How To Choose a Baby Stroller

When you have a baby it is inevitable that a stroller is going to be on your list of necessary baby items to buy. However, shopping for a stroller can be an extremely overwhelming process because there are so many different brands, styles, designs, and features. So how do you know which stroller to choose?

Well, if you don’t know anything about the different strollers on the market, you may have a really difficult time deciding which stroller is the best one for you to buy, but a little bit of research can make choosing a stroller a little bit easier and much less overwhelming.

Types of Strollers

E.g of Umbrella Stroller: The First Years Jet Stroller

Umbrella Strollers – These are lightweight and compact strollers that fold and unfold easily and don’t take up much room at all. They are also probably the least expensive type of stroller that you can find. The downsides to umbrella strollers are that they don’t offer very much support for newborns and small babies that cannot yet sit up on their own, they have very little padding, and most do not recline. Most of them are also lacking in many features that can be found on other types of strollers such as cup holders and storage baskets underneath. Umbrella strollers can be purchased for as little as $10.

E.g of Standard Stroller: The Britax B-Agile

Standard Strollers – These are a bit more bulky than umbrella strollers but they are very sturdy so they usually last a long time. Most standard strollers can also be folded and unfolded very easily and generally don’t take up a lot of room to store in your home or the trunk of your car. Most standard strollers offer features like five-harness seat belts, removable and washable padding, storage baskets, cup holders, sun shades, locking brakes on the rear wheels, and most have 2 or more reclining seat positions. With some standard strollers, the handle can be flipped to the front or the back so that when you are pushing the stroller the baby is either facing you or facing away from you. These strollers will accommodate newborn babies and small children alike.

The only real downside with standard strollers is that they are a bit heavier to move around. You will pay anywhere from $20 to $800 or more for a standard stroller depending on the brand you choose as well as the features it has to offer.

E.g of Travel System: Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30

Travel System Strollers – These strollers are a car seat and stroller combo. The stroller itself is very similar to a standard stroller but with the travel system stroller the infant car seat will attach directly to the stroller making a moving baby from car to stroller a much easier and smoother process. When the baby can sit up on his own or outgrows the infant car seat, you can still continue using the stroller as you would a standard stroller. Travel system strollers have all of the same features that can be found on standard strollers.

The downside with travel system strollers is that they are much heavier and bulkier than other strollers and they also are among the most expensive strollers on the market, ranging in price from $120 on up to several hundred dollars.

E.g of Jogging Stroller: The Bob Revolution SE

Jogging Strollers – Jogging strollers were designed with avid joggers and walkers in mind. These strollers are lightweight and are designed with 3 wheels; 2 in back and 1 in front, which makes them easier to maneuver when pushing while jogging. The wheels are also designed to accommodate multiple terrains from pavement to dirt paths.

The downsides with jogging strollers are that they offer minimal features compared to that of standard strollers and they are not meant for babies younger than 6 months old. The starting price of a jogging stroller is around $90 but can range on up to several hundred dollars.

E.g of Stroller Frame: The Graco SnugRider

Stroller Frames – These are just as they sound; the frame of a stroller with wheels and a handle but without a seat. The reason there is no seat is because they are designed so that you can snap a car seat into them. You are able to choose the car seat that you want to use with the frame.

The downside with stroller frames is that they have to be used with a car seat and they don’t offer many features. The starting price for a stroller frame is around $50.

E.g of Double Stroller: The Graco DuoGlider LX

Double and Triple Strollers – Double and triple strollers are designed to accommodate 2 or 3 children as opposed to just one. These strollers work great for those who have twins or triplets or for those that have more than 1 small child. You can buy these strollers tandem-style, where the seats are one behind the other, or you can buy them with the seats side-by-side. These strollers come with most of the same features as a standard stroller.

The downside with these types of strollers is that they are heavy, bulky, and can be hard to maneuver.  You can purchase a double or triple stroller from between $100 and $600 or more.

Safety

Once you have learned about the different types of strollers, you need to take into consideration how safe these strollers are before you make a final decision on which one to purchase.

You can search on the manufacturer’s website to find out if there have been any recalls due to safety issues and you should also read consumer reviews on the stroller you are interested in purchasing.

Another option would be to talk to family and friends who have children and get their input on the types of strollers they use and how satisfied they are with the safety and overall use of the stroller.

There are some safety issues that could affect all strollers no matter the safety rating that the stroller has received. Many people hang diaper bags, purses, and shopping bags on the handles or the sides of the strollers, which can throw off the balance of the strollers and cause them to tip over, so this is something you should avoid if at all possible to protect your baby from injuries.  You should also always check how well the brakes work on the stroller to avoid any accidental mishaps.

Other Things to Consider

There are also other things to consider when choosing a stroller to purchase. Think about what the stroller will be used for and how much use it will get as a result. For instance, if the stroller will be used quite often for everything from regular shopping trips to long outings and vacations then you’re going to want a stroller that will hold up to regular use, which likely means buying a better quality and more expensive stroller.

However, if the stroller will only be used occasionally, you might decide to buy a less expensive one that may not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive stroller. You also need to consider if the stroller will be used for any future children. If so, you will need one that will hold up for a few years, or you might even consider purchasing a double stroller.

Besides safety, cost is probably the biggest contributing factor for purchasing a stroller. If you have a price in mind that you are willing to spend at the most, use that to help you narrow down your choices. Also, keep in mind that the cost of the stroller does not necessarily indicate how good or bad the quality of the stroller is. You might be surprised to find that some of the cheaper strollers have just as many positive reviews as the more expensive strollers do.

Choosing a stroller doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. If you do your research and know what it is you are looking for in a stroller, it will make the process of choosing the perfect stroller so much easier.