Search:

Home | Family | Kids


Which Stroller Should I Buy?

By: Daxx Strassbergg

Looking for the ideal stroller is harder than it looks, with all of the excellent choices out there. A few guidelines might help.

Is your baby less than 6 months old?
It takes a while for a baby's neck area to be strong enough to support itself, so remember that upright strollers are not advisable. That's why at the early stages, you will need a stroller that is specific to newborns, or you can get one of those models where you can attach infant seats or bassinets. Inserts are also available for newborns to hold them more securely in their strollers. Also remember that at this early stage, try not too jar the baby too much while in the stroller, so no jogging while pushing the stroller please!

Once babies are over six months old, you will have much more options in terms of shopping for a stroller.

Will it be for daily use?
If you'll be using a stroller daily you will need one that is comfortable and easy to push around. As in picking a shopping cart, you will enjoy it more if you have a nice and smooth rolling stroller. If you are buying online, this will be hard to figure, so try to check the online reviews first on how a specific model handles, before you even think of purchasing.

In general, the larger the wheels, the easier it is to push. If the wheels are made of rubber, that means the handling will be better. If it has springs or shock absorbers, that means you will have a smoother ride. Sometimes it feels like you are buying a car!
If you do not plan to use the stroller that much for long strolls, then it's not as important to be concerned about the ride.

Is it Heavy?
A good quality light stroller weighs about 8 pounds. For the full sized and full-featured models, expect more than 25 pounds! Keep this in mind in terms of the lifting you will need to do up and down the stairs, or in and out of you vehicle. It's especially important if you will be doing this daily, so you will need to balance off the features that you really want versus the weight that it adds on to the stroller.

Remember that the lighter the stroller, the less smooth is the ride and the less features it will have. These lighter models also tend to have less comfort level in terms of seating. They will also have less seating adjustments such as reclining angles. On the positive side, these lighter models are great if you are traveling frequently or you do a lot of daily errands with the baby.

If you find a model that has all the major features you like and it weighs less than 20 pounds, just grab it!
For the all-terrain (aka jogger models), you can get them at weights below 20 pounds. In addition to the weight factor, also check how the stroller folds and make sure it's not to bulky so you can move in and out of your car with ease.

What features should I look for?
There are many but the most common are as follows:

Reclining seats : some models are really easy to adjust and gives you a lot of angles.

Adjustable handles : make sure you can adjust the handles so that it matches your height, as this will make it more comfortable to push around.

Reverse handles : this is a nice feature where you can change the handle positions so you can see the baby's face as you push the stroller.

Cupholders : this is just a bonus, you can always buy these cupholders separately if it's not included.

Storage basket : it's very handy for the usual diapers, bottles and snacks, -- the more storage space, the better.

Canopy : important for sun protection and the bigger it is, the better for your baby.

Five-point harness : this is the safest type of harness you can find, you will need this.

Adjustable leg rest : babies grow up fast, so having an adjustable leg rest is a great advantage.

Toy bars or grab bars : this holds the fun stuff to keep the little tykes amused.

Last but not least, if you are an avid jogger, consider getting one of those jogger models. These models usually have large tires which means you get a smoother ride over rough surfaces. Even if you don't jog, this feature alone might make it worthwhile to get. Jogger models also have these handlebars which are also specially designed to allow you to hold on as you jog behind the stroller. Your baby may not be getting any exercise while you run, but they will definitely have a more enjoyable ride!

Article Source: http://www.onlinearticlessite.com

Daxx is a retired school teacher who is now relieving the boredom of retirement by promoting a varied collection of sites such as this one for polaris pool cleaners and a site for the best polaris 'bot out there, the polaris 280.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Kids Articles Via RSS!

Powered by Article Dashboard