(Part 2) Best stroller accessories according to redditors

In no particular order:

1. Snuza Hero (SE). Was $120 when I bought it, looks like it's gone down to $100. Really helped me sleep soundly knowing we'd be alerted if anything stopped baby's breathing. We had a few false alarms where it simply became detached from her diaper, so it definitely works.
   
2. 7 A.M. Enfant Nido. So, this was not actually a splurge at all because I somehow lucked out and found it on clearance for $18, but I would happily pay full price ($60) knowing how well it worked for us. It is designed to be safe to use in the car seat (nothing touches the straps at all). My daughter was toasty warm all winter long. We live in Michigan and get a lot of snow. This product was invaluable for me.
   
3. Solly Baby Wrap. ($65) There are cheaper wrap carriers out there. This one was the best I tried. I loved this product so much. I'm actually going to have a hard time not buying a second one in another color 😂
   
4. Uppababy Vista Stroller. ($930) We had another (cheaper) stroller at first, but I ended up selling it and buying this one before my baby turned one. I wish we'd just gone with this from the get-go. The ride is incredibly smooth and the quality is amazing.
   
5. Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor. ($165) I actually thought we could get away with no baby monitor at all because our house is so small. It's true, it's not a *necessity*, but when we went to visit my MIL and she had purchased a monitor to use at her house while we were there (for 3 weeks). It was so nice having it that I purchased this one as soon as we got home. I didn't realize how much freedom it allows you (I can go have tea on the back porch, or do a bit of gardening, or go run on the treadmill downstairs, all without worrying that I won't hear the baby waking up) until I lived with one first hand. We survived just fine for over a year without one, but I could have been so much more productive with it. This time around, I'm getting an add on camera for this unit to put in our room (where new baby will sleep). The original camera will stay in my toddler's room.

Munchkin pushchair hook.

Looks like a universal stroller cup holder. Great use for it.

I have this one for my double stroller - Universal Cup Holder by Accmor, Stroller Cup Holder, Large Caliber Designed Cup Holder, 360 Degrees Universal Rotation Cup Drink Holder,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F1JMSYM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wL-iDbD552PQ7

Waterproof bluetooth speakers can be had pretty cheap these days:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Bluetooth-AYL-Waterproof-Rechargeable/dp/B014VJD6PQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469456311&sr=1-5&keywords=waterproof+bluetooth+speaker

Might want to pick up a small dry bag for a phone or two, some car keys, etc.

Pick up some big, cheap carabiners from Amazon. Often sold as "mommy hooks". They work great for quickly and easily connecting a bunch of tubes together without having a mess of life jacket straps. Also work great work getting a couple pairs of sandals securely stowed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V7MTEJS?psc=1

This. They actually make ones for strollers that work great for this purpose.

Amazon Link

I'm also a FTM with the same question. No baby yet but my plan is to get a soft carrycot for my stroller and to keep in the car. It won't last long but seems like a cozy, packable place for baby to rest.

Have you considered netting? http://www.amazon.com/Yosoo-Multifunctional-Universal-Strollers-Bassinets/dp/B010EXXY5A

We're also going to be a 1+ twins family- older daughter will be 3.5 when twins arrive. Staying home all day is not an option...she's in school 5 mornings a week and then will be off for summer with cabin fever when they're 3 months old ;)

We got the Baby Jogger City Select double. With adaptors, you can click in infant seats then later on use the seats it comes with. Since my daughter doesn't need a stroller day to day, we're getting this seat for the rare occasions we need to make our stroller a triple:

https://www.amazon.com/Englacha-2-Cozy-Rider-Black/dp/B0194QWCMY

I baby wore a lot the first time around and there are lots of places I take my daughter where using a stroller exclusively is impractical. So I'm committed to mastering tandem babywearing and will throw any amount of money on however many carriers I need!

if you have a stroller you already like, there are attachments that basically are a little platform with wheels that go on the back. That way your toddler can stand up and hold on between your hands as you push the baby in the stroller. Something like this, though this is an expensive one: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Stroller-Supports-Reinforced-Clearance/dp/B07GNDBQCN/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Toddler+stroller+attachment&qid=1565473663&s=gateway&sr=8-6

No experience with the R44, but a lot of car seats come with a metal buckle designed for older cars without the constant locking ability after pulling the belt all the way out. They’re usually hiding on the backside somewhere. Here’s an example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797KBGD5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7klSCbB4SY718

Although, you mention toddler, so a forward facing? I’m not sure what you’d do for the top tether in that situation.

This maybe.... also are you sure you can gate check a stroller that big?

Rogue Kidz Single and Double Stroller Travel Bag For Airplane Gate Check - Durable Universal Large XL Cover With Padded Backpack Straps- Waterproof Heavy Duty Nylon Traveling Protector With Carry Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758TDKMV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZI5iDb7C99EKM

You could honestly go either way.

Strollers check for free and a big bag to keep it in will make this a breeze. It will give her an easy place to nap if you have long layovers, or while waiting to check your baggage or go through security. There are $20 ones that hold up to 40lbs - which might be small, but could work for the trip. If she were younger, there are some awesome 200+ ones that collapse super small, and are really well built - but I don't think that makes sense for your trip.

Downsides: it's a manageable trip. You could focus on ways to strap you suitcases/bags together so they can be handled by one person, letting the other manage the 4 year-old. These straps or products would be helpful even without a kid. You can give her a backpack to be responsible for and use this as practice travel for when she's older and you can't hold her. Plus, she's at the top end of most strollers - and only a handful of cheap ones will fit her. This will probably be a one-time-use stroller, which seems wasteful.

To decide: I'd think about how she does with trips going shopping, walks in the park. I'd also look at your lay-over time (if it's short, a stroller will be faster. If it's really long, you might appreciate the place for her to sit). I'd look at what time you're traveling - is it when she's normally sleeping (stroller would be nice) or at her most pleasant active time (she probably won't need it).

The thing that tips me towards "bring it" is thinking about how we used ours when traveling with a 10 month old. She wanted to be held through one of our layovers - did not want to go in the stroller. I just piled our backpacks and one of the carry-ons on the stroller, and it was super easy for one adult to handle all the luggage while the other carried the child. If I had a couple of weeks, I'd swing by local consignment kid's stores to see if any had some on hand.

edit: Bag I'm talking about.

I have a 2 month old. These are things I ended up ordering for myself in the first few weeks.

Trunk organizer and diaper station:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078HCPY4H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_r9bIDbMF8MYSB

Stroller hooks: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPNDH8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_s.bIDbXG5XDW1

Baby monitor mount:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFSYVFX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_CccIDbXA9J16Y

The Joovy Big Caboose is a triple stroller. It’s a sit and stand, but you can also get a third seat if your kids aren’t old enough to use the bench seat yet. I think you can only use it with two infant car seats though, so at least one of your kids will need to sit on the stroller seat.

Also, your twins might not be in the infant car seats much longer. We have a Graco seat, not Chicco, but all of our kids have gotten too long for it well before they reached the weight limit, sometime within a couple of months after turning one year old.

Congratulations! And good luck

Got this online: it is amazing (at staying on and warding off strangers)

Baby Mosquito Net for Strollers, Carriers, Car Seats, Cradles. Fits Most Pack'n'Plays, Cribs, Bassinets & Playpens. 44 x 48 Inch, Made of White, Portable & Durable Baby Insect Netting
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014HGUMY6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_F3QjybFG7BPZH

There are a lot of different kinds on Amazon that you can buy and generally if they're popular enough there are questions answered about your specific brand stroller from the seller in the question section on Amazon. I have a bugaboo and their branded carrier bag is nearly $200 which is just stupid.

I bought:

Gate Check Pro XL Double Stroller Travel Bag | Premium Quality Ballistic Nylon Travel System | Featuring Padded Backpack Shoulder Straps for Comfort and Durability (Made By the #1 Specialist Brand) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W5BNMKC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UB9BybN55YX52


It is absolutely massive so maybe not for your stroller that's a little smaller than the bugaboo. But it'll get you started on your search I suppose.

This one is made of really sturdy material and absolutely got dirty so I'm really glad I bought it.

We use this 7AM Enfant Nido, Black, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RMNCNRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Yw6vyb82WBG1M and it's too warm usually. It's pretty amazing.

This bassinet stand is pricey but it doubles as a hamper after your LO outgrows it. I've seen them sold used.

https://www.amazon.com/UPPAbaby-0208G-Bassinet-Stand-Grey/dp/B00NF9HH4U

Amazon says the stroller is 36" long, and I found a forum that says the opening of the Beetle's trunk is also 36". If you put the stroller in diagonally then it looks like it'll probably fit. You might want to contact the manufacturer of the stroller and get more exact dimensions, then measure the trunk on your specific vehicle for comparison. (edited for speeeling)

https://www.amazon.com/Bugaboo-Cameleon3-Complete-Stroller-Black/dp/B00D46VHMC/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1486307021&sr=8-2&keywords=bugaboo+chameleon+3

http://newbeetle.org/forums/technical-modifications/59521-what-trunk-dimensions.html