There are so many options on the market that you may feel a little overwhelmed when it’s time to make a choice.
So to help you narrow down the choices, here are a couple of things to consider when you’re buying a stroller for your child.
Contents
1. Your Budget
Your stroller can cost you 30 bucks or 1,200 bucks, depending on quality and features.
So setting a budget can really help you reduce the number of choices that you consider.
Make sure you look for sales in the store’s baby department and the best deals so you can save as much as possible.
But at the same time, don’t hesitate to invest in a quality stroller with higher handles, wider canopies, and extra features that will make the experience more comfortable for both your child and yourself.
2. What You’re Seeking From Your Stroller
There are many types of strollers, and knowing exactly what you need out of your stroller will bring you a step closer to a final decision.
All-purpose Strollers
These are the most popular and which include all the extras and luxuries. They’re also typically heavier and more expensive than other types.
Lightweight Strollers
Lightweight or Umbrella strollers focus on being portable and easy to carry around for those who move around a lot.
Jogging Strollers
Jogging strollers are aimed at those who like doing outdoor activities such as running or jogging. They usually have 3 wheels and are more maneuverable.
Double Strollers
Double strollers suit people with twins or multiple kids that were close born. They make going out with multiple kids a lot easier. However, they’re usually a lot bulkier and heavier than others.
Travel Systems:
Travel systems are the shape-shifters of the group. You simply snap the car seat into and out of the stroller. It doesn’t require much effort and keeps your baby asleep. However, your newborn will quickly grow out of them.
3. Maneuverability and Steering
Depending on the activities you’ll be doing with your stroller, these factors can really affect your experience.
If you’re going to be using it in crowded areas with tight spaces and corners, try to get something more maneuverable like a lightweight or a jogging stroller.
You should also make sure that your stroller has brakes that are easy to deal with when you’re wearing open-toed shoes. Of course, that’s when you test how efficient and fast they are.
Some brakes can lock both back wheels at once or individually while others include both foot and hand-operated brakes –which are mostly found in the more active jogging strollers.
4. Handle Adjustability
Your strollers handle should be around waist-high or a little lower than that.
So instead of buying a handle extender for your fixed-handle stroller, just get a stroller with an adjustable handle –especially if multiple people will be handling the stroller.
5. Folding Size and Mechanism
When you’re in a hurry to get home or go out, the last thing you need is a stroller with a complex or time-consuming folding mechanism.
On top of that, the folded size of your stroller should be compact enough to be easy to carry around or store around the back of your car.
6. The Seat
All the previous factors had more to do with the parent than the child, so let’s give the child’s needs a closer look.
The seat should have a comfortable 5-point harness that wraps snuggly around the waist, over the shoulder, and between the legs. Make sure the buckle is easy to undo but also secure for your child.
Moreover, make sure that the seat has the option to recline. The flatter the position, the better.
Some strollers even come with seats that can be positioned to face forward or backward.
7. Canopy Size and Usability
A canopy will protect your child from the sun’s harmful UV rays, rain, wind, or annoying insects and bugs.
8. Safety Precautions
Apart from a sturdy harness, your stroller must have a tether wrist strap to ensure that it doesn’t stray away should your grip on your handle slip.
On top of that, it should have at least one parking brake in an accessible place for fast stops.
9. Storage Space
The longer you spend outside with your child, the larger the storage space you’ll need.
So make sure that the under-seat storage and the pockets will fit all the items you’ll need.
Moreover, make sure that it will cover the variously-sized items from the big ones such as diaper bags to small things like your keys or wallet.
10.Multiple Strollers
Budget-wise, this isn’t the best option. However, if your use is going to greatly vary between walking around shopping centers and going for morning runs, you’ll definitely need to buy separate strollers to fit each situation.
Final Thoughts
You might actually find that one stroller fits your own personal requirements as opposed to the information available on the market and vice versa.
So for you to be sure that you picked the right stroller for yourself and your baby, go for a test drive.
