How to Select a Good Double Stroller

A double stroller can be a lifesaver if you need to get around with more than one child. Keep the following things in mind when making your choice.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• All-terrain Strollers
• Twin Strollers
• Jogging Strollers

1. Consider the relative ages of the children who will be riding in the stroller. Do you have twins? A 2-year-old and a newborn? Do you provide daycare for another child? All these factors will affect your choice of stroller.

2. Decide whether you prefer the "side-by-side" or "front-to-back" configuration. Side-by-side strollers are good for children who may like to interact with each other, but they can often be too wide to maneuver easily through some doors.

3. Look for safety features. Are the straps secure and adjustable? Is the stroller steady, and difficult to tip over? Are there good brakes that you can operate with one hand or foot?

4. Think about where you plan to use the stroller. Will you be spending time in malls, where the stores have wide doorways and there is lots of room to move, or on narrow sidewalks and in and out of small shops or businesses?

5. Consider how often, and for how long, you plan to use the stroller. If your children will nap in it, do one or both of the seats recline? Will the seats be comfortable as your children grow? Is there adequate back and neck support for a baby just learning head control?

6. Ask yourself how the stroller will fit into your lifestyle. Will you be shopping? Jogging? Commuting by bus or train? Walking on city streets or country roads? Will you need a rain hood? A sunshade? A cup holder? And are all these items available for the model you are considering?

7. Take the stroller for a test run. Does it turn easily? Are the wheels sturdy and shock-resistant? Can you push the stroller without bending or stooping? Can you maneuver it with one hand?

8. Consider transportation. Does the stroller fold easily, and will it fit into your vehicle when folded?

9. Test the weight. Can you lift the stroller with one hand? You will almost certainly need your other hand to hold onto the children.

10. Look for storage capacity. Is there an adequate bag or basket where you can store diapers and wipes, cups or bottles, snacks, and purchases?

Tips & Warnings

• If you want a stroller that will be useful from the newborn stage through toddlerhood, make sure you get one with good reclining ability, so that your baby or babies can lie comfortably until they are old enough to sit up.

• If larger children (toddlers or preschoolers) will be riding in the stroller, make sure the seats are high enough so that their legs don't drag on the ground (there will probably be a bar or strap to support their feet), and that they can sit with their legs positioned comfortably.

• Never balance an infant car seat on a stroller seat unless the stroller is designed to carry one, safely clipped or strapped in.