Buying a Double Buggy From Birth

When choosing the perfect double buggy, there are many aspects to consider. We spoke to Fourth Trimester postnatal retreat expert Katie Billingsley for her advice on everything from seating options to age ranges to folding mechanisms and storage space.

This buggy is a must-have for active families. It will grow with your family from toddlers to twins. It's lightweight and has great maneuverability and is able to tackle uneven terrain easily.

What kind of buggy do you want?

A double buggy is great for transporting two children, but not necessarily of the same age, side by side. They can also function as prams. Each seat has an adjustable mechanism so that your children can lie down or sit in different positions. They also come with plenty of storage space for everything from drinks and snacks to nappies and wipes. They're usually lightweight, fold easily and are compact enough to fit in your car boot. If you're someone who drives a lot, it's worth checking that the buggy's ease of use with the wheels folded as well as to get it out and back into your boot.

The most common type of double buggy is the side by side that you've probably seen on other mums pushchairs, or perhaps ridden in as a child yourself. They're great for twins who are older or who want to keep pace with you. They also come in various seating configurations such as 'cinema seats'. They're usually easy to steer and, if you go for a model with soft suspension, you can make light work of kerbs.

Tandem buggies are a popular option because they're easier to turn than a side-by-side. The second seat is positioned behind the first and not on top. They're typically bigger than a side-byside and can be bulky when folded, which is why it's essential to make sure they be able to pass through doors and public transport. They can be used to transport twins, a toddler, three children by the addition of a buggy board.

Lastly there are the'single-to-double' convertibles which can be used as a single pushchair from birth then convert to a double by attaching a second seat, carrycot or car seat to their clever frame. They are more expensive than tandem buggies and side-by-side buggies, but they offer the flexibility of a single buggie and a very high resale price. They are easy to steer and have an ample storage basket. They also have the ability to handle uneven surfaces. Some come with a built-in ride-on board for older children and 'cinema chairs'.

Do you have twins?

Double Pram buggy buggys are the best method to transport your children, no matter if they are twins or older siblings. There are two kinds of double buggies: tandem buggies, which have one child sitting above the other, and side-by-side buggies. Both will accommodate 2 fixed seats, but side-byside buggies tend to be smaller in width for getting through doors. Tandems tend to be wider in general. They can also accommodate a carrycot or toddler seats.

Do you have a baby?

Being a parent to a child can feel like an overwhelming responsibility at first, especially when you must tend to the baby. A double buggy may allow children to feel included when you place them in a baby carrier and push the older child. It can also give your child a sense of pride as they are able to be "big brother or sister" and help them adjust to their role.

Side-by-side double tandem pushchair buggies are often considered the best option for twins as they allow both children to have the same view, however they can be bulky and heavy. We love the streamlined B-AGILE DOUBLE by Leclerc which has an innovative frame that can be expanded in width to accommodate two seats fixed and provides various configuration options, including using the second seat as baby carrier or a bassinet.

We recommend the Mountain Buggy Double Trailblazer to active families who like to explore. This nifty buggy is a single pushchair that can be transformed into double by adding an additional seat or carrycot (depending on the model). Its super-smooth ride is ideal for rough terrain and includes a number of clever features that will keep everyone happy.

Do you require a traveling system?

Double buggies are great for bringing your kids around in comfort, but they're not the ideal purchase for every family. Depending on your lifestyle and the age gap between your kids you may be able to do with just a single stroller and some attachments like baby carriers and toddler harnesses which allow you to transport your child on their back or in front of you.

There are three types of double buggies: tandem side-by-side and convertible. Side-by-side buggies have two seats positioned close to each other, meaning that your children will be able to see each other. They are larger than a single stroller and may be difficult to navigate through kerbs. tandem double stroller buggies are a more compact alternative, with a seat in the front and one in the rear, however they can be still quite large and heavy to push.

Convertible double buggies allow you to transform a single stroller into a double buggy by securing an infant car seat to the frame. This allows you to keep your baby comfortably in their car seat until they're ready to move into the main buggy seat. The Uppababy V2 is an excellent example of this - it can be used with twins, a toddler and a baby or even three children with the option of a PiggyBack Board.

Once your children are older and have more endurance, a double buggy can also be used to accompany them on bicycle rides or day excursions where they prefer to walk. But, it's important to remember that they might not always prefer to ride in a buggy and could easily get tired and angry when they are on longer excursions.

So, before you decide to purchase a double buggy at the time of birth make sure you consider the above factors and the particular circumstances of your family. A durable and reliable cheap double pushchair buggy will make life simpler, especially when you are required to navigate busy streets or busy malls.