Seeking Advice on Dual Strollers

E., I have a Graco double stroller (not the tandem one) that works well. I have 9 month old twins, and it helps me get them around with relative ease. I like the stroller because it's easy to handle, takes corners easily, and the front seat can recline.

Hi E.,

I have 4 little girls under the age of 4! So we know all about double strollers. We have 2 side by side Combi's and we love them. We got them because they are light weight and trifold when you collapse them-so they both easily fit in the back of our van along with luggage or groceries. They'll also fit under a grocery cart or ikea cart in a pinch! They even have a shoulder strap to carry them. It fits through most doors as long as you master going perfectly straight when you pass through the door frames.

Babies: I think there is a way you can attach a Combi car seat in them for the baby, but we have a Snugride and find that you can just nestle the car seat down into one of the seats (forward facing) and it's stable. We've never had a problem and we've done it with the youngest three. My youngest is 4 months and by now we take her out of the car seat, and there is fabric hidden under the seat that wraps around the front bar to enclose the seat area to make the foot area and more like a carriage for the little babies.

Bigger kids: My four year old has special needs and rides in the stroller most of the time-she fits well.

Negatives are-small baskets underneath. But there are two and they stretch. Also- the seats don't sit up all the way. But in the winter we stash their coats behind their seat backs which works (and frees the baskets underneath for diapers and snacks!)

Hope that helps!

With your little one getting to the age of wanting to stand, I would suggest the Sit and Stand. At Target it was about $120. I have a 2 year old and watch my nephew who's 5 months and absolutly love it! The front seat adjust many different ways for whatever kind of car seat you have. Also the bottom basket is huge and very easy access (you pull down the side) Congrats on your new little one (on the way)!!!

I have 10 month old twins and we absolutely love our Combi side by side stroller. We were concerned with the back to front models for fear of whomever was in the front getting kicked by the one in the back. The only minor downside is maneuverabilty is some store aisles, but in doorways it's a perfect fit! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=257206...
This a newer version of the one we own.

cosco has a wonderful side by side double stroller the seats r next to each other in stead of being one in front and one in back my girls r 14 months apart and they r 7 and 8 now but twhen they were little it gave them someone to play with while walking through the mall and theme parks and things and it saves the fight over who will sit in front lol
L.
please let me know if this helps

I would recommend this sit & Stand stroller http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=118096650... cause it can be a double stroller or a single with the seat to sit or stand. hope this helps

Hi E.

I also own the side by side Combi and I love it. My son was 18 months old when I had my daughter (now 8 months old) and we have been using it since she was born. Both of the kids seem to like the stroller and have plenty of room. The basket is on the small side so when i need to carry my diaper bag we just lengthen the strap and put it around the handle of the stroller, this works perfectly. The reasons I think this stroller is great is that it is super light and compact. When its folded it is about the size of a golf bag and I can attest to the fact that it fits well into small cars (I own a Jetta) with room for groceries. Best of luck to you on your choice and have a great day.

E.,
I have (had) all kinds of strollers! When I had my second child, a friend gave me her old tandem Graco Duo Glider. I hated it! It was so bulky I dreaded taking it out of my van. It was also hard to maneuver. But... it was free! Eventually, I donated it to Purple Heart.
When I was pregnant with my third, my friends bought me the Peg Perego Aria Twin. LOVE IT!! I would have never purchased such an expensive stroller for myself, but now that I have it... I'm kicking myself for not biting the bullet years ago. It is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and works for an infant and a toddler! I would definitely suggest it! My only complaint about this stroller is the lack of a real drink holder for me! They now make one you can attach, but I never could figure it out!
I also have one of those sit-and-stand strollers. I use it when I think my two older kids will be doing a lot of swapping out. The best part about this stroller is that my third kid can actually stand up while the second sits in the back... in essence making it a triple stroller =) It's a lot heavier that the Aria Twin, so I still prefer the other stroller, but this one does have some benefits.
I also have the Maclaren Techno Classic... but it's not a double. I only mention this because this stroller is wonderful, and if I wasn't given the Peg Perego Aria Twin, I would love to have the Maclaren Twin Techno.
I am not sure of when you'll need the stroller and if you want a brand new one, but I am planning on selling both twin strollers in the new future. Email me if you're interested.

My advice would be to not settle for a cheaper one that you think "will do." I did for first time around and just really wished I had splurged and not suffered with my choice =)

Hey E.,
I sent out a request similiar to yours about a month ago and got little response, so I thought I would let you know what I came up with on my own. My son is also 19 mos. and I am due in two weeks. I did a lot of research and what I purchased was the new Graco Quattro Tour Duo stroller. It seems more compact then the other "beasts" that are out there and it looks nice too! I took it on a test drive with my son in front and he seemed to really like it. And he can recline in it as well. It has all the mommy amenities like cup holders, pockets and big basket in the bottom. The handles also allow good maneuvering, which is important when pushing such a load!
As for availability, Babies r us will not get it until July they say. But I have seen it in just about every other store that carries baby gear (i.e. sears, burlington coat factory, etc). Check it out and let me know what you think! Good luck with everything!

we had the graco side by side and i loved it!!! it takes a little getting used to, with the pushing it through doorways, etc, but had a HUGE basket underneath, and it will fit though any doorway that is handicap accessible. these days that is almost everywhere. plus, your kids will look SUPER cute in there next to each other=) i only once had a problem with my older one messing with the baby, but she was pretty good about it. if you think your son will want to bother the baby a lot or if that will bother you then you might want to go with the front back one, but we loved this one! and you can recline one seat, for the baby and leave one upright for your toddler. the basket was so big, i could grocery shop with this stroller! my kids were only 13 months apart, so i used it all the time for over a year, and it was awesome!!! good luck!

I have a three year daughter and my son just turned one. When i found i was pregnant with him, i came across the Stand on Tandem Stroller. It is made my Joovy, has a sling that fits and infant car seat and the older child can ride or stand behind. Here is the link to it http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=226761...

I love it and still use it to this day with the kids.

Someone else recommended the new Graco Quattro Tour Duo, and they couldn't be more right, I just got mine a week ago for my 30 month old and my newborn, and I love it. So far we have gone on walks, gone to the mall, and gone to a local fair. It handles all sorts of terrain well, my Snug Ride car seat snaps right in, my toddler has a nice sized seat with a tall enough back for him to relax, and his very own basket underneath. It has incredible storage with a HUGE basket that drops down for easy access, a cupholder and snack cup for each kid, and 2 parent cupholders; theres also 2 mesh pockets on the back of the front seat that are just the right size for bottles or sippy cups but are ver multi-purpose. I think it's the perfect stroller for a toddler and a baby.