A Help Guide To Double Strollers From Beginning To End
Buying Guide For Double Strollers
A double stroller is a good investment for families with two children with similar age. These narrow tandem strollers or flexible side-by-side buggies allow you to keep an eye on both children at the same time while taking on the grocery store as well as the parks and other obstacles life throws your way.
Comfort
When you are looking for a double stroller, the comfort is a major aspect to take into consideration. This includes both the seating arrangement as well as the overall size of the stroller, which can impact the accessibility and storage. "Parents should check how much the stroller weighs as well as its folded dimensions," says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. "They should also consider the recline options for seats and age ranges to ensure the best fit for their family."
A good double stroller will be durable enough to travel on all surfaces without difficulty, from urban sidewalks to parks trails, and from infant car seats to toddler booster seats. It should come with a variety of seating options for children of different ages, as well as features that provide comfort, such as a peek-aboo windows and adjustable canopy options that shield kids from rain or sun.
For many families, a double stroller is likely to be used from birth and into childhood, so it's important to consider the seating options. Billingsley explains that there are two primary categories: in-line with one seat in front of the other and side-byside seating with seats next to one another. Some parents prefer the in-line option due to its sleek design and flexibility. Others prefer a wagon-style double stroller to maximize space for groceries or bulky items.
In-line models are more likely to show this kind of discordance. Certain models may provide different recline options, with one seat being almost flat and the other being more upright. Billingsley recommends selecting a product with both a near flat recline and leg rest adjustment for both seats. This will ensure that both children lie down comfortably.
In the end, she suggests looking for a stroller that includes storage compartments that enable parents to easily access snacks, toys and personal items while on the move. She adds that it's also useful to find a stroller that has an organizer or parent console bag attached to the handlebars, which will allow you to keep your essentials close at hand.
A few of the most highly-rated double strollers are expandable which allows parents to alter the set-up based on the requirements of their growing family. The Mockingbird Expandable, for instance, is a highly rated double stroller that can be used from birth using a single seat, and later converted into a tandem (with two seats and a bassinet) as the child grows older.
Safety
Double strollers need to be able to carry the weight of two passengers and any additional cargo. Strollers should be easy to maneuver and push, particularly when on rough terrain and in tight spaces. The best strollers feature ergonomic handlebars with adjustable heights to help parents maintain good posture while pushing them. Another feature that is great is a no-rethread seat belt harness, which allows for a more comfortable adjustment of the belts on the seat. Safety features include a robust brake system, as well as wheels that slide over any surface.
Some parents choose a side by side design to ensure that both children be together when they go on family outings. This arrangement can prevent sibling rivalries over who is allowed to sit in which spot however it's not foolproof. If the seats are located at different levels, a child might kick or punch another during a walk if the seats are at different levels.
For cheap double buggy www.pushchairsandprams.uk of twins or siblings of similar age, a tandem stroller can be beneficial in being able to view both kids at once. However, these can be wider than other double strollers, meaning they may not fit through all doorways in the interior. Think about a stroller that is single-to-double that can be transformed from a single to double in various ways. Popular models include the CYBEX gazelle S.
If you opt for a side-byside or tandem-style stroller, be sure the product is JPMA-certified to meet strict safety standards. Pay attention to the weight limit that applies to each seat. If you exceed these limits, it could cause frame fatigue or other issues.
It's easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles, but it's important to remember that strollers are in essence baby carriers that will be used for extended time. It should be easy to clean and maintain and comfortable for both of the passengers. It should also have a a familiar, intuitive design that allows the person pushing it to easily maneuver it.
Ease of Use
A double stroller must be simple to maneuver over a variety types of terrains for families constantly on the move. Features like adjustable canopy systems, peek-aboo windows and dependable brake systems are essential to ensure the safety of your children but there are many other aspects that contribute to stroller ease of use. A stroller must be compact enough to fit in the trunk of your vehicle and still provide plenty of storage space for groceries or other things. Also important are thoughtful touches like a cup holder with a single parent as well as a console for parents and snacks for children--all things that make life with two kids significantly easier.
In our tests We evaluated the strollers on how it performed on a variety terrains and how easily it could maneuver in tight spaces. We also examined how simple it was to fold and unfold and whether or not a particular feature enhanced the overall functionality of the stroller. For instance a stroller with a no-rethread harness makes adjusting the seat belts simple and easy. This is a major attraction for parents who are constantly moving around, since it removes the need to rethread the harness.
The UPPAbaby 2 Double was a top performer in this measure because it offered a wide range of seating configurations, and additional accessories to accommodate growing families. The wagon-style double-stroller can be expanded to accommodate two seats, a bassinet, or even a toddler-riding board. This is ideal for families who want to spend long days in the car with a variety of children of different ages. It easily glides over cobblestones, pavements, and ballfields. It can fold flat to store in a trunk or a closet. The design of this stroller is simple and intuitive, which was appreciated by our tester Kerry. Its smart packaging with clearly labeled sections as well as a an informative user guide made assembling this stroller a breeze.
Storage
A double stroller has the potential to hold twice as much stuff than a single stroller, so look for ample storage space. Ideally, you'll want a stroller that is able to hold the necessities for both kids, including nappies, bottles, snacks and toys, in addition to parents' items such as phones, wallets keys and wallets. Look for under-seat baskets as well as other pockets, and consider a stroller with an expanding cargo space that can carry bulky items like diaper bags and lunch bags.
A good double stroller should be able to grow with your family. For instance certain models come with the bassinet attachment, which can be used for newborns, and others feature child seats that can be adapted to your kids until they're ready to move to the back of the stroller, Billingsley says. Some double strollers permit a rider's board to allow older siblings to be part of the fun.
You'll find a wide variety of double strollers on the market, ranging from sleek, high-performance options that excel on rough terrain to budget-friendly models more suited for daily use. When you're shopping, read reviews from other users and the opinions of families like yours to get an idea of what to expect from the double stroller you pick.
Double strollers are available in three different design formats including tandem, side-by-side and wagon-style. Side-by-side double strollers provide the most versatility and are suitable for twins or kids who are close to each other in age, Billingsley explains. Tandem double strollers, on contrary, have two seats that are placed close to each other and facing in opposite directions--a ideal choice for children who are the same age or for siblings who enjoy interacting with one another. Tandem strollers are more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and less likely to fit into doors.
If you're looking for a wagon-style double stroller, check out this top model from Safety 1st. Testers loved how this affordable model offers multiple seating configurations as well as the ability to snap in two infant car seats or a single child riding in a convertible toddler seat. Our experts also appreciated the soft memory foam seats, 50+ SPF canopy and foam-filled tires that will never go flat. And when it's time to fold, this model needs only a couple of pulls on the straps on each seat (under where the kids sit) to fold it in half.