Any mom can tell you that you can skimp on all other things on the baby registry and buy second-hand, but I am here to tell you, don’t do this when you buy a stroller. This is especially the case when you have Irish Twins.
Strollers are supremely important because, as you well know or will know, they are your baby’s main transportation and your primary source of freedom. More than take you from point A to B, they provide you with hours of solace and quiet during walks (until your babies nod off), and can be a place for babies to sit, eat, and calm down, among a million other uses. Do not buy a crappy scroller!!! Consider yourself warned.
When my second was born I thanked my lucky stars that I was smart enough to have purchased my Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller. Crafted from high-quality materials, this stroller showcases a sleek and modern design that exudes elegance and refinement. The stroller’s frame is sturdy and durable, ensuring it can withstand the demands of everyday use and various terrains.From city strolls to outdoor excursions, this versatile and stylish stroller is the perfect companion for you and your little darlings.
I chose the one that allowed for multiple kids to ride – and man was I glad later that I did that. With number two a newborn and number one in the regular seat, I commandeered my stroller like a captain manning their flotilla. Every time I took a walk everyone was like, wow that looks impressive.
The Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller is the rolls royce of strollers because it comes with a ton of handy features and the guarantee on it is gold standard.
It is great for Irish twins because there are all sorts of configurations for different types of seat attachments and fittings for different stages of the baby’s development. I used this stroller when my second baby was a newborn and my first was one years old. It was very helpful the first year. We loved this model for the first year after the second baby was born because, unlike a double stroller, it is easy to manipulate and take places. The large and plush seats on this stroller are designed with your child’s comfort in mind, providing ample room for growth and a smooth recline for nap time on the go. The extendable canopy offers excellent sun protection, keeping your little one shielded from the elements as well. The wheels on this stroller are extremely sturdy and huge so we often hiked in the woods on dirt paths with it, without any problems. The best feature? If anything breaks, and it could if you used it as much as us, then the company will send you a replacement – just don’t forget to register your warranty. Also, the intuitive one-step fold and compact design make it easy to transport and store when not in use and it fits easily into the trunk of any car. The stroller also boasts ample storage in the basket on the bottom that provides space for all your essentials, ensuring you have everything you need at your fingertips, tissues, snacks, diaper bag etc.
We still use this stroller now that the kids are two and one years old. We mostly use it now for solo trips when one kid wont nap and needs a walk and you don’t want the double stroller.I highly recommend having a single stroller and a double stroller with Irish Twins because its nearly impossible to get them to nap at the same time and if you live in a small place, as we did living in a two-bedroom condo, you do not want one baby waking up the other. There are all kinds of knock offs that are similar and cheaper but I cannot endorse them, as I get the best and only the best.
Still, I have done a lot of research and these were the next runner ups if you don’t want to drop almost a grand on a stroller. I picked travel systems because I see no point in getting a stroller if it does not make it through the first three years or more. All of these are travel “systems,” meaning the are designed to grow with your child throughout their different stages from newborn to infant to toddler. Travel systems generally accommodate children up to fifty pounds. Also, the coolest part about them is that the childs seat can go from the car to the stroller in just one click. Babies are basically extra baggage and so you want to make your little travel bundles as easy to get around as possible. Here are my top picks (that I didn’t get but that I was recommended by other moms):
EvenFLo Pivot Modular Travel System
This one looks pretty good because it is a travel system and has all the fixings to follow your child as they grow. It has many of the same UppaBaby features but again, not sure about those wheels?
Chico Bravo 3 in 1 Trio System This one looks like it can work for awhile with the first born or for naps after you have two kiddies. I had a friend that used this one and she said it is pretty decent. It looks like it has a nice design as well.
I would also recommend having a baby carrier with you the first year with the two babies when you are out of the house. When my newborn got sick of being in the stroller as he always did, he was fine being in the baby carrier. We loved the Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier as a great alternative to the stroller.
It is a great carrier because you can use it from the newborn stage up until the baby is a year old or more. The manufacturer says you are able to use it until the baby weighs 45 lbs is the weight limit, but my son is 18 pounds and doesn’t want to be in it now. He enjoyed it up until a year because he liked to sit facing outward. Also, it is thoughtfully crafted to accommodate various carrying positions and to support your little one’s natural hip and spine development. The carrier also offers adjustable head and neck support, keeping your baby secure and comfortable during your adventures together.
With this carrier the baby can sit facing forward or towards the parent. With the convenience of a simple adjustment, you can easily switch between front-inward, front-outward, hip, and back carry positions, catering to your baby’s growth and developmental milestones.Our little darlings liked to face outwards to see the world around them but we wore them the other way more when they were new to the world in the first three months. We liked it most because it was comfortable and easy to put on by yourself as well. The added shoulder straps and a supportive waistband ensure a snug and secure fit, allowing you to carry your little one with ease and without discomfort. This is very important as well when you have two babies… you need to pick design that one person can manipulate because the other parent or caregiver may be busy with the other child at any given moment.
When my babies were newborn (and the first three months) I liked using the wrap carrier (but mostly around the house). That is helpful so you can cook, clean and have lots of skin to skin with your newborn while you have another toddler running around. I know other moms that use these well after those first initial months, but personally I did not like if after they grew out of the teeny tiny stage.
Still, you should know, that once your babies are big enough, you will need to upgrade to a double stroller. I say this reluctantly because I am not a fan of the double stroller, any of them, and here are five reasons why:
1) They are hard to manipulate because they are so wide
2.) They are a pain to get through standard door frames when you are by yourself
3.) They are usually heavier and harder to fold
4.) The breaks on them are all kinds of tricky and clunky to manipulate
5.) They are harder at turning corners and pushing over bumps
The best double stroller I have found on the market is the Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Double Stroller.
My babies love this stroller because they like to be in close proximity and see each other to talk and interact. My son (the second born) will only fall asleep in this stroller because he finds it more comfortable than the single stroller. Similar to the single stroller, this one can weather any terrain you throw at it. The wheels are strong and hold up to city sidewalks or walks on a dirt path in the woods. The Snap Duo stroller is comfortable for the kiddies because the back and the leg rest is adjustable and can go up and down. Also, it is padded, and the shades on the top can go up or down individually for either kid to pick how they want to sit. As a big plus, the stroller fits (tightly) in a standard door frame and it is pretty easy to fold when you get the hang of it. It fits fine in the back of any car. Moreover, I am not so strong and I don’t find it particularly heavy or difficult to control and handled it alone. Surprisingly, despite its double seating, this stroller remains remarkably lightweight and compact, ensuring easy maneuverability and effortless transportation. I also enjoy the stroller’s generous storage basket on the bottom that offers ample space for diaper bags, snacks, and other essentials, keeping everything within reach. I loved that it repels dust and dirt but more so I loved the warranty. When I broke the board inside the stroller by accident, the customer service sent me a a new one and a youtube video on how to install it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Again, here are a less expensive models that are similar and have some of the same features but might be more in your budget:
Graco Ready to Grow Stroller, this stroller includes a front seat with multiple recline positions, providing a cozy and adjustable spot for your younger child to relax or nap. Meanwhile, the rear seat is designed for an older child or toddler, with a comfortable padded bench and standing platform that lets them hop on and off with ease. I never bought this stroller but I did have friends who swear by it.
Baby Joy Double Stroller, this stroller boasts adjustable back and foot rests to adjust to each child’s level of comfort. It also folds with just one hand and locks automatically for easy transport and storage. The description also mentions an ergonomic push handle and lockable wheels, sounds pretty good? It certainly looks as good as the UppaBaby and has some of its features.
The lockable front swivel wheels and pneumatic bicycle tires on this stroller guarantee smooth and stable maneuverability, even on uneven terrain. The jogger’s ergonomic rubber grip handle provides a comfortable grip, allowing you to focus on your run or stroll without discomfort. I am not a runner but if I would I might go with this one?
In any case, I want to reiterate that you should have two strollers for all different types of scenarios. I also always kept a cheap umbrella stroller in my car for those times that I forgot a stroller and my youngest didn’t want to walk or was having a meltdown on the way into our condo. If you have a house, this is less of an issue.
Here is the umbrella stroller we have that is great because its small and fits in the backseat of a car easily. Also, we had this as our “emergency stroller that stayed in the car incase we forgot a stroller or just had no energy to carry babies into the elevator and up to our condo or friend’s apartment.
For easy portability and storage, this umbrella stroller that we had prior to buying our home features a compact fold that can be accomplished with just one hand. Once folded, it stands on its own, making it a space-saving addition to your home or car, but also easily manipulated when you are carrying one baby and stuffing the other into the stroller at the same time – only the mother of Irish twins can understand. The anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels provide stability and smooth maneuvering on various surfaces. Many umbrella strollers do not have great wheels so that is super important when picking a cheapie stroller.
- Do you need it to fold for storage purposes?
- Should it be light because you don’t want to carry around a heavy stroller?
- Will your little ones fight if they are sitting next to one another or do they prefer to be close to one another?
- Which one fits your lifestyle? Do you need a stroller for the city or country paths?
- What features do you want for your own comfort: ergonomic handle, coffee holder, etc.?
- Alternatively, what are non-negotiable features you need for your little ones?
- Do you want something that can grow with your child from baby car seat to infant and toddler stroller?
I made a list of what features I wanted and then shopped around. Still, whichever one you do end up picking, make sure you shop around awhile first because this will be by far your most important purchase.