SilverCross Strollers

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.

Double Push ChairTwin Baby StrollerSilverCross Combi Stroller