Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller with an infant car seat is a necessity for twins or two children who are close in age. If you plan to buy one, it's important to consider your budget and the length of time you hope to use the stroller.
Kate says she liked the fact that this stroller is lightweight and easy to maneuver. She also liked the ease with which it folded, but she found the magnetic buckles difficult to fasten.
Size
When selecting double pram and pushchair and infant car seats size is an important factor to take into consideration. The stroller should be small and slim so that parents can effortlessly maneuver it on busy sidewalks or through narrow subway gates. Additionally the stroller must be easy to fold and small enough to fit in a trunk or smaller vehicle to store.
If you plan on having twins or children that are very similar in age, think about purchasing a double stroller that has two seats that can fit infant car seats. 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 Double comes with a wide variety of seating options and will accept two infant car seats or toddler seats that convert into bassinets.
We also like strollers that are compatible with a variety of infant car seats. This allows families to have a wider selection to choose from. The UPPAbaby vista, for example is compatible with the UPPAbaby mesha as well as other infant car seats that come with adapters. It is also compatible with the Baby Jogger Glider Board to accommodate a third standing passenger.
Some parents buy a double or single stroller that can be modified to accommodate another child. We recommend buying what you need right now. You may have another child arrive later than expected, or your first child might not be capable of walking. Additionally, the type of seating that you can find on a double stroller and infant car seat can affect siblings, particularly for children who are close in age.
Weight
Double strollers weigh more than single models. They come with two seats and more cargo, meaning the weight of the final pushing load is higher. This is an important factor to consider when deciding on your ideal model, especially if you plan on using it for long walks or jogs. The most effective models are designed to handle the additional load with the least amount of flexing or swaying.
You should also consider the durability of a double-stroller. The top strollers are constructed better and offer more seating configuration options and will last longer than their budget-friendly counterparts. The joovy qool double bundle is one example. It can accept car seat adapters for two infant car seats and can accommodate a second passenger through an attachable bassinet. This model is perfect for twins or children of different ages, or siblings with an in-between gap.
The Baby Trend Double Snap N'Go is a good alternative for parents with a limited budget because it can be converted to a tandem stroller (single file) and accommodates two car seats for infants. It's lightweight and compact, making it simple to maneuver even with the extra weight.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double. It's comparable to the more expensive award winners and supports multiple seating configurations for kids of various ages and stages. The side-by-side seat design can accommodate twins or children of various ages. It can also be customized with accessories like twin bassinets or dual canopies. The stroller is able to fold in a quick fold and a compact footprint that makes it easy to fit into the trunk. The stroller is not meant to be used until children are able sit up on their own without assistance, so children younger than that will need to either be carried or placed into a car seat.
Convenience
It's more convenient and less stressful take your family on a vacation if you transfer your infant car seat easily from the car to the stroller. You can click the seat into position and move the stroller without folding it with a baby and a toddler. This is a fantastic option for long-distance trips, as you don't want to have to unbuckle and then rebuckle your child every few minutes.
Many parents who have twins choose a travel system that can accommodate two infant car seats at the same time. The Graco Fast Action Flip, for example, offers this capability and comes with the added benefit of having a bench seat for older siblings. It's not compatible with all infant car seats, and can be somewhat heavy for certain families.
Some parents prefer a double-stroller with an adapter for carseats that is built-in which is compatible with the majority of infant car safety seats. The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo is an excellent choice, and it comes in at a price that is very reasonable for what you get. While it's not the ideal double stroller for infant twins (it is only compatible with one) it works well for a wide range of families and is a good option if you're looking for a one-and-done purchase.
Other double strollers come with an even more complicated process for attaching and disconnecting the car seat. The UPPAbaby Vist Double for instance, requires you to push down and then hear a loud click to ensure it's secured properly. It can be a bit more difficult to use in parking areas, especially in the case of hungry or exhausted children. As it grows with your family, we don’t think it’s the best choice for parents of twins. You'll have to buy an additional toddler chair once your children are old enough.
Durability
A double stroller and infant car seats must be durable and built to last. It should also be a good fit for your lifestyle and budget, whether you intend to use it for only a few years or many more. When making a purchase be sure to consider the fabric of the stroller as well as its components, such as its tires.
A stroller that has a large and deep basket can accommodate plenty of diapers, groceries and other supplies. A large parent console with cup holders is also beneficial, as is an umbrella sunshade that offers adequate coverage. Also, make sure the stroller can manage off-road terrain and narrow city sidewalks.
Parents of twins might prefer a side-by-side stroller for equal visibility and access to both children, whereas parents with children with different ages may prefer a tandem model that allows the rear child to be raised or lower. Tandem strollers are generally heavier than single strollers, however, and can cause sibling rivalries if the seats are at different heights.
A stroller that has an adjustable handlebar allows you to adjust the height to suit your needs. Also having a one-hand folding mechanism is convenient. Another feature to look for is a compact footprint that fits easily in your trunk and requires minimal storage space.
A modular stroller such as the CYBEX Gazelle S provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to mix and match seating options and cot attachments for twins, multiples, or a single rider of varying age groups. The sturdy construction and flexibility in seating configurations make it a worthy purchase if you intend to keep it for several years to come.
Safety
A great stroller should be safe for the children in the seats as well as the parent pushing them. Certified child safety technician Alli Cavasino suggests choosing a stroller with ergonomic handlebars, simple brakes and a seat harness that is adjustable. She also advises avoiding any accessories that add to the weight of a stroller, like ride-on boards, or extra child seats.
A double stroller needs to be strong enough to withstand a variety surfaces including suburban sidewalks, park trails to paved roads. It should be sturdy enough to move over curbs and bumps easily and also able to be adapted to navigate a steep slope or climbing and descending stairways. It should also be easy to fold up and fit into the trunk of a vehicle without any compromise in size or maneuverability.
Parents of twins or children who are close in age might want to consider a stroller that accommodates two car seats for infants. This lets them transfer asleep children from the car to the stroller without having them wake up. A majority of our top-scoring strollers can be used with two car seats for infants like 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 and an additional rumble chair that can be converted into a second seat once your children are no longer in the car seat. It comes with stadium seating that has plenty of legroom and can be set up so that your kids face each other or the entire world. It is not able to accommodate two bassinets, a baby car seat, or riding boards at the exact same time. It is a great option for families with several young children.
