Eric Mindel asked:


No baby stroller is going to be great for everything you'll do in the coming years. So, take a little time thinking about what you most need... many parents discover that one good-quality lightweight stroller for errands and travel, combined with one jogging stroller or full-sized stroller, is a great match for all needs!

FROM WOMB TO WHEELS - AGE PLAYS A ROLE

Birth to six months is the period where your child doesn't have adequate head and neck control for an upright stroller. You'll need to find a stroller onto which you can attach your infant seat, one that has a bassinet, or one rated for newborns.

From 6+ months and older, the stroller world really opens up to you! Unless your baby has special needs, she or he can ride in nearly any stroller out there.

Caution when jogging! Pediatricians warn against too much jarring until your baby has very good head/neck control, usually 8 to 10 months.



WALK MUCH?

If you'll be using a stroller daily for more than just going from your car into a store, you'll love having one that is comfortable and smooth to push. Neighborhood walks and paths are so much more enjoyable with a great rolling stroller.

This is where trying out hands-on pushing is tough to replace with online browsing. If purchasing online, be SURE you read reviews on how a stroller pushes and handles prior to making a purchase (on PeppyParents.com, we've already done all that work for you!).

Generally, larger wheels mean easier pushing. Real rubber tires mean better handling. Suspension (shock absorbers) mean smoother ride. On-board engines mean less work (okay, we made up the one about the engine).

If you don't intend to use a stroller as much more than a car-into-store-back-to-car device, it's not as critical to worry about the ride.



SIZE MATTERS! AND SO DOES WEIGHT.

The lightest good quality stroller available is around 8 pounds -- about the weight of a gallon of water. And, full-sized, full-featured strollers can tip the scales past 30 pounds.

Think about how often you'll be lifting the stroller up stairs, into your car, or into a closet. If it's something you'll be doing daily, try to balance weight with features and performance.

Generally speaking, lighter weight strollers have less features and a less refined ride. They're typically smaller and might have a less comfortable seat for your baby. The lightweights might also lack some convenient adjustments too. The ONLY reason to get an ultra lightweight (i.e., under 10 pounds) stroller is for frequent car errands or travel.

If you find a full-featured, full-size standard stroller that is under 20 pounds, you're doing very well. Most are under 25 pounds.

Expect the very lightest all-terrain stroller to tip the scales at 20 pounds, as well as the very lightest joggers. Most are under 25 pounds.

As far as size, look at the folded size when making your decision. Even if weight is the same, it's much easier to lift, carry, and store a stroller that is less bulky when folded.



AND NOW, THE FEATURE PRESENTATION

All the features are where it really gets more confusing, as no stroller has all of them. Here are some of the more popular ones:

Reverse handle or seat -- this lets you face your baby as you push. Very sweet.

Cupholder -- if not included, don't despair! You can buy universal-fit cupholders.

Storage basket -- you're going to need it for snacks, diapers, wipees, bottles. The bigger, the better.

Sun Canopy -- unless you live deep in a shaded forest, sun protection is very important. Bigger sun canopies provide better protection.

Adjustable handle -- very important for parents who are under 5'3" or taller than 6". A nice feature for all other parents.

Reclining seat -- some strollers are easier to recline than others.

5-point harness -- safety is paramount, and this is the safest type of harness.

Adjustable legrest -- one more way to make it more comfortable for your growing child.

Bumper bar -- (also called grab bar, toy bar) handy for securing toys in front of your baby while you stroll. Toddlers enjoy it too.

Snack tray-- popular on American brands, but not on many others.



Madyson

Beatrice Stephenson asked:


When you’re about to buy a stroller for the first time, you feel like you’ve entered the world of rocket science: carrycot or seat; or both, foldable, aluminium, plastic; three wheeled or four wheeled; how the heck are you supposed to find out how to get a high quality, practical, safe and good looking stroller for your little one?

We took a good look around, talked to people who once where just as confused as us some time ago, and a brand that kept coming up was the Bugaboo Stroller. Yes, we’ve seen it in the tabloids, used by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Gwen Stephani, but what’s the little frog like stroller really about?

This is the stroller for the active parent, and yes, the parents using it swear by it. In the city, on the beach, in the woods, you will be able to use the Bugaboo everywhere. To find out ourselves we tried, and; yes, it can surely live up to it’s rumour. We took it on the subway through the city in a horrible rush hour, and later on to the beach. It was peace of cake; especially the beach part impressed, we didn’t struggle hard to move it around in the sand a all. It could easily be manoeuvred just about everywhere, since it’s light weight and the swivel like wheel makes it really easy to turn and walk with in any environment. Another feature we really liked was that you could move the seat or carrycot vertically; this means that you can set the seat in table-high position; very good if you are outside and want to sit down to feed or communicate with your baby. Or your toddler can participate sitting with you at the table in a cafe or restaurant.

The handle bar is adjustable, so when grandma or daddy is going for a walk with the baby they can adjust it to their own comfortable height. The seat and bassinet is reversible, so when the baby grows and wants to look around instead of facing you, it’s easy to turn around in one grip.

Some other features:

- The Carrycot is approved for use for overnight sleeping, good if you are on a trip.

- The Pushchair seat can be used as a seat on the floor or the ground as well.

-The under seat bag is big; good for shopping or storage.

-When the stroller is folded it takes up minimum space, it fits easily even in the smallest car.

-The seat frame is 2 inches longer so will fit for a longer baby and taller child.

So is this really the Rolls Royce of stroller some claim it to be? Yes, we really think it is. Is there a downside to it? Yes, the price. Takes a while to digest, but if we look upon it as the investment it really is, the price (about 900 $) is something to consider, because you won’t have to swap it for another on as the baby grows, it will grow with your child for as long as you need a stroller. And you will have a stroller for all of your kids, if there’s more to come!

Want to know more about it? For more info and purchase click and The Bugaboo Baby Stroller Site



Arely

Danny Wright asked:


You just found out your pregnant and you are ready to go shopping. Since you are going to be an on the go mom a baby stroller might be one of the things you want to invest in first. There are so many choices out there in styles and colors that having a little bit of an idea what you want in a baby stroller before you go can be helpful. Otherwise you may go out shopping and be overwhelmed and end up spending too much money.

Looking at strollers online is usually a good way to start shopping. This way you are able to compare many different brands and prices in less time rather than driving all over town. More than likely if you are on the go all the time you are actually going to need more than one baby stroller in your baby’s first three years of their life. The first baby stroller is a systems stroller.

It might sound funny to have a system for your baby stroller but by buying this type of stroller you will be saving money. This type of baby stroller will also be used as a car seat, a carrier and a baby stroller. This is 3 in 1 and saves a lot of money and time. You will not have to keep changing your baby in and out of car seats and carriers. This is less exposure to the baby and the weather as well. These baby strollers come in many shapes, sizes and designs to match whatever baby theme you have chosen, but as your baby grows so does their needs in baby strollers.

As your baby grows they will eventually need a bigger car seat, baby stroller and there will be no need for a carrier. Time to upgrade to a full size baby stroller, but again there are many choices to fit your life style. First things first though it will matter just how many babies you are having. If you are having twins the more you will have to have a baby stroller designed for the amount of children you are having. Also if you have an infant already and need a baby stroller for the older child as well as the infant, then you will need to choose a stroller that will work for both children. These are some of the first things that will help you narrow down your choices for your next baby stroller.

Good luck on your shopping spree for your new baby stroller. There is every design, style and color that you need to fit into your lifestyle. Your baby will be ready to go out in style with you in their new baby stroller.



Zaire

Brenda Nadic asked:


How many are there? Can you easily pick the good from the bad? You want your double baby stroller to be practical, great-looking, and - most of all- within budget! In fact, the affordability of a stroller is probably the single biggest factor in you purchasing or not, all other things being equal or around about the same.

Well-received Stroller Models

By well-received, I of course mean the quality of reviews that particular stroller gets. It is not necessarily synonymous with the price, and we can see there are some great models at some lower price points. A recognizable brand and overwhelmingly positive reviews means that the stroller pleases a diverse range of people - inluding people with similar needs to you. Genuine reviews would be the best criteria by which to evaluate the quality/durability of a double baby stroller.

Double Baby Stroller Value

Value. Again, not necessarily linked to price in every case. Sometimes the more expensive strollers do represent the best value. Think about it, you might have just had twins (or are expecting them - either way, congratulations!) and are now looking for a suitable stroller. As your kids grow into toddlerhood, you may need to upgrade to a stroller with more seat capacity. Well, while the lower-end strollers will have to be passed on or sold at a disappointingly-low price, the higher-end double baby stroller models may sell near the price you bought them for! Good resale value trumps initial savings, especially when the stroller that costs more brings with it added luxuries.

Go Over The Reviews!

C'mon, do it! You'll thank yourself later. The reason why so many people swiftly become discontented with a double baby stroller they bought from a store is because they were getting two points of view: the sales assistant who knows a lot and slants the details towards a costly purchase, and you - maybe (in fact, very likely) not as “on the ball” about stroller issues and features - interpreting as best you can the lingo and numbers hurled at you during this shopping outing.

Wouldn't it be better if you could ask twenty people precisely what ideas they have about a particular double baby stroller purchase? As empathetically capable beings, this is the top possible route to take. Out of the dozens of genuine reviews available on websites like Amazon for some strollers, you'll come across a few that strike a chord with you – they’ll be in similar circumstances, share some other metrics with you (number of kids, number of strollers they’ve gone through, etc.) or complain of the same maddening conduct in their toddlers that you've observed in your own. (Maddening meaning adorable, of course!) You'll be surprised what you'll find as you keep reading the reviews.

Your Stroller Search

So, what's stopping you from making the right decision? Head to sites like Amazon.com and start reading reviews! You should have your budget in mind before venturing to an online store like Amazon, but do remember the section on value. If you take good care of the double baby stroller (get one with washable pads and durable material) you should be able to recoup a lot of the cost when you, or your children, need to upgrade. If you have any questions, my recommendation would be to create a Yahoo Answers account and ask there - you should get some prompt, quality replies that address your concerns. Best of luck!



Yoselin

Nicky Meintjies asked:


A baby stroller is one of the biggest expenses in having a baby. There is a baffling array of them on the market and there are tricks you will pick up that will make using a baby stroller easier. Together, they are the essential knowledge about baby strollers that every parent needs to know.

Comfort

First, in choosing a stroller, you must get one which both your baby and you will be comfortable with. Nothing is more important than your baby's safety and comfort. That said, to get the right stroller that will suit your needs and last for a while, you also need to consider how easy it is to use and transport and whether it is flexible (for instance transforming into a car seat or carry cot).

If you don't know what you are looking for, and have not considered the factors above, you can spend ages looking for a stroller and never finding what you need. One of the first things you need to think about is whether the stroller is safe and stable. Is it sturdy, even when the baby is moving around in the stroller and it is loaded down with the ever-important diaper bag and perhaps even some shopping?

Harnesses

You need to take a look at the harness system. Children soon grow inquisitive and get to squirming around. A five-point harness system is best for keeping them safe and secure. It also worked well to support the more floppy bodies of infants too.

Handles

Next, have a look at the stroller handles. Does it adjust so people of different heights can push it? You don't want your six foot tall husband to have any excuse to get out of his pushing duties do you?

Necessary Extras

Good strollers will come with a sun canopy and a rain hood. You may have to use the stroller in all weathers so be prepared for that. However, be aware that these accessories can be bought later to add to the stroller so don't necessarily let the lack of one of these features deter you from buying a good value stroller.

One thing you cannot compromise on is whether the stroller folds. It has to! A stroller which won't fit into your car is of no use to you. Preferably, find a stroller that folds with one hand so you can hold your baby at the same time.

Stroller travel systems are great. These incorporate a standard stroller with an infant seat that removes from the frame. That means you won't have to wake up your sleeping baby to get them into the car. Just think of all the tears you'll save. It serves as a standard stroller for older babies.

If you have twins or babies with a small age gap between them you may want a double stroller, but an easier solution may be to clip two single strollers together. That way, you can also use the strollers separately when you want to.

It's really important to try out a stroller before you buy it. Walk normally with it. Walk quickly with it. Make sure it doesn't trip you up. Check that it fits in your car.

Think long-term, too. Children aren't known for being clean. Your stroller will soon get dirty. You should look for one with removable seat covers which are easy to wash.

How much do strollers cost? They can regularly run you about $200-$300. That sounds like a lot, but if you are a busy parent with lots of little ones, that stroller may be a lifesaver!



Alfonso