Buying a Double Buggy From Birth

There are plenty of things to consider when selecting the perfect double buggy from birth. We spoke with Fourth Trimester postnatal retreat expert Katie Billingsley for her advice on everything from seating options and age ranges to folding mechanisms and storage space.

This buggy is an essential item for active families. It will grow with your family, from twins to toddlers. It's lightweight with great manoeuvrability and is able to tackle uneven terrain with ease.

What type of buggy do you want?

Double buggys are great for transporting up to two children at once even if they're not the same age. They can be used as prams and come with recline mechanisms within each seat, allowing your children can sit or lie down in various positions. Many of them also have plenty of storage space for everything from drinks and snacks to wipes and nappies. They're typically lightweight, easy to fold and are small double buggy enough to fit into the car boot. If you travel a significant amount, it's essential to ensure that the buggy can be easily moved by folding the wheels into your boot and taken out.

You might have seen this kind of double buggy on other mums strollers, or even in one as a child. They're great for twins who are older or who want to keep up with you. They are also available in various seating options such as 'cinema seats'. They're usually easy to steer and, if you decide to go for a model with a soft suspension, they can be a breeze to get rid of the kerbs.

Tandem buggies, which are simpler to turn than side-by sides, are also very popular. The second seat is placed behind the first rather than on the top. The seats are generally larger and heavier than a side-by-side and you must ensure whether they can fit through doors or on 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 a lot of flexibility and have a high resale price. They are easy to steer and feature an ample storage basket. They are also able to handle uneven surfaces. Some models come with a built-in ride-on board for older children and 'cinema chairs'.

Do you have twins?

If your children are twins or siblings with different age groups, a double buggie is the best way to move them around. There are two types of double buggies: tandem buggies, which have one child sitting above the other, and side by side buggies. Both buggies can be fitted with two seats fixed. However side-by-side buggies are smaller to fit through doors. Tandems tend to be larger overall. They can also accome buggies have the two seats that are near each other, so your children will be able see each other. However, these tend to be wider than a single pushchair, and can be tricky to maneuver around kerbs. Tandem buggies are small with a seat at the front and a second one at the back. However they can be quite heavy and long to push.

Convertible double buggies permit you to convert one stroller into a double buggy by attaching a bassinet or infant car seat to the frame. You can keep your child in the car seat until he/she is able to climb up into the buggy seat. The UPPAbaby V2 is a good example of this - it can be used for twins, a toddler and one or more children using the optional PiggyBack Board.

If your children have grown older and have more endurance, a double-buggy can be used to accompany them on bicycle rides or day trips where they'd prefer to walk. It's important to remember that your kids may not always enjoy being in a stroller, and may get tired and angry during longer trips.

Before you decide to invest in a double buggy from birth be sure to consider the above factors and your family's specific circumstances. A reliable and sturdy double buggy can make your life simpler, especially when you need to navigate through busy streets or crowded malls.