Buying a Double Pushchair From Birth

A double pushchair is an excellent option for those who enjoy long walks with your toddler, and plan to have a second child. Luckily there are many options to choose from.

The majority of tandem buggies are configured in a variety of ways. Some tandem buggies feature seats that can be reversed to allow siblings to face each other or even you.

Size

If you're buying a double pushchair from birth it's worth bearing in mind that these are usually larger than single buggies. That's why you need to ensure that your chosen buggy is able to pass through your doorways and can easily maneuver between kerbs and steps.

Double strollers are available in two main styles: tandem and side-by-side. Tandem buggies can be an ideal option for parents with twins. Side-by-side strollers are suitable for children of all ages, and can be converted to a double-sized stroller by adding seats.

Most tandem buggies have seats that face one another and are available in a variety of configurations. This allows your children to observe each other while riding. If your children are the same age, they may be able to work together or at least not argue over who has the most comfortable seats. You may find they are more comfortable facing each other than sitting close to one another.

The iCandy Venus is a great option for families with twins, or younger siblings who require seating together. This stylish, budget-friendly buggy can also be used in conjunction with an infant car seat so that it can grow with your family. To ensure your babies are cozy and warm in their cocoons, iCandy also include extra accessories that rival brands charge separately, such as fleecy lines.

Egg2 is another great option for families growing. This sleek pushchair, which is popular among parents who are conscious of their appearance It can be used as an individual stroller or as a double stroller due to its adaptors that permit you to include a seat or carrycot. It's not the cheapest double stroller available, however it does come with distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from its competitors, including an enormous shopping basket that sits behind the seat when it is in the face-to-parent mode.

Style

Double buggies are usually larger and heavier. If you are planning to purchase a buggie that you will keep for a long period of time be aware of this. However, they offer more storage space, often with a bigger shopping basket. They typically also come with seats that are facing the parents, with an extendable sunshade and windows that peek out, as well as seats that recline independently. Some models include an adjustable leg and foot rest that can be adjusted to ease any discomfort caused by long walking or prolonged periods of sitting.

The most well-known double buggy styles are side-bysides and tandems. Tandems are designed with the children seated side-by-side with the same perspective. This helps avoid siblings fighting over seating. They're not foolproof, and children may still punch or kick one another when they ride. The side-by-side model is more traditional and has two fixed seats that are mounted on a single, wide stroller frame. They may not offer as many configurations and are ideal for infants who are able to sit on their own but do not need the back support offered by an infant car seat.

Our lab experts recommend the Cybex venus if you are looking for a lightweight, double from birth. This clever model expands widthways to convert from mono to twin mode, taking either two or one carrycot or infant seats. The compact folding design features an ample shopping basket, front and rear suspension, and a large shopping bag for a smoother ride. The seats and the add-on RumbleSeat are padded and comfortable, with built-in adjustable foot and leg rests and generous UPF 50+ canopy that provide plenty of shade.

Another option that is a good value is the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2. Like the Venus, it's a side-by-side pushchair that can be configured to meet the needs of your family. It can accommodate one car seat for infants and you can also add the Baby Jogger Glider Board for the third person (though it limits the use to twins). The seat reclines independently, and the City Mini GT2 has some of the best double stroller handling among double buggies. Testers said that it was easy to maneuver up and down kerbs.

Comfort

The seat padding and the fabric are comfortable for both kids, plus the UPF 50+ canopy is large enough to provide real shade and has a cute peekaboo window. Our test subjects also liked that the seat reclines at a variety of angles. The only downside to this model is that it's not quite as compact as other models. However, our lab experts said it was easy to open and close.

Double buggies weigh more, are bulkier and more expensive but are an excellent investment for families who have two children who are similar in age (generally younger than 4). They're also likely to be used for several years, so you should choose the best brand will last for a long time and that will keep its value for a long time.

Tandem buggies start life as an individual pushchair, but they have adaptors that let you add an additional seat, carrycot or (in certain instances) car seats to the frame. Some are fixed doubles while others, such as this one made by Leclerc can be changed into a side-by-side layout once your children are old enough.

Although a side-by-side is generally wider than other types of double buggy it is able to navigate between kerbs since the weight is distributed more evenly. It's not 100% safe to avoid sibling fights. Children in the same seat could punch or kick each other while riding.

A front-facing tandem could be an ideal alternative to a traditional side-by-side model for older children. It can also reduce the likelihood of sibling fights because your children aren't directly facing eachother. It's important to remember that some children may feel lonely or disengaged when they're in a front-facing tandem since they don't have the same view of their surroundings.

The egg2 features a sleek, modern design and an attractive price. Our testers loved the ease of use and push, but wished it had more storage space and that the handlebars were more comfortable. It's suitable from birth, and can be used in twin mode from newborn or in a combination of carrycot(s)/infant seats/car seat(s) for twins. It's also the most flexible of our double stroller with infant car seat buggies which is the reason it's been a MadeForMums favourite since 2009. It's not the least expensive double stroller available however it's competitively priced and offers a great resale value.

Storage

If you have more than one child having a double pushchair from birth will make life easier when out and about. There is a wide range of double strollers on the market from tandems to side-bysides in different styles and colours. But, you must be aware of your family's lifestyle and the features that are important to you prior making a purchase. Analyzing your needs will help you narrow down your options and select the right double pram for you.

A quality double buggy should be agile, easy to maneuver and should be lightweight. This is particularly important for those who live in an urban area where you need a double buggy that is able to navigate through busy streets and fit through doorways that are narrow for shopping or on lunch runs.

Many of the best double stroller double buggies have suspension that softens the impact of bumps and uneven surfaces, and recline options for those times when your child wants to take a snooze. It is also essential that both seats come with comfortable straps and buckles with adjustable foot and leg rests, UPF 50+ canopies with windows that peek out and seats that are reversible, to allow siblings to face one another or the world around them.

Another thing to take into consideration when deciding on a double pushchair is how compact it is when folded. Some double buggies can be folded down into a compact size that's easy to carry, and will fit in tight spaces such as cabinets. Double buggies are made to fold into a compact size that is easy to carry and fit into small spaces such as cupboards.

If you have a smaller budget, you can find some high-quality double strollers that will do the job. For example the Cybex Influencer can be used as a single or double and comes with an under-seat basket that can be placed underneath the seat in parent-facing mode. It is also lightweight, can be folded flat and has a huge resale potential.

The UPPAbaby is a fantastic option for families because it can fit two infant car seats and can be configured in a variety of ways. It comes with reversible seats, so that your children can sit facing each other or the world and it can be fitted with a bassinet suitable for infants.