/83/d5/e3/54096590-260x260-0-0_BumbleRide+Indie+Twin+Seagrass.jpg
I believe the stroll-air duo (http://www.ratedbymom.com/2010/03/spotlight-product-review-stroll-air-my-duo-stroller/) might also hold two car seats at once(bonus:the stroll-air duo also has reversible seats).
http://www.strollairstore.com/Stroll-Air%20My%20Duo%20with%20two%20Peg%20Perego%20Primo %20Viaggio%20SIP%202.jpg
Might be worth contacting MB to find out if a date for the duet's release has been set or if the 2011 duo will take two car seats. The duo (http://www.ratedbymom.com/2010/02/spotlight-product-review-mountain-buggy-duo/) would be nice because they also sell a twin bassinet so your twins can lay in the same bassinet instead of having to have two separate ones.

[lorinick]

I think the Snap and Go double would be the way to go. The BJC will be great when you aren't using the infant seats.

[Bootsie]

I have twins and we started out with a double snap n go. There were a few motivating factors behind this decision.

First, a family friend had twins a year before us and was willing to give us her double snap n go for free. That was huge :) Second, the owner of a baby store, who was also a parent of twins, told me that new strollers came out (generally) from January to April of a new year and I should wait for that event for two reasons -- (a) when new strollers came out, sales worked somewhat like they do with cars. The past years' models could be purchased at lower than usual prices - meaning we could possibly score a stroller we couldn't otherwise purchase by waiting and (b) also, if the new years' strollers had significant improvements, we would be happier if we waited and bought the improved model. This advice was based on the fact that my twins were due in October - the October to February or so time period I'd spend with a snap n go was mostly dead of winter, when I wouldn't stroll them around much in this area anyway.

The snap n go has worked just fine for us. My twins wound up being delivered in September. We had plenty of nice fall weather with pleasant stroller rides. I've taken the snap n go to the mall and to Target and wheeled it around the neighborhood. It can handle all of that. It is not appropriate for rougher terrain (but you probably wouldn't be taking newborns on rougher terrain anyway). The basket is not incredible, but I can access it somewhat from the side and stuffed my down coat in it this morning - plus there are expensive strollers with worse baskets. It is very long and has permanently turned me off of tandems - it is impossible to shop in narrow aisled stores - like Baby Gap - and I almost always need help opening the door (someone needs to hold it open long enough for me to get the stroller through). It is easy to fold. My LOs take nice naps in their car seats in the snap n go. Sometimes, instead of taking the snap n go, I'd take them out in the carrycot to my SILs Bugaboo Cam - they didn't like this as well. They seemed to prefer looking around while they were in the stroller, rather than lying flat and for some reason, napped more easily in the snap n go.

Is there a group for moms of multiples in your area? If so, they tend to be a rich source of gently used snap n go's (as well as other goodies) at very low prices. You might also try consignment shops.

As my LOs are getting older (they will be 5 months soon), the snap n go is a bit harder to push (although I know a mom with 8 month olds who still uses her double snap n go) and I am now looking for an official stroller. I've appreciated not having a "real stroller" (something other than a frame, which is what a snap n go is) because it gave me time to think, research and plan. I am getting to test stroller models with my kids in them and think about how I will get them in the house, the car, where I will store them, what my budget is now, etc.

P.S. Last one of the stroller retailers posted on this board, the projected ship date for the MB duet was May 2011. The Bumbleride Indie Twin 2011 will accept 2 car seats, but is not out yet. I've heard an April or May projection for that as well - but I don't think either manufacturer has officially committed to a release date yet. I also know a mom who has a Stroll Air My Duo (which also accepts two car seats) and visited to test it and was incredibly impressed. It is pricey so I really think even if I had it to do all over again, I'd start with the snap n go, but it is a lighter weight double with fantastic options.

[Melaine]

We didn't have one but I wish I had. Back then I was totally ill-informed and got the duoglider. I wish I had gotten a snap 'n go and had more time and thought to research the "big stroller" purchase like pp said.

[vtmom]

I have a double snap and go for my twins and almost never use it. It is like steering a small ship! Someone handed it down to us for free so I don't feel so bad about how little I use it. Its fine for strolling around the mall on a day when I need to get out (but I can't steer between the racks in most stores), but for quick in and out trips, I wear one baby in the Ergo and carry the second car seat in one hand and hold my toddler's hand with my other hand. Our peds office is too small for the dsng; it would take up a quarter of the waiting room! I would put the money towards a stroller that accepts two carseats unless you can get one free or very cheap.

[mikeys_mom]

I was not a huge fan of my DSNG and I'm sure I posted here at some point complaining about it. However, that being said, I still don't regret buying it. I didn't use it often because honestly, I just didn't go out much the first 6 months and it is a beast to steer. For the times that I needed to go out with both girls and I was only going to be on a smooth surface, like in a large store or a mall, it was great.

I bought mine used at Once Upon a Child but I also see them popping up on Craigslist all the time.

[roseyloxs]

Found some more big stroller options...
Baby Jogger City Select (http://www.ratedbymom.com/2010/01/spotlight-product-review-baby-jogger-city-select/) (which is on sale right now)
http://www.twins-store.co.uk/WebRoot/StoreLGB/Shops/62046134/4C3B/2FE0/B0FE/BDD4/706E/C0A8/28BA/04C9/baby_jogger_city_select_twin_car_seats_2.jpg

Easywalker Duo
http://images.suite101.com/2038673_com_eastwalker.jpg

Jane Powertwin
http://product-images.paidonresults.net/8/537128-200x200.jpg

[scriptkitten]

I have twins and never used a snap n go. We used carriers or laid them flat in the stroller. It wasn't long before I could just put them in the regular reclined stroller seats.


My kids hated their car seats so I didn't want them cooped up in the sng for long periods. Furthermore I'd be crazy to push a double snap n go on my neighborhood cobblestone streets :)

[BeachBum]

I did use the DSNG quite a bit with my twins for the first 6 months. I had to get out of my van for drop off and pick up for my oldest at school. It worked great then. I would also use it for a quick trip to the grocery store (put a few things in the basket or hang in bags on the handles). For longer outings, we would use the bassinet, or carriers or a combo. But for longer outings I almost always had help (friend, dad etc).

I did not have as many options as far as strollers that take two car seats as there appears to be now. If I was in your position I would just buy one of those.