The other day I was out in some public venue and a woman approached me and asked me if I liked my stroller. Her daughter was expecting twins and in need of a good means of transportation for them. I looked her directly in the eye and said no, I hated my stroller. It was never intended for twins and it maneuvers like a Thanksgiving parade float. Why, then, was I pushing my own twins around in it ? I had purchased it off of the internet after my second son was born to transport a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old. I already had a single stroller, at least two umbrella strollers, and was given a tandem jogging stroller, so I really couldn't justify buying yet another expensive piece of baby equipment when my two arrived. I made do with what I had. Now I know better.
If you are expecting twins and are on the lookout for the perfect stroller, heed my advice! Buy a stroller specifically made for twins, or at least one that accommodates two children of the same size. The Family Education website has an excellent article about choosing a stroller for twins. Read it! There are plenty of excellent choices in reasonable price ranges.
Please don't read how much celebrities spent in their strollers. The one you choose will work just as well if you do your research. Here are my own personal thoughts on the matter. When choosing a stroller think about the following:
- Where will you mostly be using it? Outdoors or at the mall?
- Do you want to lift a heavy piece of equipment even if it's sturdier and will last longer, or is it important to you to have a lightweight stroller?
- Do you want a stroller that will accommodate your twins as they grow, or are you prepared to purchase another stroller when your twins get bigger?
1. The Graco DuoGlider. This popular, affordable double stroller can now hold two carseats so you can quickly load 'em and go. When your babies get older, ditch the carseats and they can sit one in front of the other. I have a Graco double stroller and they are bulky, somewhat heavy, and a pain to maneuver. The benefit, however, of having a front-to-back stroller is having easier access in places where there are tight spaces. Try squeezing through J.C. Penny's many racks of clothing with a double jogging stroller. No thank you. The DuoGlider also has an easily accessible drop-down basket that you will appreciate when shopping.
If you can, spend a little more for the Kolcraft Contours Tandem Plus Stroller. You have to buy separate attachments to fit the carseats, but the stroller has many cool features. The seats can face each other, or both face forward, or one forward and one backward... check it out. It looks quite awesome.
2. If I could go back and do it over again, this is the stroller I would buy. The Baby Trend Double Snap n Grow Stroller Frame is lightweight, easy to fold, durable, and has a large storage basket. You simply swing the sucker out of your mini-van (don't have a mini-van yet? hmmmm...), securely click your carseated babies in, and everything is good in the world. Obviously, when your babies grow out of their carseats, it's of no use to you anymore. Tthankfully, that's why God invented Ebay and Craigslist. Since twins are generally smaller than the average newborn, you will use this stroller for longer than you might think. And it's inexpensive. Look for yourself.
.jpg)
3. The Baby Trend Double Jogger Stroller. This is for the outdoorsy parent. These are heavy, but you can take them anywhere. Mine was a hand-me-down. Last summer, the axle on the front wheel broke. I was able to take it to a bike shop and get a new one. Theoretically, you could replace all the wheels when needed like you replace the wheels on your bike or car or rollerblades. This stroller is not for the mall or anyplace that doesn't have double doors as an entryway.
4. The lightweight double stroller. I was tempted to buy this when I saw it at Toys R Us. The Jeep Twin All-Weather Sport Umbrella Stroller is remarkably lightweight, sturdy, and folds easily. It is not as massive as the jogging stroller, but is tough enough to use outside and is much easier to lug around. With either side-by-side stroller, you do not have the option of moving your twins while they are in their carseats (which is so convenient, especially when they're sleeping.) And this particular stroller does not have a basket! Which is the main reason I did not purchase it.
As always, please feel free to share your own experiences with double-strollers, positive or negative! "Til next Tuesday then...
Comments