Buying a stroller for your baby will be one of the toughest decisions to make when you are making a list of “things you need to buy before the baby comes.” No doubt the stroller is one of the most used baby gears as you will need it for walks with the baby, for a quick visit to the grocery store, or generally traveling from one place to another. Yet you will find it a bit challenging to decide which stroller will be the right for you and your baby. The stroller market offers today overwhelming features, but you don’t need all of them for sure.
If you spend a little time learning about all the features the strollers can offer, it will help you to decide which ones you need and which ones can go. This article has summed up the most important features of most of the stroller types and hopefully will make your decision a lot easier.
Cutting through the stroller’s jargon. We can say that strollers have their language. For example, the carriage is another term for a stroller, but the one where the baby is facing you. “Pram” refers to the old-fashioned strollers with fancy canopy and big wheels that carry the baby in laying position. Basically, a pram is a bassinet on wheels. A “travel system” refers to a stroller that comes with a car seat that you can snap into it. The “jogging strollers” are the sporty ones that come with three wheels and are good if you like to go running or jogging. Bear in mind that not all three-wheeled strollers suitable for jogging. Lastly, we have the “umbrella stroller,” which is a lightweight and small stroller. Basically, it is a piece of fabric installed on a frame, and you can carry your 6 months or older baby in it. You will probably hate this one in the beginning because it looks unappealing, but eventually, you will fall in love with it because it is so lightweight and easy to use.
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Things to consider before buying a stroller?
There are many factors that will determine which stroller is the right one for you. What worked for one family may not work for another. Lifestyle, cost of the stroller, and how big your family is are the main factors to have in mind.
The stroller’s cost
Many soon-to-be-moms are shocked by how pricy the strollers can be. Usually, more expensive strollers are packed with more features like easier maneuverability, a good suspension system, quality fabrics with better color choices, also modular seats, which you can maneuver in many positions. Still, don’t get discouraged! Yes, higher-end strollers will offer more features, but they can cost up to thousands of dollars and more. You can have a stroller with decent features for a lot less money. Also, you can always consider buying a stroller from a secondary market.
Your lifestyle
No doubt this one is the most important aspect to consider when you are deciding which stroller to buy. There is a huge difference between being a city family who will need the stroller every day multiple times and being a suburban family who will use the stroller mainly for walks and short trips. Also, how much space you can spare for the stroller in your home is important. Are there many stairs you need to climb and pull your stroller in your place of living? Do you want your stroller to meet all your needs, or you plan to transition from an all-purpose stroller to a jogging or travel stroller. The stroller needs to work side by side with your lifestyle. Otherwise, it is going to be very tricky.
The size of your family
If you have one baby and you do not plan to add another one or the other one will come years later, then only one stroller will be enough. But if you plan to extend your family within the next few years, it would be wise to get a single stroller that has the option to convert to a double one. Many parents will regret not doing this when they were certain that they are planning a second baby soon after the first one.
Different types of stroller
The market offers strollers for almost every situation. Below we will break down most of them and show you what they can offer and for whom they are designed.
The all-purpose stroller
This one is also known as a full-size stroller or an everyday stroller which is ideal for walks around your neighborhood or a short trip to the zoo or something like that. These strollers combine fine rides with useful features like seat recline, storage basket, cup holders, convenient canopy, etc. However, most of them are heavier and bulkier compared to other strollers. Thus it will be trickier to fold them down. The price for these strollers can be a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. Some of these strollers have the feature of changing the seat’s direction, or you can even add another seat or a stroller board if you need it in the future.
The lightweight stroller
These strollers are also known as umbrella strollers or travel strollers. You can predict from their name that these weights less than the other strollers, and thus it will take a lot less effort to lift them from one stop to another. These strollers come with a slimmer profile, making them easy to navigate through narrow places and crowded sidewalks. Because they can fold up enough to fit in those overhead airplane bins, you can say that these strollers are your best friend for traveling with your kid. Just like with all the other stroller types, the price for these ones will widely vary, but usually, the cost is lower than for full-size strollers.
The jogging stroller
Jogging strollers are best for a person who loves to run, and that type of stroller will allow you to take your baby with you. The jogging strollers are also good for navigating on uneven and bumpy ground. These strollers are very sturdy and have an amazing suspension system. They are designed to absorb the bounciness that comes from speedy walks on uneven ground.
These strollers have 3 oversized wheels, where the front one can either swivel, or it can be fixed in place. It depends if you want to be able to make quick turns or you want to go more stable at a fast pace. Some models offer a feature like hand brakes which you can use to completely stop the stroller or slow it down when you are moving downhill.
Some also have an extra-large canopy that will protect your baby from the harmful UV rays when you are outside. Because they have big wheels and an extra suspension system, these strollers are bulkier and heavier. Thus it is harder to store them. If they allow you to add a car seat, you can use these strollers from the baby’s birth. Bear in mind that you are not supposed to run with your baby before he/she gets 8 months old.
The double stroller
A double stroller will come in very handy if you have twins or your kids are born close together. You will have the choice between side-by-side doubles where both seats are next to each other and the in-line option, also known as a tandem, where the seats are placed one in front of the other one. The market offers convertible strollers that come with one seat, but you will have the option of adding another one when the second child comes. If you are having twins, we would recommend a stroller that will allow you to place two car seats at the same time.
The travel systems
A travel system means there is a stroller and a car seat can be attached right to it. The main benefits of the travel system you can use these from the baby’s birth, and you don’t need to wake up the baby when you are moving him/her from the car to your stroller. The travel system is also more economical compared to the other strollers because you are buying a car seat and a stroller two in one. If you want to make a travel system out of a separate stroller and a car seat, there is a way to do that. You just have to be careful to choose the ones that are compatible with each other or can be compatible if you buy a separate adapter.
Key Stroller Features
Features will vary even when you are looking at some type of strollers. Your final decision should depend on what is your plan on using the stroller for the majority of the time. Below are listed the most popular features that will help you decide which stroller will be the right for you:
Accommodates newborns
Some strollers are not suitable for babies. This is due to the fact that babies do not have developed strength in their neck and head until they are six months old. This means that the stroller has to offer some features that will support and keep the baby in a comfortable position. Here are your key features you need to look after if you plan to use the stroller right after the baby is born:
Is the stroller easy to fold? While there are families that do not need to fold the stroller, there are also many of those who will need to fold the stroller to fit it in their car or home. If you need to wrestle your stroller every time you want to fold it, then that is not an easy stroller to fold. If you can’t lock the stroller in its folded position, there is a huge chance that it will spring back and open up. It would be smart to test the stroller’s folding mechanism and see how it works before you buy the stroller.
Can the stroller carry a car seat? Because the travel systems are so convenient nowadays and people prefer them over the other options, many strollers can carry a car seat as well. This is very useful because you don’t want to wake up your sleeping baby when you want to transfer him in or out of the car. If you have your eye on some car seat, it would be wise to look at how it works as a travel system. We are saying this because the travel system is usually cheaper than buying a stroller and a car seat separately, especially if you find a good deal.
Can the seat fully recline to a flat surface?
You would want a seat that can recline and also has the approved newborn accessory for support.
Easy one-handed fold
There is nothing better than being able to quickly close and open your stroller by using one hand, especially if you have the baby in the other hand. And it would be even better if you get one of those self-standing strollers, which can stand upright without falling when folded.
Washable fabrics
Needless to say, that babies are messy little devils. Your stroller seat will be covered with drool, spit-up, snacks, drippy bottles, and much more. This is why it would be amazing if you can remove the covers from the seat and just toss it in the laundry machine.
Adjustable handlebar
A telescoping handlebar or adjustable handlebar means you can adjust the handlebar according to your height, which is very convenient. This is good if you and your partner or other people who take care of your baby are on different heights.
The sun canopy
The bigger the canopy is, the bigger the shade it will provide for your baby. You can also find canopies with peekaboo windows that you can use to check on your little one while walking. While most are with zippers, you can find ones that have magnet closure. These are much quieter if you want to check on your baby when it is having a nap.
The strollers basket
Usually, the basket of the stroller is under the seat and can hold up to 10 pounds. If you plan to use the stroller basket for the groceries after you have done some shopping, it would be wise to get a stroller that comes with the XL basket. You will also want the basket to be accessible with a wide opening to get your items, or else it will be a real pain to wiggle your stuff in and out.
Stroller accessories
Having a stroller that comes with the right accessories will make your walks outside much more comfortable and enjoyable. Some of those accessories are a rain cover, toy attachments, snack and cup holders, bunting for colder climates, stroller boards, etc.
