Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller that comes with an infant car seat could be a necessity when you have twins or children with similar age. If you're thinking of purchasing a stroller, consider your budget as well as the length of time you plan to utilize it.
Kate loved that the stroller was light and easy to maneuver. She also liked the fact that it folds easily, although she did find the buckles magnetic difficult to secure.
Size
Size is an important aspect to take into consideration when selecting a double stroller that comes with car seats for your infant. The stroller should be compact and slim so that parents are able to easily maneuver it on crowded sidewalks or through narrow subway gates. Additionally, the stroller should be easy to fold and small enough to fit in a trunk or smaller vehicle to store.
If you are planning to have twins or children very close in age, you should consider purchasing a double stroller with two seats that can fit infant car seats. These double strollers are more expensive, but they have a longer life and can be used until the age of toddlers or beyond. For instance, our top pick the UPPAbaby Vista V2 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 love strollers that can be used with different infant car seats, as this offers a wider selection of models for families to choose from. For example, the UPPAbaby Vista is compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa, as well as a variety of other infant car seats using adapters, and it can be used with the Baby Jogger Glider Board for an additional, standing passenger.
Some parents choose to buy a stroller that is single-to-double and can be adjusted to accommodate the needs of a second child, but we recommend purchasing the items you require at the moment. A second child could arrive later than you expected or your first child may not take to walking. Furthermore, the style of seating in a double stroller and baby car seats can have a major impact on siblings' relationships, especially for children who are close in age.
single and double stroller tend to be heavier than single models. Double strollers come with two seats and carry more cargo. The weight of the stroller is therefore heavier. It's crucial to take into account this weight when you're deciding on your preferred model, especially if you'll be using it for long jogs or walks. The best models will be able to handle the extra weight with minimal flexing and swinging.
It's also worth considering the price of a double stroller in relation to its durability. The top strollers are constructed better and come with more seating configurations which means they 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 via an attachable bassinet. This arrangement is suitable for twins, kids of different ages, or siblings with an age gap.
The Baby Trend Double Snap N'Go is an excellent alternative for parents with a limited budget because it can be transformed into a tandem stroller (single file) and can accommodate two infant car seat. It's light and compact and easy to maneuver despite the added weight.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double is another budget-friendly alternative. It's comparable to more expensive award winners and can accommodate multiple seating options for kids of different ages and stages. Its side-by-side seat design allows for twins or children with different ages, and it can be customized by adding accessories like dual canopy twin bassinets, twin bassinets or altered seats that double as toddler seats. This stroller can be used for multiple purposes. It also has a quick fold and a small footprint that makes it easy to fit into a trunk. It's not intended for use until kids are able to sit unassisted, however, so younger babies will need to be carried or placed in a car seat.
Convenience
It's simpler and less stressful to take your family on a trip when you can transfer your infant's car seat easily from the vehicle to the stroller. You can simply click the seat in place and move the stroller without having to fold 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 buckle your child every couple of minutes.
Many parents who have twins choose a travel system that can accommodate two infant car seat simultaneously. The Graco Fast Action Flip, for example, offers this capability and comes with the added benefit of having a bench seat for older siblings. However, it's not compatible with all types of infant car seats, and it's a little heavy for certain families.
Some parents prefer a double-stroller with an integrated car seat adapter which is compatible with all major infant car safety seats. The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo is an excellent choice and comes at a price that is very reasonable for what you get. It's not the most ideal double-stroller since it works with one. However it's a great option for many families.
Other double strollers require a more complicated process to attach and detach the car seat. For example the UPPAbaby Vist v2 double requires you to push down, and then hear a loud click in order to be sure that it is properly secured. It's a bit more difficult to use in a parking garage, especially if your kids are hungry or tired. It can be a bit more difficult to use with your family, we don't think it's the best choice for parents of twins because you'll need to buy an additional toddler seat once your children are old enough for it.
Durability
A double stroller that includes an infant car seat needs to be durable and built for long-term use. It should also be a good fit for your budget and lifestyle whether you intend to use it for only few years or more. When purchasing a stroller take into consideration the fabric of the stroller and its components, like its tires.
A stroller with a large and deep basket is able to hold plenty of diapers, groceries, and other supplies. A large console for the parents with cup holders can be useful, as well as a sun canopy which provides adequate coverage. Make sure the stroller can handle off-road terrain, as well as narrow city sidewalks.
Parents of twins may prefer an equilateral stroller to give equal visibility and access to both children. However, others with kids with different ages may prefer a tandem model that allows the rear child to be lowered or raised. Tandem strollers are bulkier than single strollers and could cause siblings to fight if they have seats that are different heights.
A stroller with a handlebar that is adjustable can assist you in adjusting it to the ideal height for you, and the one-hand fold mechanism is an excellent feature. A small footprint is another aspect to consider. It should fit easily in your trunk, and will require a small amount of storage space.
A modular stroller like the CYBEX Gazelle S provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to mix and match seating units and cot attachments for multiples, twins, or a single rider of varying age. The durable design and versatility in seating configurations make it a worthy investment if you plan to keep it for several years to come.
Safety
A great stroller should be safe for both children in the seats as well as the parent pushing them. Certified child passenger safety technician Alli Cavasino suggests looking for strollers that have ergonomic handlebars, simple brakes and a seat harness that is adjustable. She also suggests avoiding accessories that add weight of a child's stroller such as ride-on boards or additional child seats.
A double stroller needs to be strong enough to withstand different surfaces including suburban sidewalks, paths to paved roads. It should be sturdy enough to withstand curbs and bumps easily, but also flexible to maneuver over a steep incline or climbing and descending stairways. It should also be simple to fold up and fit into the trunk of a car, without restricting its size or maneuverability.
Parents with twins or siblings close in age may be looking at a stroller that can fit two car seats for infants. This allows them to transfer sleeping children from the car to the stroller without having them wake up. Many of our top-scoring strollers work with two infant car seats like the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double.
The joovy double bundle is another option. It includes two infant car seats and an add-on rumble chair that can be converted into a second seat when your children outgrow the car seat. It comes with stadium seating that has plenty of leg room and can be set up so that your children can are facing each other or the world. It is not able to accommodate two bassinets, an infant car seat, or a riding board simultaneously. However, it is a great option for families with several young children.