Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller with infant car seat is essential for twins or two children with similar ages. If you're thinking of purchasing a stroller, consider your budget as well as how long you intend to use it.
Kate says she was pleased with the fact that the stroller is lightweight and easy to maneuver. She also appreciated the fact that it folds easily, although she found the magnetic buckles difficult to fasten.
Size
Size is a major aspect to take into consideration when selecting a double stroller that comes with a car seat for your baby. The stroller should be compact and slim enough that parents are able to effortlessly maneuver it on busy sidewalks or through the narrow subway gates. Additionally, the stroller should be easy to fold and small enough to fit into the trunk of a car or a smaller vehicle for storage.
If you're planning on having twins or children very similar in age, consider getting a double stroller that has two seats that can fit infant car seats. These double strollers are more expensive, but have a longer lifespan and can be used until toddlerhood or beyond. For instance our top pick is the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double comes with a wide variety of seating configurations and can accommodate two infant car seats or toddler seats that can be converted into bassinets.
We also like strollers that can be used with a range of infant car seat brands. This allows families to have a wider selection to choose from. For instance the UPPAbaby Vista can accept the UPPAbaby Mesa and several other infant car seats that have adapters, and also can be used with the Baby Jogger Glider Board for a third, standing passenger.
Many parents buy a single to double stroller that can be adjusted to accommodate another child. We recommend that you purchase what you need now. A second kid may arrive later than you expect or your first child might not be a fan of walking. Additionally, the type of seating on a double stroller with infant car seat can have a major impact on sibling relations, especially for kids that are very close in age.
Weight
Double strollers are generally heavier than single strollers. Double strollers have two seats, and they carry more cargo. The weight of the stroller will be heavier. It is important to consider the weight when choosing the best double buggy model, particularly if you'll be using it for long walks or jogs. The best compact double stroller models will handle the extra weight with a minimum of movement and swinging.
You should also consider the durability of double-strollers. The higher-end strollers are built better and have more seating options and will last longer than their budget-friendly counterparts. The joovy qool double bundle is a good example. It accepts car seat adapters to fit two infant carseats. It also can accommodate a second child through an attachable bassinet. This is a great option for twins or children of different ages or siblings with a gap between them.
Budget-conscious parents may find the Baby Trend Double Snap N-Go an appealing option, since it can accommodate two car seats for infants and can be converted into a tandem (single-file) stroller. It's light and compact which makes it easy to move around despite the additional weight.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double is another budget-friendly alternative. It's comparable to more expensive award winners and offers a variety of seating configurations for kids of various ages and stages. The side-by-side design of the seat allows twins or children with varying ages. Additionally, it can be customised with accessories such as dual canopies twin bassinets, twin bassinets or altered seats that double as toddler seats. This versatile stroller also has an easy fold and a small footprint that makes it easy to fit into the trunk. The stroller is not meant to be used until children are able to sit without assistance, so children younger than that will need to be carried or seated in a car seat.
Convenience
It is more convenient and less stressful take your family on a vacation by transferring your infant's car seat effortlessly from the vehicle to the stroller. You can easily click the seat into position and move the stroller without folding it while holding a baby and a toddler. This feature is particularly helpful for long journeys when you may not want to unbuckle and change your child's buckle every few minutes.
Parents with twins often choose an option that can accommodate two infant car seats simultaneously. The Graco Fast Action Flip offers this feature, and has an adjustable bench seat that can be used by older siblings. It's not compatible with all infant car seats, and can be quite heavy for some families.
Some parents prefer a double stroller that has a built-in car seat adapter that works with all terrain double buggy major infant car seats. The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo is an excellent choice, and it comes in at a reasonable price for what you get. Although it's not the most ideal double stroller for twins in the infant stage (it only works with one) it works well for a variety of families and is an excellent option if you're looking for a one-and-done purchase.
Some double strollers feature a more complex method of attaching and disconnecting the car seat. The UPPAbaby Vist Double, for example, requires you to press down, and then hear a loud click to know it's properly secured. It's a bit more difficult to use in a parking lot particularly if your kids are hungry or tired. While it will grow with your family, we don’t think it’s the best choice for parents with twins. You will have purchase an additional toddler chair once your children are old enough.
Durability
A double stroller that includes an infant car seat needs to be durable and built for durability. It should also suit your budget and lifestyle, whether you plan to use the stroller for a few or several years. Take into consideration the quality of the fabric and its components, including the tires, when you make your purchase.
Look for a stroller with large and deep storage basket that will accommodate plenty of diapers, groceries and other necessities. A large console for parents and cup holders are beneficial, as is an umbrella sunshade that offers plenty of coverage. Make sure the stroller can handle off-road terrain and narrow city sidewalks.
Parents of twins might prefer a side by side stroller to allow equal access and visibility to both children. Other parents with children of different ages could choose a tandem stroller which allows the rear child's seat to be raised or lower. Tandem strollers tend to be bulkier than single strollers, however, they can cause sibling squabbles in the event that the seats are different heights.
A stroller that has an adjustable handlebar can allow you to adjust the height to your liking. Also having a one-hand folding mechanism is convenient. A compact footprint is a further feature to take into consideration. It should be able to fit in your trunk, and will require only a little storage space.
A modular stroller, like the CYBEX Gazelle provides unbeatable flexibility. You can mix and match the cots and seating units to accommodate multiples, twins or one child of different age. Its sturdy construction and seating configuration versatility suggest that this model is well worth the cost when you plan to keep it for a long time.
Safety
A well-constructed stroller is safe for the child sitting in the seat, as well as for the parent pushing it. Alli Cavasino is a certified child passenger safety technician, suggests that you select a stroller with ergonomic handlebars with easy-to-use breaks and an adjustable harness. She also recommends avoiding accessories that increase the weight of a stroller, like ride-on boards, or extra child seats.
A double stroller must be strong enough to traverse a variety of surfaces smoothly from suburban sidewalks to parks trails. It should be robust enough to traverse curbs and bumps with ease and yet flexible enough to maneuver over a steep incline or climbing and descending stairways. It should also be simple to fold up and squeeze into the trunk of a car without restricting its size or maneuverability.
Parents of twins or children who are close in age might need to think about a stroller that can fit two infant car seats. This will allow them to have the flexibility to move sleeping children from the car to the stroller without disturbing them up. Many of our top-scoring strollers work with two infant car seats such as the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double.
The double bundle from Joovy is another option. It comes with two infant car seats as well as an add-on rumble chair that can be transformed into a second seat when your kids outgrow the car seat. It offers stadium-style seating with plenty of room for legs and can be set up so that your kids can meet each other and the world. It is not able to accommodate two bassinets, an infant car seat, or riding boards simultaneously. It is a great option for families with several young children.