Double Strollers that can be Rigged as Triple Strollers: More bang for your buck!

When I first found out we were expecting our 3rd baby when our second had just turned 1 and our first was 2 and a half, I was a little shocked to say the least.

When I had my second, after a lot of research and considering the main ways I wanted to use the stroller, we opted to get a used Double Bob. I have loved everything about that stroller and really don’t have a bad thing to say other than it is hard to bring to the doctor’s offices since it is a side by side (though I did it once and we did fit it into the ultrasound room in case you were wondering). It can fit through any traditional sized door frame. It is super easy to turn, and really doesn’t feel like you are pushing a ton of weight.

We mainly use the Double Bob to go on runs or walks around the neighborhood and for big outings like the zoo.

**this post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you**

When I had a 17 month old and a tiny baby, I just used the key fit caddy (frame for carseat that is super light), snapped my baby into it and made my 17 month old walk holding my hand. Sometimes I would carry him. Sometimes I would wear the baby and push the toddler. This worked well for us. Most places we go there is a shopping cart, and I would immediately get a cart, bring it to my car, load my toddler in and then strap on my baby carrier and wear the baby. Once they both got big enough to sit I preferred going to places like HEB or Aldi that have two seats up front, but if they didn’t I would put my younger son in the seat up front and my bigger one in the basket behind.

But, when we found out we were having our 3rd, I could not imagine pushing the baby and having two free boys (one 39 months and one 21 months) running around. My first always stayed right by me in the parking lot. My second (in the beginning) was a little bit more unpredictable. I wanted to have him strapped in any time we were going to be in a parking lot (my baby is now 6 months, and it was about a year ago that we announced our pregnancy. My middle guy has changed a lot in that year, and he is now okay to walk holding my hand most of the time). I had a high risk pregnancy and had to go to weekly ultrasounds and non stress tests in the third trimester. The only way we survived those appointments was by having a tandem double stroller that both of my boys could be strapped in – that and dum dums, cars, books and the occasionally Daniel Tiger show. I found a used baby trend sit and stand double (that has two seats because I did not want them fighting at the time when they were newly 1 and 2.5) for only 50 bucks in near new condition. I figured even if we used it 10 times, I would feel like we got our money’s worth out of it. I did consider the joovy ultralight, which you can buy and additional seat for, but I was worried my older son would be super cramped in it, as he is quite tall. I also considered the joovy big caboose but that thing is HUGE and I was worried it wouldn’t fit in my car easily. I thought about splurging on a city select double (and we could add the riding board later), but I felt like with 4 other strollers in our garage I couldn’t justify spending that much money (it was a tad out of our budget. even used). I have also heard that some tall kids can’t fit in the seats well. Though, if I had to do it all over again, I think I would have gotten this stroller with kid 1, and added the second seat with kid 2, etc. But, after all of my research, I landed on the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double as seen below (with the two seats in).

After our baby was born, I scoured Facebook marketplace and craig’s list for triple jogging strollers. I even had an apportionment to buy this amazing one from a lady, and then it fell through. The next day I realized we could just used my double bob as a triple- my oldest (3) had no issues sitting on the little triangle “special seat”, as we call it up front. He can even sit there with the carseat in place! I have gone on a few jogs like this. Now my boys take turns sitting in the “special seat”. Most triple joggers cannot fit through a doorway, and may not fit easily into your car, so I’m actually glad I didn’t spend the money on one. I just wanted to have a way to get out of the house (especially during our randomly long and cold (it snowed twice in Houston!!!) winter full of sickness). I was so thankful to be able to load the boys up in the stroller and take a 10 minute walk around the lake and to the park. This works well for us when we are at the zoo or walking around our neighborhood.

However, there is still the rare occasion I would like to have a tandem triple stroller, but really there are very limited options when it comes to triple strollers.

For example, we had an especially crazy exit from the pediatrician’s office a couple of weeks ago. Baby was screaming, 3 year old was whining, 2 year old was dropping his toys…and thus, I was trying to hold the baby (he screamed if I put him in his car seat in the stroller) and push the stroller, which does NOT work well with one hand. It was a mess. The doctor even offered to help me. And I thought, I wish I could get them all on this stroller. I had heard a Facebook friend mention that she was able to put 3 kids in her sit and stand, but the few times I had tried, I couldn’t figure it out. But when we got home, I finally took the time to experiment, and I figured it out!

I am so excited that my 50 dollar stroller will now serve the simple purpose of transporting all 3 of my kids somewhere.

You can tie it on the back of the first seat like I demonstrate in the video, or you can cut one of the straps in half and tie it to either side of the front seat as pictured below. Just experiment to see what gives you the most secure fit for your carseat. (We have a Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat).

So if you are a Mama wondering what you are going to do with your 3rd, I ask you to consider a few things. (maybe you don’t actually **need*** one)

1. What is your primary purpose in the stroller? If it is for walks, can your oldest ride a bike yet? Mine has just now started getting really good on his tricycle (he will be 4 in a couple of months).
2. Also, remember, that the ages of the kids and their abilities that you are dealing with now will be different once you baby gets here and is a few months old and you are out and about. For instance, when I first found out I was expecting baby #3, I was so worried about not strapping (my then newly one year old) into a stroller, I was dead set on getting a tandem. Now at 28 months, he would be okay not strapped in. I spent hours scouring Facebook marketplace for triple strollers a year ago when I was pregnant with E. I’m so glad in the end, I didn’t end up buying one. A lot can change in a year- you have a whole different perspective.
3. Can you turn one of your doubles into a “triple” like I did? You can also consider buying boards, or seats like this one: Englacha 2-in-1 Cozy X Rider, Black  Remember, it really is only a short time when they will all need to be in a stroller, so for us, I couldn’t justify spending tons of money on yet another stroller. And often times when we get to our destination, our big kids want to get out and walk. So you probably want to consider that, too. Sometimes when I bring the stroller I think why did I do this? It would have been easier to just wear the baby and hold the big boys hands.

Sit and Stand Double Used as a Triple (buy it here: Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double, Carbon):

Pros of this (Baby Trend Sit N Stand Double, Carbon) stroller:

Roomy enough for tall kids (my oldest two are in the 98 and 100 percentile for height and weight)

Tandem so it has a narrower footprint

Very affordable (again, I got it used for 50 bucks)

Can have the option of being a sit and stand or having two seats with sun canopies as seen at the beginning of the post

Drink holder and snack trays are included with the stroller (no need to pay extra for everything)

Can open with one hand

Cons:

Really hard to steer when it is loaded down with weight

BOB Dualie Double Jogging Stroller (BOB Revolution Pro Duallie Jogging Stroller, Black) as a Triple:

Pros:

SOOOO easy to steer. Seriously, it is a dream compared to the one above.

When you just have two kids, there is total seat equality- no arguing over the upper or lower seat or any of that jazz.

Great big sun canopies

Multiple uses- can be used to walk or run, great for big all day outings

It does fit through all standard door ways

Cons:

Pricey

Snack trays/parent console are not included

Can be hard to navigate through tight spaces (like if you are shopping at a mall or in a doctor’s office waiting room)

In the end, I think both of these strollers are great to have. We got the BOB used for $270 I believe (I cannot remember for sure as it was a couple years ago). And the sit and stand was $50, so all in all spending $320 for two strollers we use often and that can be used for 2 or 3 kids has been a good investment for this budget-conscious family.

Check out these other posts with videos as well:

The Ultimate Tantrum Survival Guide- Part 1: T is for Training(Part 1 of one of the most popular posts we’ve done- tips for how to survive toddler tantrums)

Cloth Diapers aren’t just for Hippies, Cloth Diapering 101 (I talk about how to use cloth diapers, the basics, wash routine, etc)

Swaddle Review from a Mama who’s tried {almost} all of them (I demo how to use several popular swaddle blankets)

Baby-wearing 101, a comparison of my 6 carriers  (I demo how to use 6 common baby carriers)

D’s Daniel Tiger Birthday (how to make a tassel garland for party decoration)

 

And congratulations on expecting number 3! If you want some ideas for what to tell well-meaning and generous family and friends as far as gifts, you can find my registry post here:

Must Have Baby Registry Items for your 2nd (or 3rd) Baby and Why you should still Register

 

 

If you found this blog post helpful, please share so other Mamas can see!