There are many hundreds of models of double prams available on the market for parents to be and it can be confusing knowing how to decide which is the best pram for you. Prams have become somewhat of a status symbol in recent years, with celebrities helping to popularize the latest ‘must have’ designer pram. It is easy to get caught up by the looks or trendiness of a pram rather than its functionality but you must always remember that safety is the number one priority and should not be overlooked when choosing a double pram for your baby.

There are several points to consider when thinking about the safety of your pram and these factors are even more essential when choosing a double pram with the safety of two children at stake and more points for instability, accidents or injuries. Be especially careful if buying a second hand pram, as older prams may not meet the safety standards of modern prams or protective covers and catches may be broken or removed.
Start by assessing the maneuverability and stability of the potential pram. A pram that is hard to steer could be dangerous if you need to get quickly out of the way of an oncoming vehicle for example. And the pram should feel sturdy and solid – it should not tip over if you place shopping bags on the handles while your children are inside.

photo by pradeepjeanette on flickr

Check the harnesses and if possible try out the pram with your child to see how securely it holds them. A Five point harness is always safer than a three point harness. Your child should not be able to wriggle out of the seat or undo the harness straps themselves.

If the wheels are reachable by little hands they should be covered with protect mudguards which stop fingers getting trapped as well as stopping dirt from splashing up onto the pram. Also check how easy the pram is to collapse and un-collapse and if there is any potential for little fingers getting caught in the mechanism – it can be difficult to stop your children from playing with the pram especially if you’re trying to keep your eye on two at once.

If you choose a tandem model with a removable lower seat, check that it is secure when attached and is not affected by the position of the upper seat. Also remember that newborns need to be fully reclined so a pram with only partially reclining seats is only suitable for older babies and toddlers.

Read more information about choosing double prams at Double Prams Info

Double prams are rightly designed for practicality rather than as a fashion accessory however there’s no need to buy an ugly bulky double pram as there are so many stylish and trendy designs available that both work well and look great. If you want your pram to be the most eye catching on the street then consider one of the models below:

When it comes to funky modern design, you can’t get much more stylish than the Cosatto range of double prams and buggies. These prams will certainly get you lots of compliments with their bold designs and funny slogans. You can buy themed prams in pink for two girls with the slogan “Sugar & Spice & all things nice” – Cosatto You 2 Sugar & Spice Double Stroller
or a blue and pink “bro and sis” version – Cosatto You 2 Sis/Bro Double Stroller
.  For more of a unisex style pram, you can buy the twin themed “like two peas in a pod” in stylish black with accents of orange and lime green – Cosatto You2 Twin 2 Peas in a Pod
. The Cosatto double prams are not all style and no substance either – the slim design makes them easy to fit through narrow doorways and they come with included head huggers (useful for newborns),’ cosy toes’ leg covers for those cold British winters and even a set of two bottle holders.

photo by yourdon on flickr

iCandy have been one of the trendiest brands of prams and buggies for several years now and the iCandy pear follows the tradition of clever design and stylish looks. This pram is adaptable into 20 different positions to suit any combination of babies or toddlers. It can be used with car seats or the included carrycots to make it suitable for newborns or the normal seats can be adjusted for older children. When the older child outgrows the pram, it is simple and easy to remove the extra seat to convert it into a normal iCandy single pram. In terms of looks, the iCandy pear comes in stylish black, suitable for either girls or boys and can be customized with the addition of accessories in seven different colors such as grape, redcurrant or mandarin.

Phil and ted are another modern company producing great looking double prams for today’s parents. The Phil and ted models are tandem prams with one child positioned behind the other – this makes for easier maneuverability and no need to worry about fitting through doorways. As well as being easy to operate, these prams look great when out and about and are sure to be the envy of other new mums. They come in a range of funky colors to choose from to suit you and your baby such as bright red or lime green – Phil n Teds Vibe Inline Buggy Red/Black
.

may be the more trendy option for modern parents these days but side by side twin prams are still very popular and have a number of advantages over the tandem versions. Twin prams allow both your children a full field of view which is not possible when one child is behind the other. They also offer a full range of reclining positions for both seats which are often limited in a tandem pram. If you’re worried about not being able to fit a twin double pram through doorways, many models are not as wide as you think and have been designed specifically to make your life easier when you’re out shopping.

The Graco DuoSport Twin Stroller
is a twin double pram with seats that can be reclined in three different positions. The head rests securely pad the head of your baby, making this pram suitable for use from newborn. The pram is very narrow for a double pram so you should have no problem maneuvering it through doorways, although this also means that the seats are smaller and therefore better suited to babies rather than older toddlers. The pram is also very light and easy to steer. The downside of this pram is that it is still quite bulky when folded down and may not fit into the boot of smaller cars easily.

The Cosatto Twin Swift Stroller-Chilli
has two seats that both recline flat making it ideal for newborns or twins. It comes in a funky unisex bright red color and folds up quickly and easily to a compact space. The seats on this double pram are wider than some other models which makes it great for toddlers, although you may have trouble getting it through narrow doorways. Some parents may find this twin double pram harder to push than other models as the handles are set wide apart and it is quite heavy.

The Maclaren Twin Triumph
is suitable from birth to up to 30kgs and won the Prima Baby Award for best value twin stroller in 2009/2010. The seats are fully reclining in three positions and include a five point safety harness. This double buggy is easy to collapse and operate and has a good balance between size of seats and overall width of the pram.

The Tako Duo-driver
is convertible from a traditional style pram into a buggy for older children and also comes with two carrycots which are handy when your babies are small. The pram is sturdy and has additional suspension for easier maneuverability however it is one of the wider models of double pram so you may have trouble fitting it through some doorways.

For more reviews and information on double pram safety, browse the rest of the site at Double Prams Info

Most parents when shopping for a new pram for their baby will do a lot of research, reading recommendations and trying out many models before making their decision. There are so many styles and brands to choose from, it can be difficult knowing where to start. Parents shopping for double prams have an even harder job as there are many more factors to consider than when buying a regular single pram. The task is made much easier if you have an idea of what most people consider to be the best models of double pram, whether in terms of looks, maneuverability or flexibility.

The Phil n Teds
range of inline buggies are a popular choice for parents wanting a modern style tandem double pram. These prams have seats that can be arranged in different configurations to suit either a baby and a toddler or two toddlers. The seats fit children from newborn to up to five years old. These inline buggies have three wheels which allows for easy maneuverability and the ability to turn corners easily. The three wheel design also makes them great for a jogging pram to take out while you’re exercising. All the prams from Phil and Teds come in several bright and funky colors and have a range of seat positions which can be adjusted as your babies grow.

picture by yourdon on flickr

If looks are important to you, you can’t get much more stylish than the double prams made by Cosatto. These side by side twin double prams come in funky designs which are in colors suitable for either two girls with the Cosatto You 2 Sugar & Spice Double Stroller
or for a boy and a girl with the Cosatto You 2 Twin Pushchair Bro and Sis
. These double prams include head support and leg covers to keep your babies cozy in winter and the seats recline independently in three different positions. These are even two unisex designs for twins – choose from the Cosatto You2 Twin 2 Peas in a Pod
or the funky crocodile design – Cosatto You 2 Twin Stroller – Snap.

For a well respected brand with a range of models to choose from, depending on your needs, have a look at the Britax range of double prams. There are several styles to choose from and the tandem pram models have a range of seat styles which allows your children to be facing each other instead of one behind the other. For example the Britax B-Dual 4 Tandem/Double Inline Pushchair (Neon Black) can be used from birth to three years old, folds up very compactly and the second seat can be added or removed for flexibility.

When you’re looking at double prams to buy, one of the first things you have to consider is if you will be buying a tandem or twin double pram. If you’re not familiar with the terminology, you may be wondering what the difference is. Basically a twin double pram is a side by side style which allows your two children to sit next to each other. Because of the design, a twin pram will be twice as wide as a normal pram. The other, newer design of double pram is a tandem pram. This kind of pram has the same width as a normal pram as one child is positioned behind the other.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of pram and a style that suits one family will not necessarily suit another. It is important to consider the age and weight of your children, where you will mostly be using the pram, if you will be transporting it by bus or car and how well your children get along together when they are in close proximity before you decide what type of pram is best for you.

photo by abbybatchelder on flickr

Twin prams are the first image that comes to mind when most people picture a double pram. These prams feature side by side seats that can be reclined and are like a normal pram in any other way apart from their width. These prams are good for twins and children of the same age as both the seats have the same level of adjustability. However be aware that twin prams can be difficult to maneuver, heavy to lift over onto the pavement and may be too wide to fit through doorways. If one child is significantly heavier than the other, steering is especially difficult as the center of balance will be off to one side.

These problems have been resolved by the invention of the tandem pram which is designed so that one child sits behind the other for a ‘double-decker’ style look.  Tandem prams are the same width as normal single prams and are good for children of different ages as the weight is always centered in the middle of the pram. Most parents find them easier to steer and of course there should be no problem fitting through doorways when out shopping. However the design of tandem double prams means that one child will not be able to see anything – this can result in older children not wanting to sit in the pram. They can also be bulky when folded up which may be an issue if you have a small car. One further advantage of tandem prams is that usually the lower seat can be removed, converting the pram to a single model – useful when your older child starts to walk more.

Whether you decide on a twin double pram or a tandem double pram, you’ll find all the information you need here at Double Prams Info