Second baby coming- do we need a double stroller?

[homeymomma]

Thanks again all for the cloth diaper advice. It was all awesome and made me love you guys even more :) Now my only remaining second baby question is suddenly looming---  necessity of a double stroller?

Our oldest will be two years and three months when #2 pops out in November. We very very rarely use her single stroller now. Usually she just walks holding hands or we chase her around. However- at her current age of 22 months, she doesn't always want to hold hands, never comes when called, and occasionally decides to wander into the street. Par for the course but makes me nervous for when there is also a baby in tow who will make it harder to chase her.

We have two strollers already- that we never use. I bought a really nice, super cushy Quinny buzz for $40 off craigslist, that I think I could sell for easily twice that much. I'd probably actually list it at $150-200. We'd keep our single, small-wheeled maxi-cosi umbrella stroller just in case.

There are 2013 models of the baby jogger city mini double stroller on sale now for just over $300. There aren't even any on our local craigslist for this little! I'm pining for it because we've bought three strollers thus far with our first and not been thrilled with the handling for two of them- everything I read about the city mini says handling is a dream. I'm soooooo done buying crappy strollers (we had to sell our first- it was literally so bad we couldn't use it. Like, it wouldn't turn.)

Concerns with buying one:
#1. Cost! I've been watching our local resale store and craigslist like a hawk. There are rarely any that are the type I need for less than 250- often they are $300 and up. Used! Ak!
#2. Hubby doesn't want to buy one. He wrangles our oldest in his strong, toddler-emcompassing arms with ease or puts her on his shoulder. We NEVER use the stroller when he is there. He also uses a back pack for her for the zoo, etc. So, naturally, he doesn't see the need for a double.
#3. Oldest one too old? Since she currently walks mostly- will my daughter freak the f out if I suddenly start strapping her in a stroller when we go out?
#4. Car space- we have a Hyundai elantra sedan. I would assume it would fit a double if it's otherwise mostly empty. But all the reviews say "it's fits great in the trunk of my SUV!" Seriously, every review that mentions a car says this. I'm like, that's great, but we don't have an SUV!!

Concerns with NOT buying one:
#1. I breastfeed and apparently make 100% cream. First baby was a massive, roll-covered pile of fat. HUGE freaking kid. I had these dreams of baby wearing and snuggling up close and walking all around with her in our ergo carrier. Yeah, not so much. Could barely stuff her gigantic self in there. Then I could barely carry her like that for 20+ minutes before my back started to give way. It was sweaty and uncomfortable and hard to put on by myself. I HATED baby wearing with a passion. I preferred to just carry her or use the stroller, in the earlier days (once we got a stroller that would steer).
#2. What if I need to tie the older one down at some point?? If there is no double stroller... What do you DO?!? But seriously. I can think of scenarios when out with both that there would simply be no other safe option when you have two kids.
#3. We don't have an infant car seat, just a convertible and soon a booster for kid #1. That means we won't have a ready to go carrier for baby other than the stroller (ergo only sort of counts, as I explained above). Seeng a stroller as a necessity at that point? Even if it's only the single we already have? We could get an infant car seat, but hubby is against this as well.
#4. I'm a homebody. While this means that no matter what, a stroller won't get a ton of use- I'm afraid if I don't have one, and going out means a huge hassle and makes me nervous with our oldest running off.... I may never go out. I know it sounds ridiculous but I really really have trouble leaving the house. I'm already afraid I'll never leave the house when baby #2 comes. I don't want additional obstacles.

Other notes: this particular baby jogger series seems to hold it's value incredibly well. It looks like we might be able to sell for nearly what we'll pay for it, a few years down the road (unless we have another kid or two... :) ). So that's a bonus.

If you sense a pleading tone, you are correct. We never spent anything close to $300 for anything for our first. Our one major purchase, a car seat, was a shower gift. So the idea of spending that much gives me palpitations. But I've also seen the results first hand of buying cheap strollers- might as well flush the money down the toilet. Fear of the unknown also a huge factor here... I was a full time nanny for two kids with the same spacing - we used the double stroller constantly.

Obviously the ideal option would be to wait and see what we need. But the 2013 sale models are selling out so freaking fast. They've sold out of the two cheapest sites in the two days I've been agonizing over it. 300, 315, now we're up to 335. If I don't jump on this, they'll end up back out of our price range at $450.

[bonjourliz]

B/c they hold value so well - and babywearing didnt work for your family (though it may work this time!  Give it a shot) - I would buy it, and sell it when you are done or are sure its not for you.

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[Erica/NWEdible]

What I'm reading is, you buy strollers and then don't use them - I don't think this will be any different. Also double strollers tend to be quite cumbersome, your infant is going to need to be home quite a bit, how much use will it really get before kid #1 refuses stroller rides, etc. etc. So I'm voting no on this one, or maybe look into the single strollers with the toddler ride-along step in the back.

Other thought: kid number two may not be the same body type as number one. My breastfed infant daughter was so big she had multiple fat rolls on her ankles. I sure loved that baby chubbiness. Son came along several years later, also breastfed, but lean lean lean. Once he started on solids I was feeding him fettuccine alfredo made with straight cream to try and get some weight on him because the pediatrician was threatening formula supplementation even though I had no issue with milk supply. He's just built lean. So you never know - maybe your baby #2 will babywear more easily.

[Counting Down]

My oldest didn't use her stroller when she started walking until we had second when she was 2 and then all of a sudden she wanted to be in the stroller all of the time. Guess it was jealousy?

Anyway we got a double stroller when she was 2 and 1/2 and youngest was 6 months and it was the best thing ever. However it was huge so we were lucky our car was big so it fitted it fine.

I think the best thing is to wait until the baby is born and you see how the older one reacts.

[avongil]

We bought a harness. Keeps him out of the street. Double stroller for you is a waste of time and space.

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[HSLmom]

My oldest were that far apart, I would have gone nuts without being able to go on walks, I walked about 3 miles 5 days a week to get fresh air and visit parks. I found a double jogger on ebay for under 200.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

What about a Sit n Stand or Joovy Caboose? The older one can hop on and off and stand or sit--my two- and three-year-olds love our Sit n Stand (I think t. Don't quote me on this, but I THINK tht you can put a baby car seat on the back part and put your older one in the actual seat, at least for those early months when baby is in the car seat. We haven't used ours a ton, but it's great for zoo trips, walks to the slightly further away playground, etc. I more often put my older one in a stroller and babywore when they were small (they are only 16 months apart).

[homeymomma]

What about a Sit n Stand or Joovy Caboose? The older one can hop on and off and stand or sit--my two- and three-year-olds love our Sit n Stand (I think t. Don't quote me on this, but I THINK tht you can put a baby car seat on the back part and put your older one in the actual seat, at least for those early months when baby is in the car seat. We haven't used ours a ton, but it's great for zoo trips, walks to the slightly further away playground, etc. I more often put my older one in a stroller and babywore when they were small (they are only 16 months apart).

I really like the idea of the sit n stands, but I worry I would miss the ability of the double to make the oldest be STILL, even against her will. I bet this sounds awful, but I feel like there will be times that I won't be able to kindly reason with her toddler-brain while wrangling the newborn, and it'll be nice to be able to just strap them both in and get going. Has anyone done a sit n stand with the oldest younger than 2.5? It could be fine by that point I suppose...

So many conflicting thoughts here! Just like the ones in my head. Haha. Arg!

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I took the seat out of the sit n stand when older son was two and a half and baby was about a year. I had a double sit n stand--it comes as a double stroller, but the back seat is removable. I don't know if Joovy makes one like that. But again, you can use the baby carseat for a while--if that can go in the back, then you can use the front seat for the older child at first.

And I don't know about the Joovy, but the Sit n Stand has a three-point harness for the back jump seat. It's not perfect for containment, but we have found that it works in a pinch if our older son is staging a nutty. But that's rare. We taught him to walk nicely.

[greaper007]

Single stroller and a papoose.    Preferably an old school hammock style jog stroller, I got one for free off of freecycle (all it needed was new tires and a brake adjustment).   By the time the baby is really riding in a stroller your other child should be able to walk most of the time.    When things get really bad I just throw my 5 year old over my shoulders fireman style and push the stroller (it's a great leg workout too).    Or I have my son sit in the stroller and have my 3 year old sit on his lap.   That's generally for a really unforeseen circumstance like no parking at the zoo and we have to walk a mile to the front gate.

I have a Bob double jog stroller that I picked up for about 70% off at an REI garage sale.   It's great in a few circumstances like when I take the kids to the zoo or an event where we're on our feet all day, and of course jogging.   It's also a major pain to get into any car but my minivan with the rear seats folded forward.    I can fit it in the Golf, but I have to take the front tire off and and hang the fork over the seats.

[bogart]

... I had these dreams of baby wearing and snuggling up close and walking all around with her in our ergo carrier. ... I HATED baby wearing with a passion.

Eh.  I couldn't stand the Ergo either, but I loved the peanut shell (and similar) basic slings, once I finally found them.  The price has gone up since I bought mine but the basic sling straight from the retailer is still just $30 (and I have no relationship with the firm!).  And, as others have noted, new baby may mean new opportunities.

I wouldn't buy the stroller, for the reasons Erica enumerates.

Once I discovered the slings, I carted my kid around in them 'til basically his 4th birthday.  Not all the time, but when I needed to cover ground or keep him safe/not think about him.  Obviously not for the older one with the newborn in tow (except maybe in the existing stroller!) but you may find one useful for either kid.

[brand new stash]

I wouldn't get a double stroller.

Others have addressed the baby wearing options, so I won't, but one of the concerns you mentioned was how to tie down the older one while pushing the younger one.  I have twins who were just slightly past 2 when my third was born. And in areas or situations when I was worried they would bolt, or I needed to keep them close (like crossing streets), I would have them each hold onto the handle on either side of the stroller with one of their hands, then I would put my hand over theirs and push the stroller like that.  They were proud that they were "helping" me push, and I had my hand on them to make sure they didn't go anywhere. 

[hermoninny]

We rarely used the stroller with #1, nor a carrier with him either.  I carried #2 in a Moby wrap for her first three months, and then she wanted nothing to do with it.  We bought the double stroller (the same one you're looking at) and both kids absolutely LOVE it.  They ask to go on walks all the time (then again, they're both outdoor kids).  Sometimes we push the stroller empty and they get out and walk, sometimes only one is in it, etc.  It folds up and easily fits into the back of our Mini Countryman (not an SUV!)  We actually just folded it up and took it on vacation with us in a box on top of the Mini!  The wheels come off super easily and it folds pretty flat - I'd say no more than 6" deep.

I would say wait to see what kid #2 is like before you jump off the deep end and buy it.  And, like a previous poster said, kid #1 may want to be in the stroller once kid#2 is in it too!  Use your single to test it out!

[Zette]

With twins, I loved the Phil and Ted double.  Same size as a single jogging stroller, maneuvers very well, and should hold its value for resale if you buy it used.

I also ended up buying a double umbrella, which you can find for under $100 new (I'm sure it's much less used), because I needed something that fit easily through my older son's kindergarten classroom door.  Big advantage was that it was lighter and quicker to fold and unfold.   It eventually became our primary stroller.  Even if you don't use it much, it's handy to have in case you take both kids on a longer trip like the zoo or an airport.   

When the twins were born, I also trained my 4 yo to always "help" me push the stroller, especially in parking lots and stores, which kept him close.  It drove DH crazy because DS was automatically grabbing the stroller handle.

[CNM]

If I were you, I would probably wait and see what your needs are.

I only have 1 child- a 2 year old- and I know what you mean about the toddler desire to walk on his/her own, without a stroller.  We still use a stroller, though, because he doesn't have the stamina for longer walks. My sister has 2 kids and she uses the Joovy Caboose.  They are really pretty cool and I could very easily see my independent-minded toddler being really into jumping on the rear ride-along feature.  They look much less expensive too ($250 new). 

[Bookworm]

I would find a really cheap one, like one that was originally $70 at Walmart and is now $10 at a garage sale, and just toss it in your trunk. You may only need it once, or maybe never, but when you need one, you REALLY need one.

[MicroRN]

I really like the idea of the sit n stands, but I worry I would miss the ability of the double to make the oldest be STILL, even against her will. I bet this sounds awful, but I feel like there will be times that I won't be able to kindly reason with her toddler-brain while wrangling the newborn, and it'll be nice to be able to just strap them both in and get going. Has anyone done a sit n stand with the oldest younger than 2.5? It could be fine by that point I suppose...

So many conflicting thoughts here! Just like the ones in my head. Haha. Arg!

Joovy Caboose Ultralight - you can add a back seat for it!   http://www.joovy.com/p-383-caboose-too-rear-seats.aspx.  That's what we do.  Great stroller - compact, fits in the trunk of my Civic Hybrid, folds easily.  We did fine without a stroller until we had 2 little ones.  Now I consider it a major safety help, especially running errands solo and having to get 2 toddlers out/in the car in a busy parking lot.  When my 3yo is a little older, I'll take the extra seat off and he can use it as a sit n' stand.

[RootofGood]

We bought a used one off craigslist for $50.  Used it twice and then never used it again.  We gave it to my sister in law.  I've never seen her using it either. 

It was too heavy and bulky to haul around, and not much else fit in our trunk with that thing in there.  If I really wanted to buy one again, I'd look for a lightweight compact model if one exists, or just buy 2 light weight regular strollers. 

[homeymomma]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I'm still conflicted. I know that getting a super junker one will reduce the chances of me using it at all... So I'm squeamish about buying a cheap crappy one. All the "good brand" ones I find on our local CL are quite high priced. Guess I can just keep watching it, or wait until baby is born.

I'm really hoping baby wearing might get better this time around, but I'll definitely need to buy an alternative to the ergo. It just doesn't work for me, ESPECIALLY with the stupid f*ing newborn insert. ...Thinking of buying a wrap (boba? Moby? Or similar) from our resale shop. They always have a ton. Optimistic it may go better because this will be a November baby instead of august, as our first was. Can't think of a less appealing thing than strapping a 100-degree, sweaty newborn to your chest when it's 95 outside and humid (DC summers. Yuck.)

Went to buy buy baby yesterday to use a coupon and of course tested out the citi mini double. Of course it steered like a freaking dream and folded up like one-handed origami. Curse you, highly-priced but quality products!!

[Rebecca Stapler]

I'm with pp's who recommend the Joovy Caboose / Sit N Stand. We got a Sit N Stand, used, for $70 or so, in preparation for baby #2, and my son already loves it. We took it on a trip to DC recently, too, because it could carry luggage in the extra seat. Sure, it doesn't fold up like origami or turn on a dime, but I'd prefer to save the $300.

If you really want the "good brands," because you believe that they hold up well, then buying a used one from CL shouldn't be a problem. You can inspect it for damage / mold / etc. before you pay for it. It will inevitably be a better value than one you buy new.

[homeymomma]

I'm with pp's who recommend the Joovy Caboose / Sit N Stand. We got a Sit N Stand, used, for $70 or so, in preparation for baby #2, and my son already loves it. We took it on a trip to DC recently, too, because it could carry luggage in the extra seat. Sure, it doesn't fold up like origami or turn on a dime, but I'd prefer to save the $300.

If you really want the "good brands," because you believe that they hold up well, then buying a used one from CL shouldn't be a problem. You can inspect it for damage / mold / etc. before you pay for it. It will inevitably be a better value than one you buy new.

Looked at the sit n stand also during my visit to buy buy baby (otherwise known as wasteful spending wonderland). Salesguy told me to use the sit n stand we'd need an infant seat until kiddo #2 could sit up unassisted (6+ months). This seems like a deal breaker for me because we don't have an infant seat. We have a convertible that we used from day 1 with baby #1. We're planning to give the convertible to baby #2 and get #1 a 5-pt booster seat.

[RootofGood]

If you really want the "good brands," because you believe that they hold up well, then buying a used one from CL shouldn't be a problem. You can inspect it for damage / mold / etc. before you pay for it. It will inevitably be a better value than one you buy new.

And if you pay a high price for it, it should have decent resale value in a couple of years when the older kid isn't stroller bound any longer. 

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

The double sit n stand comes with a back seat that can hold a younger baby than six months, but I don't think I tried it until baby was a couple of months old as we do have an infant seat. The removable back seat reclines much further and has more head padding.

[MayDay]

We had a double city mini and loved it. Mine are 2.5 years apart. I knew I would use it for neighborhood and park walks, but I also absolutely needed it for the ability to strap them both in safely.  It fit great in our civic trunk.

Then I sold it on CL for almost as much as I paid!

[ABC123]

I had a Graco Duoglider double stroller.  It was not the easiest thing to navigate, but it worked for me.  I got that one solely because I found it at a rummage sale for $50.  There is no way I would have tried to take it to a crowded place, but I really only wanted it so I could take the kiddos for walks through our neighborhood without having to corral a toddler while pushing a baby.  They have outgrown it now, and I likely could have resold it for close to the $50 I paid, but my SIL is having baby #2 shortly so I chose to just give it to her.  So while I wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular stroller, I personally think having a double stroller when you have little ones, is a very valid expense. 

[nora]

I have a single city mini and am thinking of getting the double when my first is 2.5. I have the bassinette attachment for when they are very young so can lie flat. If the new price is the same as secondhand for you then seems sensible to go for new. We are going to have more than two though so will increase the amount of use we get out of it. It is such a great stroller. Fortunate that my mother-in-law bought the single new for us, and the double I can get second hand around half the new price when the time comes.

The single has a platform you can mount on the back for a child to stand on, so that is another option too. Have you seen that? But then you still have the same safety concerns I guess. Perhaps a harness attached to the pushchair would give you extra piece of mind?

[snellbert]

My kids are 21 months apart (currently 19 mos and 3 years) and I am SO glad we bought a double stroller. The 3 year old does prefer to walk sometimes, but in high-traffic areas (or when I just don't want to walk at smell-every-flower 3-year old speed), it's extremely useful. I used an ergo carrier when my littlest was younger, but she got too hot in the summertime, which is when we went to the double stroller.

However, we walk a lot-- we walk to the store, the park, the pool, fun walks, etc-- We never take it to the store or anything. Since we're mostly on the sidewalk/street, I got a jogging stroller (this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QDOL7W/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 the shock absorbers are nice for sidewalks). I don't know if they hike the prices up in the summer or something, but you're right, they're super expensive now! I paid about $125 (free shipping) for mine two years ago.

The other thing that's really nice is that our stroller has two big compartments on the bottom to store snacks, drinks, extra diapers, etc. so that you don't have to carry a bag on your back and can just concentrate on the walk. Just my two cents.

[farmstache]

We bought a harness. Keeps him out of the street. Double stroller for you is a waste of time and space.

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I second and third the harness. My mother used it on me and both my siblings (Girl Boy Girl, two years apart each). I was a pretty responsible kid and didn't walk off too much, but my brother was a runner, and my sister a wanderer. The harness got my mom some nasty looks "How can you put your kid on a leash?!", but was truly practical, since she was a SAHM and went out to do errands with the 3 of us. We actually loved it. We could run and walk without holding hands, up to 6 feet away from her, and if we tripped she would hold us up!

Pretty awesome, practical, small, you can fit it in your purse when not it use, and I even saw some that come as backpacks for the kid to which you just tie a leash. The one I saw was a monkey bag and the leash was the monkey tail. Really cute.

[MayDay]

Not to totally derail the thread, but I tried a harness on my sin when he was 2.  He would wander off any which way, but never the way we were trying to go.  I never got the hang of getting him to go forwards. 

[JoyBlogette]

We got the Baby Jogger City Select (2 seater) with the plan of having more than one kid.  We only have one at the moment.  We also got the Chariot double (stroller/jogger/bike trailer).  I would say that the Chariot would be a good investment for you if you will use the other features (bike).  My only complaint about the side-by-side stroller is that it doesn't fit through all doorways.  The City Select is good because it's sort of "stadium seating" so it fits through anywhere.

[Habilis]

We got a double and barely used it, kids were 22 months apart. We had a BOB for the first one and most often just plop one or the other on the handlebars while the other is in the seat. You have to keep your hands on the handlebars so it doesn't tip over. The double was just so big and heavy.

[theSchmett]

For what its worth, I think that if your first kid doesn't "come when called" and wanders, job #1 is to make sure she is under control while you are distracted by #2.

If that's a double stroller, or a leash... that's up to you but #2 WILL distract you at the wrong moment. Its worth it to figure out what works, even if you wind up buying something that lacks a mustache.

[sandyvanburen]

In the Netherlands, where I live, we have little boards that hook onto the lower frame of your existing stroller. It's usually one wheeled (though I've seen 2 wheels) and looks a bit like a surf board. The toddler can stand on it and 'surf' along while you push the stroller.

They go for about $ 15 / € 12 on our version of Craigslist. The fancier ones even have a tiny seat so your toddler can rest! Try searching the web for one. They're cheap and easy!!

[theSchmett]

Those boards sound great!

[mamagoose]

My friend has a toddler and an infant, the infant rides in the BOB stroller strapped in and the toddler sits in the foot well to ride along. The baby equivalent of riding on the bicycle handle bars.

[Goldielocks]

We got the Baby Jogger City Select (2 seater) with the plan of having more than one kid.  We only have one at the moment.  We also got the Chariot double (stroller/jogger/bike trailer).  I would say that the Chariot would be a good investment for you if you will use the other features (bike).  My only complaint about the side-by-side stroller is that it doesn't fit through all doorways.  The City Select is good because it's sort of "stadium seating" so it fits through anywhere.

+1 on double chariot. 
We used ours until the youngest was 5. Mainly family biking and errands, but we lived in the burbs.

I also bought a kelty backpack for the oldest.  Way different from the baby carrying.   No double stroller needed.

I don't think I would invest in another pure stroller unless you become pretty desperate for it, see how your daughter does, and yeah, why not bring a harness or kid backpack?

All second hand of course!

[Pinkie Mustache]

We've been through 2 strollers with three kids over 6 years - and the newer stroller was just because the first one was so full of dust from off-road strolling - a complete unnecessary purchase. 

I'd say you do not need a double stroller.  Also, getting it in and out of the car will be a pain, and also in some places it will be hard to maneuver.  With our first two kids, and then with the two smaller ones, if the older child ever needed a break from walking, we just dumped her into the single stroller with the younger one and everything was fine, or with the newer stroller, the older child could stand on a bar at the back of the stroller while baby laid down. 

Good luck!

[shellyrr]

I bought a new double stroller off Wal-Mart.com. I used it every weekend in the fall spring and summer months.  I only had it in the car one time fir the state fair.  Husband works there 12 days straight and so we were there to visit him-plus eat a few pronto pups and the like.  I need to sell mine now so if you are in Minnesota you can make an offer.

[merula]

I have two kids 2 years apart, and I love the City Select double stroller. It was expensive but I think it's pretty mustachian because it keeps me from using the car until the little one is old enough to go in a bike seat.

(Granted, other than the two kids and small car things, our situations seem pretty different. We used our single stroller a TON with the oldest, and I'm not really a homebody.)

In your shoes, I'd buy the double stroller. Worst case scenario is that you'll sell it in a year for $150-$200 (which, I think, is the low end of what you could get), making this a $150 mistake. Not great, but not the end of the world.

What's the upside? Well, that depends on how much removing a barrier to you getting out of the house is worth to you. It's #4 on your list, but it seems like the one that's weighing on you the most. If it were me, I'd say that's worth way more than $150, just from a mental health perspective.

If you need to convince your husband, are there ways having a stroller will save you money? Walking versus driving is a big one for me, but not everyone lives in a walkable city. Surely there's got to be something else, though.

[tweezers]

My two cents: 

The Moby wrap didn't last long for us because once our son hit 20lbs  (~4 months....I make cream too) it stretched out quickly and sagged, making baby less secure.  At that point we switched over to the Ergo, which worked well for him (he was getting less interested in being snugged up all the time too).  He's our second and my daughter didn't really like the Ergo unless she was side or back carried.  With her, I used a ring sling which we both loved it because she could see better and reach around, and it was easy for me and I was still hands-free carrying her. 

We never had a double stroller but used a carrier and stroller combo: an UppaBaby Vista for around town (i.e. never traveled with it) and an UppaBaby G-lite for travel (which I do a lot of for work, and bring the family).  We bought both new, although the Vista (one of the few strollers where the seat can be turned to face mama or the world) was a previous year floor model (we paid ~$600, new in box is $800+).  Although I had heart palpitations for days (weeks) after the Vista purchase, I do not regret it for one second.  It was truly a great stroller, which we used for two kids and then sold on craigslist for $275.  We still have the G-lite, which we'll likely sell soon. 

I'd hold onto the Ergo until new baby arrives and see if it works better for you.  If not, it holds its value....I bought mine for $110 and sold it for $75 4 years later.  You might consider waiting to buy a new carrier until new baby arrives, and then finding a boutique store that lets you try different carriers.  Our LaLeche League also held regular "baby wearing meetings" where everyone would bring in carriers so other mamas could try them before buying.

[thefrugalnudists]

We bought a double stroller for $50 from a used kids stuff store. It has worked out pretty well. Our son was 20 months when our daughter was born so for a while we really needed it. But it is big. It goes front to back not side to side. We bought an SUV last November because we figured we would need the space with 2 kids. Plus I am an avid kayak fisher and naively thought I would still have time to do that and would need space for that.
Nowadays we stroll the little one and our son walks alongside if we aren't going too far. If we are going to walk more than 20 minutes or so we need the double stroller. So even if your first is old enough to walk and you feel like you wouldn't need it, just remember that there is a limit as to how far you can walk with him.