Few pieces of equipment for your baby will be used as much as your stroller. Your choice of stroller will determine how you move your child around for the next several years, so it is important to spend some time researching and thinking about this purchase. This simple guide will help you select the right stroller for your needs.
The first thing to think about is what type of stroller you will need. Are you going to be transporting just one baby, a baby and an older child or two babies? Even if you have multiples, there are stroller options available that will allow you to move all of your children at once.
In addition to the ages of children that you have, you will also need to consider what you will be using the stroller for. Do you need an all-purpose stroller that will work in a variety of circumstances? Do you need one stroller that will serve a specific purpose? Here's a rundown of the most popular types of strollers:
1. Umbrella strollers. These strollers are very lightweight and come with very little storage. They can be used with children up to preschool age. Because they do not have a whole lot of storage, they are best for short trips, such as a walk around the block.
2. Lightweight Strollers. A lightweight stroller offers a few more features than an umbrella stroller, but it is still light enough to use in places such as stores or malls. Lightweight strollers are easy to fold up and take up less space than regular sized strollers (both when they are in use and when they are folded).
3. Regular-sized strollers. These come in a variety of styles. They normally include cup holders and may have extra features such as music players, toy bars and storage pockets. In some cases, they are designed to hold an infant carrier, so you can use them from birth until your child outgrows the stroller.
4. Jogging strollers. Joggers are designed to allow you to easily maneuver the stroller while running or walking fast. They have three wheels instead of four and generally offer very little storage (to keep them lightweight).
All of these types of strollers are available in double varieties. Double strollers come in either side-by-side varieties or tandem (one seat in front of another). Sometimes side-by-side strollers can be difficult to use on sidewalks, and they can make it a challenge to maneuver your stroller through a crowd. If you plan to do a lot of walking in the city, a tandem might be a better option.
Depending on the ages of your kids, you can also opt for a "sit and stand stroller," which is useful when you have a baby and an older child. The older child can stand on a platform while the baby is secured inside the stroller.
You also need to consider your budget when choosing a stroller. If you know that you will be using your stroller a lot, a regular sized stroller may be the best option for you. You can always purchase an umbrella stroller for those times that you need something lighter weight. Your individual circumstances will determine where you'll want to make the largest investment. For example, we went all out on the purchase of our double jogging stroller because we so enjoyed taking the stroller off pavement (on gravel roads and well-traveled hiking trails). And then we bought a very simple and inexpensive lightweight stroller, which we stored in the trunk of our car for those times when we were away from home and needed a more simple solution.
Write down your wants and needs and read the stroller safety reports online. Once you have decided on a brand and style, look for a coupon code or special offer before you buy. That way, you'll be able to find the perfect stroller for just the right price.
