As most parents will tell you, one of the goals of purchasing a quality stroller is to ensure that when your child gets tired they will have a comfortable place to sleep. Needless to say, tired kids are not happy kids, and the faster they can get to sleep the more peaceful it is for everyone. I remember one time in particular, when our daughter was about one and we were at the zoo for the day with some friends and their son who was two and a half. You can imagine that by late afternoon both kids were quite beyond themselves and voicing their displeasure quite loudly. Our daughter was able to fall asleep in her stroller (finally), but our friend’s son never did get to sleep until we were all in the SUV and on our way home. He drifted off not five minutes after getting on the road, much to the relief of all four adults. Why is it that some kids can sleep in strollers but others cannot? Is it the stroller or the child? Perhaps a bit of both – but having a stroller that your child finds comfortable is a critical element to them being able to nod off.
When children get overtired, it’s harder for them to fall asleep; but having a stroller that fits them well, gives them ‘breathing’ room and allows them to lie in a comfortable position is likely enough for them to settle down and close their eyes, even if only for a power nap. If you are a parent you know that when kids don’t get their nap, it can interfere with their eating pattern and their bedtime routine. Regular routines are important for kids of all ages, and yet it’s unrealistic to make sure you’re at home when nap times and meal times come around. That’s why having a stroller that your child feels comfortable enough to sleep in is so important. That way, no matter what time it is, and no matter where you are, your child can get to sleep peacefully. And that means peace for parents too! There are two main issues with certain strollers that may affect your child’s being able to sleep. One issue is that many strollers don’t have seats that recline all the way back. Children can’t lie down to sleep. Think about it – could you sleep comfortably sitting up? Probably not. The other issue is the canopy. Some do not provide enough shade or ‘dark space’. If it’s a sunny day outside, it may be too bright for your child to sleep.
There are several strollers on the market that address these two issues nicely. One is the Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller. This is a jogger stroller that is perfect for parents who want to stay in shape, or just want extra maneuverability for day trips to the park. Another popular model is the Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel System. This is a traditional 4-wheel system and comes with an infant car seat for a true all-in-one system. For every problem there is always at least one solution. The problem of having your child sleep comfortably in a stroller can be solved easily with either of these two strollers.
The Contours Options 3 Wheeler Stroller is equipped with a seat that reclines all the way back so that your child can lie flat making it a more comfortable position for sleeping. The seat can adjust so that it’s forward facing or rear facing. Sometimes kids just need to know where mom or dad is in order to feel secure enough to fall asleep. It is equipped to fit most infant car seats on the market and comes with the usual features such as storage and parent organizer tray. The canopy is adjustable so you can shield those UV rays to make it darker for your child. It’s also equipped with safety features like a 5-point harness.
The Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel System comes with an infant car seat, making it easy to transfer your child from the car to the stroller. As your baby grows, you’ll appreciate the fully reclining seat of the stroller, and the large canopy. This stroller also has a memory recline feature, which remembers the last position the seat was in when the stroller was folded.
Of course, these two models are not your only options when it comes to fully reclining strollers. Some parents have said they also use blankets to cover the stroller, which lets in less light. You’ll have to do some of your own research to determine which stroller is best for you and your child/children. Since every child is different, it’s difficult to determine one single product that will work for everyone. Research has shown, though, that children sleep better in strollers that fully recline, and that are equipped with large canopies that keep out light and UV rays.
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