Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children very similar in age, a tandem double buggie is a great option. They are a bit smaller than side-by-side buggies and are great for tight spaces like doors, public transport and rocky terrain.
Some are able to be converted into travel systems that can take two carrycots or car seats for children. They are typically heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
There are a variety of options to add a second seat or converting a single stroller to double. The Vista V2 from UPPAbaby is a big, beautiful stroller that easily converts from a single stroller to a double by adding the rumble seating (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable due to the fact that the second seat is placed behind the first seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model with great seating flexibility, however it does not have storage under the seat when used in doubles mode.
Other options include twin buggies that have all-terrain wheels as well as joggers that have fixed wheels that can accommodate two kids. These are more expensive, but they are made to last longer on rough terrain, and come with a higher resale price.
Independent seat recline
If you want a double stroller that can accommodate children of various age groups, you'll require one with an independent recliner for both seats. This will allow your child's older to rest in the back while the baby sleeps in the bassinet, and vice versa.
Take into consideration the width of your pushchair, as this will determine the ease of you to get through doors and public transportation. If your doors are narrow, you might think about a side-by-side pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint that is similar to a single stroller but can still fit two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are a little longer than side-by-side models and so aren't as easily maneuverable around kerbs however they can be able to accommodate a wider variety of car/car/seat combinations, making them a good option for twins or siblings of different age. They can also be more expensive than single-to-double buggies but are a worthwhile purchase if you plan to keep it for a long time and will have a decent amount of resale value should you sell it on when your children are out of it.
Another thing to look for is whether the seat backs can recline independently of each other as this will let you place your child in the ideal position for naps or watching. This is particularly important if you have a child younger than in the rear seat, who will want to lie back and sleep while the older child wants to sit and observe their surroundings.
A few brands have a unique seat design which allows the back seat to completely recline into an almost flat position, which is ideal for babies. The iCandy Orange, for example is a stadium-style seat that can be reclined in various positions. It also has UPF 50+ canopy and peekaboo windows.
Wider than twin buggies
It's not necessary to have twins in order to benefit from a bigger double buggy. They're great for siblings of different ages and allow you to move around without having to worry about your children touching. They're typically a bit longer with one seat in front of the other. The seats can be reclined completely for newborns or in an upright position for toddlers.
A popular choice is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which features the slimmest side-by-side design on the market and has an identical footprint to a single buggy. It also features an adjustable handle, which makes it easy for parents of different heights to push and an adjustable handbrake, which can be useful when you have to climb steep hills. It is suitable from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots, which means it is a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in either mono or duo mode with just a single click. Its clever frame can be expanded to accommodate an additional chair and can be used up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a great choice for older siblings that would like to sit together. It's a bit bigger than the other models, but it still feels light and has a comfortable suspension for kerbs.
There are a variety of 3-wheeler tandems with inline wheels that offer stability and swift steering. Take a look at Phil and Teds inline models or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. These can often be folded into a single buggy if you are limited in space at home or you need to transport it from the car to the bus.
Be aware that a two-wheeled buggy will be more heavy and bulkier than one compact buggy. Be sure you know what you want prior to making a purchase. You'll need to take it on and off subways, trains and buses regularly so it needs to be simple to use and manage. You may also need to juggle it onto and off the car seat when taking your children to nursery or school so you'll need to ensure it is able to be maneuvered in small spaces.
From your birth, you are a good candidate
There will be a need for a pushchair for your entire family whether you're expecting twins, or you have another child after having your first. Double buggies are typically heavier and bulkier as well as more expensive than single strollers. However they are also more maneuverable in tighter doors, or around obstacles like curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as a separate accessory purchase) which means you can carry three children at once.
Tandem pushchairs place one child ahead of the other. They're a great option for children who are of similar ages and get along well. They're not completely safe. Siblings seated side-by-side may punch or kick each other, and children of different heights could argue over who is sitting higher. A tandem high-low model is able to solve this problem by elevating the seat towards the rear, which will prevent your older child from sitting on the bottom and not getting any view.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use double buggy that converts to accommodate a newborn in a carrycot, and an older child in the main seat. It has an innovative frame that increases in size when you add a second child seat. It can also fold flat for storage that is compact. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have seen in our tests. The canopies are large in size with UPF 50+ protection, and windows that peek out. Both seats can be reclined independently.
The only downside to the iCandy tandem is that it's a bit costly. However, a quality tandem will last you for many years and have a high resale price, so at the end of the day you'll probably recoup some of the cost. double buggy www.pushchairsandprams.uk doesn't have the same range of seating configurations as the other top picks however, the iCandy is a good option for families that don't want to shell out a lot of money.
