Strollers and prams for two children
Article by: AnnabelOne of the most common questions I hear is what kind of pram is best to carry two children? Like most pram related questions, there's no simple answer! The best setup depends on the age of the children, their size, their temperament, and the types of activities the pram will be used for. In an effort to clearly demonstrate the different options, I have divided this article into two broad categories. These are 1. single prams that can be adapted to take two children, and 2. double prams specifically designed to carry two.
1. Adapting a single pram to accommodate two children
Skateboard
A toddler board or skateboard is a step on wheels that attaches to the rear of a pram so that an older child can hitch a ride when needed. The most common type of toddler board is a simple step that a child can stand on, and the better ones can be clipped up out of the way when not in use. Other boards incorporate some kind of simple seat, although these tend to be bigger.
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The advantage of a toddler board is that they are relatively inexpensive compared to the price of having to buy a pram to accommodate two children. They are perfect for independent children who are able to walk but may need a ride from time to time.
The major disadvantage of toddler boards is that they can make the pram quite uncomfortable to push. They can significantly reduce the stride room behind the pram which means you tend to kick it as you walk. If the handlebars are not tall enough you may also need to lean forwards to push which can be very awkward. Going up and down curbs or steps can also be difficult with a toddler board attached. The other issue is that kids can jump on and off themselves, which may be a problem with younger children.
Most prams are able to have a toddler board attached, but it is important to check which brand of board fits on which pram, because some have quite specific connection requirements.
Toddler step incorporated into pram
A few prams on the market have a step for an older child incorporated into the pram. Two examples are the Peg Perego P3, and the Inglesina Zippy. The advantage of a built in step over a toddler board is that you don't kick it when walking, and it doesn't get in the way when folding/unfolding the pram. The disadvantage with these two models in particular is that the step cannot be used when the seat is fully reclined, so it is not much use when the younger child is a newborn. With an older baby though, the step can provide a fabulous place for an older child to hitch a ride when needed.
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Toddler seat
A toddler, or 'jump' seat is a small seat that attaches to a single pram, allowing two children to be carried by the one pram. This kind of setup is particularly popular in Australia, although they are now widely available around the world. Toddler seats usually carry the older child, and generally attach to the front of the pram, over the main seat, although they may also attach down behind the front seat, or over the top of the hood/canopy.
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For many people the most significant advantage of a toddler seat is that two children can be carried in a single sized pram. It also enables families to invest in a single pram for their first child, and then turn it into a double by purchasing an inexpensive attachment, removing the need to invest in a costly double pram.
There are some significant disadvantages to the use of toddler seats which should be considered before deciding on this kind of setup. The most significant is any stability issues that may arise from adding the weight of an extra child to a single pram. Prams can tip when the extra load is added above the front wheel, or on top of the hood. There are many reported instances of this happening, although there are many more people who have used such a setup without incident. Another issue is the effect the weight of the second child has on how the pram handles. Steering is always more difficult when weight is concentrated over the front wheel, and adding 15kg over the front wheel can make a pram very difficult to steer. It can also make it very difficult to go up and down curbs, particularly when the pram only has one wheel up front.
The toddler seat setup also has several disadvantages in relation to the comfort of the children in the pram. Generally speaking toddler seats have no head support and so children cannot comfortably sleep whilst in one. The front mounted toddler seats also greatly reduce the amount of room available for the child in the main seat. Some prams cannot be used once the main seat is in the upright position. Others allow some room, but the child in the main seat may get frustrated with not being able to see past the child sitting in front of them. They may also annoy the child by kicking them with their legs, or pulling at their hair.
Another thing to consider is how easy it is to manage two children without two full seats. Depending on the setup of the pram, it can be more fiddly to feed a child into a toddler seat (or main seat behind a toddler seat). It can also be difficult trying to fit two kids worth of gear into the basket of a single pram. When shopping with two young children it can be quite tricky to juggle fiddly seat positions and insufficient storage. Generally speaking the younger the children and the closer they are in age to each other the more this is going to significantly impact on how well the pram functions.
The final issue to consider is the weight limit of the toddler seat. Many seats will only take a child up to 15kg, although there are models on the market that take heavier children.
Strolli Rider and BuggyPod
Two unique products on the market which fit somewhere between a toddler board and a toddler seat are the Strolli Rider and BuggyPod. The Strolli Rider attaches to the frame of the pram and allows a child to sit on a small seat similar to that on a bicycle.
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| Buggy Pod |
2. Double prams
The most comfortable way for two children to travel is in a pram with two full seats. These come in two basic designs -side by side, and one in front of the other (or tandem).Side by side
Side by side prams allow both children full seats with easy access for parents. They also provide double the storage of a single pram. Some double prams allow one or two bassinets to be attached for newborn babies. Generally speaking these are the best option for parents of twins.
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The most obvious disadvantage with side by side prams is the width. Whilst it may not be an issue outside, a wide pram can make manoeuvrability difficult at the shops and within small offices etc. These prams also tend to be big when folded and heavy to lift. From a child's comfort point of view, although both children have their own seat, the seats can be narrower than on a single pram. This can affect how long a child can comfortably use the pram.
From a handling point of view double prams are generally the easiest way to push two children. Some double prams , particularly lightweight models, don't push well with children of uneven weights though, and are more suitable for twins than siblings of different ages. One final issue to consider is that children in side by side prams have easy access to one another, and some children annoy their sibling by reaching out and touching them.
Tandem
Tandem prams have one child sitting in front of the other. In most prams the seats are fixed facing forward, but some models allow the seats to be turned around so that children can face forwards, backwards or in towards each other. When both seats face forwards some prams have the back seat slightly higher than the front so that the child in the rear can see up over the child in the front.
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The advantage of tandem prams is how narrow they are. They can fit through all the same spaces as a single pram. Also, the children do not have the same access to each other as they might in a side by side pram.
The disadvantage of tandem prams is their handling. Although some designs push better than others, having the weight out in front can really compromise the prams steering. Another disadvantage of the tandem design, is that the front seat tends to have a limited recline, so is only suitable for older children. The front seat of some models can also be both shallow and unsuported and may not provide the security some younger children need.
Sit'n'Stand
This kind of pram is sold under a few different names around the world -the Joovy Caboose and the Sit'n'Stand are just a couple of examples. The design is a compromise between a single pram with a step, and a tandem pram with two seats, one in front of the other. The older child can either stand, or sit on a bench style seat behind the main seat. The advantage of this over a simple step is obviously the ability for the child to sit down. The disadvantage is it is longer than an average pram, and generally are not as easy to steer.
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Prams for more than two
Prams for more than two children come in just as many varieties as they do for two, with similar advantages and disadvantages. Toddler boards and toddler seats can be added to some double prams to accommodate a third (or fourth!) child, and dedicated triple and quad prams come in both the side by side and tandem options. |
The details about prams for more than two will need to wait until the next article!
Remember that if you have any questions about which style of pram would suit you best, or which brand you should buy, pop into the Strollers and Prams forums where there is always someone to answer your questions and help you find the best pram for your needs.