Is a Side by Side Double Stroller the Right Choice For Your Family?

Submitted By: Molly Ridenhour

Double strollers come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, sturdiness, and price ranges. They have different levels of comfort, steerability and storability. Double strollers come in 2 basic types: side-by-side and tandem. In tandem the children sit in a row with one in front and one in back. A side-by-side double stroller has the children sitting next to each other.

Side by Side Double Stroller

The side by side double stroller has many advantages over the tandem stroller.

Safety

The side by side double stroller has its center of gravity spread out more than the tandem stroller. Thus it is less likely to tip over in an accident and therefore, less like to cause harm to your children.

You can see both children easily in the side by side double stroller. In the tandem, the child in back tends to block the child in the front seat. With this type of seating it is much easier to see if either child is in need to attention.

Happier Children

With a side by side double stroller there is no kicking of the child in the front seat by the child in the back seat as there is in a tandem stroller.

Even if the children are not twins, a side by side double stroller gives them the opportunity to interact with each other. This prevents boredom and cranky children.

All Terrain Steering

Due to the wider wheel base of the side by side stroller they tend to do better in outdoor settings. Therefore if you plan on using your stroller in the park, or at the soccer field the side by side is able to withstand the uneven terrain with less chance of tipping over.

Legroom

As your children grow the legroom in the back seat of the tandem stroller might be insufficient and not enough room for little legs to stretch out. This leads to an uncomfortable and fussy child. The side by side double stroller has ample legroom for any stage of growth. Either child can stretch their legs as desired.

Nap Time

Oftentimes the children will nap in the stroller. With a tandem stroller the front seat might not recline sufficiently. In addition if the child in the front wishes to nap but the child in the back seat is still awake the back seat child can easily distract the reclined child due to proximity. With the side by side stroller, both seats recline completely and one sleeping child is not easily accessible to the awake and alert child in the seat next door.

The side-by side stroller is perhaps the safest and most comfortable of the 2 different styles of double strollers. It is less likely to tip over and provides for easy interaction between the 2 children.

Also, check out my other guide on Tips For Using a Side by Side Double Stroller

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Tags: double stroller, double strollers, Side by Side Double Stroller, Side by Side Double Strollers