Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller with an infant car seat may be essential when you have twins or children with similar age. If you are planning to purchase one, it's crucial to think about your budget and how long you're planning to use the stroller.
Kate says she was pleased with the stroller's lightweight and easy to maneuver. 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 the size is a major consideration. Parents must be able maneuver the stroller easily in busy sidewalks and through narrow subway gates, which means it should be compact and slim. The stroller should also be small and easy to fold so that it can fit into the trunk of a small vehicle.
Consider a double stroller that has two seats and is able to accommodate infant car seat when you plan to have twins or children who are similar in age. These options will be more expensive than other double strollers, but they have an extended stroller life and can be used through toddlerhood or even beyond. For instance, our top pick the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double comes with a wide variety of seating options and will accommodate two infant car seats or toddler seats that can be converted into bassinets.
We also love strollers that work with many different infant car seat brands, as this offers more strollers for families to pick from. The UPPAbaby Vista, for instance, can accept the UPPAbaby mesha as well as other infant car seats with adapters. It is also compatible with the Baby Jogger Glider Board to accommodate a third standing passenger.
Some parents opt to purchase a single-to-double stroller which can adapt to a second child, but we suggest purchasing the items you require at the moment. You may have a second child arrive later than you anticipated or your first child might not be able to walk. The type of seating in a double stroller with an infant car seat could affect the relationship between siblings, particularly if they are close in age.
Weight
Double strollers are heavier than single strollers. Double strollers come with two seats, and carry more cargo. The weight of the stroller will be heavier. This is a factor to consider when deciding on the best model, especially if you plan on using it for long walks and jogs. The best models are well-engineered to handle the extra load with a minimum of movement or shifting.
It's also worth considering the cost of a double stroller against its durability. The more expensive strollers are constructed better and have more seating configurations and will last longer than their lower-cost counterparts. The double-joovy bundle, for instance, accepts adapters for two car seats for infants and can accommodate a third rider via a bassinet that attaches. This model is perfect for twins, children of different ages or siblings that have an in-between gap.
For those on a tight budget, they might consider the Baby Trend Double Snap-N-Go an appealing option since it can accommodate two infant car seats and can be converted into a tandem (single-file) stroller. It's compact and lightweight and easy to maneuver despite the additional weight.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double is another budget-friendly alternative. It's comparable to the more expensive award winners and supports multiple seating configurations for kids of different ages and stages. Its side by side seat design can be used to accommodate twins or children of different ages. It can also be customized by adding additional features like twin bassinets with dual canopies. This stroller can be used for multiple purposes. double buggy has an easy fold and a compact footprint that makes it easier to fit in a trunk. It's not designed to be used until kids are able to sit unassisted, however it is designed for babies who require a carry or positioned in a car seat.
Convenience
It's more convenient and less stressful take your family on a vacation if you transfer your infant car seat seamlessly 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 convenience is especially useful during long trips, in which you do not need to unbuckle or change your child's buckle every few minutes.
Many parents who have twins choose an option that can accommodate two infants in a car seats at the same time. The Graco Fast Action Flip offers this capability, and comes with a bench seat that can be used by older siblings. However, it doesn't work with all types of infant car seats, and it's too heavy for some families.
Some parents choose a double-stroller equipped with an adapter for car seats that is integrated that works with all the major infant car safety seats. Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo offers a great value for the features it offers. 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 an excellent option for those looking for a single purchase.
Other double strollers require a more complicated process to attach and detach the car seat. For instance the UPPAbaby Vist double requires you to press down, then hear a loud clicking sound for confirmation that it's secured properly. It's a bit more difficult to use in a parking garage, especially if your kids are tired or hungry. As it grows with your family, we don't consider it the best option for parents of twins. You will have purchase an additional toddler chair once your children reach an age.
Durability
A double stroller with an infant car seat needs to be durable and built for long-term use. It must also be suitable for your budget and lifestyle, whether you intend to use it for a few years or many more. When purchasing a stroller, consider the fabric of the stroller as well as its components, including its tires.
A stroller with a big and deep basket is able to hold plenty of diapers, groceries and other items. A large parent console with cup holders can be useful, as is a sun canopy that provides adequate coverage. Also, make sure 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 to allow the same access and view to both children. Parents with children of different ages may choose a tandem stroller that allows the rear child's seat to be lowered or raised. Tandem strollers are bulkier than single strollers, and can cause siblings to fight, especially if they have seats that are different heights.
A stroller that has an adjustable handlebar allows you to adjust the height to your liking. Also having a one-hand folding mechanism can be useful. Another feature to look for is a compact footprint that can easily fit in your trunk, and requires little storage space.
A modular stroller, such as the CYBEX Gazelle provides unbeatable flexibility. You can mix and combine the cots and seating units to accommodate multiples, twins or a single child of varying age groups. Its robust construction and the flexibility of its seating configuration indicate that this high-end model is worth the investment should you intend to keep it for a long period of time.
Safety
A well-constructed stroller is safe for the child sitting in the seat as well as for the person pushing it. Certified child passenger safety technician Alli Cavasino recommends looking for strollers with ergonomic handlebars, brakes that are easy to use and a seat harness that can be adjusted. She also recommends avoiding accessories that increase the weight of a stroller for children like ride-on boards, as well as additional child seats.
A double stroller must be strong enough to withstand different surfaces, from suburban sidewalks and parks trails to roads that are paved. It should be robust enough to withstand curbs and bumps with ease and yet flexible enough to maneuver over a steep incline or up and down stairways. It should also be able to fold up and squeeze into the trunk of a car without any compromise in size or maneuverability.
Parents of twins or other siblings who are similar in age may want to consider a double stroller which can accommodate two car seats for infants. This allows them to 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 infant car seats, including 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 includes an additional rumble seat that transforms into a second seat once your children outgrow their car seat. It features a stadium-style seating arrangement with ample space for legs and can be configured so that your kids can face each other or the world. It's not able to accommodate two bassinets or an infant car seat or riding board simultaneously, but it's a great option for families with several young children.