Heading to the park or going for groceries with a baby? Even the thought of going out with your little one is nerve-wracking and frustrating. A right stroller will certainly transform this full of hustle task into a love-to-do one. But how to choose strollers that will make your life much easier?
Becoming parents is an incredible yet overwhelming feeling. You have to do a lot of challenging tasks. Such challenging tasks should be done regardless of how hard you avoid them. Choose a stroller for your baby is one of those challenging tasks. This article is all about making your life at ease and comfortable. Stick by us and get to know how to select the right stroller. Let’s dive in.
Types of Baby Strollers
Table of Contents
Before heading into the features themselves, you need to understand your needs and preferences. Will you be using it during jogging or on rough terrains? Is your house or apartment small and needs something compact? Do you not want to spend a lot of money on a stroller? For that, we are going to explain some types of strollers so that you can get a better idea.
Convertible Stroller
Convertible strollers are great for parents who can’t skip jogging or running as they have a reversed face feature that allows your baby to face you while you jog. Also, you can find a double seat feature in a lot of costly models. So if you’re having twins or two kids with not much age difference, such strollers would be a lifesaver. Let’s not forget that convertible strollers are comparatively heavy and huge. Moreover, parents can easily replace the strollers seat with a baby carriage or an infant car seat.
Umbrella Stroller
This type of stroller is suitable if you are always on the go or have a small apartment. An Umbrella stroller comes in handy for people who love to travel. Furthermore, an umbrella stroller does not offer much comfort to your baby, especially on bumpy and rough terrains. There are a lot of affordable and reasonable models in the market.
Traditional Stroller
The traditional stroller comes with a fixed seat which means you can’t switch the direction of the seat. Several brands are offering amazing traditional strollers from moderate to high-end prices. Additionally, you will get huge storage baskets to place baby essentials and your bag as well.
How To Choose a Stroller
Whenever you go to the market or online shopping, you need to look at the following features in the stroller model you’re going to buy. Let’s not waste any more time.
Suspension and Wheels
Wheels are the part of the stroller that will decide your experience with the stroller. So never ignore this essential feature. What should I look for? If you’re a regular runner, then go for bigger wheels, the front wheels must be 7-8 inches while the back wheels should be 9-10 inches. Sturdy wheels will keep the ride smooth even on bumpy roads. If it’s maneuverability you are looking for, swivel front wheels would be a great deal for you.
The suspension system serves the purpose of absorbing all the shocks from bumpy roads while keeping your little one calm and comfortable. The spinal cord and bones of babies are way too delicate, they should be handled with a lot of care and attention.
Ease to Use
What if a stroller is stuck too often during a walk? What if you can’t move it probably because of how bulky it is? Definitely not worth the investment. After spending hard-earned money on something, all you need is convenience and the value of money. So, always go and check all kinds of reviews while buying strollers online.
Way of Living
Do you travel a lot? Are you a fan of staying home? Do you often go outside for a small walk or to the grocery? Can’t you skip your jogging? These are all the questions you should ask yourself before going to select a stroller. If you’re a travel lover, go for a lightweight and foldable baby stroller. An Umbrella stroller would help while jogging or running, as we have mentioned in the previous section.
Maximum Weight
What’s even the point of investing in a stroller when your baby’s weight is more than the maximum weight limit? No point? Right! So before putting your pretty pennies into a stroller, don’t overlook this important detail.
Other Features
A lot of people don’t look for other features at first but believe us additional features will make walks with your teeny weeny much more relaxed and comfortable. What kind of other features a stroller can offer? A massive storage basket lets you keep your bag, baby diapers, baby food, and other essentials. Besides that, a huge canopy would keep your child safe from the sun. Moreover, an adjustable handle, a cup holder, and a footrest, such additional features will provide value and make your investment successful.
Safety Certification
Go for strollers that are certified by Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association(JPMA). This certification is proof that a certain strollers has been tested and considered a safe ride for babies. They test features like wheel stability, sturdy brakes, locking system, and safety as well.
Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Don’t forget to follow safety tips when you are out with your little munchkin.
- It’s always good to face your baby towards you so that he/she will be in your sight.
- Always completely unfold the stroller before putting the baby inside the seat. There is a chance that it may collapse and can hurt your little man.
- Don’t forget to double-check the brake after locking the stroller system.
- Safety harnesses make sure to protect your baby from falling even if an accident happens. So always use them.
- Avoid putting hot beverages on cup holders.
- Avoid running or jogging with a baby until he learns how to control and handle his/her head and neck. Don’t think of jogging with a stroller that’s not meant for jogging.
- Last but not least, don’t hang anything heavier from the handlebar. Keep things in a storage basket at the bottom.
That was all for the stroller guide. Going to the market without knowing what you want to buy and what you have to look at in a product is the worst thing ever. But now you know how to choose a stroller for your little baby.