SilverCross Strollers

When faced with transporting two babies at once, moms have a difficult decision to make. Should mom carry one baby in a carrier and push the other in a buggy? Should each baby have her own buggy? Is it worth spending the money for a new pushchair?

Using a carrier may work in the beginning, but babies grow fast, and hauling around all the extra weight can be exhausting. Unless mom has a live-in nanny, pushing two baby buggies around is almost impossible. Most families come to accept the inevitable. It’s just not possible to schlep around two babies without a double pushchair. While there are plenty of makes and models out there, they all fall into two categories: tandem and side by side.

With a tandem double pushchair, one baby sits behind another. Often the rear seat is elevated, giving the older baby a better view. Usually one of the seats is designed for an older child while the other can be used from birth. Moms like tandems for several reasons. A tandem’s frame is usually the same width as a standard pushchair, allowing for easy navigation of narrow shop aisles. Tandems also tend to be easier to fold.

When it comes to maneuverability, tandem double pushchairs leave something to be desired. Don’t plan on taking a graceful jog through the park while pushing one of these monsters. The length of a tandem pushchair makes it difficult to steer, and nearly impossible to take over anything but smooth pavement. The tandem setup can also make it difficult to access the baby in the rear seat, so don’t plan on making any emergency diaper changes.

Unlike tandem pushchairs, side by side models allow mom easy and instant access to either baby. Side by side double pushchairs are essentially two buggies connected together. The side by side format almost always includes additional storage space thanks to double shopping baskets. Side by side pushchairs also give babies an unobstructed view of their surroundings, and some mothers claim it helps their children feel like equals. Side by side pushchairs are especially convenient for mothers with twins, since both buggies are usually suitable from birth.

Double pushchairs in the side by side style obviously have a much wider profile than a standard buggy. Getting through narrow areas and older doorways can be problematic. If mom spends a lot of time shopping in anything other than large, modern stores with wide aisles, a side by side double pushchair may not be convenient. Side by side models also tend to be difficult to collapse and store.

Prices of both styles are comparable with ranges of just over £100 for a basic double pushchair to nearly £500 for luxury models. Ultimately, the best choice of a double push chair depends on the family that uses it. Either way, mom and babies alike will enjoy the ability to be out and about together.

The phrase, “tandem stroller” may bring words like, “awkward, big,” and “ugly” to mind, especially if you are imagining a Graco stroller. Graco, the old American standard, has been making sturdy, utilitarian strollers for years. Moms love Graco for its unfailing standards of safety and convenience, but, while Graco tandem strollers are built to last, they certainly aren’t easy to look at. With the introduction of the Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller, a new age is coming.

Graco has finally taken a hint from popular European brands and created a tandem stroller that combines all the features you know and expect from Graco with a sleek, hip design that will make you feel like the cool mom you really are when you push your kids around. Parents are raving about the Quattro Tour Duo at sites like Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

The Quattro Tour Duo tandem stroller is really designed for parents with a toddler and a baby, although it will accommodate two infant car seats. The tandem stroller’s front seat doesn’t have a bar across it, allowing toddlers easy access in and out of the stroller. There is also a specific storage area for the front seat of the Graco Quattro Tour Duo, so toddlers can reach their snacks, drinks, and toys without mom’s help. The rear seat of the tandem stroller is elevated, bringing baby closer to mom, and is ready to accept the most popular models of Graco car seat. The Quattro Tour Duo’s front seat holds kids up to 50lbs, while the rear seat can accommodate babies up to 40lbs, meaning this is a tandem stroller that will last for years.

What really makes the Graco Quattro Tour Duo stand out from other stylish tandem strollers is its convenience. Graco has always been a crowd pleaser when it came to making things easy on mom, and the Quattro Tour Duo is no exception. The rear of the tandem stroller features a cup holder and parent storage bag for cell phones, wallets, keys, and other necessities. The tandem stroller’s handles are well-placed and comfortable even for tall moms or dads, and they look cool too. Under the tandem stroller is a huge basket for all the gear you’ll need when taking out the whole family at once. The basket is also accessible even when the rear seat is fully reclined, meaning you won’t have to wake up your baby when you need to grab your stuff. Of course, the Quattro Tour Duo has Graco’s much-praised one handed fold feature—a big plus in a tandem stroller.

All of this comes at a very reasonable price, around $200. Of course, the Graco Quattro Tour Duo isn’t perfect. This tandem stroller is not a lightweight model at nearly 40lbs, and that’s without kids. While the Quattro Tour Duo does fold easily, it isn’t very compact. If you drive a compact car, you may find it hard to fit this tandem stroller into your trunk, and don’t expect to have room for anything else.

Although Graco didn’t manage to get rid of the heavy bulky feel of their tandem strollers with the Quattro Tour Duo, they did put all their best features into a model that looks slick and European. Bottom line: a tandem stroller with so many great features and an excellent price is worth its extra weight in gold.

14. Baby Pram

You may have heard the word “pram” in conjunction with celebrities and their babies lately. Perambulators, or prams for short, are making a huge comeback across the US and already have a solid presence in Europe. With big-name stars like Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, and David and Victoria Beckham using high-end prams to tote around their little ones, it’s easy to see why American moms everywhere want to get into the act.

What is a Pram?
A pram is essentially a bassinette on wheels. Babies ride laying flat, allowing them to sleep, stretch, and remain comfortable while spending time outdoors. Many modern strollers feature adjustable seats that allow a baby to lay flat, but they differ from a pram in that the baby is still facing outward, rather than looking towards mom as she pushes. Strollers with this feature also lack the thick, mattress-style padding found in traditional prams.

Prams came into popular use in Victorian England, when young mothers were advised to expose their babies to fresh air and sunshine. The first prams had little suspension and were difficult to push over anything other than smooth pavement. Over the years, pram manufacturers made improvements in suspension and maneuverability, resulting in a smoother ride for mother and baby. The UK’s best-known producer of prams is Silver Cross, a company that has been around since 1877. You can still buy a version of their traditional Balmoral pram (used by the royal family) if you have a few thousand dollars to spend.

Why a Pram?
Originally, prams were the only type of stroller available to most people, and they were all most people wanted since travel was usually restricted to local areas. As time changed and transportation became accessible to the masses, children began to travel with their parents more often, creating a need for the more portable stroller.

So why go back to an old-fashioned pram? There are plenty of reasons. Babies are more comfortable in a pram, and prams tend to be sturdier and safer than strollers. Prams also have the added benefit of serving as a bed away from home. Baby can nap the way she would in a crib, not slumped over in a stroller. Prams also allow mom to keep a constant eye on her infant, and newborns’ developing brains benefit when babies gaze at their mother’s faces. Plus, thanks to modern design, many prams now offer the same convenience of a stroller. Travel systems that feature prams often convert into a stroller as babies age, and many prams can serve as a bassinette. On a purely cosmetic level, prams are simply charming. A pram is an iconic symbol of mother and child; that’s why images of prams are so often found on baby products.

What Pram Should I Buy?
Many popular stroller manufacturers now feature pram-style travel systems. Even those based in Europe often have US branches and are easy to buy from thanks to the internet. Some models that are particularly popular with celebrities and average joes alike include the following.
For the Metro Mom
Bugaboo Bee
Bugaboo is popular with Live Tyler and Courtney Cox-Arquette. The bee is a super compact and agile pram that converts into a forward-facing stroller. Features include adjustable handles and seat, compact storage, narrow 20” width, and sporty Bugaboo styling.

For the Classic Mom
Silver Cross 3D Pram System
Silver Cross prams are found in front of celebs like Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker. The 3D pram is a bit more affordable than the stars’ version, but it still comes packed with features like designer fabrics, various accessories for rain, heat, and cold protection, and a washable mattress and liner. The 3D Pram system also converts into a stroller.

For the Mod Mom
Stokke Xplory
Used by Russell Crowe and Heidi Kulm, the Xplory was designed around the idea that baby should be closer to mom or dad. Baby lays or sits much higher than in a traditional stroller. While the Xplory looks like something out of science fiction movie, it has amazing features including multiple configurations, ergonomic design, and a view for baby that can’t be beat.

A double buggy is essential whether you are a new mum of twins or you need to tote around a toddler and a baby at the same time. Choosing a double buggy can give you a headache. There are a lot of double buggy models out there, and all of them seem to plusses and minuses. If you don’t have the time of energy to comparison shop (and as a busy mum of two, who could blame you), consider the results of a recent double buggy product test conducted by the team at babyworld.co.uk.

The Babyworld staff tested three types of double buggy models, umbrella fold, flat fold, and rough terrain. All of the top ten double buggy models fit into one of these categories. Which will work best for you depends on your circumstances. If you are driving around a lot, a flat fold double buggy that fits easily into the boot works well. If you are walking into town along a narrow lane, a rough terrain double buggy is ideal. If you live in the middle of the city, an easy to carry umbrella fold double buggy will make getting on and off the bus much easier.

While all ten double buggies tested ranked well in various areas, there were a few that really stood out. Below is a brief summary of the double buggy test results for the top performing buggy in each of the model types.

Umbrella Fold Double Buggy
The Maclaren Twin Traveler ticks all the boxes when it comes to an umbrella fold double buggy. In addition to the usual pushchair features, the Maclaren Twin Traveler has washable seat covers, independent sunshades, bottle holders, and includes foot muffs, rain cover, and head huggers for each baby. The Maclaren Twin Traveler is a smooth operator; testers found this double buggy easy to push, maneuver, fold, and carry. The only downside? The £220 price tag.

Flat Fold Double Buggy
The American-made Graco DuoRider isn’t as pretty as the Maclaren double buggy, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in function. The Graco DuoRider double buggy is a breeze to push and maneuver. This light double buggy weighs in at a slim 10.5kg. The Graco DuoRider collapses with one hand and fits easily into the boot. All of this comes at an attractive £129.99. However, the Graco DuoRide double buggy does not come with a rain cover, and some testers said the swivel front wheels can be a little squirrelly.

Rough Terrain Double Buggy
The Mountain Buggy Terrain Double was the only buggy to rank well in the rough terrain category. This tough double buggy is solid and sturdy with smooth-ride air filled tires and a heavy duty rain cover. While the Mountain Buggy Terrain Double performs well over bumpy lanes and cracked pavement, the lack of swivel wheels makes this buggy difficult to steer around sharp corners. The other drawback is the Mountain Buggy Terrain Double’s enormous price tag of £545.

For a new mum, a baby pushchair is more than a convenience: it’s a necessity. Mums today need to be mobile, and medical science has shown the benefits of the fresh air and stimulation baby gets from riding in a pushchair. But with all the makes and models of baby pushchairs out there, how does a new mum know what to buy? In the end, the choice of a baby pushchair is a personal one, but there are a few essential features every new mum should look for in a pushchair.

The first step to finding the perfect pushchair for your baby is to consider where you’ll be taking the pushchair the most. Do you live in the middle of a large city? In that case, you will need a baby pushchair that is light, agile, and easy to collapse and carry onto busses, trains, and the underground. If you are a country mum living in a more rural area, you’ll want a sturdy baby pushchair with good suspension and puncture proof tires to make travel over bumpy roads and lanes comfortable for baby. If you are a suburban mum living in between these two extremes, consider a hybrid baby pushchair that combines the features of a portable urban system with a sturdy cross-country pushchair.

Regardless of which model baby pushchair you choose, any pushchair worth its salt will have the following essential features.

Flat recline seat
You may be tempted by high-end baby pushchairs that convert from pram to pushchair. If your budget allows, by all means, buy the pushchair, but if you want to spend less, a basic baby pushchair with a flat recline seat will do just as well. Baby will still be able to lie flat, and though she won’t be facing you, you can still easily keep an eye on her.

Shopping Basket
Only the cheapest, most basic pushchair models don’t have a shopping basket. Even if you plan on using a baby pushchair only to run occasional errands, don’t skimp when it comes to a shopping basket. Baby requires a lot of gear, and you’ll be happy to have a place to carry all her things as well as a few of your own. Make sure you can access the shopping basket even when the baby pushchair is reclined flat.

Sunshade
Doctors and scientists have long been warning us about the dangers of too much sun exposure. Baby’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable to UV rays, and your pushchair should have a large sunshade to protect her. Some models even have sunshades that offer SPF protection, just like sun block lotion. Sunshades are also helpful in blocking out indoor lights when baby is trying to nap in her pushchair.

Swivel Wheels
Unless you plan to take your baby pushchair jogging or over very rough terrain, you’ll want front wheels that swivel. Baby pushchairs with these types of wheels are much easier to steer and maneuver, and the pushchair wheels can usually be locked in place if needed.

There are a lot of budget-conscious baby pushchair models that offer all of the features above. Whether or not you want to spend a lot on a baby pushchair is a personal decision, but a solid baby pushchair with a flat recline seat, a shopping basket, a sunshade, and swivel wheels will meet all of you and your baby’s basic needs without emptying your bank account.

I live in the middle of a city, but I spend most of the weekends visiting my parents at their farm in Vermont, so I bought the Silver Cross S4 Stroller because it could go from city to country without giving me any grief. The S4 stroller is a three wheel deign. At first, I was doubtful that the Silver Cross S4 would be sturdy enough, but I ended up liking the 3 wheel chassis a lot. Three wheels mean the Silver Cross S4 is very agile and easy to maneuver through busy streets. I can usually push the S4 stroller with one hand, leaving my other arm free for a drink or chatting on the phone.

The Silver Cross S4 performs equally well at my parent’s place. My mom and dad love to take me son for long walks along the dirt road that runs the perimeter of their property. I was concerned at first because the road can be quite bumpy, but the Silver Cross S4 has great suspension, and my son actually slept through his first ride around the farm. Unlike some other all-terrain strollers I have seen, the Silver Cross S4 has puncture proof tires so I don’t have to worry about broken glass in the city or barbed wire at the farm.

Since I spend a lot of time traveling with my son, I opted to get the Silver Cross Ventura Plus car seat to go with the S4 stroller. Oftentimes I need to run errands while my son is napping, so I appreciate being able to push him around in the Silver Cross S4 without waking him up. When my son was very young, I also used the Ventura Plus car seat to turn the S4 stroller into a makeshift pram.

I have found Silver Cross to be a great company. The S4 stroller came with a lot of extras I didn’t expect like a foot muff, a ventilated rain cover, and a diaper bag/changing mat combo that matches the stroller. The foot muff and the rain cover are both great for pushing the S4 stroller around in cold and wet weather. My son is usually warmer than I am when we come in during the winter.

The only flaw with the Silver Cross S4 is that it can be tricky to fold in the beginning, and I don’t think it would fit easily in the trunk of a very small car. Overall, I recommend the Silver Cross S4 to anyone that wants a stroller that can go anywhere.

Buying a twin stroller can be an expensive proposition. Do you really need to spend $300, $400, or even $500 to get a quality twin stroller? The answer depends on your circumstances. If you are the mother of twin babies, paying a little extra for a twin stroller that will last may be worthwhile. If you have a toddler and an infant, a twin stroller is probably just a transitional solution until your older child starts walking, so buying an expensive twin stroller is impractical. Either way, you shouldn’t need to take out a loan just to buy a stroller. Consider the following budget-conscious models when choosing a twin stroller for your family.

Graco Family Tree Duo Stroller
Graco has been a top name in strollers in America for generations. The slogan, “Moms who know trust Graco” is not an exaggeration. The Family Tree Duo twin stroller is an extraordinary value at just over $100 and is available at sites like Target.com. The Graco Family Tree Duo has recline seats, individual sun hoods, child snack trays, parent organizer, and the easy maneuverability Graco is famous for. The Family Tree Duo twin stroller is tandem style, making it easy to get through narrow doorways and aisles. However, tandem twin strollers aren’t for everyone. Some moms find tandem twin strollers difficult to steer and don’t like having limited access to the child in the rear seat.

Chico C5 Twin Stroller
Coming in at around $190, the Chico C5 side-by-side twin stroller is pricier than the Graco Family Tree Duo, but it also has more features. The Chico C5 Twin Stroller is a good choice for parents with babies of different ages because each seat has independent recline, leg adjustment, and sun canopy, making it easy to accommodate both your children comfortable. The Chico C5 also has padded seats and comfort safety harnesses, ensuring that your babies feel at ease in this twin stroller. The Chico twin stroller has sporty styling for the parent who wants to look cool pushing around two kids. Weighing in at 29lbs, the Chico C5 Twin Stroller is a little on the heavy side, and, unfortunately this twin stroller is only suitable for children over 6 months, making it an impractical choice for families with infants.

2005 Maclaren Rally Twin Baby Stroller
Maclaren is a popular brand in Europe where it is appreciated for its sleek design and mod fabrics. The latest model Maclaren twin stroller will cost you over $250, but a 2005 model will only run you about $130, and honestly, who cares what year your stroller was designed. The Maclaren Rally Twin Baby Stroller has all the standard features in addition to wide, comfy seats and compact umbrella fold. In all honesty, you don’t buy a Maclaren twin stroller for its amazing features; you buy it because it looks cool. So, if you are a style-conscious sort of person, the Maclaren may be right for you.

2007 Combi Twin Sport 2 Double Stroller
If you can find it on sale, the 2007 Combi Twin Sport 2 Double Stroller can cost as little as $187. Combi makes sensible, lightweight twin strollers that are easy to fold, carry, and push. The Combi Twin Sport 2 looks modern and fresh and comes with some nice extras including individual foot muffs and removable, washable seat covers. This twin stroller weighs only 21lbs and is designed to be ultra portable without sacrificing any of the features of a standard twin stroller. While the Combi Twin Sport 2 does take a matching combi car seat, it can only handle one at a time. Some parents say the Combi twin stroller’s shopping baskets are essentially useless, and moms miss having snack trays for their kids.

If you are looking for a side-by-side double pushchair that doesn’t take up all the room in your boot, the Silver Cross Pop Duo may be your answer. Unlike other bulky double pushchairs, the Silver Cross Pop Duo is lean, light, and easy for even petite mums to maneuver over curbs and on and off the bus.

The Silver Cross Pop Duo only weighs 11kg, so it’s easy to heft in and out of the boot. Silver Cross has designed the Pop Duo with urban mums in mind, and created this double pushchair specifically for the types of errands mums run the most. Shopping is easy with the Pop Duo because it fits through most doors. At only 76cm wide, the Silver Cross Pop Duo can go places most other side-by-side double pushchairs can’t. Some mums find the handles on the Pop Duo to be a little high as Silver Cross tries to accommodate taller parents.

The Silver Cross Pop Duo is very portable. Because it is so easy to fold and store, it makes an ideal pushchair for going on holiday. The Pop Duo is loaded with conveniences that make travel easier. Silver Cross includes a ventilated rain hood with the Pop Duo, so weather isn’t an obstacle to going out. The Pop Duo also features a large double shopping basket for parcels and smaller pouches on the back of each pushchair for emergency items like tissues, pacifiers, keys, and snacks.

Silver Cross has made the Pop Duo as safe as a light-weight pushchair can be. Each seat has a safety harness, and the Pop Duo comes with an extra large sunshade for protecting baby’s delicate skin. The Pop Duo is suitable from birth, and each seat can be lowered independently so baby can nap while your older child enjoys the scenery. Silver Cross has designed a unique one-handed lowering mechanism that makes adjusting the Pop Duo’s seats a smooth process—good news for mums of sleeping babies.

While the Silver Cross Pop Duo isn’t ideal for jogging or extended walks through the countryside, it is perfect for city-dwelling mums with a minimum amount of space.

I looked into the Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe because it is both versatile and unique. I wanted a stroller that was different looking but still had all the features I needed. The Sleepover Deluxe Linear was a natural choice. Silver Cross is a UK-based company, and the Sleepover Deluxe Linear has a very British look that I love.

The Sleepover Deluxe Linear starts out as a pram, which is distinctive all by itself in the US. I was worried that the pram might be unsafe for a newborn because the baby wouldn’t be strapped in, but the Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe Linear has a soft Velcro strap attached to the pram mattress. However, after using the pram for a while, I realized how safe it really was. The body of the Sleepover Deluxe Linear is deep and solid. I felt very safe using it with my newborn. I also love the colors the Sleepover Deluxe Linear came in. I chose the “Shoreline” color because the liner was darker, and I think it will be easier to clean. Silver Cross uses much nicer and better looking fabrics than other companies. The Sleepover Deluxe Linear I bought has very soft fabric, but I have been able to wipe it clean easily.

I also like that the Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe Linear comes with a matching diaper bag and changing pad, so all my baby gear is coordinated. Silver Cross also includes a foot muff and rain cover that matches the rest of the Sleepover Deluxe Linear’s fabric. I decided to get the Silver Cross Ventura Plus car seat, making the Sleepover Deluxe Linear a complete travel system, but I love the pram so much I use it without the car seat most of the time.

The best thing about the Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe Linear is that it comes with a wooden stand for the stroller body, so you can bring the pram in at night and use it as a cradle. This feature of the Sleepover Deluxe Linear has saved us a lot of money since we didn’t have to buy a separate bassinette or a port-a-crib. The Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe Linear makes traveling with our baby very easy since he doesn’t have to keep getting used to new beds.

The Sleepover Deluxe Linear also converts into a stroller, but I haven’t used that feature yet since my child is still quite young. I have heard it can be hard to push in stroller mode. I chose the Sleepover Deluxe Linear instead of the Sleepover Deluxe Classic because the Linear chassis folds easier, and the Linear model and is freestanding, so I can just leave it in the corner by the door.

Over all, the Silver Cross Sleepover Deluxe Linear is a great stroller for someone who is looking for something out of the ordinary. The Sleepover Deluxe Linear is also fairly priced when you consider the accessories it comes with and all the extra gear you won’t have to buy.

I have two energetic (that’s the nice way to say it) boys, so I bought the Baby Planet Unity Sport Stroller after reading all the great reviews about it. I am not disappointed in this double stroller and would recommend it to anyone. I love the sporty look of the Baby Planet stroller, and my boys call it the “fire truck.”

I was a little doubtful about the handle at first, but the Unity double stroller is so easy to steer that I can usually do it one handed. I also like that the Baby Planet Unity Sport has a weight limit of 55lbs per child. My boys are big for their ages, and I wanted a double stroller that would last us a long time.

The Baby Planet Unity Sport Stroller is amazingly easy to fold and is actually quite compact for a double stroller. My Graco Quatro was almost as big and heavy as the Baby Planet stroller, and it was only for one child. I drive a Honda Accord, and I have no problem getting this double stroller in and out of the trunk. I can fold the Baby Planet Unity Sport with one hand, but I need two to open it.

A lot of double strollers I looked at had smaller baskets beneath them, but the Baby Planet Unity Sport fits my diaper bag, purse, and my younger son’s push toy with no problem. The other thing I like is that Baby Planet has a free recycling program where they will take your old stroller, even if it’s not the Baby Planet brand, and recycle it or refurbish it for families in need. We try to be a “green” family, and my older son was happy his stroller was going to help someone in need.

The only complaints I have about this double stroller is that it is a little heavy for my mother, who watches my kids often, but my husband and I can lift the double stroller easily. The stroller was also a little hard to open and close at first, but once it was broken in, we had no problems.

Over all, the Baby Planet Unity Sport double stroller is a great long-term investment for families with more than one child. The price is high, but you’ll get a double stroller that will be a workhorse for years.