Double prams are prams that are designed to hold two children of the same or different ages and come in various styles. You can buy a tandem style which has the width of a normal pram as one seat is behind the other or a side by side style which is basically a wide pram with two seats for two babies.
You’re probably considering buying a double pram either because you’re expecting twins or you already have a young child and you’re expecting another baby. The type of double pram that’s best for you will depend on the ages of your children. Remember that newborns need to be put in a seat that reclines fully. Also bear in mind the fastening mechanisms for older children – toddlers love to unclip themselves from their pram!
Tandem prams have the advantage that they are narrower and easier to maneuver through doorways and tight spaces, however your children will outgrow them quicker and they do not usually have the range of reclining styles as a normal pram. The seats will usually be designed to hold one older and one younger child. Some parents do not like the idea of putting one child behind another but this feature can be useful if your children have a tendency to fight while sitting next to each other.
photo by rdeetz on flickr
Side by side prams can be difficult to steer and you may have trouble fitting them through doorways when you are out shopping. However they have the advantage of both seats being the same which is better for twins or babies of similar ages and they often fold more compactly than tandem models.
When choosing your double pram, test several models for weight and stability before you make your mind up. It is vital that the pram is light as you’ll be pushing around two children but stability is also very important for safety reasons – you don’t want the pram to topple over when you hang your shopping bags on the handle. Double prams are designed to make your life easier, not more difficult, so if you find the model you’re trying to be hard to turn or collapse it’s probably best to forget it and move on to the next model.
Remember that a pram recommended by someone else may not always be the best choice for you – you need to think about the age of your children, where you will be using it and if you’ll be using public transport or putting it in a car regularly to choose the features that are most suitable for your lifestyle. You’ll find various shopping guides here on Double Prams Info which can help you in making your choice.