Buying a Double Buggy From Birth

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

A must-have purchase for active families This buggy can grow with your family from twins to toddlers. It's light and easy to maneuver and can tackle difficult terrain with ease.

What type of buggy do you prefer?

A double buggy is great for transporting two children, but not necessarily of the same age, side by side. They can be used as prams and come with a reclining mechanism in each seat so your children can sit or lay down in various positions. A lot of them have plenty of storage space for everything from snacks and drinks to nappies and wipes. They're usually lightweight, fold up easily and compact enough to fit in the car boot. If you travel a lot amount, it's essential to check that the buggy can be easily maneuvered with the folded wheels in 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. These are great for older siblings who wish to keep up with you, or for twins. They usually have many seating options (including "cinema" seats) for your little ones to pick from. They are generally easy to steer, and if you select a model that has a soft suspension, they are able to easily handle the kerbs.

Tandem buggies, which are easier to turn than side-by-sides, are also very popular. This is due to the fact that the second seat is placed behind the first one, instead of on top of it. They're usually bigger than a side-byside and can be heavy when folded, so it's important to check they'll fit through doors and public transport. They can be used for twins or a toddler and a baby or three kids with the addition of a twin buggy.

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're generally more expensive than side by sides or tandem buggies, but they offer a lot of versatility and a good price for resales. They're generally easy to steer, have a huge storage basket and are able to handle uneven surfaces. Some have a built in ride-on boards for older children and 'cinema seats'.

Do you have twins?

Whether your children are twins or siblings of different age groups, a double buggie is the most efficient way to transport them around. There are two kinds of double buggies: tandem buggies where one child is seated over the other, and side by side buggies. Both buggies can be fittedour child to ride on their backs or in the front.