stroller: sit n' stand

I hit the RightStart store this weekend to do a little research for our double stroller buying project. We have selected two Baby Bunching moms who we’ll introduce either this week or next. One mom will soon become a Baby Buncher with kids 15 months apart and the other has three kids and the last two are 20 months apart. Both are in need of double stroller buying advice.

Since RightStart was next to the grocery store, I stopped in to check out their double stroller selection and get some information more information.I went in to find out about the difference between the Joovy Caboose and the RightStart/Baby Trend Sit and Stand. They appear to be the same stroller but the Joovy dons a higher price tag. I also wanted to see the difference between the Maclaren Twin Triumph and Maclaren Twin Techno. In addition they have several Phil & Ted models and a few new strollers I wanted to check out.

So let me start out with the Joovy vs. Baby Trend Sit N' Stand. Is one of these strollers right for a Baby Buncher? This seems to be a very complicated question that involves some forward thinking on mom’s part. Cara swears this is the perfect stroller. I borrowed one from a friend and gave it back within a few months. Mainly it was used for the mall.  So again, it depends on what you do with your strollers.

A 'sit and stand' type stroller is essentially a lightweight single stroller with a bench/buggy board built in. So right there, you need to know that the older child needs to be both big enough and mature enough for this configuration. What do we mean by that? Well, a 16-month old probably doesn’t have the upper body strength to sit that bench and hold himself up for a long period of time. There is a strap, but he really has to be able to keep himself up.  The bench is not comfortable or very big. But it is perfect for an older child who poops out at the zoo because he can sit or stand on it.

The sit and Stand does allow for a car seat to be attached, which makes it perfect for newborns, but the RightStart lady showed me that when the car seat attachment is on it doesn’t leave much room for the kid to actually “sit” on the bench so he’d have to stand. I’d love for someone to actually confirm that though. The saleslady tried to sell me on the Deluxe BabyTrend/RightStart Sit N’ Stand which actually features a separate seat in the back for the older child for $30 more. For about two inches more in depth, you can take that off and make it a “sit and stand” stroller when he's ready. So you can from DuoGlider to Sit and Stand in one stroller. It’s a nice option for Baby Bunching moms.

The RightStart Lady didn’t seem sold on the Joovy Caboose. She said the whole design didn’t make sense. When I explained it was good for older kids to hop on and off, she pointed at the Buggy Board which you can attach to any stroller. Now, I had a Buggy Board—twice. The first time my son was 16 months. Ha! He wouldn’t even stand on it while the stroller was still. The second time he was 2 ½ and also wouldn’t stand on it. But it never really worked with my stroller and didn’t function they way I thought it should. I took it back--twice. 

So back to the question. Is the Sit and Stand-like stroller right for a Baby Bunching mom? If your kids are farther apart and at the two-year or even two-and-a-half year difference, I would say it certainly could be right for you. Though it seems if your older one is closer to three, this might be better. If your kids are closer in age, you might look into the Deluxe version or hold off buying it until your older one is really ready to sit on the bench. Believe us, you want everyone strapped in as long as possible. And the difference between the two? Seems the weight and the size makes it more expensive for the Joovy (smaller, lower, lighter) and probably the name. I have heard rumors from reviews the the Joovy might be constructed better, but just looking at them, it was really hard to tell. They looked almost the same.

The best way to know is test drive one. Beg and borrow one from a friend for a few days and see what you think. Because the last thing we all need is extra baby stuff cluttering up our garage/basement/shed.

This is too long . . . . to be continued tomorrow . . . 

Comments

[darkfairymomma]

We got the Sit-n-Stand from my dad when we were awaiting Kiddo #2. The fact that you could put the infant seat on it was nice but the stroller as a whole was very bulky. We liked that it was a front-to-back double stroller, which made it easy to manuever through aisles. DS didn't seem to like sitting on the ledge because there was no back to it for him to lean up against. We only used it for 2 months and then it went into the closet. We're planning on listing it on Craigslist *LOL*

[Kristi]

I'm so glad you posted this. Since we're not due until april I know we have some time-but I'm so stressed about the stroller!!!

I've been leaning towards the Sit N Stand Deluxe-just for staying power. It'll work with these 2 as baby 1 grows and can use the jump seat. Then if another comes along (Lord help us) we can go back to the double with the seat. I just don't know though!!! Keep these posts coming!!! I need help!!!:)

[Marcea]

my 1st time here reading this site. Cute site! I understand how most you feel. I have 3 kids under 22 months apart and 18 mos in between. :) Certainly keeps you hopping.

Marcea

[Carol Amie]

We have the sit-n-stand LX from Baby Trends. As a second hand steal it's worth the $ to know that I can in fact get all three kids out of the house now and then but it's definitely not a perfect solution.

I couldn't have possibly used it for my first two. With only 15 months between then DS was nowhere near ready to be sit-n-stand free when his sister arrived and, honestly, if I could *still* keep him 5-pt harnessed when we're on the move I'd do it. :)

For them the duoglider was the better option. Now DD #1 and DD #2 are 23 months apart. With the addition of the 3 year old I needed the sit-n-stand option so that one (or both) of the big kids could walk/sit/ride at their discretion. The best thing about this stroller is that in a pinch I can use it to move all three kids: Baby in the bucket seat or just sitting up front and the big kids sitting side by side on the bench in the back. It's not going to "corner like it's on rails" with that much weight in it but it does get the job done a whole lot better than a sack of potatoes carry would.

I find it to be a bit of a PITA to fold it up with the sun shade in place but am not willing to give up that layer or protection for days when the big kids are at the playground while baby naps in the shade either.

[Joelle]

just found your blog through Kristen's (of Motherhood Uncensored) ... i own the joovy caboose. my girls are 2 yrs 4 months apart and it's worked well for me. i don't think it'd be so great if they were much closer in age as my girlfriend's daughter has a hard time staying sitting still or standing on the back. i do like the fact that it is not as long as most regular single-wide double strollers and it steers/drives like a dream (even better than my full-size single stroller did). just my two cents!

[Joelle]

p.s. oh yeah, and i've got another baby coming in April, just under 18 months after my second daughter, so i'll be an "official" baby-buncher! LOL

[Kristen]

I've got the Baby Trend Sit-n-Stand. I received it as a gift when expecting #2. It's worked quite well for us, with just enough storage space for necessary items, manuveurability, light-weight. There's 27 months between 1 and 2 then 19 months between 2 and 3 so for our household it's been really put to the test. My son (4) sits in the back, my daughter (2) sits in the front seat, and the baby (9 months) rides in the sling - no worries about someone getting lost in the mall or at the park plus no whining about walking!

[Summer Stroller]

Wonderful article..My cousin loved it.. She's expecting her baby this May.

[Baby Seat]

Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very supportive to me and I am sure to all the commenter’s here! It’s always nice when you can not only be knowledgeable, but also entertained! I’m sure you had fun writing this article.

[SniderPAULINE25]

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