Baby basics: Strollers for twins, triplets or different-age sibs

Multiseat strollers give you a relatively efficient means of taking twins, triplets, or young siblings of different ages for a ride. Most companies that manufacture strollers for one child also make a version with two or more seats. Multiseaters offer many of the same features as strollers for a single rider, just in larger-scale construction. Alternatives include strollers with a small seat in the rear that lets a second child hitch a ride. Multiseat strollers usually come in one of two configurations: tandem or side-by-side.

Their prices are comparable, ranging from $120 for basic units to $900 for deluxe models. Which to choose? Here are the pros and cons of both types to help you decide.

TANDEMS: Tandem models have one seat directly behind the other. They're the same width as single-passenger strollers and the best choice overall for fitting through doorways and getting around enclosed spaces, such as retail stores. Some tandem strollers let you set the seats so that the children face each other; others have a "stadium seat" arrangement that allows the child in back to see over the one in front.

Pros
--The backseat can recline.
--Tandems easily go through standard doorways and fit through tight spots, such as an older apartment with a narrow elevator.
--It's compact. A folded tandem takes up just a little more space than a folded standard midweight stroller.
--Many tandem models accept an infant car seat in one or both stroller seats, but check which brands of car seat the stroller is compatible with before you buy.

Cons
--The front seat usually can't recline without infringing on the space of the rear passenger.
--Steering can be difficult, and it can be tricky getting over curbs.
--Some models offer limited leg support and very little legroom for the rear passenger.
--They're often quite heavy, which can be difficult to manage if you're small in stature.

SIDE-BY-SIDES: Side-by-side models, the other configuration, consist of two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. The features on side-by-side strollers are similar to what you'll find on single-passenger models. Each of the seats has an independent reclining mechanism.

Pros
--A side-by-side model goes up curbs more easily than a tandem.
--Some side-by-side models accept an infant car seat, though some brands limit it to one seat only. That may be fine if you're shopping for a newborn and an older child. Tip: If you're shopping for infant twins and you want a side-by-side, look for one in which both seats recline, and use the infant boot that comes with the stroller for both seats.

Cons
--When children of diff erent weights ride in the unit, it can veer to one side. Tip: This type works best for children of about the same weight, such as twins.
--Most side-by-side models can't be used with infant car seats.
--It's bulky. A folded side-by-side stroller will require nearly twice as much space as the equivalent single-occupant version.
--It's wide. Although manufacturers may claim that a stroller is slender enough to go through a standard doorway, it can often be a tight squeeze, and the stroller may not fit through some doorways at all. They can also be a tight fit in stores when maneuvering around racks of clothing, for example.

What's your vote? If you've used a multiseat stroller before, we'd love to hear from you. You probably have a definite opinion on which type you found to be better—and why.

See our latest report on strollers and buying advice for more information.