Looking for Opinions/suggestions for Double Strollers

I am due in a month and I have been obsessing over the issue of double strollers lately. I am being consulted by the stroller queen herself (strollerqueen.com) and this is what she recommends:

1. Mountain Buggy double with carrycot (because excessive use of infant car seats can be harmful even deadly!). Great workhorse. Can be hosed down after being at the beach.
2. Joovy Groove 2 for the car. It works with one hand. I have also heard good things about the Maclaren Twin Techno but stroller queen will tell you it's heavy and you need both hands to steer.
3. Joovy Ultralite Caboose. Accomodates an infant car seat for short trips. Toddler can sit or stand on the back. Like to Joovy 2. Easy to fold and lift.

Other ones to consider: Phil and Ted's Sport w/ doubles kit, Valco runabout Trimode twin, Rockstar Baby esprit, Jane Power Twin (small seats though) http://www.strollermama.com/baby-stroller-twin.htm

Some of the above aren't cheap but you get what you pay for, right?

I'd love to know what you decide...

A.

There is a tandem that Eddie bauer makes that is great. It is a tan color and black. It folds up like a single umbrella stroller so it takes up less room and it is lighter weight than a normal one. It is also very easy to push. You can find it at target for 149.99. SO it isn't a bad price either I hope this helps.

I would try these stroller out if at all possible. I have found some strollers are hard to move around. I do not have any experience with a double stroller how ever you are going to be using this stroller for a long time get one that is made well and moves around well for you. Another thing I have noticed some strollers have shorter handles which make it uncomfortable to push.I would really want to try out the stroller first.

We have five children (which includes a set of twins). We bought the Graco side by side,hated the side by side- Graco products worked good for our family though. So hard to go shopping, the stroller wouldn't fit. You could only fit through doors that were handicapped accessible, learned that from our friend who had the same one but also her husband is in a wheel chair. Sad to say alot of places it was a very tight squeeze, makes me upset for the handicapped. We now have a triple stroller, twins are 3 and baby is 1. It is a tandem and we put baby girl in front, she was pulling the boys hair! LOL! Thinking back I wish we had bought the double jogging stroller, it is slimmer than a side by side, but having those big wheels would have been nice. Our second son had huge wheels on his Graco stroller which made it easier to go to the park or for a walk. BabiesRus and amazon have parents reviews on most of their products. Good luck and I hope this has helped some! Congratulations on your new baby!

HELLO J.: MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH DOUBLE STROLLERS ARE

NOT INVITING. THE DOUBLE STROLLERS ARE MUCH WIDER AND IS A JOB

FOR MOVEMENT. I FOUND IT HARDER TO HANDLE IN SHOPPING AREAS. TO

ME THE FRONT AND BACK STROLLERS ARE MUCH BETTER. I DO HAVE OLD-

ER KIDS BUT, I DO HAVE 3 GRAND KIDS - AGES (11,3,4 MONTHS).

ALSO IT WILL BE MUCH HARDER FOR THE OLDER CHILD TO AGGRAVATE

THE YOUNGER CHILD. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIAL NAME BRAND STROLLER

FOR YOU TO CONSIDER BUYING. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH AND MAY

GOD BLESS YOUR PREGANCY AND YOUR FAMILY.

You might want to consider trying a sling instead of using a double stroller. You can keep your older child in the stroller, but pop the newborn in the sling. When my son was a baby, I never even used a stroller. I found it was a lot easier to get around with him tucked into the sling than it was to push around a stroller (or in your case, a double stroller). And I think that babies really appreciate being so close to Mom.

Don't get a Baby Bjorn type carrier that dangles the baby in front of you - get something that will allow you to hold the baby in a cradle position, like a pouch sling or a ring sling. I used a pouch sling with my son and every time we went anywhere, people would tell me how cozy and comfortable he looked, and how much they wished that they could be carried around like, that, too!

I think that a good sling would make your life easier in a lot of ways. You can even use it in the house when your new baby wants to be held but you need your hands free to do chores or take care of your older child. Strollers have their place, but I really don't think you'd regret getting a sling.

This site sells all kinds of slings:
http://store.attachedtobaby.com/

If you plan on breastfeeding, with practice, you'll even be able to breastfeed pretty discretely with the baby in the sling. Can't do that with a stroller!

P.S. I live in Glen Allen, too, so if you want to see some slings in person, I'd be happy to oblige!

AT 16 months, it won't be long before your oldest is ready for the sit/stand stroller. We just got one for my daughter and her 2. #2 can be in his sling when and if #1 needs to sit. When my daughter tried to tandem with just #1 in it, it was too cumbersome & that was without #2 & diaper bag, etc.

We ended up getting a Joovy (Just $150 but I also recomend getting the parent add on for water, phone, etc.) and they are thrilled with it. #1 thinks (knows) he's really special and just loves it. #2 is 6 weeks old and #1 is 22 months. Don't buy anything until you actually try it out to see if it fits your needs and how you are going to use it. Unless you are only going on walks and not into stores, I don't recommend the side by sides. Too hard to navigate & certainly too wide for store aisles (and most grocery stores when they are stocking).

Another BIG consideration is if it will fit in your trunk. Daughter drives a Taurus which has a huge trunk, and the Joovy is easy to collapse and put in the trunk. It JUST fits, so be sure and test that out before you spend money. Babies R Us has a great selection and should have no trouble with you trying different ones for the trunk application. If you have an SUV, there's also the weight issue lifting a heavy stroller if you are post-partum, especially if you have a C-section.

Daughter asked for her Joovy at a shower the church was giving so several went in together and got it for her. You might also consider Freecycle to see if someone has one.

Whatever you decide know that your children are gifts from God. May He bless you in raising them.
A gramma of 2 and soon to be 3!

I have a double stroller that I am borrowing from my sister-in-law and its a Kolcraft Lil' Limo. It works good for me. I have kids the same age (excpet I have had both of mine. My daughter is 16 mos. my son almost 1 1/2 months). I have my daughter sit in the front seat, and my Evenflo infant seat fits in the back seat part facing forward. You just have to put the seat in the laaying down position before you put it in. I don't know how old the stroller is, but i'm sure you could find one similar. Good luck!

Hey J.!

Congrats! Sounds like you are getting ready! As a mother of twins, and someone who tried EVERY stroller known to man at the time...I would advise you to go with the Graco side by side. And it is extremely affordable. The seats recline, so it is good for when the little ones fall asleep and it can be laid down until your new little one can sit up. And it fits through the doors better than most. As far at the tandum strollers go...we also bought the Graco tandum stoller where they could face front or each other. Facing each other kept them entertained! However, it was heavy. I don't know if Combi makes a tandum suited for you, but if they do, definitely look into it. It is very light and not quite as bulky. (A friend recently bought one for her new baby. It seemed great.) But I would definitely make sure, which ever I purchased, that your son could sit up / lay down while sister rode. Another good rule of thumb, invest in a banana stroller for your 16 month old. This would allow you to use your old single stroller for the new baby when out with someone who can help you. If I had any help when I took out the twins, this is usually what I did. Two seperate strollers. It just wasn't as hectic. Another suggestion: Get a baby sling for your newborn. It is a great way to bond as well as shield them when they are sleeping. Your son can ride in the stroller/grocery cart/etc while you hold the newborn!

I hope I've helped! It can be hectic with two little ones in diapers, but worth it. Congratulations again.

Please e-mail me with any questions!!! ~Lee

My children are also 14 mos apart. I had a graco double front and back stroller. My younger one was able to be in the carrier which attatched in the back facing me. You will definitely need a double stroller. I am not familiar with the new one from Spain. You can look on consumerreports.com or even goodhousekeeping.com to get great feedback. I would not reccommend the side by side. I have seen people in stores not being able to get throught aisles, doors,etc. Although I do think they look more pleasant to the eye. The graco held up great for years and I even gave it to a cousin who had kids close in age after me. She is still using it. My kids are 6 & 7. You can not use car seats for more than 5 years, but any graco infant seats fit, you just need to buy the carseat adaptor which clicks in. I used my first infant carseat fr my single stroller. It is worth spending the money on a good product, b/c it lasts and its a life saver. Don't you want your kids to be safe, comfortable and make life easier on yourself?

Well, I have a tandem stoller because my daughter was a year old when my second daughter was born. I like it, it was a little hard to navigate though, it folds up like a regular stroller. Side by side might have been easier, I don't know cause I've never used one. I wouldn't recommend buying one from Spain, just stick with whats here and there are great brands at Babies R Us that are great and won't break your wallet. Eddie Bauer is good it can be a little costly but its a good brand. If you can go to Babies R Us they are very helpful. Good luck

I will say go with the tandem. If you go shopping or anywhere with narrow walk ways you will want them front and back or you will be limited where you can go. I had mine 2 1/2 years apart so i didn't use it for long, but I was very thankful on those days when i could not stay in the house any longer. As for the Jane I have heard it is really good, so it really is a matter of how much you are willing to spend. I went the cheap route with Graco. I liked the fact that when folded it actually took up less space than the single I had used with my oldest, which was good since at the time I was driving a Cavalier with a small trunk opening. Just go try them out, take your son with you though. the tandem I had required the larger child to be in front so put him in there and try steering it with him there. That was the hardest thing to get used to, but it wasn't that difficult. It is definantly easier than driving the grocery carts with the extra seats they have now for the older kids. Hiope that helps.

My two little ones are 19 months apart. I bought the Eddie Bauer tandem double stroller. It was about $150 and I love it. It is a bit heavy, but that's quality for you. I bought this one mainly because of price and because the front seat can turn around, so that the kids can face each other. I love this feature now that my son is out of his carrier. The two keep eachother entertained while we are out and about.

My friends have found the tandem, I assume you mean back to back far easier to navigate thru stores, etc. then the side by side. I had a Peg Perego and found the Graco that my sister opted for was not only more comfortable for the baby, less expensive, and sturdier. Good luck!

I have 22 month twins and I would recommend buying a fairly cheap tandem, like graco, and then a double jogger for walks. The tandem is ideal for shopping and side by sides take up too much of the isle. And I can't live with out my side by side jogger for walks and hikes because it is so light. Tandems are fairly easy to get at most baby consigment stores, and you can snap the baby carrier in some brands like graco easy glider. I would not spend my money on one expensive kind, but get one of each for any kind of situation.

My mother keeps a double stroller for the grandkids so many of them are the same age. It is very heavy and I am always thankful I don't have to use it all of the time. I know it is important for the stroller to be sturdy, but you don't want to throw your back out getting it in and out of the car.

My kids are 20 months apart, so I needed the double stroller too. I unfortunately really only used mine for about 4 months, I found that a sit and stand would have been a far better option for me, but it sounds like you definitely need two buckle up seats. I have a Graco DuoGlider, and I really like it. The basket is HUGE, and now that they have redesigned it, you can get to it with the back seat reclined, which you couldn't do with the older models. We have a minivan, so space isn't so much an issue with us when you fold it, but I have put it into several rental cars and some friends' trunks too. It fits in the trunk of: Hundai Accent and Elantra, Nissan Altima, Dodge Magnum, Mazda Protege, Ford Escape and Focus. I know it fits in a hundred others, but those are the ones I've put mine in. (Sometimes I had to remove the front tray and canopy, but it's very simple to remove and replace) It also has 2 canopies that cover the kids' heads (the Evenflo stroller has 2 canopies also, but the front seat one is not functional, as it isn't even tall enough to cover an average 1 year old) and removable trays on both seats. I think it's a really nice stroller, and affordable too. I have lots of friends with doubles, and only one I know actually likes hers. And it's a Graco. My friend with the Eddie Bauer one hates it and it's HUGE folded up, and a friend I have who had the Costco one didn't hate hers, but said it wasn't a very good one (average size folded up, but nothing removable on it). My Graco IS starting to squeak a lot, but it's also 2 years old now, and my other, single strollers, are also squeaking, so I don't think it's a design flaw, I think that they just get old and squeaky like everything else. I think the tandem strollers are a better option because, even though they are long and not the easiest things to steer, my sister had a side by side, and it was AWFUL. It didn't fit anywhere, you couldn't take it into aisles at the store and it was really a pain to steer because of the way the handle was. Plus the tandem folds up smaller, I think.

Hope this helps!!

Hi J.,
When my second child was born (a girl),my first born was 22 months old(a boy). So, I knew I needed to do something because he was not at the age were walking all the time everywhere was his cup of tea. I researched alot of double strollers online trying to find a good one that wouldn't put us in debt and ended up going to Wal-Mart instead. Surprisingly, they had one that was fairly priced and the brand was a well known one that I knew would hold up to anything. It was a Jeep Wrangler XT Tandom Stroller and the cost was $130.00. I loved it because you could put the carseat in the back and the older child rode in front. When your daughter gets older where she is sitting up better then the carseat can be removed and she can sit in the back. If you want to check it out you can go to www.walmart.com and then go to the baby section and look at double strollers. I promise you that it will save you money and last a long time. Hope this helps.

When we went shopping for our baby's stroller we just google searched them and then compared the ones that were in our priceline, and met the criteria's we were looking for.

Stay away from the Evenflo Tandem sold at Target! The back wheels buckled in on mine and on a friend's. She got her money back, but I didn't because it had been over a year since I BOUGHT it. I had only been using it for 4 months.

Considering they will be so close in age I would get a side by side. Unless you get a big expensive tandem like the Peg Perego the front seat is fairly useless for anything more than sitting. The Graco, Evenflo, etc have only partial recline like a carseat but no sides to support the sleeping head like a carseat. They also have fairly low seatbacks so cant be used as long. Now if your son never naps in the stroller than thats another situation.

Side by Side should fit through most standard doors at the mall and are easier to push but you could possibly have issues with aisles as I haev that just with my single stroller.

The only thing I have heard of the Jane Powertwin is that the front seat is small but your son is only 16 mo old so that may not be an issue. I dont think Jane is new though just new to the US.

For side by sides I would check dimensions ones less than 32" should fit through doorways but the less the better 31" or less will give you more wiggle room. The cheaper swivel wheel joggers run around 30-32". You can get a pricier swivel wheel jogger like the Mountain Buggy or Baby Jogger City Series though at 30" or less. Then if you dont plan to use outside you could look at the lightweight doubles. I didnt like the back wheels or the push of the Peg Perego Aria Twin so we opted for the Combi Twin Savvy b/c I knew it fit through doors (my sister has one) easily. There is also the Chicco Twin, the Inglesina Twin an dthe Maclaren Twin

Hi J.,

One thing to consider is, if you're going to use your infant car seat from your son, will it fit onto the double stroller you are looking at. For that reason, I got the Jeep tandem. I got it at Burlington Coat Factory for about $140 but that was a few years ago. I have 2 boys and the older one loves that steering wheel on the front. There was pretty good leg room in both seats (as the boys got older, they had to take turns in each seat), both seats recline (the front one just enough to allow some head support for a nap, but not enough the smash the legs of the one in back), and it worked with all infant carriers. With the side by side, you risk having trouble getting through aisles if it's too wide or not lasting very long if it's too narrow. With the tandems, they're a little tough to steer at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

Good luck and congratulations!!

I tried the sling for a while but it really made my back hurt and I was unable to pick up my older child with the baby in the sling.

I used the Graco Duo Glider tandem type. A side by side does not fit well in store aisles.

Good Luck to you!!!

I had to have a double stroller and I prefered the tandem, you are able to get around alot easier especially when you go to the mall and have to move through the tight spaces in the departement stores. I have seen the other one and it makes it hard to make thoses tight spaces.