A Baby Stroller Buying Guide
Baby strollers help out a lot of parents in taking care of their baby, but be careful when buying one, because if you make the wrong choice, you could end up with a lot of trouble and inconvenience. So how can parents pick the right stroller? Well, strollers are available to match just about any lifestyle. To help you pick one, first consider the main purpose for buying one, and then look for a stroller that's suitable for your lifestyle and your baby.
As always, the biggest concern is your baby's safety. It would be wise to check the stability of the stroller, and don't forget to see if the stroller will remain upright with a diaper bag hanging over the handles. The harness comes next. A five-point harness is best, especially for infants or babies who are in the stroller a lot. A three-point harness will do fine if used occasionally for short walks outside.
When you find a stroller that seems right, try to walk it yourself for a while to get the feel of it. Choose a stroller that makes corners smoothly, and try walking with the stroller at a faster pace to be sure your feet don't hit the wheels. This would come in handy when you have to hurry or maneuver in crowded areas. The height of the handles is also important for your comfort. Taller parents should look for strollers with adjustable handle heights. If you want more comfort, look for foam-covered handles.
Also think about the other features you may need from a stroller. Do you need a stroller with a basket underneath? Or perhaps you'd like some trays to help you store and organize food, toys, milk, additional clothes, etc. A lot of these accessories can be bought separately, so fret not if you cannot find any beverage holder in your favorite stroller. How the stroller folds and how much trunk space it may take are important considerations, too.
There are around four common types of strollers available in the market. There are the lightweight strollers, just under 20 pounds but having many of the same features as larger strollers, such as reclining seats, storage baskets and sun shades. These strollers are great for travelers and perfect for trips to the mall or zoo. Standard strollers often feature roomier seats, larger wheels, more storage space and extras like built-in music systems. Standard strollers perform well in most conditions, and parents love the versatility they bring.
Outdoorsy parents may want to consider getting a jogging stroller. Some parent buy one as a backup for their everyday stroller. Featuring substantial, sturdy wheels, sleek frames, hand-grip brakes and all-terrain suspension systems, jogging strollers perform well on almost any surface. They are not recommended for babies under 6 months old, though. Some new parents who travel a lot also use travel systems, which comes with a standard stroller and an infant car seat that you can easily snap on to the stroller itself. Once the infant seat is outgrown, travel systems perform the same as standard strollers.
Chiun Masters is a researcher and writer for http://www.babydoublestroller.com, where you can find affordable and high-quality baby strollers. Visit us when you need good quality baby strollers.
Published April 11th, 2007