A Vibrant Rant About Double Pram And Pushchair
Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A good double pram or pushchair can simplify the lives of families, especially when walking on busy roads or in stores and shops. Choose a model that has ample storage space to store 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 stroller when baby is born, and later transformed into a twin-mode when the baby is born. Joolz offers a range of choices.
Tandem
The announcement that you're expecting the birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in your life. But, once the initial excitement wears off and reality sinks into your life, you'll be faced with a variety of choices regarding how to prepare your family for the arrival of your new one or one. One of the most important things to consider is choosing the correct pram or pushchair.
Tandem prams (also called "in-line" double prams) are a classic design that have two seats or pram bassinets that are arranged side by side. The front seat, which is typically padded, reclines flat and is suitable for infants. The second seat is more upright and is designed to accommodate toddlers as young as 3 years. Some models allow you to decide if your children will look at each other or look outwards. Many tandems can be made into one pushchair once your oldest child is no longer using the second seat.
A tandem is less expensive than a twin stroller with car seats pram and can be an excellent choice for parents who want to save money without having to sacrifice safety or functional. However, a drawback of a tandem is that it could be heavy and long to steer especially when going up or down kerbs. Additionally, it is usually less stable than a twin pushchair, especially if the child with the most weight is seated in the front. A tandem can also be tricky to get onto public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate on narrow roads.
The iCandy Peach is a popular model that is a good choice for a single parent looking for a sleeker design, but the tandem mode can make it feel large and heavy when pushing. It features an innovative frame that expands widthways to allow for the addition of the second seat, and it can be used with multiple combinations of carrycots, buggy seats and car seats (two at once or separately). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight double stroller option that's user-friendly and compatible with a variety of carrycots or car seats.
Side by side
When it comes time to choose a double pram or pushchair there's a lot to think about. If you're buying a double pram for twins or other siblings that are similar in age, there are a number of configuration choices to think about. Tandem prams, referred to as side-by-side prams, are a popular choices because they can be configured so that the infant is able to sit in the bassinet at the top while the older child or toddler is seated in the second seat.
Certain models come with reversible seats that allow you to customize the seating arrangement for your family throughout the baby and toddler years. This will allow you to keep your children always in your sight and also gives them the chance to get to know each other while they walk.
Tandem prams are often all-terrain buggies or jogging ones, which means they're ideal for outdoor excursions and the park. They're also ideal for narrow aisles and checkouts in shops and supermarkets as they are more compact.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram for example can be used in tandem mode from birth with the addition of the rumble seat. (PS249) If your child gets bored of the rumble chair, you can change to a single pram mode. You can also choose to use the car capsule adaptors to transform it from a newborn into a toddler travel system.
Another alternative is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This side-by-side double pram is available in a variety of colors and features a beautiful modern style. 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, sleek pushchair that can be converted into a double side-byside. It's available in a range of infant and carrycot combinations to cater for twins or siblings of different age groups and is easy to fold. It's also fairly light and therefore a good option for those with small cars or limited space for storage.
Convertible
The best double buggy double prams and pushchairs are able to be used in multiple ways and some are capable of changing seating arrangements to meet the changing needs of your family. You can fit two toddlers in seats or even a third one on the seat board and still have enough space for a basket to store your shopping, and the ability to add accessories like rain covers is a benefit. Convertible double strollers double strollers tend to be larger and heavier than single pushchairs because they need to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of an inexpensive convertible that is very easy to use. However, our test participants thought it was somewhat heavy for the money.
Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 include a carrycot suitable for babies. This allows the double buggy that converts to single stroller to be folded down and reduced in size when not used. Our test subjects were awed by the City Select's clever one-handed fold, although it takes some practice. It's also very agile and responsive in spite of its size.
Another option that is affordable is an affordable option is the Cybex Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller. It can be transformed from a child-facing car seat to a forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet feature is a great option for infants.
For greater flexibility, opt for a dual-mode convertible like the iCandy Peach. It's a compact double buggy that can fit two children side-by-side however it can also be used as a tandem by the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It is responsive and nimble and our test participants loved its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs in our list however it does come with a large shopping basket which is handy for parents carrying bags full of groceries and toys.
Lightweight
Some parents prefer to secure their double pushchair if they have a child and are expecting another, so a convertible option is an excellent choice. The iCandy Peach allows you to change from a single pushchair to a Luxury double Stroller pushchair with the addition of either a toddler seat or the brand's optional carrycot (which is suitable for sleeping at night). Our testers were pleased with the comfort of the seats and loved the fact that both recline to multiple positions, come with built-in leg and foot support and generous UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows. The rear seat can be raised high to allow the child of a higher age can stand on it to reach the shopping basket.
Cher said that the one negative aspect of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she felt this was offset by the fact that it is easy to move and offers plenty of storage space with two cup holders for parents and children, seat-back pockets, and a large basket under the seat. She also liked the feature that the seats are convertible, which means they can be positioned to face one another for siblings who wish to talk and interact when out and about.
A lighter and equally impressive choice is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs only 18 lbs. It is compact and has a self-standing fold, making it easy to transport and put in your trunk or at home. Parents love the quality of materials and workmanship, and the price. The only negatives are that the seats don't recline as much as other models we have tested and the rear seat is not as visible due to its location as it is higher than the first seat.
Another popular choice is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim and sleek. It is also easy to steer, with an appealing design and a lifetime guarantee. It is important to remember that, despite their smaller size side by side prams are more spacious than tandem and in-line doubles. They can be difficult to navigate through busy streets or in shops. They're also shorter, making them easier to maneuver in tight spaces.