September 23, 2014 Eli

4 reasons to choose a single stroller (over that single that converts to a double)

If you’re planning on spacing your family closely, a single stroller that converts to a double stroller might be an alluring choice. And it’s true that some of these strollers are fantastic, but it’s not our first recommendation most of the time. Here are some reasons why you should start with a single and buy a double stroller when you need one.

Get a stroller you love for your first baby: With your first baby, you’re on a steep learning curve with a lot of new challenges, and your stroller shouldn’t be one of them! Getting out of the house with your baby is going to be one of the major factors keeping both you and your new babe happy – neither of you are going to want to be cooped up inside, and the perfect stroller will help you do that regularly. It should be easy to use, and you should enjoy using it. So if the best stroller for your needs with Baby #1 doesn’t convert to a double, I beg you not to pass it up because it doesn’t seem practical! It absolutely is practical – your comfort with that stroller will ensure that you’re happy using it every day. So don’t buy the stroller that is always going to make you think of the one that got away.
New models: New strollers are constantly coming to the market, and the double stroller system that is the best thing today may be trumped by a great new system by the time you have your second baby. Parents get so disappointed when they buy a stroller that they don’t love because it turns into a double stroller just to find that by the time they have their second child, something much better is on the market and they may end up buying that anyway.
Not all engineering is the same: Some strollers are touted as the one stroller that can do it all, but that’s not always the case. The new 2017 UPPAbaby Vista and the Bugaboo Donkey are two examples of strollers that convert beautifully from single to double, but few strollers are designed that well. Beware of strollers that are great as a single stroller, but are designed to serve as a double as an afterthought – you don’t need those headaches.
Strollers have resale value: If you invest in a quality stroller in the first place, you can resell it when you upgrade from a single to a double. So use a single stroller that you love, and then when the time comes you can sell it and use the proceeds to put into a double stroller that you’ll also love.

Got more questions about stroller shopping? We’ve got your answers right here at Magic Beans! Come into any of our Boston-area stores (or our new Fairfield, CT location), or talk to our stroller experts via email, live chat, or by phone. We’ve got the know-how to help you find the stroller of your dreams!