I am pleased to have an expert at CSN Baby.com, Suzanne as a guest blogger today.
Suzanne’s post is a guide for tips on selecting the right stroller for your baby and your lifestyle. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, trying to learn and research baby items.
When I bought my first stroller, I thought any stroller with four wheels would do. However, I didn’t consider that I did a lot of walking, and did not get a stroller that was very comfortable for Ryan, for long walks. Needless to say, I could have made a better purchase- one that would have saved me a lot of hassle and would have made it more comfortable for Ryan. I hope this guide will be informative and helpful if you are researching a stroller purchase.
Finding the Right Stroller
Parents of babies and toddlers know that there are two major purchases: cribs and strollers. While cribs can be determined largely on style, color, quality, there are other important factors to consider when looking for a stroller. We’re going to outline a few things that you should consider when shopping around.
Your Lifestyle
A stroller should compliment the daily lifestyle of yourself and your baby. Are you planning on driving around a lot with the baby? Then you might want to purchase a foldable stroller or a travel system (which is a stroller that supports an infant car seat). If you live an active lifestyle, then consider a jogging stroller. These types of strollers are designed for parents who want to run with their baby, so they come with a sturdier frame and swivel wheel to ensure maximum maneuverability.
Size Matters
Of course your child will grow, but if you are planning on buying for a newborn, keep in mind that most strollers will not do, as infants have to travel lying flat on their back to ensure their safety. You will need either a fully-reclining stroller, a travel system that can hold an infant car seat, or a pram. Once your child grows to toddler size, most strollers should be able to work for them as they should be able to sit straight up.
Your own space matters too! The safety and comfort of your child should be paramount when it comes to this purchase, but the stroller should also be easy and convenient for you to use and store. If you might need to bring it on a train or subway or have limited space to store it, then you should be looking at collapsible lightweight strollers. Foldable strollers may not have as many features as others, but are a lot easiest to push and to store.
Features!
Strollers these days come with all sorts of features, from storage areas to pivoting food trays, cup holders to adjustable handlebars. Of course a lot of the features make the stroller more convenient to operate and more comfortable for the little passenger, but bear in mind that these accessories also add to the price tag. So think long and hard toward whether these add-ons are necessary or whether you’d be better off with a stroller that has fewer features, but is less expensive and just as durable.
Choosing the right stroller is an important decision, and it often comes down to personal tastes and needs. But hopefully these tips will help get you on the path to getting your child on wheels!