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Find the Perfect Stroller! Read This Before You Shop!

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There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

For most new parents, strollers are an essential piece of baby equipment. However, much like all the types of car seats, the array of stroller options can be overwhelming. New parents will need to do research before picking a stroller best suited to their unique situation.

This is a guest post written by Patricia Dimick.

Find the Perfect Stroller! Read This Before You Shop! This is a comprehensive guide to the different types of strollers on the market. Perfect for new AND veteran parents!

Travel Systems:
Travel Systems are multipurpose and typically include an infant seat that snaps into a stroller frame. The infant seat often converts to a carseat by attaching it to a base in the car. Parents have to buy a second seat or base if they have two cars. However, these systems make it easier to travel with a sleeping newborn, although the infant carrier is bulky and very heavy.

Car seat stroller frames:
Car seat stroller frames are lightweight and work with specific car seats. The seat snaps in and out of the base. The frames are compact and easy to fold.

Standard & Full-Size Strollers:
These common strollers are available in many designs and sizes. They include padded and reclining seats. Most have built-in storage and removable sun shades. Some models allow the baby to face forward or backward. Putting your baby in so he or she can see you helps foster your relationship and communication. Select a model with metal wheels and that folds easily.

Jogging strollers:
Jogging strollers have three wheels on a light aluminum frame. These are ideal for long walks and rough terrain, and offer the moms a perfect way to stay fit, while at the same time, closely watching their child. Some may accommodate two or more kids. Look for joggers with a stationary front wheel and a hand brake for added safety. Only babies who can sit up should be in a jogging stroller. The size of these strollers makes them hard to fold up or fit in tight spaces like elevators.

Compact and lightweight umbrella strollers:
Compact and lightweight umbrella strollers can be used once your baby is able to sit up. They are often inexpensive as their seats don’t recline and they don’t have cup holders or any of the other fancy accessories found on their fullsize counterparts. Look for study handles and models that can be steered with one hand, as these strollers don’t have storage. These no-frills strollers are ideal for travel and are often used as a backup stroller.

Double and Triple Strollers:
Double and triple strollers allow you to push your twins, triplets or baby and toddler all at once. There are tandem models where kids sit behind one another and side by side models that lets kids sit next to each other. Some have a platform where older kids can stand and hold onto the handles. Tandem models are easier to maneuver while the side by side models give kids more leg room. Some single strollers can be expanded into a double stroller. (Editor’s note: I reviewed the Combi Fold N Go Double Stroller & LOVED IT)

The ultimate guide to buying the perfect stroller. Tips for new moms, twin moms and veteran moms!

Crucial Things to Look for When Buying Strollers:

▪ Safety First
Always check out safety features such as locking seats, seat belts or a restraint system and brakes. Check out the frame for sharp edges and protrusions that could scratch your baby. Test the brakes out before you buy a stroller. Make sure the wheels lock when the brakes are applied.

▪ Maneuverability
You should be able to move the stroller in a line and turn around a corner with one hand. The wheels of the stroller should swivel in all directions so that it is easier to turn in tight spaces.

▪ Handle height
A stroller with handles that are adjustable can accommodate parents of different heights. What is comfortable for a petite parent may not be comfortable for a tall person. Handle extenders can be purchased for parents who are especially tall.

▪ Adjustable seat
Babies need seats that lay back to a nearly flat position. Once the child can sit up, the seat can be adjusted to a steeper pitch.

▪ Canopy
A removable and adjustable shade protects your baby from sunburn and the weather. It also keeps your child more comfortable and out of the way of bright glare.

▪ Storage
A basket under the seat gives you space for baby wipes, diapers and other essentials while you’re out and about.

▪ Washable fabric
Babies make messes from spit-up and leaky diapers. Make sure the stroller’s fabric is washable for faster and easier cleaning.

[bctt tweet=”The ultimate guide to buying the perfect #stroller! #Pregnancy #Baby”]

Ask yourself these questions before buying a stroller:

1. Are the handlebars high enough?
Make sure you can comfortably push the stroller and adjust the handle height.

2. Is there enough storage?
Look for a stroller with a basket under the seat, where you can store water, pacifiers and diapers. Cup holders and side pockets are also helpful.

3. Is folding easy?
Test how easy it is to fold the stroller before you buy it. Make sure the stroller stays folded even if bumped. Choose a stroller that can be folded with one hand.

4. Can you steer it easily?
Do the push test around corners and tight spaces. Practice 180-degree turns.

5. Can it carry a car seat?
Make sure the frame can accommodate your infant’s car seat.

6. What’s your budget?
Create a stroller budget and prioritize the features you need the most.

With so many strollers, choices may seem overwhelming. Testing several models and doing some research can help you narrow the options. Consider what you need most based on your lifestyle, budget and family size. Look on eBay’s secure marketplace to find great prices on the stroller of your dreams.

Patricia Dimick previously shared awesome tips on How to Involve Your Child in Designing the Baby’s Nursery.

Design an Awesome Baby Nursery WITH Your Toddler

FOLLOW MY BABY PINTEREST BOARD for awesome baby-related pins. New pins are added daily!

Follow Mama in the Now’s board Baby on Pinterest.

You can find Patricia Demick on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest
BIO: Patricia Dimick is a mom from Denver, a freelancer and a passionate table tennis player. As a content creator who works from home, she is also a fan of nature and DIY jobs. She loooooves coffee. You can reach her @patricia_dimick.

Mama in the Now Signature

Filed Under: Baby (0-1 years), Life Style, Motherhood, Pregnancy Tagged With: Baby, Guest Blogging, Kids, Motherhood, Parenting Shortcut, Pregnancy

Comments

  1. Keara B. says

    June 3, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Great info! I wish I would have had a guide like this when I was first looking at strollers. I’m very tall but for some reason I didn’t really consider handle height. (I guess I assumed they’d all adjust.) Our first stroller was very uncomfortable to push because the handle was far too low, even with adjustments.

  2. Carissa Lynn says

    June 3, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    I love our city select, I just wish the second seat wasn’t so pricy. This information would have made choosing easier.

  3. Brittany Crews says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    So helpful!! We mostly babywear, but have thought about getting a stroller since we will have two under 2 come October. This was very helpful!!

  4. katie says

    June 4, 2015 at 12:41 AM

    This was so helpful. We have a jogging stroller and it does take up so much space when we go to hospital visits I’m thinking of just using baby carrier from now on.

  5. Dandi D says

    June 4, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    We are looking for a stroller before our little one arrives this summer, so this was really helpful!

  6. Emily @ My Love for Words says

    June 4, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    Choosing a stroller can be ridiculously overwhelming! Thanks for this great and very helpful guide 🙂

  7. Kristen M. says

    June 4, 2015 at 3:14 PM

    When I got my carseat stroller I loved it for that option. But I’ve found it intimidating to use and haven’t actually used the carseat on it in the six months that I’ve had it!

  8. sarah poole says

    June 5, 2015 at 12:59 AM

    I should’ve read something like this before I had my first.

  9. Nina says

    June 4, 2015 at 11:05 PM

    It’s amazing the options out there now. When we got our stroller for our eldest, we aimed for travel strollers where we can put the infant seat in and out of the car seat base. Seems like there are so many more options now though. After the travel stroller we bought umbrella strollers for easier maneuvering.

  10. Amber Ludwig says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    Oh man I wish I would’ve read this before we bought ours lol!! I hate hate hate our stroller and am constantly telling others to really make this an important purchase!! They are so pricey and you use them FOREVER!

  11. Allison Lindstrom says

    June 5, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    I really could’ve used these questions when I first purchased a stroller. I bought one online (big mistake!) and rarely use it now. The one my son loves is a cheapie Graco I picked up at Wal-Mart. Who would’ve thought??

  12. Rachel says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:34 PM

    Lots of great things to think about! I really want a good jogging stroller!

  13. Christina says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    Great info! We went through a few strollers before we finally found the one that we love and have had for years now.

  14. mommyinsports says

    June 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    This is awesome! This should be in the book Baby Bargains! I hated shopping for strollers….

  15. jean says

    June 8, 2015 at 4:23 PM

    Great post! We love our graco jogging stroller!

  16. Kristine Barrett says

    June 10, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    Very good points! My sister-in-law and I used to joke that there just wasn’t a perfect stroller to meet ALL of ones needs. Probably true, but I have found a couple that make me happy, 6 strollers and 3 kids later. 😛

    • Mama in the Now says

      June 10, 2015 at 2:05 PM

      Our garage is a stroller graveyard… we also have six strollers. ha ha ha

  17. Lisa Jackson (@Lisa_Jackson_22) says

    June 19, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    Very well written. Will definitely help the parents of little infants to buy best and most accurate stroller for their little ones. http://www.babyhaven.com/

  18. Vera Simmonds says

    June 21, 2015 at 9:40 PM

    Definitely helped me with buying a stroller, we are currently in the works of getting one.

  19. Evelyn says

    March 17, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    Thanks for sharing all these awesome tips! Definitely an awesome guide for first time parents! Going to bookmark this!

I am a Danish American mom of four boys parenting with heart, humor and hygge. Join me on this crazy ride. You will laugh more than you’d expect!

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