A How-To Guide For Double Strollers From Beginning To End

Buying Guide For Double Strollers A double stroller is a great investment if you have two children with similar age. These narrow tandem strollers or flexible side-by-side buggies allow you to keep an eye on both kids at the same time navigating the aisles of the supermarket as well as the parks and other obstacles life throws your way. Comfort When shopping for a double stroller for your child, comfort is a major consideration. This can include the seating arrangement and the overall size, which can have an impact on the ease of use and storage. “Parents should determine how much the stroller weighs and its dimensions when folded,” says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. “They should also consider the seat recline options and the age ranges of their children to ensure it is a perfect fit.” A good double stroller should be able to handle a variety of surfaces easily from suburban sidewalks to parks and from toddler booster seats to infant car seats. It should come with a variety of seating options for children of different stages of development, as well as features that provide comfort, such as a peek-aboo window and adjustable canopy that shield kids from rain or sun. Seating options are important for many families who will utilize a double stroller from the time of birth until the age of. “There are two main categories—in-line with one seat in front of the other, and side by side with seats that are next to each other,” Billingsley explains. Some parents prefer the in-line option because of its sleek appearance and its versatility. Others like a wagon style double stroller to maximize space for bulky or grocery items. In-line models are more likely to show this kind of discordance. Certain models may provide different recline options, with one being almost flat, while the other one remaining fairly upright. Billingsley recommends selecting a product that has a nearly flat recline and leg rest adjustment for both seats. This will ensure that both children can lay comfortably. Finally, she advises choosing a stroller that includes storage compartments that enable parents to quickly access snacks, toys and other personal items while on the move. She also says that it is helpful to find a stroller which comes with a parent console or organizer bag, that can be attached to the handlebars. This can aid parents in keeping their essentials at hand. Some of the most highly-rated double strollers can be expanded, allowing parents to customize the layout to meet the requirements of their growing family. For example, the Mockingbird Expandable is a highly-rated double stroller that can be used with a single seat from birth, and then converted to tandem (with a second seat and bassinet) as the child grows older. Safety Double strollers should be able to handle the weight of two people, plus any additional cargo. Strollers need to be simple to maneuver and push, particularly on difficult terrain and in tight spaces. The best strollers come with ergonomic handlebars with adjustable heights to help parents maintain good form while pushing them. Another feature that is great is a no-rethread belt harness that makes it easier to adjust the belts on the seat. Safety features include a durable brake system and wheels which slide over any surface. Some parents choose a side-by-side design that allows both children to see each other during family outings. Get the facts can reduce sibling squabbles over who sits in which seat, but it isn't foolproof. If the seats are at different levels, a child might kick or punch another during a walk when the seats are on different levels. If you have twins or siblings close in age, a tandem stroller can be beneficial in being able see both kids at once. Double strollers can be wider, and may not fit through certain interior doors. To maximize versatility, you should consider a single-to-double stroller which can switch from a single to a tandem in different ways, like the popular CYBEX Gazelle S. These models can be adapted to a wide range of configurations and let you click in infant car seats or cot attachments, depending on your requirements. If you opt for a side-byside or tandem stroller, make sure the product is certified by JPMA to meet strict safety standards. Also pay attention to the maximum weight limits for each seat, as exceeding them can lead to frame fatigue or other issues. While it's easy for us to focus on the many bells and whistles that come with a new stroller, it is crucial to keep in mind that a stroller is an infant carrier that is transported for long periods of time. It must be comfortable for both the passengers and easy to clean and maintain, and ideally, it should offer an easy-to-use, familiar design so that the person pushing it can easily maneuver it without having to think about how to move forward and turn left or right, or even apply the brakes. Easy to Use A double stroller must be simple to maneuver over different types of terrains for families always on the move. Features like adjustable canopies with windows that peek out and dependable braking systems are crucial to ensure your children's safety, but there are many other aspects that affect stroller ease of use. A stroller should be compact enough to fit in the trunk of your car, but still have plenty of storage space for groceries or other things. It is also important to consider thoughtful additions such as a cup holder for one parent as well as a console for parents and an eating tray for children — all things that make life on the go with two kids much easier. In our tests we rated each stroller based on how it performed on a variety terrains, and how easily it maneuvered in tight spaces. We also looked at how easy it was to fold the stroller in half and then unfold it as well as if a particular feature enhanced the overall functionality. A stroller with no-rethread straps is easy to adjust the seat belts. This can be a big attraction for parents who are constantly on the move, as it removes the requirement to rethread the harness. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double scored highly in this measure, since it offered an impressive range of seating options and accessories to accommodate growing families. The wagon-style double-stroller expands to accommodate two seats, a bassinet or even a toddler's riding board. This is ideal for families who plan to spend a lot of time traveling with several children of different ages. It is able to glide effortlessly over pavements, cobblestones, and ball fields. It can be folded flat to store in a trunk or closet. The design of this stroller is simple and easy to use and was a big hit with our tester Kerry. Its smart packaging clear sections, well-labeled sections and an informative user guide made putting together this stroller a breeze. Storage Double strollers can hold twice more than one stroller So, make sure to ensure you have plenty of storage space. It is ideal to have a stroller that is able to hold the essentials for both kids—nappies bottles, snacks, and toys, along with parents' items such as phones, wallets keys, wallets and phones. Look for baskets and pockets under the seats. Also, consider a stroller that has an expandable cargo space to accommodate bulky items like diaper bags and lunchbags. A good double stroller should be able to grow with your family. Billingsley states that certain models come with the option of a bassinet attachment that can accommodate newborns. Others have child seats which can be able to grow with your child until they are ready to ride on the back. Some double strollers allow older siblings to share in the fun by riding on riding boards. There are a variety of double strollers on the market. You can pick from high-performance models that are ideal for rough terrain, as well as more budget-friendly options that can use on a daily basis. As you shop, read reviews from other users and the opinions of families like yours to gain a better sense of what you can expect from the double stroller you choose. Double strollers are available in three designs: tandem, side-by-side and wagon style. Side-by-side double strollers provide the most versatility and are suitable for twins or children who are who are close to each other in age, Billingsley explains. Tandem double strollers, on other hand, have two seats that are arranged adjacent to one another and facing in opposite directions—a great option for children of the same age or for siblings who like to interact with one another. Tandem strollers may be harder to maneuver through tight spaces, and are less likely to pass through doorways than their side-byside counterparts. If you're looking for a wagon-style double stroller, check out this top pick from Safety 1st. This affordable model was praised by testers for its multiple seating configurations. It can be used with two car seats for infants or one child sitting in a convertible toddler chair. Our experts also praised memory foam seats and canopy that has 50+ SPF, and foam-filled wheels that never flatten. And when it's time for you to fold, this model needs just a couple of tugs on the straps of each seat (under where the kids sit) to fold it in half.