How to Choose the Best Stroller for Your Baby

It’s true that as a parent you will feel the urge to buy whatever your baby needs. From a baby carrier, car seats, breast pumps to ensure your baby is always full and a stroller to stroll your baby around while you run errands. With so many strollers available on the market today, how to choose the best stroller for your baby?

Is a stroller must haves

A stroller is not a must-have baby item at least not when your baby is less than 12 months old. While there are strollers for infants and newborns, little ones love the feeling of being carried on your chest or the back. An excellent alternative to a stroller in the first few months after the baby is born is a baby carrier.

Consider where you expect to push the stroller, where you live, and your budget of course. If you plan on buying a stroller solely for long urban walks, you will need a quality stroller that’s easy to manoeuvre in busy streets and in and out of the shop and public transportation.

If you live a car-oriented lifestyle, you should opt for a stroller that can be folded and can fit in your car whether sedan or SUV. However, if you intend to use the stroller to run quick errands, you can quickly get away with a car-seat stroller frame for infants or a lightweight stroller for toddlers.

For active moms, you will need a stroller with large wheels that can handle rugged terrains and with shock absorbers.

When to introduce a baby to a stroller

There aren’t specific guidelines but as a rule of thumb, if you’re planning use a stroller for your newborn, ensure that fully reclines. This is because a newborn can’t hold up their heads or sit up.

Some strollers fully recline, and some can be used with an infant car seat or with a bassinet attachment. It’s unfortunate that most umbrella strollers don’t provide adequate back and head support for young babies. Additionally, most strollers for jogging are not designed to recline, and as a result, they are not appropriate for babies younger than six months.

5 reasons why you need a baby stroller

As a mom of three, I have learned the importance of a baby stroller readily available in our family car. Here are some of the reasons why you need a baby stroller.

1. Provide storage space on the go
2. Safety and security
3. less carrying and more pushing
4. experiencing the outdoors with your kids
5. Charity runs (participate with your kids)

Types of Strollers

There are six types of strollers on the market today.

• Standard strollers
• Travel systems
• Jogging strollers
• Car-seat stroller frames
• Umbrella strollers/lightweight strollers
• Double strollers

Standard strollers

They come in different designs and styles, but they all have a padded reclining seat. Most standard strollers have storage baskets and sunshades and some, a baby seats facing forward while other facing the parent. Standard strollers can range from cheap strollers to the expensive ones loaded with extra features for convenience.

Travel Systems

Travel strollers can carry infant car seats. However, travel strollers are bulkier and more expensive compared to a stroller frame but can be used even when your child has outgrown their infant car seat. Travel systems often include a stroller and an infant car seat that can be attached to the stroller.

Best Travel Stroller Comparison Chart

Read Travel Strollers Complete Reviews

Jogging strollers

Jogging strollers feature large wheels on a lightweight, shock absorbers and durable frame to deliver a smooth ride for both the baby and the pusher. Jogging strollers are best for hikes, runs, or when taking your child on long walks through the woods. Some jogging strollers can accommodate two children, either one-behind-the-other or side-by-side.

While these all-terrain strollers can navigate over curbs and steep scape hills in an urban environment, their size makes it hard to manoeuvre busy streets, through stores or downstairs.

Car-seat stroller frames

They are lightweight metal frames designed to carry infant car seats. You can remove the infant car seat from your car and fix it on the stroller frame, and you’re rolling in second. Car-seat stroller frames are easy to fold can be stashed in your car trunk, and they don’t take up much space. Unfortunately, when your baby outgrows his/her infant car seat, you will not be able to use it anymore.

Umbrella strollers

Umbrella strollers sometimes called lightweight strollers weight up to 12 pounds and fold compactly. While umbrella strollers may not be very adjustable or offer much padding, they are usually cheaper compared to other models with more features.

Some parents use umbrella strollers for travelling or as backup strollers. Most umbrella strollers are not ideal for infant/newborns because they don’t fully recline and some don’t offer much head support.

Umbrella Stroller Comparison Chart

Read Umbrella Strollers Complete Reviews

Double strollers

Double strollers are of two types: tandem and side by side models. In tandem strollers, one child sits behind the other and can be ideal for a baby and an elder sibling. On the other hand, side by side strollers is suitable for twins or siblings with the small age gap.

While tandem strollers are easy to manoeuvre around, they have limited legroom on the rear seat. Side by side strollers are hard to maneuver around, but they offer equal comfort for both passengers, unlike tandem strollers.

Best Double Strollers Comparison Chart

Read Double Strollers Complete Reviews

10 Things You Must Know Before Buying a Stroller

1. Safety

   This is the first feature you should consider when buying a stroller for your baby. The stroller frame should lock into position as this will prevent the stroller from collapsing when strolling around. Additionally, ensure that the stroller has no sharp protrusions or edges. The stroller should be JPMA certified.

2. Brakes

   The brakes should be easy to operate regardless of the type of shoe you are wearing. Some strollers, such as jogging strollers have both hand and foot brakes.

3. Storage

   If you will be hauling most of your baby items and stuffed toys, consider a stroller with sufficient storage space.

4. Versatility

   Strollers that can convert to double or triple strollers are great for parents who plan on having more children. When looking for a stroller, go for strollers that take accessories such as riding boards, and bassinets.

5. Canopy

   A stroller with canopy will protect your baby from rain, wind, and Canopies that offer ultraviolet protection are ideal for sunny walks.

6. Manoeuvrability

   Strollers with wheels that can swivel make it easier to manoeuvre and turn around.

7. Harness

   all strollers have a restraint system. The safest restraint system is a 5-point harness. The buckle should safely secure your child and also be easy to unhook.

8. Seat

   Newborns need a stroller seat that reclines to a flat position until they develop head control. Additionally, older babies will need a reclining seat for napping. Check the stroller seat reclining mechanism before buying.

9. Fabric

   Babies can be messy. Make sure the stroller you buy has a removable, washable fabric for easier cleaning.

10. Handle height

    The stroller handlebar should be at or relatively below the pusher’s waist level. Most strollers on the market today are designed for average size woman. However, if you feel that you don’t fit this description, you can opt for a stroller with adjustable handlebars.