Why Double Strollers May Be More Dangerous Than You Believed

Buying Guide For Double Strollers A double stroller is a good investment when you have two kids with similar age. These compact tandem buggies or versatile side-by-side buggies allow you to keep both children within sight while navigating the grocery aisle or in parks, or whatever else life can throw at you. Comfort When shopping for a double stroller, comfort is a key aspect to take into consideration. small double buggy could include the seating arrangement as well as the overall size, which can have an impact on the ease of use and storage. “Parents must determine what the stroller weighs as well as its dimensions when folded,” says child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley of Fourth Trimester Postnatal Retreat. “They should also think about the recline options for seats, as well as the age ranges of their children to ensure it is a perfect fit.” A good double stroller should be able to handle different surfaces easily from suburban sidewalks to park paths and from toddler booster seats to infant car seats. It should come with a variety of seating options for children at different ages, as well as comfort features such as a peek-a-boo window and adjustable canopy which protect children from the sun or rain. For a lot of families, a double stroller is likely to be used from birth and into the teen years, so it's essential to think about the seating options. Billingsley states that there are two main categories that are in-line, with one seat in-front of the other, and side-by-side with seats adjacent to one another. “Some parents prefer an in-line stroller due to its sleek appearance and versatility, while others prefer a wagon-style double stroller to make the most space for heavy items or grocery bags.” In-line models are more likely to have this kind of discordance. Some products may offer different recline options, with one seat being nearly flat, and the other being more upright. Billingsley suggests selecting a product that offers both an almost flat recline as well as leg rest adjustments for both seats, so that the children can both lie back comfortably. She also suggests that parents search for strollers with storage compartments so that they can quickly access snacks, personal items and toys moving about. She suggests that it's beneficial to choose the stroller that has a parent console or organizer bag attached to the handlebars. This will allow you to keep your essentials in reach. Some of the most highly-rated double strollers are expandable that allows parents to modify the configuration to meet the needs of their expanding family. For example the Mockingbird Expandable is a highly rated double stroller that can be used with a single seat from birth, and then transformed into tandem (with an additional seat and bassinet) as the child grows older. Safety Double strollers must be able to support the weight of both the passengers as well as any additional cargo. Strollers need to be able to move and push, especially when on rough terrain and in tight spaces. The best strollers come with ergonomic handlebars and adjustable heights which make it easier for parents to maintain their form when pushing them. A harness that does not need to be rethread that makes the adjustment of seat belts faster and easier to do, is a nice feature to look out for. Safety features include a durable brake system and wheels which slide over any surface. Some parents opt for side-by-side designs that allow both children to view one another during family outings. This arrangement can help prevent siblings fighting over who gets to sit where but it's not a guarantee. If the seats are at different heights, a child may punch or kick another while walking in the event that the seats are at different levels. A tandem-style stroller is a ideal option for parents with twins or siblings who are similar in age. It lets parents see both children at once. Double strollers can be larger, and might not fit through certain doors inside. For maximum flexibility, think about a single-to-double stroller that transitions from a single stroller to a tandem in different ways, like the well-known CYBEX Gazelle S. These models are able to accommodate a broad range of configurations and allow you to click in infant car seats or cot attachments depending on your needs. Whether you choose a side-by-side or tandem stroller, make sure the product is JPMA-certified to meet the strictest safety standards. Be aware of the weight limits that apply to each seat, since over-weighting could lead to frame fatigue or other issues. While it's easy to focus on all the extra bells and whistles of the latest stroller, it is crucial to keep in mind that a stroller is an infant carrier that is used for extended durations of time. It should be comfortable for both the passengers, easy to clean and maintain, and in the ideal case it should have an intuitive, familiar design so that the person pushing it can effortlessly maneuver it without having to think about how to move forward, turn left or right, or even apply the brakes. Simple to Use For families who are constantly on the move, a double stroller should be able to maneuver easily over a variety of terrains. Features like adjustable canopies windows, peek-aboo windows, and dependable brake systems are essential to ensure the safety of your children however, there are other elements that influence stroller comfort of use. A stroller must be compact enough to fit in the trunk of your vehicle, but still have plenty of storage space for groceries or other items. Additionally, you should consider thoughtful features like a cup holder with a single parent as well as a console for parents and an eating tray for children — all things that make life on the go with two children significantly easier. In our testing We evaluated each stroller on how well it did on a variety of surfaces and how well it maneuvered in tight spaces. We also examined the ease with which it was possible to fold and unfold, and whether or not a specific feature improved the overall functionality of the stroller. For example a stroller with a harness that does not rethread makes the adjustment of the seat belts easy and quick. This is a major benefit for parents on the go, as it saves time and reduces the need to rethread the harness. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double scored high in this metric, as it came with a variety of seating options and accessories to help accommodate growing families. The double-stroller that looks like a wagon expands so that it can accommodate a second seat, bassinet or even a toddler's riding board. This is perfect for families that plan to spend long days in the car with a variety of children of various ages. It easily glides over pavements, cobblestones, and ballfields. It can also be folded flat to be stored in a trunk or a closet. Our tester Kerry was impressed by the simple, intuitive nature of this stroller's design. The sleek packaging with clearly marked sections as well as a user guide made it easy to assemble this stroller. Storage Double strollers can carry twice more than one stroller So, make sure to look for plenty of storage space. Ideally, you want an item that can hold the essentials for both kids—nappies, bottles, snacks and toys, in addition to parents' belongings like phones, wallets keys and wallets. Look for baskets and pockets under the seats. Also, consider a stroller with an expandable cargo area to accommodate bulky items like lunch bags and diaper bags. A quality double stroller will be able to grow with your family. Billingsley states that certain models have an attachment for a bassinet to accommodate infants. Others have child seats which can grow with the child until they are ready to ride on the back. Some double strollers allow older children to share in the fun by riding on a rider board. You'll find a wide variety of double strollers available on the market, ranging from sleek, high-performance models that are able to handle rough terrain to budget-friendly models that are more suitable for use in the everyday. As you shop, read user reviews and recommendations from families like yours to get a better sense of what to expect with the double stroller you select. Double strollers are available in three different design formats such as tandem, side-byside, and wagon-style. Side-by-side double strollers offer the most versatility and are suitable for twins or children who are similar to each other in age, Billingsley explains. Tandem double strollers, on the contrary, have two seats that are arranged adjacent to one another and facing in opposite directions—a ideal choice for children of the same age or for siblings who like to interact with each other. Tandem strollers are more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces and are less likely to pass through doorways than their side-by-side counterparts. Take a look at this top choice by Safety 1st if you prefer a wagon-style double stroller. The testers loved that this budget model offers multiple seating configurations as well as the ability to click in two infant car seats or a single child in a convertible toddler seat. Our reviewers also praised the soft memory foam seats with a 50+ SPF canopy, and foam-filled tires that will never stop running flat. And when it's time for you to fold, this model requires only a few tugs on the straps on each seat (under where the kids sit) to fold it in half.