Choosing the best stroller for your child from among the many options can require considerable thought. If you have twins, or two young children close in age, the difficulty is compounded, and requires even more investigation.
Which double stroller is best for your children? This is an important decision. Your mobility and peace of mind depend on your choice. Unfortunately, there is no one stroller that is best for all people and all circumstances. The one most suited to your family will depend on your lifestyle and needs.
There are two main configurations for twin strollers, tandem and side by side. Tandem strollers have two seats one behind the other, often referred to as stadium seats. This makes the stroller longer than the typical one seater. This type may work best for two children of different ages. The infant or younger child can sit in the back, sleeping or playing quietly, while the older child can sit in the front, enjoying the view and taking in his surroundings. Some tandem strollers are designed to accommodate car seats, making the transition from car to stroller easier for twin infants. Be certain, however, that the stroller can also accommodate older children when they've outgrown their car seats. You'll want a stroller that can still be useful when the children are toddlers.
A few of the best brands are the Graco double stroller, City Mini double stroller, Chicco double stroller, Bob double stroller, Combi, McLaren, Baby Trend, Peg Perego, Kolcraft, Evenflo and Phil and Teds strollers.
For very young children, the backs of the seats should recline for nap time. In some models, the front seat only reclines part way, and is more suitable for a toddler than an infant. There is one drawback to this configuration, sometimes voiced by parents who have purchased it. If the child in the back is having a bad day, kicking the seat back in front won't brighten the other child's day either.
Side by side seating is the other configuration found on the market. This works best for twins, or for children of different ages who get along very well. The seating makes the stroller wider than normal, creating some maneuverability issues in tight spaces or narrow doorways. They are, however, often cited as being more stable than tandem strollers. In addition, both seats fully recline, often - but not always - independently of each other, and both children have the same view of their surroundings.
How you will use the stroller is also an important consideration. Will you walk a lot? Will you put it in the trunk and take it out when you reach the mall or pediatrician? Tandem strollers are longer. Will a tandem stroller fit in your trunk when folded?
Will the children be in the stroller for extended periods of time? Fully reclining seats for both might come in handy at nap time.
A twin stroller constructed of metal is more durable and can carry heavier children than one constructed of plastic, thereby extending its lifespan. A metal stroller is heavier than a plastic one, however, and more difficult to unfold and set up. If you anticipate lifting the stroller in and out of the car trunk routinely, or climbing on and off busses all the time, plastic may be the better choice, even if it doesn't last quite as long.