Monday 2 June 2014

Twin pushchair choices

by Bex

Expecting twins has made this shopping experience somewhat simpler for us as it has obviously narrowed our choices down as we need a double pram/buggy

We've narrowed our options down to two already.  This was quite easy for us as we actually found one choice right at the start when we were googling various twin things while in Thailand (before twins were confirmed but I was convinced), it stood out for one very specific reason, the twins can face each other, as well as various other options - it's just so versatile.

The Obaby Zoom tandem pushchair:



It comes with the seats which are suitable from 6 months but can also take pram attachments and car seats with an adaptor.  Other than the sheer number of orientation options, other pros include the big basket, good wheels, easy folding down (fairly compact for the size of the thing), and it is narrow enough for woodland tracks, doors and narrow pavements.  However, it is pretty long so may prove difficult to manoeuvre around tight corners in shops.  The length is one of the reasons we like it though, all other tandems we've seen have had the seats so one is practically on top of the other so the baby behind wouldn't be able to see anything, or even literally on top of each other which seems a bit unfair to whoever is bunged behind or underneath (even if we did swap them about).  The zoom gives them so much more space and seems to be the only one which lets them face each other, so much more sociable :)  It is the more expensive option, especially if you buy the extra bits.

The only other thing is, it's pretty boring looking, all black with some added colour options which are harder to find and still mostly black anyway.  Very dull, especially when you compare it to our side-by-side double option below, the Cosatto Supa Dupa Twin in Pixelate:

SO pretty!

I absolutely love the bright colours and this one can be used from birth without the need for extras.  However, we're unsure about a few things.  It may be tricky to get through some doors, especially on buses/trains and might be a bit wide for some paths or woodland walks.  We can't put the car seats on it which means possibly waking babies to transfer them from car to buggy (although I'm not sure how much of an issue this is since the time babies are supposed to be in car seats is limited anyway?) and I'm also not sure how secure teeny babies would be in it, we really need to check it out in person.  I have read that many people don't use pram/car seat attachments on pushchairs for long anyway so we might not need that option but then again, our babies are likely to be smaller for longer as they'll probably be early.

I do love the insulated bottle holders and extra cup holder for my latte ;)  It also has built in speakers and a gadget pocket to play music to the babies.  Again, it folds simply but is much more compact than the Zoom and cheaper.  It also comes with a 4 year guarantee which is fab as it takes up to ~3 year olds so we're covered until we no longer need it.

Both options have adjustable handles so should be OK for our height and they should both fit in the Qashqai boot easily.  Obviously we plan to go and see them in 'real life' before we decide so we can try them out and see how they look and feel.  We won't be ordering until we've moved but having made the decision will help me feel more organised given everything that is going to be happening in the next 3 months and the fact we really have no idea when the twins might arrive!

So, any opinions on side-by-side vs tandem pushchairs?  Which do you think would be the best choice out of the two above?

17 comments:

briony said...

Love the bright colours but I agree, the other one looks more practical/adaptable!

Gaynor {Our Day by Design} said...

I can't comment much on the buggy options but as for the car seat; I would def get the one that the adapters can go on. Holden was pretty small and I used them for ages with our buggy, at least till 14/15 months when he was still in his baby seat and ever fell asleep in the car. I used the pram mostly but for quick shopping trips etc it was invaluable to not have to disturb him.

Oh and double wise, have you looked at the Bugaboo Donkey? I would be tempted to get that if we had twins / 2 close together as I love our bugaboo and it can attach the car seat adapters and each baby has their own seat which can be forward or parent facing or one of each. However it is a side by side one so may be too wide but the other good thing about it is that it can be made thinner if you ever needed to use it just for 1 at some point.

Rachie @ A Chi Chi Affair said...

Have you looked at the baby jogger city select. My friend has this for her twins and really rates it.

http://www.mothercare.com/Baby-Jogger-City-Select-Stroller---Onyx/392185,default,pd.html

It has tons of different options and like the Obaby they can also face each other.

The cossato is beautiful and so colourful but I think you will regret not having the car seat option especially with twins because when they are little and you just want to pop to the shops in the car - frankly having to take them out of their car seats, put up the buggy, fix on the other seats etc when you are knackered could be tough! Its hard enough with one!! We still use the car seat option sometimes with Annie now - admittedly not as often but when its nap time and you dont want to wake her up its a godsend.

Also with the cossato there is no option to be parent facing which in the beginning you may feel a bit uncomfortable with it. Annie is nearly 10 months and still sometimes faces me even now... I like to be able to see her and make little faces to calm her down!

Hope that helps

Rachie x

Fee said...

I would second being able to clip on the car seat as being a godsend - it's true they can only be in them for limited time but if you're going from car to cafe for example being able to not wake them might buy you an hour's quiet time to chat/read. Same for going to someone's house, supermarket etc.... It just makes life easier not having to wake a baby (or two!) when may be grumpy if woken too soon, especially whilst out and about.

Sooooo exciting! Xxx

Bex said...

Thanks for all the tips/opinions everyone!

Gaynor, I did briefly see the Donkey and thought it looked awfully wide but haven't compared to the Cosatto yet, didn't realise it could be made thinner for one at a time, that could be handy.

Rachie, the woman I spoke to in Mothercare hadn't heard of one that could have them facing but it turns out they have the Zoom online as well. I'll check the Baby Jogger out too, thanks!

Fee (and others) maybe we need to think about the car seat attachment more! It is so exciting, I can't believe I'm actually getting to do all these things at last :) xx

Rachie @ A Chi Chi Affair said...

Also not sure if you have thought about the whole car seat thing yet but I really reccomend getting the isofix base. Things they make your life easier are well worth having! You won't regret it. Ps: my friend says the baby jogger city select can also be a single which she says is useful if you are taking the babies out one at a time eg to the doctors etc.
Rachie xo
Ps - you might also know this but many areas have twin groups which I know my friend finds a godsend if only for the support. We did nct together and as much as she likes socializing with us I know that she finds it difficult to sympathize when we are all moaning about one and she has two to contend with!

Bex said...

Thanks Rachie, yes, my car has isofix attachments so we had already thought about that for ease. I have also been looking at Tamba online which has twin groups (there are a couple in Sussex) - Steff is keeping me right when it comes to twin stuff, she's a godsend! :)

Carly said...

I don't have twins, but I was/ am one and all I know is that my Mum looks longingly at twin buggies that are one seated behind the other as she used to get stuck all the time apparently as that wasn't an option when we were babies!

She did eventually give up and splash out on a proper Silver Cross pram as we could top to tail (this was 1985 - you'd be shot now!)

X

Carly said...

I don't have twins, but I was/ am one and all I know is that my Mum looks longingly at twin buggies that are one seated behind the other as she used to get stuck all the time apparently as that wasn't an option when we were babies!

She did eventually give up and splash out on a proper Silver Cross pram as we could top to tail (this was 1985 - you'd be shot now!)

X

Gaynor {Our Day by Design} said...

Yeah might be too wide for transport but bugaboos move so well and you could have different colours for each pram / buggy side too.

Gaynor {Our Day by Design} said...

My sis also considered the phil & ted as best for London transport but not so good for the same age babies. Having the option to parent face & clip the car seat are def worth considering. x

Gaynor {Our Day by Design} said...

Oh and also we found our local mothercare branch didn't have a clue and our friends had problems ordering from them so we went to JL for ours as brilliant service & aftercare etc.

Rebecca said...

I'm still using my car seat on my buggy now, if they're asleep or going to be don't disturb them! It's so easy to drop them on and off the chassis. Also the cossatto one, can it be laid flat for sleep? Or at least well reclined? Until they're here you don't know what they'll want, some like to be flat, some don't etc. and also you can't parent face with the cossatto

Rebecca said...

(Sorry my phone cut me off before I was done!) which I'm still doing at 6 months, it's reassurance for them, and means you don't need to keep stopping to sort them out. Last thought(!) if you have a baby that doesn't switch off easily, that hood is like being in a Mexican fiesta to them, and may not help matters? It's a gorgeous buggy but maybe the top one is best? There's a woman who lives near here who has twins and she has one where they ca face each other, and the handlebar is like a steering wheel! Immense! I hope that's not too rambly!

Unknown said...

Definitely agree with Isofix and car seat adaptors. Go to John Lewis and book a nursery appointment where they go through absolutely everything with you and then give you free cake!!

Fee said...

Oh and we ordered our travel system by click and collect from John Lewis and collected it the next day. None of this 'you have to order months in advance' that you get from other shops!

Unknown said...

Definitely look at one where you can just clip the car seat in - it will make life infinitely easier! You will be stopping regularly for feeds, cuddles, bum changes so they will never be in the car seat for too long :) Buggies with a bar to push, rather than handles are my preferred choice because you can then steer with one hand! You can also get fab 'buggy buddies' from amazon which attach to your handles and can be used to carry bottles, drinks, purses, phones, keys, wipes.....life saver! xx

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