9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Double Pram And Pushchair
Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A double pram can make life easier for families, particularly in busy stores or on busy streets. Choose a model with ample storage space for nappies, snacks and other essentials.
Some parents who are new to the family opt for a future proof pushchair that can be used as a single pram when baby is born, and later transformed into a twin-mode when the baby is born. Joolz offers a range of options.
Tandem
The announcement that you are expecting a baby is one of the most exciting events in life. Once the excitement has worn off and the reality of the situation sets in, you'll be faced with many decisions regarding how you can prepare your family. The right pram or stroller is among the most important things to consider.
Tandem prams, also referred to as "in-line" double prams, are a classic design that has two bassinets or seats placed side by side. The front seat is typically cushioned and reclines to a flat position making it suitable for infants while the second one is more upright and can be used by toddlers from around three years older. Some models allow you to select whether your children stare at each other or look outwards. Many tandems can be converted into one pushchair once your oldest child is no longer required to have the second seat.
In terms of price the tandem is cheaper than a twin pushchair and can be a great choice for parents who want to save money but not compromising on safety or functionality. However, a drawback of a tandem is that it could be heavy and long to steer especially when moving up and down kerbs. It is usually less stable than a twin pram, especially if the child who is older is sitting in the front. A tandem can be difficult to place on public transport, and it may be difficult to navigate narrow roads.
The iCandy Peach, a popular model that is focused on image, is a great option for parents with one child who want an elegant design. However the tandem mode makes it feel heavy and long to push. It's got frames that can be expanded in width to accommodate the second seat. It can be used with a variety of buggy seats, car seats and carrycots (two at simultaneously or separately). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight twin stroller tandem option that's simple to use and compatible with a variety of carrycots and car seats.
Side by side
When it comes to choosing a double pushchair or pram there's plenty to think about. There are numerous configuration options available, whether you're buying for twins or close-in-age siblings. Tandem prams, also referred to as side-by-side prams, are a popular choices due to the fact that they can be set up in a way that the infant can be seated in the bassinet in the middle while the older child or toddler is sitting in the second seat.
Some models come with seats that can be reversible, meaning you can alter the seating arrangement to your family's requirements throughout the toddler and baby years. This allows you to see your children at all times and allows them to interact when they walk.
Tandem prams are typically jogging buggies or all-terrain ones that is why they're great for outdoor excursions and the park. They're also ideal for narrow aisles and checkouts in shops and supermarkets because they are less bulky.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram starting from birth in dual mode, with the addition of the rumble seat (PS249). If your child is no longer a member of the rumble chair you can change to a single pram mode. You can also opt to use the adaptors for car capsules to convert it from a newborn to toddler travel system.
The Side by Side Pram made by Babybee is another alternative. This double side-by-side pram comes in a variety of colors and is designed with a contemporary design. Designed to be used right from birth, you can also include the LUNA Cocoon for newborns (PS262) and the LUNA Infant Seats (PS53 each).
The Egg 2 is a stylish elegant pushchair that can be converted into a double side by side. It's available in a variety of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings with different age ranges. It's also incredibly easy to fold. It's also relatively lightweight and therefore an ideal option for those with smaller cars or a limited storage space.
Convertible
The best double prams and pushchairs are versatile, and some are even able to change into different seat configurations to suit your changing family needs. You can fit up to three children on the seat board or two toddlers in the seats, with enough space to carry a shopping bag. Accessories like rain covers are also available. Typically, convertible double strollers are bigger and heavier than single pushchairs as they have to be able to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of a very inexpensive convertible that is very easy to use. However, our test participants thought it was somewhat heavy for its price.
Some double strollers that convert into convertibles, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2 have a carrycot that is suitable for infants. This allows the double stroller to be folded down and reduced in size when it is not used. The City Select's innovative, one-handed folding impressed our testers, but it takes some time to master. It's also quite agile and responsive, despite being bigger than double buggy side by side strollers.
The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double buggy with car seat stroller is an alternative that is affordable. The seat can be converted from a parent-facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet-style mode makes it a great option for infants.
To be more flexible, opt for a dual-mode convertible such as the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy which can accommodate 2 children side by side however it can also be used as a tandem, with the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It feels nimble and agile, and our testers liked its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs on our list however it does come with an ample shopping basket that is handy for parents carrying bags full of groceries and toys.
Lightweight
Some parents want to ensure the future of their double pushchair if they have a child and are expecting another so a convertible option is a good option. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair double with the addition of a toddler's seat or the brand's carrycot (which is ideal for sleeping at night). Our test subjects were impressed by the comfort of the seats and love the fact that they can recline in a variety of positions, feature built-in foot and leg supports and large UPF 50+ canopies with windows that peek out. The rear seat can be elevated to provide a an elevated platform for the older child to get on and off, to allow them to reach items in the basket of groceries.
Cher stated that the only disadvantage of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she believed this was offset because it is easy to move and has plenty of storage with two cup holders for children and parents, seat-back pockets, and a large basket underneath the seat. She also liked the feature that the seats are reversible, so they can be positioned to face each other for siblings who want to talk and interact when out and out and about.
A lighter and equally impressive option is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller, which weighs only 18 pounds, is extremely compact and features a self-standing fold, making it easy to carry and store in your trunk or at home. Parents are impressed by the quality of the materials and workmanship as well as the affordable price. The only downsides are that the seats do not recline as much as other models we've tested and the rear seat isn't as prominent due to its position as it is higher than the seat in front.
The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular option. It is slim, sleek, and easy to steer, and comes with a lifetime warranty. While they're smaller, side-by-side prams can still be larger than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver around busy footpaths and in shops. They're also shorter which makes them easier to maneuver in tight spaces.