A double pram - for baby and toddler

[SammyRo]

The reason I didn't go for the toddler seat that clips on the front is firstly, my brand of jogger pram couldn't take one (a weight and stability issue) so I would have to get a new pram anyway, and then secondly, my dd still sleeps in the pram, and i felt that she'd would be better in the strider plus as they seat is full height and both recline, whereas a toddler seat doesn't. Also, I thought that it was fine in terms of space whilst my 2nd was a tiny baby, but as soon as they would get to an age where they wanted to sit up, it would be pretty squashy for the baby, especially as they got bigger. Saying that, it depends if you think your DD will still be pram riding or not. I went for the strider plus as I felt both would be comfy, especially for long walks.

[Lenny]

I have the P&T Vibe where baby initially goes in the big seat laid completely flat with toddler above on the little seat and then when baby wants to sit up s/he goes under in the little seat (it clips in either position) and toddler goes in the big seat in top. We got the Vibe because you can fold the whole thing up in one go - no unclipping seats etc like the other P&T models.
Oddly enough my toddler actually likes to sit in the bottom (little) seat because he can hop out if he wants and hop back in while we are walking and because I can talk to him easier. Baby is happy with this too - he gets the seat up front most of the time and gabbles away to himself People look at me a bit weird sometimes (I think they are wanting to tell me that I have the kids in the wrong way!)
A good friend has a toddler seat clipped on to the front of a valco and her baby is quite squished in now he is a bit bigger (8 months).
I'm sure you could do a quick call to a pram retailer to find out the weight restrictions on each of the seats, or google it. They always seem to release new models and they all have new features.

[*EJ*]

I too have a Phil & Teds, initially i wasn't a fan but when i too was faced with a similar gap between my two i decided i needed to make a decision on a double pram. The first pram i had i loved but it was wide and it did pose a few issues sometimes when i was out and about, so i never really considered a side by side as i knew this would be the similar.

As i suspected there was only i'd say 5 or 6 months of me still being able to coax DS1 into the pram before he started to refuse it. So for a short while i used the pram with bub lying in the newborn set up and then the set up where the younger was behind the other. It really has been a great pram.

When we walk now DS1 will still have a little wander himself but if he gets tired he actually sits on the foot rest part at the front point of the pram and DS2's feet just go either side of him. I'm about to have my third and i'm wondering if i'll end up pushing 3 kids at times? One on the front, one in the seat and one in the extra attachment

Like you said also you have the option of a carrier, it's great to have a few options for you and for your little one.

[Baby14]

Subscribing Hope you don't mind! DS will be 20months when this bubba is born so we are keen to buy a great double stroller, great info so far ladies

[joey123]

When you have bub in the laying position, the toddler seat goes on top. So they can't see out front, but they're so young when they're in this position that it doesn't really matter. After a couple of months, you can put bub in the toddler seat which goes at the back, and your toddler goes in the main seat (which is in sitting position). Bub will have a good view from that position.
The toddler seat has a max weight limit of 15kg.

You mentioned that you can put your baby in the toddler seat once she is a bit bigger ... is that an additional buy or it is just the laying down part pushed into a seated position?

[joey123]

Thanks heaps Ladies for all this information. I really need to go looking now I think. Will probably buy one second hand off ebay, but would be good to see them in real life first.

So looks like these are the recommendations so far ... so I can get my head around it and also for the others who are looking at buying:



Double mountain buggy - side by side option
Phil & Teds Dash ($150-$200 extra for toddler seat)
Strider Plus (both seats fully recline, top seat reversable, good for jogging, a bit wider than P&T, baby accessable from both sides and front)
Phil & Teds hammerhead ($150-$200 extra for toddler seat)
ABC Adventure Buggy
Phil & Ted Vibe (folds in one go, no unclipping seats, $150-$200 extra for toddler seat)


Please let me know of any positives or negatives you think I should add to any of the styles listed above as this could be a good reference for a lot of people.

Thanks!!

[Life is Good]

The toddler seats are an additional buy on all of the prams I have checked out (except for the side-by-side, obviously). About $200 extra for the P+T. The covers and saddle bags also need to be bought separately if you are planning on those.

[Visitor7]

You mentioned that you can put your baby in the toddler seat once she is a bit bigger ... is that an additional buy or it is just the laying down part pushed into a seated position?

The seat that you attach on is additional. I have the P&T Sport, and I don't have to unclip the attachment seat to fold it. The attachment seat (doubles kit is what they call it) is usually around $150 if you buy it separately.

[joey123]

Does the strider have a lot of foot room for the adult pushing it? I know when I walk with my jogger it's good, but when I go to the shops with my other pram and try to walk fast (and so my stride becomes bigger) i keep kicking the bottom of it. ??