 |
Baby Stroller Buying Guide |
|
Baby Stroller Buying Guide |
| Baby Stroller Buying Guide |
|
|
|
Best Baby Products | baby stroller buying guide Baby Stroller Buying GuideBasics Types Features Accessories Age Range Safety Tips Cost Range Buying Tips Basics Strollers are a safe and easy way to transport your baby. With all of the different strollers on the market, deciding which stroller is right for you can be overwhelming. First, you must decide whether you need a single stroller, which holds only one child, or a double or triple stroller for more children. From there, you can find the perfect stroller to fit your lifestyle. Types Lightweight: Convenience strollers weigh less than 15 pounds and fold easily and compactly - perfect for on the go. Most have an aluminum frame, so they are lightweight, durable and easy to transport. Although some lightweight strollers offer a full recline, most only recline partially and are therefore not appropriate for use with newborns. Lightweight strollers also do not offer the comfort of standard single strollers. Many parents find them more useful for quick errands or travel than for long walks. Single: The typical Single Stroller weighs between 13 and 30 pounds with an average of about 15. Full-size single strollers are comfortable and sturdy. They usually have plush fabric with plenty of padding, and the seats recline to three or four different positions. On some strollers, the handle heights are reversible so that the stroller doubles as a carriage. Carriage strollers are single strollers in which the baby lies down and faces the driver. Carriages also have large wheels and offer the smoothest ride. However, they are not as portable as other strollers. Most single strollers usually have a large canopy good for protecting your child from the sun. Umbrella: Umbrella strollers get their name from the design of their handles, which resemble that of an umbrella. They also have a durable yet lightweight aluminum frame, and some umbrella strollers can weigh as little as 5 pounds. They are ideal for travel, and fold quickly and compactly to fit down the aisles of an airplane or city bus. However, these strollers do not normally recline and are not recommended for newborns. Use your umbrella stroller once your baby can sit up by himself, around 6 months. Double: Designed for two children, the Double Stroller makes it simple to tote both children comfortably. There are two different types, the "tandem" and the "side-by-side." Tandem Strollers, in which one child sits behind the other, usually have deeper seats that are better for infants. These are more maneuverable and often more practical, as the narrow design permits the stroller to pass through smaller areas, such as shopping aisles. Side-By-Side Strollers allow children to enjoy each other's company as they sit. They are lightweight and fold easily and compactly. Most fit through doorways but do not offer the ease of maneuverability that tandem strollers do. Travel Systems: A Travel System is a combination stroller/car seat. The system includes an infant car seat that can be attached to the stroller while your child is still a newborn. This allows parents to move their baby from a vehicle to the stroller quickly and easily without removing him from the car seat. Babies face the driver of the stroller in most travel systems, but there are some models that allow the baby to face either direction. Most travel systems are compact for easy storage and portability. When your baby outgrows the car seat, you can use the system exclusively as a stroller. Features Canopy: Most strollers and carriages include a canopy to protect your child from the elements. Some canopies feature one or more adjustable positions and are even fully retractable. Others have a see-through mesh or plastic window on top to view your child while traveling. Frame: Strollers are made from either plastic, steel or aluminum. Plastic or aluminum frames are more lightweight; however, steel is the most durable. Front Bar: Front armbars give your child a place to lean or hold a snack tray or toy accessories. Some models have armbars that are padded, removable and adjustable as your baby grows. Harness: All strollers feature either a three-point or a five-point harness to keep your child safely in the seat. A five point harness features a chest clip is the best and safest harness type to use. Recline: A stroller that features a fully reclining seat is appropriate for newborns who cannot support their heads by themselves and need to be in lying position. Other recline positions are appropriate for your growing baby to take naps. Use the fully upright position once your baby is able to support his head to see the world around him. Storage: Some strollers include a storage basket underneath or mesh pocket on the back of the seat to hold necessities and/or a diaper bag. The size of the stroller will dictate the amount of storage space you will get. Accessories Accessory Bars attach to the stroller's handles enabling a parent to hang essentials or hold drinks. Attachable Toy and Activity Bars are useful in keeping your baby entertained and occupied while strolling. Infant Headrests are available in a wide variety of colors for preemies and infants, which help support a baby's head and neck during the first couple months of life. Rain Shields and Netting are important in covering the stroller completely to protect your baby from the elements and are available for single, carriage and double strollers. Stroller Connectors let you attach two umbrella strollers together to stroll two children at once. Age Range Use a stroller that includes a fully reclining seat with an infant head support for an infant. A stroller with multiple reclining seat positions is suitable for older babies. If you purchase a semi-reclining stroller, you'll begin using it at about 4 months. Once your baby has control of head movements. You will probably use your stroller until your child reaches 3 or 4 years old. Safety Tips
Single Strollers range in price from under $50 to $450. More expensive strollers feature such extras as fully reclining seats, folding canopies, adjustable handlebars, extra storage, washable seat cushions and higher quality fabrics. More money also buys you a more durable frame made of metal instead of plastic, and wheels that wear better. You can purchase a basic carriage for about $100, but some high end designs can run as much as $1000. Lightweight convenience strollers range in price from under $100 to more than $250. Lower priced strollers usually come with a canopy and seats that semi-recline. As you go up in price, you'll get more features like cushier padding and higher quality fabrics, sturdy aluminum frames and one-hand collapse. Basic umbrella strollers are available for as little as $15. However, a stroller this inexpensive will provide little comfort, minimal safety, and will not come with any extra features. It is best to spend more on a higher quality stroller that will last longer and offer more features and provide safety. For $50 to $70, you can find a reliable umbrella stroller with comfort features such as a canopy, padded seat and storage basket. Double strollers range in price from about $100 to more than $300. As with any stroller, more features cost more money. You probably won't find a double stroller that fully reclines for less than $100, so you'll need to spend the extra money if you plan to use your stroller for a newborn. As you spend more money, you will get extra features such as removable, washable seat pads and a lightweight metal frame. Travel systems range in price from about $150 to $200. As with all other strollers, the more you spend, the more features you will get. Look for a system with a car seat that has sufficient infant head support and a reliable harness system. Stroller frames that do not include the car seat are less expensive. Buying tips
|
|
 |