What To Consider: Buggies for Growing Families

19 September 2024| Updated 14 October 2026|5 |Pushchairs

Quick Answer

When choosing a pushchair for a growing family, we recommend starting with one simple question: will two children regularly need to ride at the same time? If they will, a single-to-double pushchair can give you the flexibility to add a second carrycot or seat when you need it. If your older child mostly walks, an integrated Ride-on Board may be all the extra flexibility you need. It's also worth thinking about the pushchair's footprint, fold, basket, car-boot fit and exactly what is required to convert it as your family grows.

Choosing your first pushchair is a big decision. Choosing one while also thinking about a future sibling, twins or a toddler who still likes the occasional lift can add another layer to that decision.

At iCandy, we've always believed a pushchair should work around family life rather than the other way around. That is why adaptability has become such an important part of many of the pushchairs we design.

You do not need to know exactly what your family will look like in two or three years. Instead, it helps to understand which features give you useful flexibility now and which options could make life easier if your family grows later.

Start by asking Will two children need to ride together?

Then consider Which newborn and toddler setups you'll need

At home & away Check width, fold and car-boot space

For older siblings A Ride-on Board may be enough

Start with your family's needs

Do you actually need a double pushchair?

Not every family welcoming another baby needs two full pushchair seats. We recommend thinking about how your older child travels now and how old they will be when their new sibling arrives.

Option 01 Two children need full riding positions If both children are likely to sit, rest or sleep in the pushchair regularly, a double or single-to-double setup is likely to offer the most useful flexibility.

Option 02 Your older child mostly walks An integrated Ride-on Board can give an older sibling somewhere to hop on when little legs get tired without requiring a full second seat on every journey.

Option 03 You're planning ahead A single-to-double pushchair lets you enjoy it as a single from day one and add the second-child configuration later if and when you need it.

Before you choose

What should you consider when choosing a pushchair for a growing family?

Think about the age gap

A newborn and an 18-month-old are likely to have very different requirements from a newborn and a four-year-old. Consider how often your older child is likely to need a full seat once their sibling arrives.

Focus on the configurations you'll genuinely use

We recommend checking whether the pushchair supports the exact combinations relevant to your family, whether that's a carrycot with a seat, two seats or two carrycots for twins.

Consider the footprint

Think about your front door, hallway, favourite shops, cafés, nursery, public transport and regular walking routes. The best double pushchair is one that fits comfortably into your everyday life.

Check how everything fits in the car

The folded chassis is only part of the picture. In double mode, you'll often also have a second seat, carrycot or additional components alongside the changing bag and everything else your family needs.

Test how it feels to push

Adding another child naturally increases the load. We always recommend trying the pushchair in the configurations you're likely to use and considering the terrain that's part of your normal routine.

Don't overlook basket access

Two children tend to mean more nappies, snacks, coats and everyday essentials. A generous basket is useful, but being able to reach it easily in double mode matters just as much.

Understand what you'll need later

If you're buying with future conversion in mind, check which additional converters, seats, carrycot fabrics or adapters you may need when the time comes.

The terminology made simple

What's the difference between double, twin and Ride-on Board setups?

Double pushchair Usually siblings at different stages A double configuration is often used for siblings, such as a newborn in a carrycot with an older child in a seat. Available combinations vary by pushchair.

Twin pushchair Two children at the same stage A twin setup supports two children who need equivalent configurations, such as two carrycots for newborn twins followed by two seat units as they grow.

Ride-on Board Flexibility for an older sibling A Ride-on Board is designed for an older child who is happy walking most of the time but may still appreciate somewhere to stand when they get tired.

One of the biggest deciding factors

How does the age gap affect the pushchair you choose?

There is no one age gap that automatically means you need a double pushchair. We recommend considering your older child's stamina, routine and how your family normally gets around.

Smaller age gap

Two full positions may be more useful

If your older child still naps in the pushchair, needs carrying regularly or isn't ready for longer walks, a full sibling setup may make everyday journeys considerably easier.

Larger age gap

A Ride-on Board could be the better fit

If your older child is confident walking most of the time, an integrated Ride-on Board can provide occasional support without turning every outing into a full double-pushchair journey.

Twins

Look for two equivalent newborn setups

For twins, check that the pushchair supports two carrycots from birth and two suitable seat units later. Not every double pushchair is automatically designed for twin use.

Still planning ahead

Choose flexibility without unnecessary bulk

A pushchair that works beautifully as a single but can convert later gives you room to adapt without needing to use or store a full double setup before it's required.

One pushchair, different stages

Can you use the same pushchair for a newborn and toddler?

Yes. The important thing is using the correct configuration for each child's stage and following the guidance for the individual product.

Newborn Start with the approved from-birth setup Across our premium travel systems, a carrycot provides the dedicated newborn setup. Always follow the age, weight and developmental limits provided for your specific carrycot.

Older baby & toddler Move into the seat when appropriate Rather than treating six months as a universal milestone, follow the guidance for the specific carrycot and seat unit. Every baby develops at a slightly different pace.

Double pushchair layout

Tandem or side-by-side: what's the difference?

Tandem

One child positioned behind or above the other

A tandem design keeps both children within a narrower footprint, which can make everyday spaces such as doorways, shop aisles and public transport easier to navigate.

We use this approach on Peach 8 and Orange 4, allowing them to convert without becoming a wide side-by-side pushchair.

Side-by-side

Both children positioned next to each other

A side-by-side pushchair positions both children at the same level and can provide straightforward access to each seat, although the overall width is typically greater.

Which style works best ultimately depends on the spaces and journeys that are part of your everyday routine.

Our current range

Which iCandy pushchair works best for a growing family?

We've designed different pushchairs around different family needs. Here's the simplest way to compare the options if future family flexibility is part of your decision.

Single to double or twin

Peach 8

Best for maximum future-proofing

Single to double or twin
Same footprint when converted
10kg basket + integrated Ride-on Board

Explore Peach 8

Single-to-double ready

Orange 4

Best for flexible family configurations

Single-to-double ready from the start
More than 30 configurations
Integrated Ride-on Board

Explore Orange 4

Premium single

Core 2

Best for larger sibling age gaps

Premium single pushchair
Integrated Ride-on Board
Ride-on Board supports up to 20kg

Explore Core 2

Need two full child positions? Peach 8 and Orange 4 are our current single-to-double options. Have an older child who mainly walks? Core 2 keeps the simplicity of a premium single pushchair while adding an integrated Ride-on Board for the moments they need a lift.

The details that become more important with two

How much storage does a growing family need?

Once you're carrying essentials for two children, basket space becomes even more valuable. But we recommend looking at accessibility as well as capacity.

Basket access

Try it in the configuration you'll use

A large basket is much more useful when you can still reach it comfortably with both child positions fitted. Try adding and removing a changing bag or coats in double mode.

Car boot

Remember the additional components

When testing boot space, include any second seat, carrycot or adapters you expect to travel with rather than measuring the folded chassis in isolation.

At home

Plan where unused pieces will live

A convertible pushchair may involve components that are only needed at certain stages. Think about where you'll keep them between uses.

Everyday width

Measure the spaces that matter

Your doorway, lift or hallway may tell you more about the right pushchair than a specification sheet alone. It's worth checking the spaces you navigate every day.

Car to pushchair

Can you use a travel system with a growing-family pushchair?

Yes. A travel system allows a compatible infant car seat to connect to the pushchair chassis using the appropriate adapters, which can make shorter transitions between the car and your destination more convenient.

When you're planning for more than one child, we recommend checking car-seat compatibility in the exact sibling configuration you want to use. Compatibility can vary depending on the pushchair, position and car seat.

Peach 8, Orange 4 and Core 2 can all form travel systems with compatible infant car seats, including our Cocoon 360 system. Always check the current compatibility guidance for the exact products you're combining.

Moving on from the carrycot

When should a baby move into the pushchair seat?

We recommend following the guidance for your exact carrycot and seat unit rather than using one fixed age for every baby.

Check the carrycot limits Carrycots have specific age, weight and developmental guidance. Move on when the first relevant limit for your product is reached.

Check the seat suitability Before moving into the seat unit, make sure it is appropriate for your child's stage and use it in the configuration shown in the product instructions.

Follow your baby's development Babies develop at different rates, so six months should not be treated as a universal transition point for every child and every pushchair.

Before you decide

What do we recommend trying in store?

Push it in both single and double mode

The feel of a pushchair naturally changes when another child is added. Try the configurations that are most relevant to your family rather than only testing it as a single.

Practise converting it

Ask to add and remove the converters, second seat or carrycot so you can see how easily the pushchair adapts between different stages.

Fold it yourself

Try the fold, see which components need to be removed and make sure you're comfortable lifting the chassis into your own car.

Check access to both children

Make sure you're comfortable placing each child into position, fastening their harness and reaching both children during everyday use.

Try the Ride-on Board

If an older sibling will use it, let them try the board and check how comfortable your own walking position feels behind the pushchair.

Common questions

Pushchairs for Growing Families FAQs

Do I need a double pushchair for a newborn and toddler?

It depends on how much your older child still relies on their pushchair. If both children regularly need to ride, rest or sleep while you're out, we'd recommend considering a full double setup. If your older child normally walks, an integrated Ride-on Board may give you enough flexibility.

What's the difference between a double pushchair and a twin pushchair?

A double pushchair is often configured for siblings at different stages, such as a carrycot for a newborn and a seat for a toddler. A twin configuration provides equivalent setups for two children at the same stage, such as two carrycots followed by two seat units.

Is a tandem pushchair better than a side-by-side?

Neither layout is automatically better for every family. Tandem pushchairs keep the children within a narrower footprint, which can be useful for doors, shops and public transport. Side-by-side designs position the children next to each other but generally take up more width. We recommend thinking about the spaces you use most.

Can Peach 8 convert into a double pushchair?

Yes. We designed Peach 8 to convert from a single pushchair into double or twin configurations while retaining the same footprint, using the appropriate Peach 8 components.

Can Orange 4 convert into a double pushchair?

Yes. Orange 4 is single-to-double ready and has been designed with growing-family flexibility at its core. Across the wider system, more than 30 configurations are available.

Does Core 2 convert into a double?

No. Core 2 is one of our premium single pushchairs rather than a single-to-double model. It does include an integrated Ride-on Board supporting an older sibling up to 20kg, which can make it a good option for families with a larger age gap.

When should my baby move from the carrycot into the seat?

We recommend following the age, weight and developmental guidance for your exact carrycot alongside the suitability guidance for the seat. Six months should not be treated as a fixed transition age for every baby.

How can I check whether a double pushchair will fit in my car?

Check the folded chassis dimensions, but remember to include any second seat, carrycot and other components you'll need to transport. You can also use our car boot guide to explore how different iCandy pushchairs fit into real vehicles.

Which iCandy pushchair is best for a growing family?

If you expect to need two full child positions, Peach 8 and Orange 4 are our main current single-to-double options. If you only need one seated position but would like occasional support for an older sibling, Core 2 and its integrated Ride-on Board may be a better fit. The right choice depends on your children's age gap, lifestyle, storage and the configurations you expect to use.

Made to grow with family life

Choose the flexibility that makes sense for your family.

Future-proofing a pushchair does not mean choosing the model with the most features. It's about finding the flexibility that genuinely fits the way your family lives today and the way it may grow tomorrow.

Explore the configurations, try them in person and think about the spaces and journeys that make up everyday family life. Our pushchairs are designed to give you options, so you can choose the ones that matter to you.

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