Buying a Double Buggy From Birth
There are plenty of factors to consider when selecting the ideal double buggy from the time of birth. We spoke with Fourth Trimester postnatal retreat expert Katie Billingsley for her advice on everything from seating options, age ranges to folding mechanisms and storage space.
This buggy is a must-have for active families. It will grow with you and your family from toddlers to twins. It is light, has great maneuverability and is able to handle uneven terrain with ease.
What kind of buggy do want?
A double buggy is perfect for transporting two kids, not necessarily of the same age, side by side. They can also be used as prams. Each seat has a reclining mechanism so that your children can lie down or sit in various positions. A lot of them have plenty of storage space for everything from snacks and drinks to wipes and nappies. They are usually light, fold easily, and compact enough to fit in your car boot. If you travel a lot amount, you should check that the buggy can be easily maneuvered with the folded wheels in your boot and taken out.
You might have seen this kind of double buggy on other moms' strollers or even ridden in one as a kid. They are ideal for older siblings who wish to keep up with you or for twins and typically have numerous seating configurations (including 'cinema' seats) for your little ones to choose from. They're usually pretty easy to drive and, if you go for a model with a soft suspension, make light work of kerbs.
Tandem buggies are a popular option because they're easier to turn than side-by-side. This is because the second seat sits behind the first, instead of sitting over it. The seats are generally wider and bulkier than a side by side however, so make sure that they will fit through doors or on public transport. They can be used to transport twins, a toddler, a baby or three children by the addition of a buggy board.
Lastly there are the'single-to-double' convertibles which can be used as a single pushchair from birth then convert to a double by attaching a second seat, carrycot or car seat to their clever frame. They are more expensive than tandem buggies or side-by-side buggies, but they offer a lot of flexibility and a very high resale price. They're generally simple to steer, feature a huge storage basket and are able to handle uneven surfaces. Some come with a built-in ride-on board for older children and 'cinema seats'.
Do you have twins?
If your children are twins or siblings of different ages, a double buggy is the best way to move them around. There are two kinds of double buggy - side-byside buggies that let your children sit together, and tandem buggies where one child is higher than the other. Both can accommodate two fixed seats, but side-byside buggies tend to be narrower in width for getting through doors. Tandems tend to be wider overall. They can also accommodate both an infant seat and a carrycot.
Do you have a toddler?
At first the idea of having a younger sibling may seem like an overwhelming amount of responsibility, especially if you are also caring for the infant. They may be a bit irritated when they are in an infant carrier while you push the older one along and having a double buggy right from the beginning can make things simpler. It can also help your child get into their new role as a 'big sister or brother'.
Side-by-side double buggies are often considered the best option for twins as they allow both children to enjoy the same view, but they can be bulky and heavy. twin pushchair pushchairsandprams.uk love the streamlined B-AGILE DOUBLE from Leclerc that features an innovative frame that opens in width to accommodate two seats fixed and provides various configuration options, such as the second seat being used as an infant carrier or bassinet.
We recommend the Mountain Buggy Double Trailblazer to families who are active and love to explore. This clever buggy can start off as a single pushchair but is then convertible into a double by adding an additional seat, a carrycot or a car seat (depending on the model). Its smooth ride is perfect for rough terrain, and it has lots of clever features that will keep everyone happy.
Do you require an effective system of travel for your business?
Double buggies are excellent for transporting your children around in comfort but they're not a necessary purchase for every family. Depending on your lifestyle, and the age gap between your children you may be able to do with just a single stroller and some attachments, such as toddler harnesses and baby carriers that let you carry your child on their backs or in front of you.
There are three types of double buggies: tandem side-by-side and convertible. The two seats are set side-by-side, so your children can be able to see each other. They are wider than a single stroller and can be difficult to navigate around the kerbs. Tandem buggies are small with a seat at the front and a second one at the back. However, they can be heavy and lengthy to push.
Convertible double buggies permit you to convert a single stroller into a double buggy by securing a bassinet or infant car seat to the frame. This allows you to keep your baby comfortably in their car seat until they're ready to transition into the main buggy seat. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is an excellent illustration of this. It's suitable for twins or a toddler and baby or even three children with the the optional PiggyBack board.
As your children grow older and more capable and able, you can get a double buggy to accompany them to bicycle rides or for day trips where they may prefer to walk. It's important to keep in mind that your children may not always like to be in a stroller and might become tired and disgruntled during longer trips.
Before you decide to purchase a double stroller, think about the factors above and your family's specific circumstances. A durable and reliable double buggy will make life simpler, especially when you need to navigate busy streets or busy malls.