9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Double Pram And Pushchair

Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A double pram can simplify the lives of families, especially in busy shops or on busy streets. Choose a model that has plenty of storage space to store nappies as well as snacks and other essentials.

Some parents who are first-time parents choose a future proof pushchair that can be used as a single stroller when baby is born, and later transformed into a twin-mode after the baby is born. Joolz offers a variety of these options.

Tandem

The announcement that you're expecting a baby is one of the most exciting events in life. But, once the initial excitement wears off and the reality sets into your life, you'll be faced with a multitude of decisions about how to prepare your family for the arrival of your new one or ones. One of the most important considerations is choosing the right pram or pushchair.

Tandem prams (also known as 'in-line' double prams) are a classic style with two bassinets or seats for prams arranged side by side. The front seat, which is usually cushioned, reclines flat and is suitable for newborns. The second seat is more upright and designed to fit toddlers as young as three years. Certain models let you decide if your children will look at each other or face each other. A lot of tandems offer the option of converting into a single pushchair if you decide your oldest child no longer needs the second seat.

In terms of price the tandem is cheaper than a twin pushchair and is a great option for parents who want to save money, but not compromise on safety or convenience. A tandem can be a bit heavy and difficult to steer, especially when negotiating the kerbs. It's also less stable than twin prams especially when a bigger child is riding in the front.  lightweight twin buggy  isn't always easy to fit on public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular image-conscious model that's a great option for a single parent who wants something streamlined however the tandem mode can make it feel quite long and heavy when pushing. It has a clever frame that can be expanded to accommodate the second seat, and it can be used with multiple combinations of carrycots, buggy chairs and car seats (two at a time or separately). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight tandem option that's simple to use and compatible with a range of carrycots and car seats.

Side by side

There are many aspects to consider when choosing a double pram or pushchair. There are many configuration options to choose from, regardless of whether you're buying for twins or close-in-age siblings. Tandem prams (also called side by sides prams) are a popular choice since they can be set up to fit infants in a bassinet on top, while the older toddler or infant is in the second seat below.

Some models even have convertible seats, which means you can alter the seating arrangement to meet the needs of your family throughout the baby and toddler years. This allows you to see your children at all times, and gives them the chance to be a part of the journey as they walk.

Tandem prams are jogging buggies as well as all-terrain buggies. They are ideal for outdoor excursions, such as to the park. They're also ideal for narrow aisles and checkouts in shops and supermarkets because they are smaller.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram, for instance, can be used in tandem mode right from birth, with the addition of the Rumble seat. (PS249) Then, you can switch to the single mode when your little one is old enough to leave the rumble seat or choose the car capsule adaptors (PS53) to turn it into a traveler from newborn to toddler.

Another option is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. The double side-by-side pram is available in a variety of colours and is designed with a contemporary style. Designed to be used right from the moment of birth, you can choose to add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure that your baby is secure and comfortable.

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 seat and carrycot combinations to cater for twins or siblings of various age groups. It's also easy to fold. It's also quite light and therefore a great choice for those who have small cars or only a little storage space.

Convertible

Some of the top double prams or pushchairs can be made into various seats to accommodate your changing needs. You can fit two toddlers in seats or even a third one on the seat board, and still have enough space for a shopping basket and the option to add accessories such as rain covers is another advantage. Convertible double strollers tend to be heavier and larger than single pushchairs, as they have to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of an affordable convertible that is extremely easy to use, although our testers thought it was a little heavy for its price.

Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 have a carrycot that is suitable for newborns. This reduces the size of the double stroller when it is not being used and makes it more compact. Our test participants were awestruck by the City Select's unique one-handed fold, although it takes a bit of practice. It's also very nimble and agile, despite being larger than other double strollers.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is another affordable option. It can be converted from a parent-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing toddler seat and the bassinet option is a great option for infants (although keep in mind that infants under 4 months old should never sleep in strollers because of the risk of positional asphyxia).

For more flexibility, look for a convertible that has dual modes like the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy that can hold two children in a row and can be used as a tandem with the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It feels fluid and responsive, and our test users liked its sleek design. It's not as light as the other models we've reviewed, however it does come with a huge basket that is useful for parents who are carrying bags full of toys and groceries.

Lightweight

Convertible double strollers are a great option for parents who already have a child and expect another. The iCandy Peach allows you to convert from a single to a double pushchair by the addition of a toddler seat or the brand's optional carrycot (which is suitable for sleep overs). Our testers were pleased with how comfortable the seats are and loved the fact that both recline to multiple positions, have built-in leg and foot support and have UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows. The rear seat can also be elevated to provide a an elevated platform for the older child to climb off and on, so they can access items in the shopping basket.

The only drawback of the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy. However, Cher felt it was overcome by its ease to move around and how big the storage space is, with two hanging child and parent cup holders as well as seat-back pockets, and a large underseat basket. Cher also liked that the seats can be turned so that they face each other, which is great for siblings who like to interact and talk when they are out and about.

A lighter, but equally impressive choice is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs just 18 lbs. It is compact and features a self-standing fold that makes it easy to carry and store in your trunk or at home. Parents love the quality of materials and workmanship, as well as the price. The only negatives are that the seats don't recline as much compared to other models we have tested and the rear seat is not as prominent due to its location as it is higher than the front seat.

Another popular choice is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim sleek, stylish and easy to steer, with an attractive design and lifetime guarantee. While they're smaller, side-by-side prams can still be larger than tandems and inline doubles. This can make them difficult to maneuver on busy footpaths and in shops. They're also shorter and therefore easier to maneuver in tight spaces.