Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller that includes an infant car seat is a necessity for twins or two children of close age. If you're thinking of purchasing a stroller, you should take into consideration your budget as well as how long you intend to use it for.
Kate loved that the stroller was lightweight and easy to move. She also liked how easily it folded, but she found the buckles with magnetic buckles difficult to secure.
Size
When selecting a double stroller with infant car seat size is an important aspect to consider. Parents must be able maneuver the stroller easily in crowded sidewalks and through narrow subway gates, which means it should be small and compact. In addition the stroller should be easy to fold and small enough to fit into a trunk or smaller vehicle for storage.
If you plan on having twins or children that are very close in age, think about purchasing a double stroller with two seats that can be able to accommodate infant car seats. These double strollers cost more, but they have a longer life and can be used up to the age of toddler or even beyond. Our top pick is the UPPAbaby V2 Double, comes with a variety of seating configurations. It can accept two infant seats or toddler seats that can be converted into bassinets.
We also love strollers that are compatible with different brands of infant car seats which means that there is more models for families to choose from. For instance the UPPAbaby Vista can accept the UPPAbaby Mesa and several other infant car seats with adapters, and also works with the Baby Jogger Glider Board for the third, standing person.
Some parents opt to purchase a single-to-double stroller that can adapt to an additional child, but we suggest buying what you need at the moment. You might have an additional child arrive later than you expected or your child may not be able to walk. The seating arrangement in a double stroller, which includes an infant car seat could also affect the relationship between siblings particularly if they're close in age.
Weight
Double strollers tend to be heavier than single models. double pushchair come with two seats and carry more cargo. The weight of the stroller will be heavier. It's important to factor in the weight when choosing your preferred model, especially in the event that you'll use it for long walks or jogs. The best models will handle the extra weight without movement and swaying.
It is also important to consider the longevity of double-strollers. The more expensive strollers are constructed better and offer more seating configuration options which means they last longer than their budget-friendly counterparts. The joovy double bundle is one example. It has adapters to fit two infant car seats and can accommodate a third child via a bassinet which connects. This configuration can work for twins, kids with different ages, or siblings with a gap in age.
For those on a tight budget, they might find the Baby Trend Double Snap-N-Go an appealing option since it can accommodate two car seats for infants and can convert into a tandem (single-file) stroller. It's lightweight and compact, making it simple to move around even with the extra weight.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double is another budget-friendly alternative. It's comparable to the more expensive award winners and offers a variety of seating options for children of different ages and stages. The side-by-side seat design is able to accommodate twins or children of various age groups. It can also be customized with additional features like dual canopies or twin bassinets. This stroller can be used for multiple purposes. It also has an easy fold and a compact footprint, making it easier to fit in the trunk. The stroller isn't designed to be used until children can sit up on their own without assistance, so infants older than that will need to be carried or seated in a car seat.
Convenience
Transferring your infant's car seat from the car into the stroller can make family outings easier and less stressful. Rather than attempting to fold the stroller while keeping one hand on the baby and the other on a toddler, you can just click the seat into place and begin moving. This is a great convenience for long trips, when you don't want to have to unbuckle and return your child to the seat every couple of minutes.
Parents with twins often choose a travel system that will accommodate two infant car seats simultaneously. The Graco Fast Action Flip, for instance, has this feature and comes with the added benefit of a bench seat for older siblings. It's not compatible with all infant car seats and may be a bit heavy for some families.
Some parents prefer a double-stroller that has an adapter for carseats that is built-in, which works with the majority of infant car safety seats. Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo offers an excellent value for the features it provides. It's not the best double-stroller for twins because it can only work with one. However it's a great option for a lot of families.
Other double strollers have a more complex process to attach and detach the car seat. For example the UPPAbaby Vist double requires you to push down, then hear a loud click for confirmation that it's secured properly. It's a bit more difficult to use in a parking garage particularly if your kids are hungry or tired. As it grows with your family, we don’t consider it the best option for parents with twins. You'll have to buy an additional toddler chair when your children are old enough.
Durability
A double stroller and infant car seats must be built to last. It should also fit your budget and lifestyle whether you plan to use the stroller for a few or many years. Take into consideration the quality of the stroller's fabric and its components, including its tires, when you make your purchase.
Find a stroller that has a large and deep storage basket that can accommodate plenty of groceries, diapers, and other supplies. A large console for parents with cup holders is also beneficial, as is an umbrella sunshade that offers adequate coverage. Also, ensure that the stroller is able to manage off-road terrain and the narrow sidewalks of cities.
Parents of twins might prefer a side-by-side stroller for equal visibility and access to both children. However, parents with children with different ages may prefer the tandem model, which allows the rear child to be raised or lower. Tandem strollers are generally heavier than single strollers, however, and could cause sibling fights if the seats are at different heights.
A stroller with an adjustable handlebar can help you adjust it to the ideal height for you, and a one-hand fold mechanism can be a convenient feature. A small footprint is another aspect to take into consideration. It should easily fit into your trunk and require minimal storage space.
A modular stroller such as the CYBEX Gazelle S offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to mix and match seating options and cot attachments for multiples, twins or single riders of various age groups. The durable design and flexibility in seating arrangements make it a worthy investment if you are planning to keep it for many years.
Safety
A good stroller is safe for the child in the seat as well as for the parent pushing it. Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician, suggests you choose a stroller with ergonomic handlebars, with simple-to-use breaks and a movable harness. She also recommends avoiding accessories that add weight of a stroller for children such as ride-on boards or additional child seats.
A double stroller should be strong enough to traverse a variety of surfaces smoothly from suburban sidewalks to parks trails. It should be strong enough to handle curbs and bumps with ease, but flexible enough to climb steep stairs or negotiate steep slopes. Finally it should be easy to fold and fit into a trunk of a car without losing its dimensions or maneuverability.
Parents with twins or siblings close in age will want to consider a stroller that can accommodate two car seats for infants. This will allow them the freedom to move sleeping kids from the car into a stroller without waking them up. Many of our top-scoring strollers work with two car seats for infants like the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double and the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double.
Another alternative is the joovy Qool double bundle, which works with two infant car seats (car seat adapters sold separately) and comes with an add-on Rumble seat that can be converted into a second seat once your children are old enough for their car seat. It has stadium-style seating with ample space for legs and can be set up so that your kids can face each other or the world. It can't accommodate two bassinets, an infant car seat, and a riding board at the exact same time. However, it is a great choice for families with several young children.