“Poor thing”, I used to think when I saw a mom push a double stroller. It looked so wide, difficult to maneuver and downright huge. I’d never become “that mom”, that was for sure. When I became a mommy of two under two (18 months to be precise), I stayed strong: I ventured out with Amelia in the carrier and Elliot in the stroller and was lucky that Elliot was already very good on his scooter too. So what changed when we were expecting our third baby?

Amelia, the boisterous

Amelia helping pregnant mommy pick up the new stroller.

What changed was, … Amelia becoming a stubborn toddler. Elliot has always been more of a careful observer whereas Amelia is a real adventurer. At 4,5 Elliot still stays close to me and finds it difficult to be dropped off at a birthday party for example. Amelia, however, is quite the entrepreneur and although she has become more careful now (almost 3) she went through a terrible phase when I was in my third trimester with Phoebe. She’d run away in the store and I’d hurry after her with my enormous belly and find her stuck behind a line of refrigerators for sale or about to walk out into the parking lot alone. This kind of behavior was new to me and it scared me with the prospect of a third on the way.

Light

Pregnant with Phoebe and taking the stroller out for a spin with Elliot and amelia.

In comes the mountain buggy nano duo. The walk home from the store after getting it immediately surprised me. I had thought walks like these were going to be something I’d have to endure but oh boy this stroller felt so light! Much lighter than our single stroller (from another brand) at home! Moreover it wasn’t even that much wider. I measured it at home: only 12cm difference (for a whole extra seat)!

Compact

It folds up ever so tiny (this is my peugeot 2008 trunk)

Folding this stroller is a dream. I have had my fair share of “swearing-on-parking-lots-moments” trying to get baby gear in or out of the car. This stroller, however, practically folds up by itself. It is so light and small that it fits in any car and I notice I take it along a lot because it’s just so simple to grab and fling into the trunk. Click here for video’s of me nailing folding the stroller.

I expected the stroller to not fit through doors some of the time, but I have honestly NEVER been in that situation. This thing fits through every door. Our front door, the doors at the kids’ school, at the store,…

Comfort

Thanks to this stroller I was out and about immediately after coming home with Phoebe. The thought of the walk home from school with a tired preschooler, cheeky toddler and an innieminnie newborn was daunting. Elliot and Amelia are great walkers and do well on bike and scooter but the possibility of them getting a fit, Phoebe crying strapped to my chest or in the single stroller halfway home,… gave me anxiety. But having that certainty that I could safely strap Amelia in the stroller next to Phoebe took away my reservations about picking the kids up by foot only days after giving birth. I remember many mommies commenting on my Instagram account on how quickly I was out and about and besides a complication free delivery and quick recovery, the mountain buggy definitely had something to do with that.

Baby cocoon

taking out Phoebe for the first time. She was four days old (1st day home).

Phoebe is four months now and still really enjoys the cocoon we got with the stroller. I put Elliot and Amelia’s scooters on the seat next to her when I head to school and when we’ve got a “soldier-down-situation” on the way back, I pop that little trooper in the stroller. Although I’ve gotten braver now and often pick up the kids just on foot with Phoebe in the carrier, there still are days that I don’t want to risk taking forever getting home with the kids and then I like to fall back on the double stroller which ensures a smooth ride home.

Consider this

Something to consider is that the Nano Duo is a lightweight city stroller. Its little, hard wheels don’t do well during strolls in the park for example. They are, however, excellent for walks on a sidewalk or in a shopping mall.

If I had to name another thing that could be improved, it’s the cocoon mattress. It’s fixed, so you can’t put a fitted sheet over it and you can’t wash it. (I always put a muslin cloth in it, which works just fine but you know how babies spit up all the time. I’m always a fan of being able to machine wash baby items once in a while.)

I also always put a folded blanket in the stroller seat underneath the cocoon to tilt it just a bit. Otherwise it’s so flat that Phoebe spits up or is almost upside down when I go down a curb.

The last thing we’ve noticed, is the depth of the seats. In winter, when Amelia is wearing a chunky coat, the seat would be more comfortable if it were just a little deeper. However, I am well aware of the fact that Amelia is almost three and most moms will use this stroller intensely when their children (or twins) are younger. Moreover, the seat gets the job done. Amelia never complains about it, I just think it looks a little tight.

In conclusion

Besides these footnotes, I am a huge fan and have become quite the ambassador for Mountain Buggy. This stroller has thought of everything: it’s compatible with an infant car seat, it has a huge gear tray, a shoulder strap to carry it around when folded, has very practical and extra large sun canopies and the backs of the seats can be put in several positions (including completely flat).

At a price of 450 euro, I am aware that it is quite pricey, but for me it is well worth the investment and I couldn’t do without it anymore.

Find more videos and pictures in my instagram highlight “Mountain Buggy”.

Get more information on the official website.

For all you Belgian mommies, I was very happy with the assistance I got at the store in Antwerp I bought our Mountain Buggy at! Go to the website here.