Having a child is the most beautiful feeling in the world. But with lots of excitement and happiness, a child also brings a lot of responsibility. As a new parent, there are several things that you need to think about, and one among them is what type of Stroller to buy for your kid? What to consider when purchasing a stroller? And what are the helpful features to look for in a stroller?
Various baby carriages are available in the market, and choosing the right one for your baby can be a daunting task. But don’t worry; we are here to make this process easier for you. Below we have provided a detailed guide to buying a stroller for your baby. Keep on reading to know more about this,
What is the different type of Strollers?
There are various types of strollers available with different types of facilities. However, roughly there are six types of strollers as-
- Full-sized Stroller
- Lightweight or umbrella stroller
- Jogging stroller
- Double Stroller
- Car seat carrier
- Travel system
Full-sized Stroller
If you want to buy a stroller that you can use from day one until your child is a toddler, then a full-size Stroller is perfect for you. It is bigger, sturdier, and usually more durable; it has two smaller wheels that allow for precise steering, and at the same time, two larger wheels offer stability. Full-size strollers can be converted to double strollers by purchasing a second seat.
Lightweight or umbrella stroller
If you are one of those parents who love to travel with your baby, this Lightweight umbrella stroller is a suitable choice. This kind of Stroller is lightweight and lacks some of the amenities you find in traditional strollers. But many parents find an umbrella stroller convenient for quick trips & traveling. However, this Stroller can’t be used until the baby is six months old and can sit up on their own.
Jogging stroller
You should purchase a jogging stroller if you want to run or jog with your baby. It usually has three large air-filled wheels, such as a front wheel that can swivel and be locked into a straight-ahead position when you want to run. Some Jogging strollers can be used as everyday strollers. However, it is advisable to use this Stroller after your baby is six months old and can sit up on their own.
Double Stroller
You can convert any deluxe strollers to a double stroller by adding a second seat to accommodate multiple kids. If you have kids with less age gap or twins, you should buy a double stroller. You can use this kind of Stroller for a long walk. These are big, so sometimes it become difficult to handle. However, it provides plenty of storage options.
Car seat carrier
Car seat carriers are built to transform your infant car seat into a stroller; however, this lightweight frame lacks a seat, so you need to add a compatible infant car seat. These are very lightweight, compatible, and inexpensive. But once your child has outgrown the infant car seat stage, the frame can no longer be used as a stroller.
Convictable Stroller
This kind of Stroller allows the child to face their parents to increase interaction and makes it easy for parents to take care of their child at any time. You can convert this Stroller to a travel system or pram by adding an infant car seat or a bassinet, or it can switch from a single to a double stroller. This Stroller is very flexible, but it is expensive and heavy.
Benefits of using a Stroller
There are several benefits of using a stroller, and a few of them are given below-
- Strollers are very convictable and durable
- Comfortable for baby and ensures the safety
- It makes traveling much easier
- Strollers are very flexible & portable and can use for multiple proposes
What to consider when buying a Stroller?
Finding the best Stroller for a baby is not an easy task. The market is full of different kinds of strollers ranging from $30 to upwards of thousands of dollars. So, when you begin the haunting process, you need to keep certain things in mind, such as
1. Budget
Strollers can be costly, so having a fixed budget will help narrow your search and keep you track.
2. Accessories
A few strollers come with different kinds of accessories, such as tables and weather shields, while there are a few other strollers for which you need to pay more to add new accessories.
3. Ease of lifting & folding
When buying a stroller, you need to consider whether the Stroller is easy to lift and has a folding facility or not. Things can get really difficult if the Stroller is heavy and you cannot carry it alone. Hence it is advisable to buy a firm, steady and lightweight Stroller.
4. Check the storage space
It is also necessary to check the storage space before buying the Stroller for your baby. No matter how long you will use Stroller, at some point in time, you will store it in your car trunk or in-house. If it is big and heavy, it can be a trouble, so you should choose a stroller that is either the size of your storage or smaller than that.
5. Buy a stroller with a car safety seats
If you love to travel, then buying a stroller with a car safety seat will be a perfect choice for you. It can be a little expensive compared to normal strollers, but it will ensure your kid’s safety.
6. Buy a stroller according to your baby’s needs
No matter how old your baby is, every child needs special facilities such as a cup holder, a sunshade to protect your baby against sun or rain, a place to store some baby care stuff, etc.
7. Check the Wheels
Whenever you go out with your kid for a walk sometime, you will get good as well as some terrible roads where you may have to take your baby stroller. Hence the wheels of the Stroller need to be appropriate to adapt to good as well as bad roads and protect the baby without any major bumps or accidents.
8. Safety
The Stroller must have a wheel locking system so it doesn’t let it roll away from you when you want it to stand still. Similarly, it should have a seat belt that you can use to buckle up the baby to avoid any slipping or falling.
Go for a test drive
Before finalizing which Stroller to buy, it is recommended to go for a test drive. And while doing the test drive
- Inspect the frame
- Check maneuverability
- Lift and carry
- Adjust the backrest
- Open the Stroller
- The direction of the wheels and movement
- Whether it is comfortable for you and your baby or not
- Check the safety features
Once you are confident that this Stroller is perfect for your kid, go for it.
Helpful features to look for in Stroller?
There are certain features you should look at when buying a stroller for your kid, such as
- The seats must be wide, comfortable, and well-padded.
- It should have a deep seat recliner
- An option should be available to mount the seat forward-facing or rear-facing.
- Facility to attach the car seat
- Should have hand & leg break and safety harness
How to make sure that the Stroller is safe to use?
A few safety tips are given below to make sure that your baby is safe in the Stroller
- Stay close to your baby
- Always buckle up your child using a harness or seatbelt
- Never Park your Stroller on or near a slop
- Use hand and leg breaks to stop the Stroller
- Always keep your baby away while opening or folding the Stroller
- Double-check
Bottom Line
Strollers are comfortable, durable, and beneficial for parents and children. As you know all the details related to Stroller, decide which one to buy only after considering your needs and budget.
Happy shopping!
See Also: Best Nursery Glider: 5 Features You Need to Look For!
FAQs
How do I choose the best Stroller for my baby?
To choose the best Stroller for your baby, you need to consider your baby’s safety & requirement and your budget
What kind of Stroller is best for a newborn?
The best strollers for a newborn are The City Mini GT2, Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller, and Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller.
How long can a baby be in a stroller?
There is no particular age until when your child can use the Stroller. However, roughly kids use Stroller till the age of 3-year-old to 5-year-old.
Are expensive strollers worth it?
It is not necessary to buy an expensive stroller; if you are not going to use the Stroller every day, then purchasing a cheaper stroller is also okay.