Best stroller? Best Diaper bag? Any other equipment for 2 under 2?

[BigR]

We are getting ready to start buying some items for the new baby.

My son will be a little over 14 months when his sister is born. Any suggestions for strollers or diaper bags for 2 under 2?

Any other equipment that was helpful for 2 under 2?

[lmharper]

Duct tape!

[JessalynnJade]

I have a Graco Duo Glider and LOVE it.  It was one of the most expensive Graco ones, but it has been a lifesaver.  My son was just under 16 months when his sister was born and it helped me survive the first year!  Without it I would have broken down and not been able to go to the mall and doctors apts and such alone. It has a huge basket underneath for all the basics and the handles stick up so you can hang shopping bags on them.  Here is the link for it. 

As far as the diaper bag goes, you MUST get a backpack.  What I use is a laptop backpack because it has a lot of compartments, and my older son's potty ring slides right in the laptop slot,  so going potty in a public place is no issue at all. The over the shoulder diaper bags are just too much to juggle when you are often carrying a toddler and an infant carrier at the same time. 

Those were the two must haves for us. Oh and we did get a 2nd crib since it was such a small age difference.  It was worth it because we kept our older one in a crib also until he was 2.  There is no need to switch them out of it too early in my opinion. 

[FirstTimer2349]

To the PP, I have been thinking about the Graco but wasn't sure.  Now that I read this, I may just give it try!

Mine will be 14 months apart.  Baby #2 isn't here, yet.  So, I don't know what will work.  However, we, too, got a second crib.  Our cribs, though, convert into toddler beds so each child will be able to use it until their about 4 years old.  It made spending the money seem more worthwhile doing it that way.

[averydog]

We loved our pack n' play.  I was always worried about my oldest stepping on the baby accidently or dropping something on him if I had to leave the room for a minute.  It was nice in that I could put him in it and not worry about her harming him in the two seconds I was gone.  We were also able to move it into the bedroom at night and that was where he slept for the first three months until Kora was out of her crib and he could use it.  It was really easy to take to other people's houses too, if we were going to be there during nap time or staying overnight.  Kora slept in it when we would go on the occasional visit almost to age two.

We also loved our bumbo seat.  We didn't have one for our oldest, but when we got one for our youngest she used it more than he did. She loved to sit in it and read or watch Dora.  It was nice for him when he got older because you could put him in (on the floor) when he couldn't sit yet and he was able to watch his sister run around and be crazy.  It gave him a great vantage point and a few laughs.

I have heard slings are a must-have. I did not have one and after reading tons of positive comments wish I had.  Logan was gigantic though so I'm not sure it would have worked anyway, but it sounds like a nice option.

Booster seat instead of second high chair.  I didn't want two high chairs taking up my dining room so we got a transitional booster seat for my daughter and used the high chair for a while with my son.  If I were to do it all over again, I would probably just have gotten two of the booster seats.  They were able to transistion from infant to toddler use and I didn't mind it on my dining room chair as much as I did the high chair taking up the little space I had, although I know some people don't mind high chairs.  Just my personal preference.

If I think of any more I'll stop back in. 

Tesa

[AnaMaria624]

Quoting JessalynnJade:

I have a Graco Duo Glider and LOVE it.  It was one of the most expensive Graco ones, but it has been a lifesaver.  My son was just under 16 months when his sister was born and it helped me survive the first year!  Without it I would have broken down and not been able to go to the mall and doctors apts and such alone. It has a huge basket underneath for all the basics and the handles stick up so you can hang shopping bags on them.  Here is the link for it. 

As far as the diaper bag goes, you MUST get a backpack.  What I use is a laptop backpack because it has a lot of compartments, and my older son's potty ring slides right in the laptop slot,  so going potty in a public place is no issue at all. The over the shoulder diaper bags are just too much to juggle when you are often carrying a toddler and an infant carrier at the same time. 

Those were the two must haves for us. Oh and we did get a 2nd crib since it was such a small age difference.  It was worth it because we kept our older one in a crib also until he was 2.  There is no need to switch them out of it too early in my opinion. 

Hahahah thats too funny because I use both of these! I have 2 back packs. I just grao what ever one. But they are from L.L.Bean and they each have there own with there name on it. But its a lifesaver when I do not have enough arms to go around! Plus they can use these when they start school =). Its a 2 in one deal lol.