baby strollers

Families who have been blessed with twins, or who have two toddlers under the age of four, are grateful for the convenience that double strollers provide. A double stroller is sure to make life so much easier for parents. With one stroller they can easily accommodate two children up to the age or 3 or 4 without the hassle of trying to wield two different strollers and dealing with folding them and stowing them in their vehicle.

Double strollers are available in wide variety of colors and styles and are offered from a variety of different baby travel gear manufacturers. The first thing you will find is that there are two distinctly different types of double stroller models or configurations that parents can choose from, and each of these configurations come in an array of styles.

The side-by-side configuration of double strollers is just like it sounds; two seats are set up next to each other. The configuration for the tandem stroller has one seat positioned in back of the other. There are advantageous aspects to each of these stroller formats, as well as some drawbacks to each. Before deciding which is best for your family, you should carefully consider some factors.

The most common model and most widely available, is the side-by-side double stroller. For the best handling when steering this type of stroller, it is better to use this model with twins or with two children who are fairly close to the same weight. These baby strollers are easier to maneuver over curbs, small bumps and obstacles.

Obviously, the double, side-by-side strollers are wider than the tandem stroller models, but in recent years, primarily due to feedback from parents, manufacturers have worked hard at redesigning them to be as narrow as possible so that they can fit through doorways more easily. However, it should be noted that a side-by-side double stroller will always be more challenging, awkward, and difficult to steer and navigate through crowded areas and tight aisles.

Another benefit to the side-by-side configuration is that with the children seated alongside each other, they can better interact as they grow and they also enjoy the same view from their seats. As the kids get older, this is an important factor as it will reduce the fighting and bickering that might take place over who gets to sit in the front seat. The seats of most side-by-side models don’t recline fully, and if this is the case with the model you are considering, it should be used with older children and not infants.

The tandem stroller models seem to be better suited for use with a baby and an older brother or sister. With most models of these double seated strollers, the seat in the rear is able to recline fully which is perfect for the newborn, while the older sibling has a nice view from the front seat and plenty of leg room as well.

A tandem stroller will fold up into a smaller size than a side-by-side stroller, and because they are narrower they are easier to get through doorways and store aisles. However, because of the increased length, many parents complain about them being difficult to turn, especially in tight spaces. When looking at your choice in double strollers, these points should help to guide you in your decision so that you have the best model to meet the needs of your family.

Before you begin, you need to determine which stroller matches your lifestyle. For example, it doesn’t make sense to purchase the same double stroller your best friend raves about if you’re an avid jogger and her favorite hobby is shopping.

Find the best twin stroller for you by answering the eight following questions.

1. What activities do you need a double stroller for?

Do you do most of your shopping in malls? Do you like to jog or take long walks around the neighborhood in all types of weather? Are you a frequent traveler?

The activities you do most often will decide what type of twin stroller you should choose, whether it be a regular twin mall stroller, a lightweight (ex. umbrella) twin stroller, a twin jogging stroller or a twin all-terrain stroller.

2. Which seating design would best suit your needs?

Double strollers come in two seating designs: tandem (one seat in front of the other) or side-by-side. Both designs have their advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important for you to think carefully about what your lifestyle will be like with twins or two children of different ages (although this is not easy to do before actually living through it!).

3. What are the ages and temperaments of your children?

Your twin stroller needs will be slightly different if you’re the parents of twins than if you have a baby and an older child. Some double strollers are true twin strollers, meaning they have features that are meant to accommodate two children of the same age, such as the ability to clip in two infant car seats. There are also double strollers that are designed so that a toddler can sit in the front seat where he can have a better view and more leg room while baby brother or sister sleeps comfortably in the fully reclining rear seat.

Many parents find that side-by-side double strollers help keep the peace between children because they prevent arguments about who gets to sit in the front seat. On the other hand, being side-by-side can also create other problems with the two children sitting in such close proximity.

4. How often are you going to use the double stroller?

If you’re only planning on using a stroller for quick errands to the mall a couple times a week, you don’t need to purchase a heavy-duty, high-end double stroller with all the bells and whistles. However, if you walk or run on a daily basis, or if you go out with your children often and for long periods of time, you should consider getting something that is comfortable and durable, since twin strollers take twice the abuse of single strollers.

5. Who will be using the stroller?

Keep in mind the height and stride of the person or persons who will be using the twin stroller the most, as well as their physical strength. It’s no fun pushing a stroller with a handle that is too low or too high for comfort and neither is folding and picking up one that is cumbersome. It’s true that twin strollers are heavier and bulkier than single strollers due to their very nature, but there are models on the market that are easier to handle than others.

6. What features are you looking for?

Do you want a simple, no frills double stroller, or something with lots of comfort, durability and storage space? This brings us back to the types of activities you do most often. It’s very disappointing to purchase a stroller and then realize that its features don’t meet your needs as well as they could have.

7. How much space do you have for transporting and storing it?

With a few exceptions, double strollers take up a lot of room. The size of your vehicle may be a big deciding factor when choosing a double model. Make sure it fits! Also, take into account where you will store the stroller at home.

8. What can you afford?

This is probably the most important question of all. Think carefully of your present and future stroller needs with your two children. What is the minimum you are willing to live with? Can you afford to pay for a higher quality twin stroller that will make your life easier in the long run, or are you willing to take your chances with a budget stroller that may break down before you’re done using it? For twins, a double universal car seat carrier (stroller frame) is an inexpensive alternative to buying an actual stroller during the infant stage if you’re yet not sure what you’ll need later on.

Once you’ve determined what you really need, then you can begin researching the various brands and models that are on the market. Read as many double stroller reviews as possible. You will be able to quickly eliminate double strollers that don’t fit your criteria, making the whole process a lot easier and less time-consuming.

About the author: Anik Giguère-Biollo is the mother of a six year-old girl and four year-old twin boys and has owned a total of nine baby strollers of different types over the years. She’s learned a thing or two about finding the the best twin strollers in the process.

Copyright © 2005-2008 by Anik Giguère-Biollo. Permission is granted to reproduce this article in electronic newsletters or on websites provided that it is not edited in any way, all the links are left active, and that neither the copyright declaration nor this license are removed.