A stroller is one of the most essential items you will need for your baby. There are many types of strollers to choose from and many features to be aware of when buying a stroller. With so many different choices, it can be difficult to figure out what to buy. This stroller buying guide will help you figure out how to buy a stroller that will best meet your needs as well as your baby's needs. From lightweight umbrella strollers to jogging strollers and full-featured multi-child strollers, this guide has all the information you'll need.
When choosing a baby stroller, one of the biggest things to take into consideration is your lifestyle. A good place to start is to think about what you need your stroller to do and where you need it to go. Do you want to be able to go jogging with your stroller? Do you need one that can accommodate multiple children? Will you mostly be using it indoors at stores and malls or will you be outside where terrain can be less predictable? Do you live in a city where you use public transportation or in the suburbs where you mostly drive?
Safety features are also important to take into consideration. Look for baby strollers with a certification sticker from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The ASTM is a voluntary certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).
Because newborns cannot sit up on their own and their neck muscles are not yet strong enough to support their heads, they need to be fully reclined when riding in a stroller. The best stroller options for newborns are a travel system, seat carrier frame or a combination stroller. All of these options allow your newborn to fully recline while you stroll.
Travel system
Travel systems include a stroller with an infant car seat and a car seat base. The car seat can be easily moved from car to stroller and back again. When your baby is old enough to sit up, the stroller can be used without the car seat as a regular stroller. This is a good option for parents who drive often but may not be the best option for city dwellers who rely mostly on public transportation.
Seat carrier frame
A seat carrier frame is a stroller specifically for newborns. It is a stroller frame with wheels and no seat and is designed to be used with an infant car seat. The car seat snaps or tethers into the stroller frame and is convenient for moving a sleeping baby from the car to the stroller without waking him or her. Seat carrier frames are less expensive and more compact than most strollers but become obsolete when your baby outgrows his or her infant car seat in 6 months to 1 year.
Combination strollers
Combination strollers are another option for parents with newborns. They have the added benefit of allowing you to adjust for the needs of your growing baby without needing to buy a new stroller after 6 months. "Combo" strollers can recline for newborns or sit upright for toddlers. The downside of "combo" strollers is that they are more expensive and you will still have to buy a car seat. They are also less convenient for transporting a sleeping baby from the car seat to the stroller.
Umbrella strollers
Umbrella strollers are lightweight, compact and inexpensive. The downside is that they may not be as comfortable for your baby as heavier strollers with shock absorbers and cushy seat support for long rides. Umbrella strollers and lightweight traditional strollers are good options for city dwellers or parents who mostly use their strollers around the neighborhood or indoors at stores and malls.
Traditional strollers
Traditional strollers come in a broad range of features and prices. Lightweight traditional strollers typically have more features than an umbrella stroller, such as storage space and a single handlebar for easier one-handed steering instead of separate handles which require two hands to steer. Heavy-duty traditional strollers typically have better shock absorption and more comfortable seats. Some traditional strollers are able to fully recline or support car seats for newborns. Heavier models are sturdier but more difficult for public transportation as well as lifting in and out of the car. Traditional strollers typically have smaller wheels which can make uneven terrain more difficult.
All-terrain strollers
All-terrain strollers, as the name implies, are designed for all different surface conditions from uneven sidewalks to unpaved roads. All-terrain strollers have larger wheels with air-filled tires making them easier to push while giving a smoother ride. All-terrain strollers have a three-wheel design similar to a jogging stroller. The front wheels swivel or can be locked depending on the terrain. All-terrain strollers are large and heavy, and may require you to remove one or more of the wheels in order to fit it in your car. Many all-terrain strollers are not suitable for infant use, so you would need to buy an infant stroller to use until your baby grows into your all-terrain stroller.
Jogging strollers
Jogging strollers, like all-terrain strollers, have large air-filled wheels for easy pushing and a smooth ride. They also have a swiveling front wheel with the option to lock. The main difference is that jogging strollers come with a hand-brake and a wrist strap for added safety. Jogging strollers also have a higher handlebar to give your legs more room to run without bumping the stroller. While some jogging strollers are designed to accommodate newborns, doctors recommend speed walking rather than jogging with newborns and babies under 6 months because of the jarring motion caused by jogging.
Side-by-side strollers
The side-by-side, multi-seat stroller is good for twins or children of approximately the same weight. Some side-by-side strollers can accommodate car seats for newborns, or they may have reclining seats. If you have twins, look for a side-by-side stroller with two reclining seats. Children of different weights can cause the side-by-side stroller to be more difficult to steer, however. Side-by-side strollers can also be difficult to fit through some doorways and maneuver around stores.
Tandem strollers
The tandem multi-seat stroller works better than the side-by-side stroller for children of different ages or weights. The tandem stroller is designed with one seat directly behind the other seat. This design makes it easier to maneuver through doorways and up and down store aisles. Typically, only the back seat reclines for newborns in tandem strollers. Some tandem strollers have a swiveling front seat so children can ride facing each other. Others have an elevated back seat so the child in back can see over the front seat.
What safety features should I look for when buying a stroller?
Look for strollers with a five-point harness system. Make sure the safety harness is strong and durable and cannot be unbuckled by your child. If you purchase a stroller that has both a reclining seat and leg holes, make sure the stroller has some kind of mechanism to block or cover the leg holes. Otherwise, your newborn could slip down and get stuck or fall out. Make sure the stroller you buy is sturdy enough for your needs and has a locking mechanism for the wheels. Strollers with light-reflective material are a good idea to make you more visible to drivers.
How do I know which stroller will be best for me?
Look at a lot of strollers before making your decision, and test out as many strollers as you can. Some things to test are how sturdy the stroller is and how comfortable it is for you to push. If you can, take the stroller out to your car and make sure it fits in your trunk. Try opening and folding the stroller with one hand. When you have your baby in your arms, you will be doing a lot of things with one hand.
I'd like to take my baby jogging, but I also need a stroller that is versatile for shopping trips. Which stroller is right for me?
Many parents find they need two separate strollers. While a jogging stroller is durable and designed for taking baby out on a run, it isn't easy to fold up and stash in a trunk when you're not using it. You will be happiest with two different strollers: a jogging stroller for exercising and a lightweight or standard stroller for shopping.
Stroller accessories
To maximize your baby's comfort while strolling around town, consider a few helpful stroller accessories. A weather shield is a smart item to have on hand for rainy days. Rain shields are made of clear plastic, so you can keep an eye on your baby. For sunny days and to protect from bug bites, it's good to have a mesh sun cover to screen your baby's sensitive skin. And for days when it's cold, a stroller blanket will keep baby warm and cozy. Overstock.com has all the baby gear and stroller accessories you need at great prices, so you can get more for your money.
Diaper bags
When you're out on the town with your baby, you need a good diaper bag to carry all the things baby needs like a bottle and a changing pad and baby wipes. Overstock.com has stylish diaper bags for moms and dads at fabulously low prices. Many diaper bags in the baby store on Overstock.com come with matching insulated bottle holder, changing pad, hard case for wipes and zip-top wet purse, plus lots of easy-to-find pockets to keep you organized.
A new outfit
An extra outfit is a smart item to have in your diaper bag for every outing. Spills and accidents happen, and when they do, baby should have a dry, clean outfit to put on. The baby store at Overstock.com has lots of adorable baby clothing at prices below retail. Kids grow too fast to pay retail for all their clothes. Stop by and pick up a new outfit for baby and with the money that you save, pick up a gift for a friend.
