Tandam or Twin Double Pram?

**middlecm** · 30-06-2005 17:58

Hi
I need some advice about wether to purchase a tandam or twin double pram. I will have a newborn and 17month old. Is a 17month old to young to put into a toddler seat on a tandam pram?
Any suggestions at to what brand to buy, we are outdoors type of family and walk regularly, oh and I live in a hilly coastal town. I currently use a Mountain Buggy with my son, but cant see the budget stretching to $1200 for a twin of this brand.
Thanks for any advice on this minefield.
Christine

**draught** · 30-06-2005 18:01

I had a mountain buggy too and ended up getting a Phil and Ted'sE3 with toddler seat which I have been happy with but not as happy as with the MB. I noticed on the weekend that there were about 5 or 6 second hand double MB's for sale on Ebay for really reasonable prices - might be worth looking at?
Otherwise check out the Phil and Ted's on their website - www.philandteds.com - it is a good combo for children your ages and gives you the option of a single pram if you want it.

**Elfin** · 30-06-2005 21:26

I would go the tandem pram, I have one and it is great. It is a stretch limo style. The twin pram would be a pain to maneovre through narrow gaps and your toddler might annoy your baby while sleeping a bit much.

The other point is there is heaps of room under the pram to put shopping which is a big bonus for me.

**mumofethan** · 30-06-2005 21:33

there is one thing to watch out for with toddler seats, or limo prams... ensure that both your kids can see....

my friend has had that problem with a few prams, and ended up with one kid kicking the other kid out of fustration...

**Milly** · 30-06-2005 21:43

We will be in a similar dilemma to you in about 6 months, although our kids will be 21 months apart. What we have decided to do is use our current stroller and Baby Bjorn Pouch the Newborn. I have seen a lot of parents do this quite successfully. We will see how this works for a while and then see if we need to go a double pram. Also, our stroller can take a toddler board on the back, so there is that option too.

If either of those options are not a go we may look into something like the Phil & Ted's E3. These are so popular with parents with 2 kids as you can have different options of which two are Newborn with Toddler and two toddlers. The toddler seat also does not go on the front, so there is no risk of tipping if your front wheel is at a 90 degree angle which can happen with regular three wheelers with the toddler seat mounted at the front. I am actually not a fan of the three wheeler pram at all as I find them so big and cumbersome (we have a little lightweight stroller our daughter has had since birth) but the Phil & Ted's does actually seem quite a compact double pram compared to a conventional 2 child pram. So, in that context it is not so big. The length of the Phil & Ted's is my only concern, but they really do look smaller than a conventional tandem/double pram. It also did not do so well with the Choice tests either, but they still seem rather popular. I have heard mixed reactions about them, but it is still worth an investigation.

**our little treasures** · 01-07-2005 22:36

middlecm My hubby and I just made this decision about a month ago. We are due bub#2 in under 3weeks and my dd will be 17and a half mnths.At first I said I would get the limo but when I went out and compared them I found the limo to be harder to push than the side by side pram also we spotted a lot of older kids hitting and pulling the front childs head!!! We ended up buying a childcare side by side as it was easy to push, fold down and fitted into our sports coupe boot. But emotionally I feel it will be easier for both kids to have a look at the world and I will be able to fix thier needs that bit quicker, this brand actually fits through our front door easily which means it will fit down the ailse at the shops.

It is however a big choice.
GOOD LUCK!!!

**middlecm** · 02-07-2005 15:02

Thanks for the advice so far. I think Im leaning towards the side-by-side as then both kids can see. My biggest problem is that I live in country WA and we dont have a baby shop in town so will have to order a pram online, phone without being able to try any!!!!
But your advice is helpful.
Thanks again
Christine

**kamckellar** · 02-07-2005 17:43

i had a side by side for my boys as they were 20 months apart.the best advice i got was to swap the kids around each time they get in that way the weight of the older child will be evenly distributed.when i had my twins i bought a new love n care 3 wheeled side by side.i paid $480.00.it has gr8 pump up tyres and is lovely to push.it fit in everywhere i go.and most supermarkets and shops have wider entrances and aisles.you just have to use the disabled/pram checkout.the baskets underneath are smallish but its a gr8 pram.and if you feel like jogging it glides along beautifully.it also came with a rain cover.my twins just turned 2 and we still use it.its travelled heaps of kms and has a long way to go yet.

**Moorish** · 09-07-2005 15:17

I've recently posted a review on the VALCO renegade DUO tandem on the BUBHUB site. My girls are 19 mths apart & I live in TAS so don't have the luxury of baby shops such as Babyco etc (we have 2 shops, yay) & I was in the same boat as you, having to order one without trying it first. I tagged along on one of my hubbies business trips to Melb when my youngest was a few weeks old & we spent 2 days going around every baby shop we could find to test all the options. Have a look at my really "enthusiastic" review & see what you think, but basically, it's a 4 wheeler tandem pram - one in front of the other, the back seat sits higher up so bubby can see when they get bigger. The front seat semi-reclines & is for the older one & the back seat fully reclines & suits baby from birth. When I take the girs shopping now, I pop the eldest in the back seat & the youngest in the front & it makes pushing easier. It's slim - about the same width as a standard 4 wheeler & only a little longer. It fits well done shopping isles & registers without having to go down the pram isle. It's compact, fit in the boot of our sedan & overall quality was excellent. Also I purchased it for under $300. It's definitely worth a look. I don't like those Phil & Ted's as it looks like the baby is all squished underneath, and what happens when the baby is a toddie & wants to see the world? Good luck & if you're an eBayer take a look at these item #'s during the next 7 days to see some pictures of the Valco renegade duo (item # 3984783644 & item # 3984990200) or do a search under the name of the pram. Good luck, let us know what you get!

**mummy_to_4** · 10-07-2005 22:07

Here is a webiste that may interest you. I personally havnt tried this type of pram myself but have heard glowing comments www.babymall.com.au/explorer/ you can purchase a baby attachemnt that attches to the back of the pram.

If you are looking at side by side prams then I would recomend http://www.lovencare.com.au/joggers.html#twinjogger I have that pram and just love it. Its easy to maneouve and is very sturdy.