The rises and falls of a reversible seat: A stroller's reversibility means bonding, but also a less spacious seat unit

TL;DR: A reversible seat is a feature best in stroller systems or for small children passing from a bassinet. It may be more of a burden later on because it will always make the stroller heavier & bulkier while less spacious for an older child.

A reversible - meaning a forward- as well as a parent-facing seat on a stroller is a great asset. This is even more prominent with first-time parents and/or with a child that's just passing on from a carrycot mode to his first sitting space. You can see your baby, and the baby can see you. This creates a secure, safe feeling and a bonding environment you or your child might need.

Sometimes, however, parents overestimate the 'power' of a reversible seat, even when the kid doesn't really need it. You might think about the positives - and forget the negatives of a reversible seat being:
* A larger, bulkier, and heavier stroller;
* A MUCH less compact stroller (compared to a forward-facing model with otherwise the same functionality);
* A stroller with a smaller, less spacious seat unit (compared to a non-reversible stroller seat). It is because of the frame-in-frame design (the stroller seat is constructed so that it 'hangs' on a frame, and that frame is secured on the frame of the chassis). Count on a narrower seat, less space, shorter laying surface, and a canopy MUCH closer to the growing child's head.

Before insisting on a stroller with a reversible seat unit, always think of if - and for how long - do you actually need it. Will you really use that particular feature? (You won't as much if your child is already a toddler.)

The reversible seat feature sounds like a nice characteristic to have on your pushchair - and it is! However, it comes with drawbacks (as every feature does), and they might not be worth it if your lifestyle needs something else more.

Ask yourself whether you truly cannot live with your child seeing the world more than yourself (is he/she ready?). Think about the priority - is it on the parent-facing mode of the pushchair (as opposed to the longevity of use/spaciousness for the child)? Mull over the possibility of not having the most compact model (in contrary to 'as small and lightweight as possible'). Because if there were yeses, a forward-, as well as rearward-facing seat unit is absolutely the right choice for you.