How To Choose the Right Baby Stroller

So you’re expecting? Congratulations! Now the hard bit begins. How do you choose the right baby stroller and what should you consider before you buy? Believe me do this right and you will be in the minority. How many people (me included) buy with their eyes not their heads? I can guarantee most first-time parents ( me included) buy a stroller and regret it in the first six months, learning the hard way and having to buy another one!! So how do you choose? What makes the perfect purchase that is your stroller-dream rather than your worst nightmare? Simple…you need to consider your lifestyle (yes it’s going to change!) and find the stroller that fits it.

Safety First

So your main consideration has to be safety. Will your stroller stand up to the diaper bag, shopping bags and purse draped from the handles when you lift baby out? Or more alarmingly when baby is still be in! How many times have I seen stroller gymnastics! You will overload the stroller…babies DON’T travel light. Thankfully most babies will fall asleep in the stroller so get a 5 point harness or you will find them slumped forward. Check out the safety of the fasteners as little fingers will explore.

 

Sleeping and Baby Travel System

It sounds obvious but most parents forget that babies like to sleep in the car…how many nights did I drive around getting my colicky baby to sleep? So if you spend a lot of time in the car and shop at the mall it’s likely you will be faced with disturbing your sleeping baby. The solution is a travel system. A travel system stroller adapts to hold an infant car seat, clip in your sleeping baby and off you go. No need to risk waking them as you transfer them from car seat to stroller. The systems usually have a seat base that you leave in the car, you simply clip the seat into it therefore eliminating complicated seat belt buckling manouveres. As baby grows the stroller adapts to a basic stroller.

 

Lightweight

This is a vital consideration. As your baby grows, he or she will  need accessories, toys, changing bags, spare clothes etc…choose a lightweight Stroller! You can find Strollers under 20 pounds with all the features of their heavier counterparts. Remember if you go for a heavier model and compensate with a cheap umbrella folding stroller you can’t use it before your baby can happily sit unaided, i.e 6 months or so.

 

Testdrive Testdrive Testdrive… – (Stroller Wheels and handle height)

Not just for cars. Are you short? Is your partner tall? Buy a stroller with adjustable handles- save a fortune at the Chiropractor! Think about the turning radius of the stroller wheels busy bustling Malls require good articluate handling.

 

Extra Features

What do you/will you carry with you? Consider an under stroller basket to aid stability. A toy bar to entertain junior, a cup holder for that pick me up coffee perhaps? Sunshade? Raincover? I could go on but remember you can buy these as optional extras so don’t let the lack of  them dissuade you from your perfect stroller.

Trunk  Space and Folding

Try out your prospective stroller in your trunk or measure it at least. I know it seems obvious but you’ll be amazed how many people don’t!!! Also see how easily you can fold your stroller and get it into the trunk. One handed folding strollers are great-especially if your toddler is throwing a tantrum!

The Standard Style Stroller

The benefits of these is you get more seat space and extras like, more storage, ergonomic handles, even built in entertainment systems. They also have the ease of folding. Their main disadvantage is, weight, they are heavier and bigger so check your trunk space!

Three Wheeler Jogging Strollers

If you are sporty then this is for you. However they rarely fold easily and they take up space as the have large wheels and they don’t fold flat. What they do provide is a smooth ride for your baby with their all terrain suspension! Some also adapt to hold an infant seat but most are not suitable for babies under 6 months old.

Transporting Older Siblings

Consider the age of your older child. If they walk most of the time then look into a rear board for them to stand on. Ensure one fits your stroller. Double strollers maybe the answer but check they recline flat for child at nap times.

So in short the perfect stroller for you is out there, it depends on your lifestyle so consider carefully and try before you buy!